Political Science in Print

How does a person who has done Political Science only to Stage II and that a few years ago review the latest issue of the reorganised Political Science Journal?

To avoid the question for a moment "Political Science" has a new cover, it is plain, well balanced, easily read and without printers frills. The printers themselves receive due acknowledgment in a proper fashion. The price of an issue is 2/6 and the writers, neatly catalogued on page 75 appear impressive.

As the article of Public Opinion Survey dealing with the General Election shows, the Science of Politics has plenty to interest those who are just electors without using terms and words, a fashion which Professor Parker mocks in his review of "International Relations." This Survey should be of particular interest to those who still wonder why the Southern Cross didn't.

Mr. Thorn writes interestingly on the problem of Canada which is still a mixture of nationalist politics, still owes some statutory allegiance to Great Britain and suffers from lack of political unity. This article does not deal with the more profound nationalist differences but introduces the legislative setting and the steps which are being taken towards political responsibility.

With the exception of the article by J. F. Kahn on Germany today the rest of the issue requires study. Dr. Kahn has something to say about nearly every controversial topic including the occupation, war trials (not admired by the Germans), war guilt and the German approach to reconstruction. The section which promises to tell us about the great problem of Communism and the democratic Germany we hoped was coming is not very profound. It is not that one wished for a pat answer or even an answer at all, but Dr. Kahn seems to lose the thread somewhere to return to the problem of war guilt. This is not a cheering article but at least it does not pat the allies on the back, list the current defections from Communism and go away satisfied.

Messrs. Braybrooke and Brookes play the heavy parts or appear to, if only by reason of the number of references supplied as footnotes. They have 51 between them, but Mr. Braybrooke is the highest scorer. Reading confirms that in both articles foot-notes are unavoidable. It would be foolish of me to judge these articles since both can only be criticised at length. One thought does occur after reading Mr. Braybrooke's article and that is how dangerous footnotes can be. He has to contend with suggestions made in footnotes and himself sets up another argument in one of his own.

"Political Science" is a publication which is not amateur status and the appeal made in the front for enquiries from overseas is not a case of the frog emulating the cow. I hope the standard is maintained and as it is wisely published "from time to time," removing the deadline menace and the temptation to fill up; it should be. Student support will be necessary and that must not be confined to those who study Political Science for this must be one of the subjects which are vital for a democratic citizen.