Theme-A-Crostics

Is there anything scientific about what we habitually call "political science?" Consider that along with other questions on the subject as you solve quotations from philosophers ranging from Plato to current thinkers, from the Founding Fathers, presidents and candidates, journalists, and others - even with a few modern novelists sprinkled in.

Accompanying the solution to each of the 40 puzzles is a short description of the work, some biographical information about the author, and where to find more detail - an appropriate add-on to the usual challenging fun for fans of acrostics.