nations that have made substantial contributions to civilization. By
civilization is meant a well-rounded and highly developed culture, or,
to say the same thing in different words, an advanced state of
material and social well-being.

Civilization is so vast and so many-sided that it may receive
contributions in very diverse forms. The invention of the hieroglyphic
system of writing is among the leading achievements of ancient Egypt,
but the art and literature of Greece have been no less conspicuous in
the onward sweep of human progress. The promotion of the science of
navigation by the Phoenicians, and the development of law and
architecture by Rome, illustrate a few of the forms in which peoples
may confer marked benefits upon the world. The advancement of music
and painting by Italy, France, and other European nations, and the
application and expansion of the idea of parliamentary government by
England, are further examples of ways in which nations may earn for
themselves the title of greatness.

2. THE CONDITIONS OF NATIONAL GREATNESS.--In order that a nation may
become great, _i.e._ make some distinct contribution to civilization,
two conditions must be fulfilled.

The first condition of national greatness is that the land under that
nation's control must be encouraging to man's honest, helpful efforts.
[Footnote: As used in this chapter the term "land" is held to include
not only such natural resources as soil, minerals, forests, and bodies
of water, but climate as well.] The vigorous Scandinavians have made
great advances in inhospitable Iceland and Greenland, the French have
reclaimed an important section of Algeria, and the British have worked
wonders with some of the barren parts of Australia; nevertheless, it