burden of our generation is to grapple with the present-day problems
of American democracy. Without a high sense of personal
responsibility, coupled with an intelligent and consistent effort, we
can never reach the high goal admittedly possible.

51. THE POINT OF VIEW IN PROBLEM STUDY.--To see American democracy and
to see it as a whole should be our aim throughout the remainder of
this book. Now this is not easy. The danger is that the unwary student
will interpret the large amount of space devoted to "problems" as
meaning that American life is preeminently unsettled and defective.
This is a temptation to be guarded against. Though we shall uncover
many defects, it should be remembered that we are predominantly a
normal, healthy, prosperous people. But our virtues demand our
attention less urgently than do our defects. If we seem to be
overconcerned with the defects of American life, the student should
not conclude that American life is primarily defective. Rather, he
ought to realize that it is precisely because a situation involves a
problem that our attention is challenged.

Nor should problems be looked upon as something to be ashamed of.
Where life is dull and civilization static, there are relatively few
problems; where life is progressive and civilization steadily
advancing, problems are numerous and pressing. Problems imply
adjustment, development, the desire for improvement and advancement.
They are signs of progress, the growing pains of civilization. If we
bear this in mind, we shall be in a fair position to see American
democracy in true perspective, without undue distortion of our
viewpoint, and without prejudice to our judgment.