Physics and Politics, or, Thoughts on the application of the principles of "natural selection" and "inheritance" to political society

by Walter Bagehot

PHYSICS AND POLITICS

OR THOUGHTS ON THE APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF
'NATURAL SELECTION' AND 'INHERITANCE' TO POLITICAL SOCIETY

BY WALTER BAGEHOT

NEW AND CHEAPER EDITION (also published in the
International Scientific Series, crown 8vo. 5s.)

CONTENTS.

I.	[THE PRELIMINARY AGE]
II.	[THE USE OF CONFLICT]
III.	[NATION-MAKING]
IV.	[NATION-MAKING]
V.	[THE AGE OF DISCUSSION]
VI.	[VERIFIABLE PROGRESS POLITICALLY CONSIDERED]

NO. I.

THE PRELIMINARY AGE.

One peculiarity of this age is the sudden acquisition of much physical knowledge. There is scarcely a department of science or art which is the same, or at all the same, as it was fifty years ago. A new world of inventions—of railways and of telegraphs—has grown up around us which we cannot help seeing; a new world of ideas is in the air and affects us, though we do not see it. A full estimate of these effects would require a great book, and I am sure I could not write it; but I think I may usefully, in a few papers, show how, upon one or two great points, the new ideas are modifying two old sciences—politics and political economy. Even upon these points my ideas must be incomplete, for the subject is novel; but, at any rate, I may suggest some conclusions, and so show what is requisite even if I do not supply it.