TheseItaketobethedifferentdegreesofsubordinationbetweenmanandman,consideredasmembersofthesamesociety。
Inproportion,therefore,ascertainclasses,orcertainindividualsbecomemoredependentthanformerly,inthesameproportionoughttheirjustsubordinationtoincrease:andinproportionastheybecomelessdependentthanformerly,inthesameproportionoughtthisjustsubordinationtodiminish。Thisseemstobearationalprinciple:nextfortheapplication。
Ideducetheoriginofthegreatsubordinationunderthefeudalgovernment,fromthenecessarydependenceofthelowerclassesfortheirsubsistence。Theyconsumedtheproduceoftheland,asthepriceoftheirsubordination,notastherewardoftheirindustryinmakingitproduce。
Ideducemodernlibertyfromtheindependenceofthesameclasses,bytheintroductionofindustry,andcirculationofanadequateequivalentforeveryservice。
Ifthisdoctrinebeappliedinordertoresolvethefamousquestionsomuchdebated,concerningtheoriginofsupremeauthority,sofarasitisaquestionofthelawofnature,Idonotfindthedecisionsoverydifficult:Allauthorityisinproportiontodependence,andmustvaryaccordingtocircumstances。
Ithinkitisasrationaltosay,thatthefatherlypowerproceededoriginallyfromtheactofthechildren,astosay,thatthegreatbodyofthepeoplewhowerefed,andprotectedbyafewgreatlords,wasthefountainofpower,andcreatorofsubordination。Thosewhohavenootherequivalenttogivefortheirfoodandprotection,mustpayinpersonalservice,respect,andsubmission;andsosoonastheycometobeasituationtopayaproperequivalentforthesedependences,sofartheyacquireatitletolibertyandindependence。Thefeudallords,therefore,who,withreason,hadanentireauthorityovermanyoftheirvassals,beingsubduedbytheirKing;theusurpationwasupontheirrights,notupontherightsofthelowerclasses:butwhenaKingcametoextendthepowerhehadoverthevassalsofthelords,totheinhabitantsofcities,whohadbeenindependentofthissubordination,hisusurpationbecameevident。
TherightsofKings,therefore,aretobesoughtforinhistory;andnotfoundeduponthesuppositionoftacitcontractsbetweenthemandtheirpeople,inferredfromtheprinciplesofanimaginarylawofnature,whichmakesallmankindequal:naturecanneverbeinoppositiontocommonreason。
ThegeneralprincipleIhavelaiddown,appears,inmyhumbleopinion,morerationalthanthisimaginarycontract;andasconsonanttothefullwiththespiritoffreegovernment。IftheoriginaltacitcontractofgovernmentbetweenPrinceandpeopleisadmitteduniversally,thenallgovernmentsoughttobesimilar;andeverysubordination,whichappearscontrarytotheentirelibertyandindependenceofthelowestclasses,oughttobeconstruedastyrannical:whereas,accordingtomyprinciple,thesubordinationofclassesmay,indifferentcountries,bevastlydifferent;theprerogativeofonesovereignmay,fromdifferentcircumstances,befarmoreextendedthanthatofanother。
Maynotonehaveattainedthesovereigntybythefreeelectionofthepeople,Isupposebecauseofthegreatextentofhispossessions,numberofhisvassalsanddependents,quantityofwealth,alliancesandconnexionswithneighbouringsovereigns?
Hadnot,forexample,suchapersonasHughCapet,thegreatestfeudallordofhistime,arighttoamuchmoreextensivejurisdictionoverhissubjects,thancouldreasonablybeaspiredtobyaKingofPoland,sentfromFrance,orfromGermany,andsetattheheadofarepublic,wherehehasnotonepersondependinguponhimforanything?
