Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-28
SCIENTIFIC METHODS In POLITICS,

Professor Amos, in recent very elabo.
rate and profound essay in the Popular
Science Monthly, considers the possibility
of politics being erected into science.
Considerations suggested by the reading of
the article must, for the present, give
place TO glance at the salient points of
the paper itself, as a necessary preface to a
further examination of one of the most
interesting topics that can engage the at.
tention of the citizen. The essayist finds
the difficulties in the way of advancing
politics to the scientific plane neither few
nor mean, as for instance, the difficulty of
applying vigorous scientific methods to
politics because of the number, nature and
imperfectly developed character of the
component and preparatory studies which
are presupposed in all strict inquiry into
the theory of government; the incom-
pleteness Of these studies, and the involve
ment of other studies inclosing large areas
of knowledge, over the subjects of which
the human will and passions must have
an amount of influence apparently setting
scientific precision at defiance But, while
admitting that the composite nature of
politics impairs the universally OF the
majority of the propositions with which it
is concerned, this he holds only estab
fishes the relatively of these studies, does
not detract from their usefulness nor super
sede the employment of those vigorous logi-
calmethodswhich in otherrespects continue
to be applicable. Another reason why
politics presents an unscientitic aspect is
that but rarely has conscious attention to
the true character of governmental prob
lens or their difficulties been aroused until
long after practical solution of some kind
has been resorted to, and considerable
achieved. Professor Amos might have
here cited many striking examples from
periods in our own history in illustration
of this concise statement of truth that
has forced itself upon all thinking citizens.
He proceeds to point out that the
conception of politics as a science is
much affected by the imperfections of poll
tics as q practical art. The existence Of
ineradicabie institutions and ideas hamper
and delay the scientific development of
political studies, but more so does the fact
that at the moment when the legislator
would desire most to govern with due re-
gard TO the principles of abstract political
science. he is imperatively urged on and
impelled into action by the necessity of in
stantly choosing between limited number
of possible alternative courses, and the re-
suit is an artificial effort, at each critical
occurrence calling for the Intervention of
the Government, to narrow the possible
courses of action to a very few Immediately
ineligible expedients. a decision can
only be deferred at the cost of letting go
present opportunity to do something to
remedy an abuse, or by confession OF i'm.
potency, or by surrender OF the leader
ship to Others. Then also we are to con.
slider the fact that governments are made
the arenas Of ambitious contention and sell
fish aspirations and corrupt conspiracies
against the public well-being. The wider
the territorial area the more extensive the
essential mechanism, the broader the oppor-
tunity for personal or local self-seeking.
The skepsical, therefore, he admits, have
ArSzd ground for treating as unscientiic