Walter Bagehot
Physics and politics or thoughts on the application of the principles of natural selection and inheritance to political society examines the connection between scientific evolution and the development of human political systems. Walter Bagehot presents a thoughtful inquiry into how the mechanisms of natural selection and hereditary influence shape not only biological life but also the growth and adaptability of societies. The book begins with reflections on how the study of science and physical knowledge has transformed human understanding of collective organization and governance. Bagehot argues that political institutions evolve much like living organisms, adapting through struggle, imitation, and inherited tendencies. He explores how societies maintain order, transmit customs, and achieve progress through inherited habits of discipline and cooperation. By merging Darwinian concepts with historical and sociological observations, Bagehot proposes that civilization advances when innovation is balanced with inherited wisdom. His analysis bridges the natural and social sciences, creating a framework that interprets history, leadership, and national character as part of a continuous evolutionary process of adaptation and survival.
