(All rights reserved) JASI Printed in Great Britain by UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, LONDON AND WOKING PREFACE HISTORY offers a method of approach to the problems of the social order without having recourse to speculation. If we are able to arrange events in their sequence we may do away with the necessity of seeking to invent explanations for them, and busy ourselves with the more important question of determining their true nature. The invention of explanations means that the mind of the investigator has no tangible realities with which to deal, that he is often careless of sequence and seeks in analogies, or by logical, and at times, illogical constructions to devise what is known in philosophy as a system. The most valuable contribution of the new historical method is that it is tending to clear the atmosphere of speculation and permit events to speak for themselves. In brief, we have in history the foundation of science and a scientific view of life. The contrast between philosophy and history is here saliently brought forth. Philosophy may be well suited to an age which has not as yet the means of verification at its command; to an age that has blocked out from the unknown more than it can digest or even explore, when the relation of cause and effect is believed to be something more than mere sequence. philosophy is prone to introduce transcendental elements, or rejecting these, substitute intuitions or mystical inferences, be satisfied with nebulous verbiage, or seek refuge in dogmatism. Thus Politics makes use of philosophical method. It is the philosopher who outlines the rules adopted by the politician. The political philosopher devises the theory of government which comes to be put into practice. 557162 The philosophy of politics is a currently accepted phrase. The State is a philosophical creation. The ideal political State is ruled over by a philosopher-king. During the five centuries which have elapsed from the close of the mediæval age down to our own times, the modern political age or Modern Times, as it is called, we may trace the gradual transformation of politics as reflected in the changes accompanying philosophical method, and during the latest period discover a new method which is destined to displace philosophy, and as a consequence, politics. The new scientific method of history reveals that politics is no longer the pivotal factor in social life. It is by applying the test of history to the problems of group life, it is by attempting to remove the covering from politics and abandoning the haphazard methods of philosophical speculation that we may hope to arrive at a clear understanding of current social tendencies In this survey of politics we have sought to approach the problem from all of its chief angles. We have studied politics in all of its various phases. In so doing we have sought to view politics, first from the outside by examining its factors of strength, and then from the inside, laying bare its weakness and the corrosive elements at work. Throughout this inquiry our method has been historical. We have endeavoured not to speculate about matters which would yield to verification. We have, in so far as possible, taken nothing for granted, and we have arranged our data so that it may be unnecessary to rely upon the fruits of speculation as a basis for our conclusions. In every instance the argument advances along historical lines, follows, so to speak, the course of least resistance, and endeavours to adapt itself to the sinuosities of the life process. This may serve to explain what will appear to some readers, imbued with older ideas of stereotyped history, as the occurrence of unnecessary repetitions, undue emphasis on factors that have hitherto received quasi-axiomatic acceptance, and have been shelved as such. But we would point out that the life process, which history, as we understand it, reflects in its totality, is filled with just these elements of repetition, emphasis on the self-evident, and arbitrary direction. These are not matters to be dealt with by methods of speculation, which philosophy relies upon, but we must attempt to reveal their origin, arrange their order, point out their sequence, and thus render a truly complete picture. It is by the application of scientific, historical methods to problems of social organization that we will be able to discover the outline of the new status of society now in process of formation. Industrialism has brought about a change in social equilibrium, and we now find a new pivotal factor replacing politics as the cohesive element of social life. But the passing of politics implies at the same time the displacement of philosophy and of the philosophical method, out of which politics has grown. In this way history may serve as the torchbearer. It is by replacing philosophical speculation by historical verification that this transformation can be most readily accomplished. Political organization, suited to an age when philosophy was dominant, is being replaced by industrial organization, the outgrowth of an historical mode of thought. Until this fact is widely appreciated, until it is realized that philosophic method is an antique technique unsuited to a scientific age such as our own, no rapid development of the new order is possible. But if we adopt the historical view-point, if we accept the truth which history reveals instead of that which philosophy promulgates as a fiat, we will be able to enter into the full heritage of the new age. W. K. WALLACE. |