The New World Order of Islam — Page 11
New World Order 11 to them advice from different sections. For some time these representatives exercised only advisory functions, but even that was a great step forward, inasmuch as it secured that those in power should have fuller information and knowledge concerning the needs and difficulties of those over whom they ruled. At the outset these representatives belonged mostly to the landholding classes and the benefit of their advice, therefore, accrued principally to members of their own classes. Gradually merchants and manufacturers began to assert themselves, and the new movement known as Liberalism was started which charged itself principally with the safe- guarding and promotion of the interests of these classes. As a consequence, the franchise was extended so as to cover these classes also, and they began to influence and even to direct the policies of the State. Later on, another class began to struggle for recognition and for securing its rights. These were the workers in factories and offices, and when they perceived that only landed, commercial and industrial interests were represented in the legislature, they said that governments responsible to the legislatures so composed were not fully alive to their needs and sufferings, so they began to claim the right of direct representation for themselves. The policy and programme put forward on behalf of this class is