for example, we ought to know the social, economic, and political
background of the community under observation. The thorough study of
this background would lead us to crime, education and other problems,
which in turn have their connections with issues still further removed
from the immediate problem of charity. The thorough understanding of a
specific question thus implies consideration of many inter-related
questions. Likewise, the solution of a particular question affects and
is affected by the whole mass of related phenomena.

45. IMPORTANCE OF THE ECONOMIC BACKGROUND.--It would be unwise,
perhaps, to claim that any definite group of problems is of greater
importance than any other group. But at least we may say that some
problems are primary in origin, while others appear to be secondary,
_i.e._ derived from those called primary. In the chapters which
follow, the attempt has been made to arrange the groups of problems
with some regard to their primary or secondary origin. Probably the
most fundamental problems which face us to-day are those of economic
organization. Properly to understand these problems the student must
first grasp the essential facts of American industry. We shall begin
our study of the problems of American democracy, therefore, with a
survey of the economic life of the nation. Only after we have mastered
the principles upon which American industry is based, shall we be in a
position to solve the problems which arise directly from the nature of
our economic organization.

46. INDUSTRIAL REFORM.--Our industrial life is so clearly based upon
certain fundamental institutions, such as private property, free
contract, and free competition, that an industrial "system" is said to
exist. Certain great evils, notably poverty, have accompanied the
development of this system. We shall discuss a number of programs