The fact that a sociologist has been requested to appear upon the program of the American Political Science Association is in itself far more significant than any remarks which may be made upon the subject of the relation of sociology to political theory. It is an admission that some political scientists have at last come to consider sociology of sufficient significance to students of politics to be worthy a brief survey of its contributions to modern political theory.

Many of the more liberal and progressive political scientists will doubtless ask themselves if this is not erecting a man of straw, and will inquire if there was ever a time when political scientists were not willing to consider the doctrines of sociology. One or two brief reminders will doubtless allay this suspicion. It was only about twenty years ago that a leading New York daily is reputed to have characterized a distinguished American sociologist as “the fake professor of a pretended science.” About a decade ago an ex-president of this association declared in a twice published paper that sociology was essentially worthless and unscientific and that all of its data had already been dealt with more adequately by the special social sciences.

The Institute of Politics, held at Williamstown, Massachusetts, during the month of August, originated in a proposal made in 1913 by President Garfield of Williams College to the trustees of that institution. The plans of President Garfield were followed so faithfully in the final establishment and operation of the Institute that no separate description of those plans is needed here. Through the generosity of Mr. Barnard M. Baruch, who responded cordially to President Garfield's invitation to supply the funds needed for the project, and the liberality of the trustees of Williams College, the original conception was given complete fruition. Mr. Baruch's support was, moreover, pledged for the first three sessions of the Institute, thus making certain that meetings will be held in 1922 and 1923.