After the bankruptcy of 1932 and the collapse of the last reformative effort by Eleftherios Venizelos, a new reformist trend emerged within Greek liberalism.

It presented as central demands the strengthening of the state's role in the economy, the pursuit of social justice, the linking of Greek developments with European ones, the overcoming of the outdated Dichotomy, and the emergence of a "new generation." Its main representatives were Panagiotis Kanellopoulos and George Theotokas.

Despite the imposition of Metaxas' dictatorship, this reformist trend was reignited and partially radicalized during the Occupation, when its key representatives came to the forefront of ideological fermentations; however, it suffered a serious blow with the outbreak of conflict and the December events.

The reformist liberals of 1934-44 brought to the public discussion a plethora of issues and prepared for the post-war quest for development and European perspective. Thus, in their reflections, one can find the connecting link between the early and the modern period of Greek liberalism.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]