Baizac laments that "government by the masses" is the only irresponsible form of government, under which tyranny is unlimited, for it calls itself law," and Klemens von Metternich lambastes democracy as "a principle of dissolution." Beum complains about the "reverse elitism" democracy fosters, as when "the tribunes of The People" insist that all are "equal in virtues and talents," meaning that all must be "equally praised and rewarded, no matter the performance." As a result, respect for a hierarchy of values disappears, and relativism becomes "the
tacit law of the land," promising toleration but delivering nihilism.