ThepowerofPrinces,asPrinces,mustthenbedistinguishedfromthepowertheyderivefromothercircumstances,whichdonotnecessarilyfollowinconsequenceoftheirelevationtothethrone。Itwould,Ithink,bethegreatestabsurditytoadvance,thatthetitleofKingabolishes,ofitself,thesubordinationduetothepersonwhoexercisestheofficeofthathighmagistracy。
Matteroffact,whichisstrongerthanallreasoning,demonstratestheforceoftheprincipleherelaiddown。Dowenotseehowsubordinationrisesandfallsunderdifferentreigns,underarichElizabeth,andanecessitousCharles,underapowerfulAustrian,andadistressedBavarianEmperor?Iproceednofartherintheexaminationofthismatter:perhapsmyreaderhasdecidedthatIhavegonetoofaralready。
Fromtheseprinciplesmaybededucedtheboundariesofsubordination。Apeoplewhodependuponnothingbuttheirownindustryfortheirsubsistence,oughttobeundernofarthersubordinationthanwhatisnecessaryfortheirprotection。Andastheprotectionofthewholebodyofsuchapeopleimpliestheprotectionofeveryindividual,soeverypoliticalsubordinationshouldtherebegeneralandequal:noperson,noclassshouldbeunderagreatersubordinationthananother。Thisisthesubordinationofthelaws;andwheneverlawsestablishasubordinationmorethanwhatisproportionatetothedependenceofthosewhoaresubordinate,sofarsuchlawsmaybeconsideredascontrarytonaturalequity,andarbitrary。
Thesethingspremised,Icometothequestionproposed,namely,Howfarparticularformsofgovernmentarefavourableorunfavourabletoacompetitionwithothernations,inpointofcommerce?
Ifwereasonfromfacts,andfromexperience,weshallfind,thattradeandindustryhavebeenfoundtoflourishbestundertherepublicanform,andunderthosewhichhavecomethenearesttoit。MayIbeallowedtosay,that,perhaps,oneprincipalreasonforthishasbeen,thatundertheseformstheadministrationofthelawshasbeenthemostuniform,andconsequently,thatmostlibertyhasactuallybeenthereenjoyed……
Isayactually,becauseIhavesaidabove,thatinmyacceptationoftheterm,libertyisequallycompatiblewithmonarchyaswithdemocracy;Idonotsaytheenjoymentofitisequallysecureunderboth;becauseunderthefirstitismuchmoreliabletobedestroyed。Thelifeofthedemocraticalsystemisequality。
Monarchyconveystheideaofthegreatestinequalitypossible。
Now,if,ononeside,theequalityofthedemocracysecuresliberty;ontheother,themoderationinexpencediscouragesindustry;andif,ononeside,theinequalityofthemonarchyendangersliberty,theprogressofluxuryencouragesindustryontheother。Fromwhencewemayconclude,thatthedemocraticalsystemisnaturallythebestforgivingbirthtoforeigntrade;
themonarchical,fortherefinementoftheluxuriousarts,andforpromotingarapidcirculationofinlandcommerce。
Thedangerwhichlibertyisexposedtoundermonarchy,andthediscouragementtoindustry,fromthefrugalityofthedemocracy,areonlythenaturalandimmediateeffectsofthetwoformsofgovernment;andtheseinconvenienceswilltakeplaceonly,whilestatesmenneglecttheinterestofcommerce,sofarasnottomakeitanobjectofadministration。
Thedisadvantage,therefore,ofthemonarchicalform,inpointoftradeandindustry,doesnotproceedfromtheinequalityitestablishesamongthecitizens,butfromtheconsequenceofthisinequality,whichisveryoftenaccompaniedwithanarbitraryandundeterminatesubordinationbetweentheindividualsofthehigherclasses,andthoseofthelower;orbetweenthosevestedwiththeexecutionofthelaws,andthebodyofthepeople。Themomentitisfoundthatanysubordinationwithinthemonarchy,betweensubjectandsubject,isleftwithoutproperboundsprescribed,libertyissofaratanend。Naymonarchyitselfisherebyhurt,asthisundeterminatesubordinationimpliesanarbitrarypowerinthestate,notvestedinthemonarch。Arbitrarypowernevercanbedelegated;forifitbearbitrary,itmaybeturnedagainstthemonarch,aswellasagainstthesubject。
Imightthereforesay,thatwhensuchapowerinindividualsisconstitutionalinthemonarchy,suchmonarchyisnotagovernment,butatyranny,andthereforefallswithoutthelimitsofoursubject;andwhensuchapowerisanti-constitutional,andyetisexercised,thatitisanabuse,andshouldbeoverlooked。
