THE NATURE OF POLITICS 9

the solution of the practical problems of Government depends
on a proper understanding of the first principles of politics.
But man did not, at first, weigh the pros and cans of this and that
form of Government, and adopt one as the result of a reasoned
conclusion. The problem of getting his living led him to certain
political forms; only later did he begin to criticise these forms,
to make a science of politics, and to try deliberately to improve
his Government. His success in this improvement has depended
on his economic progress and on the development of the power
to think clearly. If practical problems are solved with the help
of principles, principles must be examined in the light of facts.
It has already been noticed that the idea of justice is changed by
the conditions of society; this examination must now be carried
further.

Except in a few favoured climates, the task of getting food,
shelter and clothing has always taken much of man's attention,
and so, for the most part, determined his form of Government,
When he lived by tilling the fields he worshipped the natitfal
forces—rain, sun and rivers—and power went to those who
could create the belief that they had special influence with these
nature gods. When shortage of food led to fighting among families
and tribes, physical strength became another source of power.
The ruling class thus created strengthened itself by acquiring
the ownership of land. With the wealth that ownership brought
they were able to maintain trained forces to uphold their power.
The process varied a great deal from one part of the world to
another, but it is, in general, true that the origin of States is the
seizure of power by a group. The group keeps power as long
as it can govern efficiently enough to prevent or suppress revolt.
Later, criticism and peaceable reform may take the place of
revolt, but the element of coercion remains. So, in nearly all
societies to-day, there is a privileged group which, whatever
the form of the State, exercises power out of proportion to its
numbers.

Examples will make the point clear. If a foreigner who knows