Political science

Considerable difference of opinion exists as to the best a appro to the study of political science. Some prefer to begin with description of American government, since it deals with thin with which students are already somewhat familiar. Others fav a comparative study of the governments of a number of the mo important modern states, using this material for purposes contrast and the deduction of certain general principles. The author believes that the best introduction to the field consists i A study of the state as an institution, giving attention to its nature its origin and development, its organization and its functions, its institutions and its theories, its relation to the individuals that compose it and to other states. From this background of general principles the student may then pass to the more specialized sub divisions of the field. For that purpose this book is written.

Part 1, "The Nature of Political Science," attempts to place this study in the general field of human knowledge and to consider the content and methods of political science and its relation to closely allied sciences. Part II, "The Nature of the State," is concerned with the essential elements of which the state is com posed, with the historical origin and evolution of states, with the general nature of political theory, and with the relation of the state, internally, to its individual members. Part III, "The Or ganization of the State," deals with the structure of government and the principles and methods in accordance with which govern ment is created. Part IV, "The Functions of the State," discusses the activities of the state and the various theories as to the proper nature and extent of state action. Part V, "The Relation of State te State, gives attention to the external relations of states, the nature of international law, and the forms of international asso ciation. Because of the limitation of space in outlining so wide a field in a single volume, extensive references for further reading are placed at the end of each chapter.