PROBLEMS OF POLITICAL THEORY 331 



method, with its axioms and formulae, regards such phenomena as 

 exceptions. In a negative way the historical method gives to 

 political theory the data for correcting conclusions of the two first- 

 mentioned methods. 



In a positive manner, the historical method furnishes political 

 data in their " time-setting," making possible the interpretation of 

 political phenomena with reference to their conditioning circum- 

 stances. The method of comparison has also served most efficiently 

 in political investigation and interpretation. Montesquieu gained 

 not a little by its use. De Tocqueville says, " In America I have 

 seen more than America; I have there sought an image of demo- 

 cracy itself." 1 



In connection with the question of method, there is the problem 

 of freeing political theory from the extended use of analogy which 

 has often given a false idea of the nature of the political facts. In 

 the case of the biological analogy which has been most extensively 

 used, there has often been a tendency to make little or no dis- 

 crimination between physical and political phenomena. This 

 method has doubtless served a purpose in strengthening the idea of 

 the unity of the state, but an analogy cannot take the place of correct 

 reasoning. Of this T. H. Green says, " If it were held, then, that 

 the state were an organized community in the same sense in which 

 a living body is, of which the members at once contribute to the 

 function called life, and are made what they are by that function, 

 according to an idea of which there is no consciousness on their part, 

 we should only be following the analogy of the established method of 

 interpreting nature." : 



As by these and other methods the facts are presented, the pro- 

 blem of reconciliation of the points of view thus gained comes to the 

 political theorist. He must also recognize the modern tendency to 

 give a sociological interpretation to many of these facts, which is now 

 as marked as was the tendency to give a legal interpretation at an 

 earlier time. 



It is evident that each method may be capable of rendering service 

 to the political theorist. To give to the conclusions of each the 

 proper value and place is a problem deserving and receiving more 

 and more attention. 



In considering the more concrete problems of political theory 

 one of the first is that which is concerned with the origin and basis 

 of the state. This problem is one that very early received attention 

 from political theorists and writers upon political subjects. Its 

 solution may make a great difference in the working-out of other 

 portions of a general theory of the state. 



1 De la Democratic en Amerique, i, p. 19. 



2 Principles of Political Obligation, sec. 125. 



