Why Should We Change Our Form of Government?; Studies in Practical Politics

by Nicholas Murray Butler

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 edition. ... PREFACE Why is it that in the United States the words politics and politician have associations that are chiefly of evil omen? Why is it that in the United States the phrase, to play politics, means to cajole the mob or to descend to practices of doubtful honor? In the true and broad sense of the word, politics is one of man's highest concerns, and nowhere should the word have loftier and nobler associations than in a twentieth century democracy. The fact that this is not the case indicates the measure of our failure, as yet, to place our public life and our governmental administration upon the plane where they ought to be. There is a singular and discouraging discrepancy between the political expositions and discussions of a century ago and those of today. In the Federalist and in Calhoun's Disquisition on Government, we have perhaps the two most profound and original contributions to political science that have been made since Aristotle. Even when the controversy over slavery was at its height and men's passions were fiercely roused, there was a distinction in the public debates and discussions, both in the Senate and on the platform, that is now sadly lacking. The people of the whole country hung with breathless interest upon the great debate between Lincoln and Douglas, and its published record remains to-day, after the controversy which caused it has been closed forever, a political classic of first-rate importance. We have no such debates on the pending proposals to overturn our form of government and on the principles of that political philosophy which calls itself socialism. Surely these questions are of vital interest and of fundamental importance. The reason may be that we are just now without either a Lincoln or a Dou

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1972

About the author

Nicholas Murray Butler was an American philosopher, diplomat, and educator. Butler was president of Columbia University, president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He became so well-known and respected that The New York Times printed his Christmas greeting to the nation every year.