Harold J. Laski's An Introduction to Politics outlines the functions of the State institutions, while highlighting the problems between the State and society and politics in general. Without entering into any technicalities, the author discusses various topics, including the necessity of a government; the relationship between State and society; rights of an individual and the power of the State; liberty and equality; the nature of nationalism and law as a source of authority. This book was written with the purpose to make a layman reader understand what functions are prerequisite for a democracy to function and how an individual can help in the effective running of a democracy.