Page:The Science of History and the Hope of Mankind.djvu/60



character only so long as they are fit enough to profit by the thousand and one physical and social influences that constitute the environment of nations in the world. It is impossible that a people should develop its life and liberty by ignoring or neglecting the mutual alliances and enmities between the several peoples of the human society. It is impossible that a nation should be able to acquire or preserve freedom and prestige solely on the strength of its own resources in national wealth and character. Every people has to settle its policy and course of action by a careful study of the disposition of the world-forces, and the situation of the political centre of gravity at the time.

It is this development of nations through international relations, and