Butastheplanofthisinquiryengagesmetoinvestigatetheoperationsofgeneralprinciples,andtheconsequencestheyproduce,Icannotomit,inthisplace,topointoutthosewhichflowfromanindeterminatesubordination,fromwhatevercauseitmayproceed。
Whetherthisindeterminatesubordinationbetweenindividuals,beaviceintheconstitutionofthegovernment,oranabuse,itisthesamethingastotheconsequenceswhichresultfromit。Itisthiswhichchecksanddestroysindustry,andwhichinagreatmeasurepreventsitsprogressfrombeingequalinallcountries。
Thisdifferenceintheformoradministrationofgovernments,istheonlyonewhichitisessentiallynecessarytoexamineinthisinquiry。and,soessentialitis,inmyopinion,thatIimagineitwouldbelesshurtful,inaplanfortheestablishmentofcommerce,fairly,andatoncetoenslavethelowerclassesoftheinhabitants,andtomakethemvendiblelikeothercommodities,thantoleavethemnominallyfree,burthenedwiththeirownmaintenance,chargedwiththeeducationoftheirchildren,andatthesametimeunderanirregularsubordination;thatis,liableateverymomenttobeloadedwithnewprestationsorimpositions,eitherinworkorotherwise,andtobefinedorimprisonedatwillbytheirsuperiors。
Itproducesnodifference,whethertheseirregularitiesbeexercisedbythoseofthesuperiorclasses,orbythestatesmanandhissubstitutes。Itistheirregularityoftheexactionsmorethantheextentofthemwhichruinsindustry。Itrenderslivingprecarious,andtheveryideaofindustryshouldcarryalongwithit,notonlyanassuredlivelihood,butacertainprofitoverandabove。
Letimpositionsbeeversohigh,providedtheybeproportional,general,graduallyaugmented,andpermanent,theymayhaveindeedtheeffectofstoppingforeigntrade,andofstarvingtheidle,buttheyneverwillruintheindustrious;asweshallhaveoccasiontoshewintreatingoftaxation。Whereas,whentheyarearbitrary,fallingunequallyuponindividualsofthesamecondition,sudden,andfrequentlychangingtheirobject,itisimpossibleforindustrytostanditsground。Suchasystemofoeconomyintroducesanunequalcompetitionamongthoseofthesameclass,itstopsindustriouspeopleinthemiddleoftheircareer,discouragesothersfromexposingtotheeyesofthepublictheeaseoftheircircumstances,consequentlyencourageshoarding;thisagainexcitesrapaciousnessuponthesideofthestatesman,whoseeshimselffrustratedinhisschemesoflayingholdofprivatewealth。
Fromthisanewsetofinconveniencesfollow。Heturnshisviewsuponsolidproperty。Thisinspiresthelandlordswithindignationagainsthimwhocanloadthematwill;andwithenvyagainstthemoniedinterest,whocanbafflehisattempts。Thisclassagainisconstantlyuponthecatchtoprofitofthepublicdistressforwantofmoney。Whatistheconsequenceofallthis?
Itisthatthelowestclassesofthepeople,whooughtbyindustrytoenrichthestate,findononehandthemoniedinterestconstantlyamassing,inordertolendtothestate,insteadofdistributingamongthem,byseasonableloans,theirsuperfluousincome,withaviewtosharethereasonableprofitsoftheiringenuity;andontheotherhand,theyfindtheemissariesoftaxationrobbingthemoftheseedbeforeitissown,insteadofwaitingforashareintheharvest。
Underthefeudalformofgovernment,libertyandindependencewereconfinedtothenobility。Birthopenedthedoorofprefermenttosome,andbirthaseffectuallyshutitagainstothers。Ihaveoftenobservedhow,byreasonandfromexperience,suchaformofgovernmentmustbeunfavourablebothtotradeandindustry。
Fromreasonitisplain,thatindustrymustgivewealth,andwealthwillgivepower,ifhewhopossessesitbeleftthemastertoemployitashepleases。Agovernmentcouldnotthereforeencourageasystemwhichtendedtothrowpowerintothehandsofthosewhoweremadetoobeyonly。Itwasconsequentlyverynaturalforthenobilitytobejealousofwealthymerchants,andofeveryonewhobecameeasyandindependentbymeansofhisownindustry;experienceprovedhowexactlythisprincipleregulatedtheiradministration。
