Notes on Books

Bulletin 62 (1950) of the Social Science Research Council (New York) is a Survey of Research bearing on TENSIONS AFFECTING INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING, by Otto Klineberg (Paper, $1.75 ; Cloth, $2.25). The Survey had its origin in the ” Tensions’ Project'” taken up by UNESCO in 1947. The Bulletin gives a most able and fair minded summary of recent research that ha.s reference directly and indirectiy to its subject: while not professing to be complete,,it seems amply sufficient as a basis for further research. Four chief topics are included . (1) The distinctive character of the various national cultures ; and personality in relation to nationality ; (2) National Stereotypes, i.e . conceptions which people of one nation hold of their own and other nations; (3) Attitudes and their modification; and (4) Influences which make for aggressioji. Under each heading is given a list of researches with descriptive and critical notes. A last chapter describes research projects in the field of tensions initiated by UNESCO. There is no account of demographic or technological work. Dr. Klineberg is well aware that the study of this material raises the questions : What bearing has all this on international understanding ? Who is going to be influenced ? How widely are these results to be communicated ? And, however widely, will they cause tensions to slacken and bring in the reign of peace ? He agrees that the attitudes of leaders in each country have crucial importance, but believes that these are not isolated from main currents of ideas in their countries and in the world. He therefore lays emphasis on the way in which the mass of the’people think and feel ; and at the same time he stresses the importance of objective factors (economic and others) ifi creating tension