"Coming back to that commission again: instead of trying out a democratic form of government, in which every citizen would be equally responsible regardless of property—they've standardized the protective, paternalistic principle."
"Which is precisely the correct method!" insisted the geologist. "Radical changes of any kind are always dangerous. The only safe method is to improve what we already have."
"Suppose," remarked Billie—"suppose government becomes so thoroughly standardized that it can't be improved further?"
"Then it becomes permanent."
"If it isn't overthrown."
The doctor smilingly interposed. "Let me finish and get this out of my system. By their own confession, the commission's chief function is to keep the majority in ignorance, which is said to be the same thing as bliss. This man Ernol and his pitiful rebellion only serve to prove the rule.
"In a word, the Capellans have carried the principle of improvement, as opposed to reform, to its logical conclusion. They can go no further."
"And why not?" challenged Van Emmon. "Because the fittest have survived, on Capellette as elsewhere. These commissioners are the fittest."
The doctor nodded gravely. "True enough, Van. But the point I want to make is, the commissioners have put an end to the processes of evolution. They won't allow progress. They stopped all that a century ago.
"Friend, Capellette is a world that has given up. It has quit!"