Excerpt from The State the Individual: An Introduction to Political Science, With Special Reference to Socialistic and Individualistic Theories

The following Essay is primarily an attempt to supply in an elementary form a systematic introduction. To the study of the problem, subordinating its economic to its political aspects, and endeavouring to discard all a priori presumptions either for or against individual liberty and initiative, on the one hand, and government intervention, on the other. At the same time an effort has been made to give unity to the various speculations by viewing them all steadily in the light of one philosophical conception.

Any claim it may have to originality must be based upon the re-arrangement and combination of old theories rather than upon the invention of new ones. The distinction between direct government management and indirect govern ment control cannot assuredly be claimed as a discovery: but it is perhaps new to make this the keystone of a system of practical politics; and to show how, by its aid, some at least of the aims of the more moderate Socialists may be achieved in safety from the pitfalls dreaded by even the more moderate Individualists.

The double character of the Essay as, on the one hand, an introduction to political science in general, and, on the other, a detailed investigation of Socialism and Individualism from a stand-point which identifies itself with neither, may, it is hoped, render it of some use to students of social phil osophy, of constitutional history, or of systematic politics, by bringing within a reasonable compass information otherwise accessible only in the many bulky volumes of a somewhat scattered literature.

The various authorities placed under contribution are too numerous to -be specified here; but the sources of borrowed ideas have been, as far as possible, indicated in the text or in footnotes. I am indebted to my friends, Mr. W. R. J. Gray and Mr. R. A. Moody, for their kindness in reading the proof-sheets and for many valuable suggestions.

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