Wilson began to interest himself in political problems as a theoretician in his twenties. Practical daily observation led him to reflect on the problem of the American State. After studying the question for a full decade he spent three years preparing his scientific work which formed the basis of his scientific reputation and which he published under the title: “The State. Elements of Historical and Practical Politics”. In this book we already see the later Wilson: his special attempt to reconcile in himself the idealist and the practical man, an attempt in which, I think, he succeeded rather well. He laid stress on the idea that the characteristic feature of the State consists in its being the directing organ of society, an organ which must govern society with decision and certainty: the basic sign of a Government is authority. He strongly emphasizes the principle of authority and yet on the other hand he stresses the democratic nature of modern society: the Government must possess authority, but that authority must have its roots in the true will of the people. Despotisms of all kinds are disappearing and will disappear more and more from society. The power of the majority and the principle of the majority in general is the characteristic sign of modern society; the art of the statesman today consists in calling forth, supporting, and at the same time guiding this new force.
These are two great, and yet simple, principles of Wilson’s political philosophy and we meet with them all through his practical political work.
As a University professor engaged in politics he necessarily had to deal with problems of pedagogy. Entering the struggle of views concerning the right principles for the education of the young he formulated his philosophy in a modern, clear and simple fashion as follows: the essential in the education of the individual must be that which brings about social utility and not that which helps forward merely the personal advantage of the individual. Wilson was entirely opposed to the XIX century Anglo-Saxon individualistic theories of social education. Thus he was absolutely in opposition to what is usually called in Europe “Americanism”; he set himself against superficiality and scamped or hurried work, and wished everyone to receive a thorough education in history and social science.
As a professor and a University President he arranged a public debate and discussion on this subject, thus coming before the wider public as the exponent of these ideas which were so important in his subsequent political career.
Wilson wrote a fine book on President Washington and showed therein his own direction of thought. He examined and appreciated what England gave to America, but he desired to be above all an American; he turned his eyes more to the Far West than to the eastern States which seemed to him to be too close to Europe. Wilson appreciated Washington’s sympathy for the common people which was combined with an unshakable resistance to demagogy. Wilson was deeply impressed by the fact that Washington had
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