In most parts of the world, the relation between population and resources is already unfavorable and will probably become even more unfavorable in the future. This growing poverty constitutes a (26) menace not only to peace, but also to democratic institutions and personal liberty. An (27) relationship between numbers and resources tends to make the earning of a living almost intolerably difficult. The individual (28) work long hours for little pay. No surplus of accumulated purchasing power stands between him and the cruelty of (29) nature. Democracy is. among other things, the ability to say "no" to the boss. But a man cannot say "no" to the boss, unless he is sure of being able to eat when the boss’s favor has been (30) . And he cannot be certain of his next meal unless he owns the means of producing enough wealth for his family to live on, or has been able to accumulate a surplus out of past (31) , or has a chance of moving to virgin territories, where he can (32) . In an overcrowded country, very few people own enough to make them financially independent; very few are in a position to accumulate purchasing power; and there is no free land. Moreover, in any country where population (33) hard upon natural resources, the general economic situation (34) be so uncertain. As a result, government control of capital and labor, production and consumption becomes (35) . It is no accident that the 20th century should be the century of highly centralized governments and dictatorships; it had to be so for the simple reason that the 20th century is the century of global overcrowding. In most parts of the world, the relation between population and resources is already unfavorable and will probably become even more unfavorable in the future. This growing poverty constitutes a (26) menace not only to peace, but also to democratic institutions and personal liberty. An (27) relationship between numbers and resources tends to make the earning of a living almost intolerably difficult. The individual (28) work long hours for little pay. No surplus of accumulated purchasing power stands between him and the cruelty of (29) nature. Democracy is. among other things, the ability to say "no" to the boss. But a man cannot say "no" to the boss, unless he is sure of being able to eat when the boss’s favor has been (30) . And he cannot be certain of his next meal unless he owns the means of producing enough wealth for his family to live on, or has been able to accumulate a surplus out of past (31) , or has a chance of moving to virgin territories, where he can (32) . In an overcrowded country, very few people own enough to make them financially independent; very few are in a position to accumulate purchasing power; and there is no free land. Moreover, in any country where population (33) hard upon natural resources, the general economic situation (34) be so uncertain. As a result, government control of capital and labor, production and consumption becomes (35) . It is no accident that the 20th century should be the century of highly centralized governments and dictatorships; it had to be so for the simple reason that the 20th century is the century of global overcrowding.