Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/760

 744 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

It is taken for granted that public and individual interests are essentially identical.

That this attitude toward government has strongly influenced the civic life of our cities is evident to every observer of Ameri- can political conditions. To one section of the community the city government is a necessary evil designed to avoid the greater evil which would result from the clash of individual interests. To another it is akin to a great business corporation, justifying the use of the ordinary standards of commercial morality in obtaining favors and privileges. No civic or social duty is violated if fran- chises are obtained by questionable methods ; transactions of this character being judged by the prevailing standards of business life. If the municipal authorities are unable to safeguard the city's interests, they deserve to be outclassed in the commercial struggle as would any incompetent business-man. The city's interests are rarely, if ever, identified with those of the public, and in taking advantage of incompetent or corrupt officials there is no thought of depriving the public of rights to which it is entitled.

Another important influence in strenghening this negative attitude toward the city is closely connected with one of the strongest traits of American national character — the high development of the domestic virtues and the resulting intensity of home life. While no one can deny the great service which these qualities have rendered to our national life, we must recognize that upon our civic life their influence has been dis- tinctly negative. The concentration of effort upon the exclusive pleasures of the home has retarded the growth of the distinctive civic ideals. The feeling of social solidarity and civic respon- sibility, so necessary to the maintenance of high standards m public life, has remained undeveloped. Administrative effi- ciency has only been attained in those departments — such as the police and fire service — which directly affect the safety and integrity of the home.

In European cities, on the other hand, the branches of the public service which contribute most to the public, inexclusive, and social pleasures have received the most attention. The street-cleaning, highway construction, and architectural services