PART I A GENERAL INTRODUCTION NYONE familiar with the polity of The United States of America, a polity in which the Representative System has its largest expression, and in which a certain degree of political work and duty is, in theory at least, assigned to every member of the community, would expect to discover that, of all subjects which attract the interest of humanity, the subject of Political Science would here find its most earnest students. One would expect to find this study pursued to its very furthest development. But the truth disappoints this natural expectation, and awakens the perception that it is perhaps, of all studies, the one most generally neglected. This statement will doubtless be received with amazement and incredulity. Most Americans suppose that politics, the very common topic of conversation, is the one subject they thoroughly understand. Of politics as usually meant, of the details of political party movements, of numerical calculations as to the chances of individual or of party success, of the career of political candidates, there is a very general knowledge; but of politics in a larger sense, of politics as a science, there is a remarkable want of appreciation in the people, an extraordinary lack of knowledge, even among those who perform the role of statesmanship on the legislative and administrative stage. The popular idea of politics may be gained from the popular use of the word. An editorial article of a prominent newspaper mentions a certain important financial measure then before Congress as a wise one which ought to become an act, and adds: "As there is absolutely no politics in it, it is possible that it may be passed. To many persons the term "Political Science" seems to be considered synonymous with political economy. As a fact, the economic branch of the science is perhaps the least important of all its departments. This mental condition of a people is especially noticeable as the very creation of our Constitution was a work of phenomenal skill possessed by a body of men wonderfully well versed in that science whose study their descendants have neglected. The present condition of political knowledge is, it seems, owing to the system by which political affairs have to the present time been conducted, and to the existence in the American people of a peculiar mental trait. During the whole period of our Constitutional history there has existed, and there still exists, a strange distrust of such knowledge as is the result of study and special application. The very ancient saying that "knowledge is power" is accepted as true, but with the added belief that in politics such power would assuredly be used to the detriment of the people. That this distrust of scientific knowledge should be among the ignorant classes in the country is not so much to be wondered at as is the fact that a similar feeling prevails among those whose education should have raised them above such prejudice. The common use of the word "doctrinaire" as a term of reproach exhibits this spirit. Immense reliance is placed on common sense. Common sense in the ordinary affairs of life is a very good thing. The every-day physical ailments may be successfully treated by common sense, but when they become serious we are prone to ask the aid of trained medical skill. The prevalence of this sentiment tends to discourage scientific study. Another cause leading to the same result is the existence of a trait, extremely well marked in the American people, of astonishing quickness of apprehension and readiness in the adoption of new and untried occupations. This remarkable aptitude naturally fosters an undervaluation of patient study and application, and in all the occupations of life effects an incompleteness and a lack of stability. The reliance on intuitive skill to overcome the difficulties of new positions is fatal to excellence. But there is no hesitancy on the part of most Americans in undertaking any new office without any previous training in its duties. Accordingly we seldom find public offices filled by those who have made statesmanship the study and occupation of their lives. The role is adopted as a companion to other professions, mostly from the distinction it confers, or for the power it endows. Within a very recent period there has been observed a growing belief that past methods have been erroneous: that excellence in any occupation, however humble or however exalted, is attained only by careful training and study; that in all political affairs the public interests will best be served by those who shall have been carefully trained in the profession they undertake to practise; that ignorance is not a qualification for office nor a guaranty of honesty. To meet this need, the study of political science has recently been introduced into many colleges. But even now there seems to be a tendency to the treatment of special subjects, with an undue prominence in economic matter, rather than to a complete instruction in the science of politics as a whole. In all this there is no disparagement of whatever good work in the political field has been accomplished during the last century of years; but one may safely assert that more might have been accomplished of good, and more of evil have been avoided, by the use of better methods of political practice. Thanks to the structure erected by our fathers, there has been and still is an opportunity, hardly to be found elsewhere, freed as we are from ancient prejudices |