This study constructs a formal conceptualization and systematic elucidation of political development.  That phrase combines two different terms, each of which has its own separate meaning.  When put together, the question arises as to their combined sense: is there such a thing as political development?  Or is this combination nonsensical?

It is such questions that largely belong to metapolitics, so our discussion here may be properly called metapolitical.  On that basis, we consider the deeper meaning of politics, both in its etymological and epistemological sense.  Once this is done, one can then apply that meaning in either its conceptual or contextual aspects.