Abstract

A Political Theorist

The article presents information on the book "The Dangers of Obedience and Other Essays," by Harold J. Laski. The book presents political theories. It contains a graceful essay on philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli and another on philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau. Two other essays deal with education but the majority of those in the volume are concerned with the present problems of politics. Writing them originally for popular magazines, Laski is presumably giving his judgments upon various political theories. His basic ideas are so weak that the current of his themes is always carrying him away. The result is often a farrago of inconsistencies. One is often at a loss to guess whether Laski thinks that democracy has succeeded splendidly or failed dismally.