Life, 1925-03-26 · page 26 of 37
Life — March 26, 1925 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents contest entries answering whether democracy is a success—a pointed critique disguised as a game. **The Satirical Answers:** Two main responses appear. "The Old Army Game" compares democracy to a con, where citizens stake everything in liberty and equality but receive only "empty shells"—a cynical view of broken promises. "A Spectacular Success" takes the opposite approach, sarcastically praising democracy as wonderfully "diverting" despite being founded on flawed premises (incompetent masses, loudmouths driving policy). **"The Gilded Rule"** offers a third perspective: democracy works only for the obedient, the publicly pious (not the genuinely moral), and the honest—a narrow slice of society. **The Context:** This appears post-WWI, when Americans questioned whether democracy had actually delivered on its ideals. The contest format—paying readers to critique their own system—reflects Life's satirical tradition of using reader participation to expose social contradictions. These aren't celebratory answers; they're deeply skeptical of democracy's real-world function versus its theory.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE - Lire’s Question Contest Answers to Question Number Five: “Is Democracy a Success?” The Old Army Game N unqualified success. As a slogan to win the war—unsurpassed. As a cover for bureaticratic laws—per fect. As an excuse to exploit the many for the few—none better. As a means of fooling all of the people all the time—it puts Barnum to shame. Democracy! Why, it's the World's greatest shell game. “Walk up, Ladies and Gentlemen, stake your all in the great cause of Liberty, Fraternity, Equal- ity. Wealth and Happiness for all. Now watch carefully—Presto! Too bad, La dies and Gentlemen, again you lose; you get the empty shell. Come again—better luck next generation.” P, Jacobson, 479 Melrose Avenue NDG, Montreal, Canada. A Spectacular Success EMOCRACY was conceived of the belief that all men are created free nd equal. It was establisted on the belief that a group of individual incompetents can function with prudence, fore- sight and intelligence. It is administered in the belief that those who can shout most loudly and lengthily their desires know best what God wants and the people need. It was developed as a novel theory in sociology and politics, It has degener- ated into a spectacle. But a most diverting spectacle it is; and as such, its success is incontrovert- ible and ce wisdom, . Morley, 7 Ross Avenue, Wilkinsburg, Pa. COonDITIONS $ O*E question will be published cach week for ten weeks, starting with the January 29th issue. Answers to each question must be received at this office not later than 12 noon on the sec- ond Saturday following announcement of the question (in this case, before noon of April 4, 1 The winning answer to each ques- tion will arded a prize of $50. Announcement of these winning an- swers will be made in Lire within five weeks after cach of the questions is published. To the three contestants who have the highest record throughout the Con- test. prizes will be given as follows: First, $300; Second, $125; Third, $75. (Continued from page 11) The Gilded Rule Fok those who vote as they pray, yes. For those who vote as they are told, no. For those who obey the good and bad laws of their country, yes. For those who disobey the good and bad laws of their country, no. For those who earnestly pray in secret, and silently follow the Golden Rule, yes. For those who superficially pray loud and long in public places, and disregard the Golden Rule, no. For honest people, yes. people, no. Now go back and read it all over again and apply it to