THE NATIONS

Because the question is widely discussed, whether peace throughout
the world may be attained by the friendly co-operation of many
nations, and because a nation's attitude toward this question may
determine its future prosperity or ruin, it may be well to note
what has been the trend of the nations hitherto, and whether any
forces exist that may reasonably be expected to change that trend.
We may then be able to induce from facts the law which that trend
obeys, and make a reasonable deduction as to whether or not the
world is moving toward peace. If we do this we shall follow the
inductive method of modern science, and avoid the error (with its
perilous results) of first assuming the law and then deducing
conclusions from it.

Men have always been divided into organizations, the first organization
being the family. As time went on families were formed into tribes,
for self-protection. The underlying cause for the organization was
always a desire for strength; sometimes for defense, sometimes
for offense, usually for both.

At times tribes joined in alliance with other tribes to attain a
common end, the alliance being brought about by peaceful agreement,
and usually ceasing after the end had been attained, or missed, or
when tribal jealousies forbade further common effort. Sometimes
tribes joined to form one larger tribe; the union being either
forced on a weaker by a stronger tribe, or caused by a desire to
secure a strength greater and more lasting than mere alliance can
insure.

In the same way, and apparently according to similar laws, sovereign
states or nations were formed from tribes; and in later years, by
the union of separate states. The states or nations have become
larger and larger as time has gone on; greater numbers, not only
of people but of peoples, living in the same general localities
and having hereditary ties, joining to form a nation.

Though the forms of government of these states or nations are numerous,
and though the conceptions of people as to the purposes and functions
of the state vary greatly, we find that one characteristic of a
state has always prevailed among all the states and nations of the
world--the existence of an armed military force, placed under the
control of its government; the purpose of this armed force being
to enable the government not only to carry on its administration
of internal matters, but also to exert itself externally against
the armed force of