Astatesmanought,therefore,toconsiderattentivelyeverycircumstanceoftheconstitutionofhiscountry,beforehesetsonfootthemodernsystemoftradeandindustry。Iamfarfrombeingofopinionthatthisistheonlyroadtohappiness,security,andease;though,fromthegeneraltasteofthetimesI
livein,itbethesystemIamprincipallyemployedtoexamine。A
countrymaybeabundantlyhappy,andsufficientlyformidabletothosewhocometoattackit,withoutbeingextremelyrich。Richesindeedareforbidtoallwhohaveneithermines,orforeigntrade。
Ifacountrybefoundlabouringundermanynaturaldisadvantagesfrominlandsituation,barrensoil,distantcarriage,itwouldbeinvaintoattemptacompetitionwithothernationsinforeignmarkets。Allthatcanbethenundertakenisapassivetrade,andthatsofaronlyasitcanbringinadditionalwealth。Whenlittlemoneycanbeacquired,thestatesman’sapplicationmustbe,tomakethatalreadyacquiredtocirculateasmuchaspossible,inordertogivebreadtoeveryoneinthesociety。
Incountrieswherethegovernmentisvestedinthehandsofthegreatlords,asisthecaseinallaristocracies,aswasthecaseunderthefeudalgovernment,andasitstillisthecaseinmanycountriesinEurope,wheretrade,however,andindustryaredailygainingground;thestatesmanwhosetsthenewsystemofpoliticaloeconomyonfoot,maydependuponit,thateitherhisattemptwillfail,ortheconstitutionofthegovernmentwillchange。Ifhedestroysallarbitrarydependencebetweenindividuals,thewealthoftheindustriouswillshare,ifnottotallyrootoutthepowerofthegrandees。Ifheallowssuchadependencetosubsist,hisprojectwillfail。
WhileVeniceandGenoaflourished,theywereobligedtoopenthedoorsoftheirsenatetothewealthycitizens,inordertopreventtheirbeingbrokendown。Whatisvenalnobility?Thechildofcommerce,theindispensibleconsequenceofindustry,andamiddleterm,whichourGothicancestorsfoundthemselvesobligedtoadopt,inordernotentirelytolosetheirownrankinthestate。Money,theyfound,mustcarryoffthefasces,sic,sotheychoserathertoadoptthewealthyplebeians,andtoclotheignobleshoulderswiththeirpurplemantle,thantoallowthesetowrestallauthorityoutofthehandsofthehigherclass。Bythisexpedient,asuddenrevolutionhasoftenbeenprevented。Somekingdomshavebeenquitforabloodyrebellionoralongcivilwar。Othercountrieshavelikewisedemonstratedtheforceoftheprinciplesherelaiddown:awealthypopulacehasbrokentheirchainstopieces,andoverturnedtheveryfoundationsofthefeudalsystem。
Alltheseviolentconvulsionshavebeenowingtotheshort-sightednessofstatesmen;who,inattentivetotheconsequencesofgrowingwealthandindustry,foolishlyimaginedthathereditarysubordinationwastosubsistamongclasses,whosesituation,withrespecttoeachother,wasentirelychanged。
ThepretoriancohortswereatfirstsubordinatetotheordersoftheEmperors,andweretheguardsofthecityofRome。TheJanissariesareunderstoodtobeunderthecommandoftheprincipalofficersofthePort。SosoonastheleadingmenofRomeandConstantinople,whonaturallywereentitledtogovernthestate,appliedtothesetumultuousbodiesfortheirprotectionandassistance,theyintheirturn,madesensibleoftheirownimportance,changedtheconstitution,andsharedinthegovernment。
Amilderrevolution,entirelysimilar,istakingplaceinmoderntimes;andanattentivespectatormayfindamusementinviewingtheprogressofitinmanystatesofEurope。Tradeandindustryareinvogue;andtheirestablishmentisoccasioningawonderfulfermentationwiththeremainingfiercenessofthefeudalconstitution。
Tradeandindustryowedtheirestablishmenttowarandtoambition;andperhapsmankindmayhopetoseethedaywhenthisestablishmentwillputanendtothefirst,byexposingtheexpensivefollyofthelatter。
Tradeandindustry,Isay,owedtheirestablishmenttotheambitionofprinceswhosupportedandfavouredtheplaninthebeginning,principallywithaviewtoenrichthemselves,andtherebytobecomeformidabletotheirneighbours。Buttheydidnotdiscover,untilexperiencetaughtthem,thatthewealththeydrewfromsuchfountainswasbuttheoverflowingofthespring;
