478 Report S.A.A. Advancement of Science. 



large states. But young countries are even less self-supporting than 

 old countries. They are thus compelled to enter the universal 

 society of nations, which may not have a fixed organisation, but 

 which tends inevitably in the direction of such organisation, and 

 they are usually members of a smaller society which is organised. 

 All such organisations simplify the more general relations of the 

 world, and are therefore good in themselves as an approximation to 

 the complete organisation of mankind. Comte was wrong in supposing 

 that civilised countries could exist without purely business relations 

 with other countries, and he was wrong in supposing that member- 

 ship of a larger unity necessarily conflicted with internal corporate 

 life and patriotism. The world's experience of federation is not very 

 large, but it seems large enough tO' shew this quite conclusively, and 

 it is a question of special interest tOi young countries, because of the 

 disproportion between population and territory which we have 

 already mentioned and the consequent necessity of devolution. Once 

 more Comte's atomism gives way before a more organic conception. 



As to Comte's general prejudices against colonies, they are 

 probably attributable tO' grave limitations in his knowledge. How- 

 ever this may be, there can be nO' doubt that, whether actually they 

 do so or not, young countries can afford to read old countries many 

 excellent lessons. If their resources are limited, they are without 

 many of the ailments of older lands. If they have not all the valu- 

 able elements of older societies, they are more free to^ raise a social 

 system, if they choose to do so, on purely idealistic, that is, scientific, 

 lines. They are unhampered by the immediate pressure of fashions, 

 which are universally reprobated, but lie too heavily on old coun- 

 tries to be removed. As a rule, they are comparatively free from the 

 cure of militarism, and can therefore occupy themselves almost ex- 

 clusively in developing their real resources. It is easier for men of all 

 nationalities to settle in new than in old countries, and thus valuable 

 elements are easily added to the national stock. As to^ the influence 

 of the white races in the colonies on other races, it is probably too 

 early to speak definitely. Certainly it is possible for Europeans to 

 add very greatly to the numbers and the intelligence of their coloured 

 subjects. But no' wise man would at the present time attempt to 

 sketch an ideal or tO' prophesy an actual future for the black races. 

 Finally, we should add that the smallness of population in young 

 countries tends to focus social and political questions, and tO' make 

 it easier tO' take a comprehensive view of national life than it is in 

 old countries. It is a truism that the immense political acumen of 

 the Greeks was essentially connected with their system of cityi-states. 

 It is customary in a materialistic age to expect superior political 

 wisdom in the citizen of the bulkier state ; probably the truth is the 

 reverse. The colonist whO' follows closely the events of his time 

 probably knows and understands far more about politics than the 

 European of equal attainments. It will not be surprising if before 

 long new countries kad the political thought of the world. 



But if young -lountries have special aptitude for sociology they 

 also have special need of it. New questions of extreme gravity and 



