How far, then, in these three decisive cases has the democratic infusion been carried and what are the consequences, the promise, and the dangers of each experiment?
III NATIONALITY AND DEMOCRACY IN ENGLAND It has already been observed that England was the first European state both in mediaeval and modern times to reach a high degree of national efficiency.

At a period when the foreign policies of the continental states were exclusively but timidly dynastic, and when their domestic organizations illustrated the disadvantages of a tepid autocracy, Great Britain had entered upon a foreign policy of national colonial expansion and was building up a representative national domestic organization.
After several centuries of revolutionary disturbance the English had regained their national balance, without sacrificing any of the time-honored elements in their national life.

The monarchy was reconstituted as the symbol of the national integrity and as the crown of the social system.

The hereditary aristocracy, which was kept in touch with the commoners because its younger sons were not noble and which was national, if not liberal, in spirit, became the real rulers of England; but its role was supplemented by an effective though limited measure of general representation.

This organization was perfected in the nineteenth century.