andthatanopulent,bold,andspiritedpeople,havingthefundoftheprince’swealthintheirownhands,haveitalsointheirownpower,whenitbecomesstronglytheirinclination,toshakeoffhisauthority。Theconsequenceofthischangehasbeentheintroductionofamoremild,andamoreregularplanofadministration。Themoneygatherersarebecomemoreusefultoprinces,thanthegreatlords;andthosewhoarefertileinexpedientsforestablishingpubliccredit,andfordrawingmoneyfromthecoffersoftherich,bytheimpositionoftaxes,havebeenpreferredtothemostwiseandmostlearnedcounsellors。
Asthissystemisnew,nowonderifithasproducedphenomenabothnewandsurprising。Formerly,thepowerofPrinceswasemployedtodestroyliberty,andtoestablisharbitrarysubordination;butinourdays,wehaveseenthosewhohavebestcomprehendedthetrueprinciplesofthenewplanofpolitics,arbitrarilylimitingthepowerofthehigherclasses,andtherebyapplyingtheirauthoritytowardstheextensionofpublicliberty,byextinguishingeverysubordination,butthatduetotheestablishedlaws。
Thefundamentalmaximofsomeofthegreatestministers,hasbeentorestrainthepowerofthegreatlords。Thenaturalinferencethatpeopledrewfromsuchastep,was,thattheministertherebyintendedtomakeeverythingdependontheprince’swillonly。ThisIdonotdeny。Butwhatusehaveweseenmadeofthisnewacquisitionofpower?Thosewholookintoeventswithapoliticaleye,mayperceiveseveralactsofthemostarbitraryauthorityexercisedbysomelateEuropeansovereigns,withnootherviewthantoestablishpubliclibertyuponamoreextensivebottom。
Andalthoughtheprerogativeofsomeprincesbeincreasedconsiderablybeyondtheboundsoftheancientconstitution,eventosuchadegreeasperhapsjustlytodeservethenameofusurpation;yettheconsequencesresultingfromtherevolution,cannoteverywherebesaid,uponthewhole,tohaveimpairedwhatIcallpublicliberty。Ishouldbeatnolosstoprovethisassertionfrommattersoffact,andbyexamples,didIthinkitproper:itseemsbettertoproveitfromreason。
Whenonceastatebeginstosubsistbytheconsequencesofindustry,thereislessdangertobeapprehendedfromthepowerofthesovereign。Themechanismofhisadministrationbecomesmorecomplex,and,aswasobservedintheintroductiontothefirstbook,hefindshimselfsoboundupbythelawsofhispoliticaloeconomy,thateverytransgressionofthemrunshimintonewdifficulties。
Ispeakofgovernmentsonlywhichareconductedsystematically,constitutionally,andbygenerallaws;andwhenI
mentionprinces,Imeantheircouncils。TheprinciplesIamenquiringinto,regardthecooladministrationoftheirgovernment;itbelongstoanotherbranchofpolitics,tocontrivebulwarksagainsttheirpassions,vicesandweaknesses,asmen。
Isay,therefore,thatfromthetimestateshavebeguntobesupportedbytheconsequencesofindustry,theplanofadministrationhasbecomemoremoderate;hasbeenchangingandrefiningbydegrees;andeverychange,ashasbeenoftenobserved,mustbeaccompaniedwithinconveniences。
Itisofgovernmentsasofmachines,themoretheyaresimple,themoretheyaresolidandlasting;themoretheyareartfullycomposed,themoretheybecomeuseful;butthemoreapttheyaretobeoutoforder。
TheLacedemonianformmaybecomparedtothewedge,themostsolidandcompactofallthemechanicalpowers。Thoseofmodernstatestowatches,whicharecontinuallygoingwrong;sometimesthespringisfoundtooweak,atothertimestoostrongforthemachine:andwhenthewheelsarenotmadeaccordingtoadeterminateproportion,bytheablehandsofaGraham,oraJulienleRoy,theydonottallywellwithoneanother;thenthemachinestops,andifitbeforced,somepartgivesway;andtheworkman’shandbecomesnecessarytosetitright。
Chap。XIV
Security,EaseandHappiness,noinseparableConcomitantsofTradeandIndustryTherepublicofLycurgusrepresentsthemostperfectplanofpoliticaloeconomy,inmyhumbleopinion,anywheretobemetwith,eitherinancientormoderntimes。Thatitexistedcannotbecalledinquestion,anymorethanthatitprovedthemostdurableofallthoseestablishedamongtheGreeks;andifatlastitcametofail,itwasmorefromtheabuseswhichgraduallywereintroducedintoit,thanfromanyviceintheform。
Thesimplicityoftheinstitutionmadethesolidityofit;
