SOURCE: "Harold J. Laski: A Grammar of Politics," in Mind, Vol. 34, 1925, pp. 495-9.

In the following essay, MacKenzie reviews Laski's A Grammar of Politics.

Those who are acquainted with previous writings on political subjects by Mr. Laski will expect much from his new book [A Grammar of Politics], and they will not be disappointed. Perhaps the title of it may prove a little misleading. Some may think that a Grammar should be concerned either with the discussion of fundamental principles or with an account of the way in which they are illustrated in the structure of existing societies. Mr. Laski seems to understand Grammar as being essentially an art; and his book is largely occupied with the exposition of a definite political programme. For the majority of readers this may be a more interesting subject than a purely theoretical one would have been; but it is more difficult...