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Jose Ortega Y Gassett, The Revolt Of The Masses

CHAPTER XIV: WHO RULES THE WORLD?

          EUROPEAN civilisation, I have repeated more than once, has automatically brought about the rebellion of the masses. From one view-point this fact presents a most favourable aspect, as we have noted: the rebellion of the masses is one and the same thing as the fabulous increase that human existence has experienced in our times. But the reverse side of the same phenomenon is fearsome; it is none other than the radical demoralisation of humanity. Let us now consider this last from new view-points. - 

1.  The substance or character of a new historical period is the resultant of internal variations- of man and his spirit; or of external variations- formal, and as it were mechanical. Amongst these last, the most important, almost without a doubt, is the displacement of power. But this brings with it a displacement of the spirit...  Read Complete

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