any nation as a whole. Mrs. H. E. Brodie, Box 933. Richmond, Va. For dishonest More Honorable Mentions _ Citas. ALexanver, 102 East Market . ey Ohio; H. S. Baker, 608 South Anderson Tacoma, Wash. ; Hates M. Bett, 427 Woodsboro Drive, Royal Oa Tax Branson, 1506 rath Ave. East Oakland, Calif;’ Paut W. Brixey, 1017 South Brook St., Louis- ville, Ky.; K. H.. Bronson, 4067 Pingree, Detroit, Mich.; Mrs. F. A. Brooks, $15 in Luis Road, Berkeley, Calif.; Haxey Brown, 1299 Ocean Avenue, Brooklyn, Y.; Rosatiz M, Conn, 139_Clift Ave. Winthrop, Dassen J. Correy, 168 Blake P.O. Bo York City; Bldg., Detro 1466 S. Third outh Midler J. Hersert Ene Salt Lake City, Utah; acramento Ave., 1s, 43 M. ay St Needham, - celsior Springs, Auburn S Meigen: Mas: 379 F. Ave., Coronado Freverick J. Girtow, Jr, 273, State Springfield, Mass. ; Doxato’ Goovemiin, To be eligible for these prizes, it is not necessary for a contestant to answer all of the questions, but it is advised that he or she submit as many answe as possible. Each answer must not ex- ceed two liundred words; in fact, brev- ity should be an object. There is no limit to the number of answers which a contestant may submit. Answers must be typewritten, or very plainly written, on one side of the paper onl and addressed to the Question Euitor, Lire, 598 Madison Avenue, New York City. The Editors of Lire will act as Judges in this Contest; they, and the members of their families, are neces- sarily barred from competition. The Street, Princeton, Je 1654 Neilson St., Utica, D, Birch- “Mass.; A. S Little Rock, Citas $24 Wilcox Rochester, Mich.; Grorce Witttas TON, 140 College Avenue, Ithaca Feux D. Hurwitz, Ave, Jersey City, 4984 W. Pine Bivd.. St. Jarre, 598 eaford Ave., Brool .; L.”B. Jonnsox, 2406 Federal Texas; Rontet M. Jonts- isth Ave. Huntington, West ; R. S. Kevro 18 Bayley Avenue, Yonkers, N. Y.; Manet Foro Leake, P. . Box 1522, Birmingham, Ala.; Cavrt SWILER, West Point, N. Y.: M. V. uber, 303 Md. Ave. Clarendon, Watbex HH. MeNatk, 4 Park Ter Upper Montclair, N.’J.; P. G.M .., 3000 Daisy’ Ave, Cievsland, Wa ter Meav, Takoma Park. Washington, D. P.'G. Mrtnovex Oak Crest, Laurel, Md. tH W. Mer CALP, Dogwood enn . Ibemarle Park, Asheville, N. Raven Mittee 341 Race Kies “Chicago; Fraxx Pint BROOK, 901 Bush S: an Francise pert S. Ricntaxn, 6 E. 3oth Si York; G. Gate Rosersox, 803 South Second . yrnnmpsign, Ih; H. C.F. Rocxtepse, Waldo Avenue, Riverdale-on- Hudson, N. Y.; W. Sitarp, 823 Rol lins, Columbia, Mo.; Baro Sait, 1906 Dime Bank Bldg., Detroit, Mich.; N. Sait, Lenox Hotel, Detroit, Mich. ; A. NnG, Tyler, Minn.;'Rourx? B. TEDMAN, 47.) ., Akron, Ohio. : Ricuarp Stockto: 437 Greenwood Ave, Trenton, N. J.; J. G. Tearee Union City, Tenn.; Al F. Vay Binner, M. D., Bel Air, Md.; Heranx Vox Dacui, 366 South High Street, Columbus, O Parkuvrst Wiitsey, Hingham, Mass. The Silent Drama WING to the unusually large num ber of Honorable Mentions on Prize Question Number 5, it was neces sary to devote this extra page to them The Silent Drama, therefore, is omitted this week. Recent. Developments. will he found on pages 30-31, Read these carefully! decision of the Judges must be con- sidered final. The Judges can not undertake responsibility for the recei or return of any manuscripts. In the event of ties, the full amount of the prize ticd for will be awarded to cach tying contestant. Checks for the we ly prize well as for the final major awards, will be sent to the winners simultancously with the announcements in Lire. The Contest is open to every one, whether a subscriber for Lire or not. i432 Nassau Janet K. y Road, Aacatcry Hanson, Ark. Si cry contribution to this Contest which ts published in Lire will be paid for at our usual rates—regardless of the pri comicbooks.com