andhadtheLacedemoniansatalltimesadheredtotheprinciplesoftheirgovernment,andspiritoftheirconstitution,theymighthaveperhapssubsistedtothisveryday。
Myintention,inthischapter,isnottoenterintoacriticaldisquisitionconcerningthemechanismofeverypartoftheSpartanrepublic;buttocomparethegeneralplanofLycurgus’spoliticaloeconomywiththeprincipleswehavebeenlayingdown。
OfthisplanwehaveadescriptioninthelifeofthislegislatorwrittenbyPlutarch,oneofthemostjudiciousauthorstobemetwithinanyage。
Thishistorianflourishedatleast800yearsaftertheinstitutionoftheplanhedescribes。Aplanneverreducedintoasystemofwrittenlaws,butstampedatfirstuponthemindsoftheSpartansbytheimmediateauthorityofthegods,whichmadethemsubmittothemostviolentrevolutionthatperhapsevertookplaceinanynation,andwhichtheysupportedforsomanyagesbytheforceofeducationalone。
AsthewholeofLycurgus’slawswastransmittedbytraditiononly,itisnottobesupposed,thatthedescriptionPlutarch,orindeedanyoftheancients,havegivenusofthisrepublic,canbedependedonwithcertaintyasajustrepresentationofeverypartofthesystemlaiddownbythatgreatstatesman。Butontheotherhand,wemaybeverysure,thatastotheoutlinesoftheinstitution,wehavethemtransmittedtousinalltheirpurity’。
and,inwhatrelatestomysubject,IhavenooccasiontotouchonanyparticularswhichmayadmitofthesmAllestcontroversy,astothematteroffact。
PropertyamongtheLacedemonians,atthetimewhenLycurgusplannedhisinstitution,wasveryunequallydivided:theconsequenceofwhich,saysourhistorian,wastodrawmanypoorpeopleintothecity,wherethewealthwasgatheredintofewhands;thatisaccordingtoourlanguage,theluxuryoftherich,wholivedinthecity,hadpurgedthelandsofuselessmouths,andtheinstabilityofthegovernmenthadrenderedindustryprecarious,whichmusthaveopenedthedoortogeneraldistressamongallthelowerclasses。
Thefirststepourlegislatortook,wastopreparethespiritofthepeople,soastoengagethemtosubmittoatotalreform,whichcouldnotfailofbeingattendedwithinnumerableinconveniences。
ForthispurposehewenttoDelphi,withouthavingcommunicatedhisdesigntoanybody。ThePythiadeclaredhimtobethedarlingofthegods,andratheragodthanaman;andpubliclygaveout,thatApollohaddeliveredtohimalonetheplanofarepublicwhichfarexceededeveryotherinperfection。
Whatapowerfulenginewasthisinthehandsofaprofoundpolitician,whohadtravelledovertheworldwithapreviousintentiontoexplorethemysteriesofthescienceofgovernment!
andwhatadvantagesdidsuchanauthenticrecommendation,comingdirectlyaswasbelievedfromthevoiceoftheDivinity,givehimoverasuperstitiouspeople,inestablishingwhateverformofgovernmenthethoughtmostproper!
ThesagaciousLacedemoniandidnot,however,entirelydependupontheblindsubmissionofhiscountrymentothedictatesoftheoracle;butwiselyjudgedthatsomepreparatorystepsmightstillbenecessary。Hecommunicated,therefore,hisplan,firsttohisfriends,andthenbydegreestotheprincipalpeopleofthestate,whocertainlynevercouldhavebeenbroughttorelishaninnovationsoprejudicialtotheirinterest,haditnotbeenfromthedeepestreverenceandsubmissiontothewillofthegods。Assuredoftheirassistance,heappearedinthemarketplace,accompaniedbyhisparty,allinarms;andhavingimposedrespect,helaidthefoundationofhisgovernmentbythenominationofasenate。
Whateverregardsanyotherobjectthanhisplanofpoliticaloeconomy,shallbeherepassedoverinsilence。Itisofnoconsequencetomyinquiry,wherethesupremepowerwasvested:itissufficienttoknowthattherewasanauthorityenoughinthestatetosupporttheexecutionofhisplan。
Hedestroyedallinequalityatonestroke。Thepropertyofallthelandsofthestatewasthrowntogether,andbecameatthedisposalofthelegislator。Everybranchofindustrywasproscribedtothecitizens。Andamoniedinterestwasmadetodisappear,bytheintroductionofironcoin。Thelandshedividedintoequallots,accordingtothenumberofcitizens。
Thusallwererenderedentirelyequalinpointoffortune,asneitherwealth,industry,orlands,couldgiveasuperioritytoanybody。FromthispartoftheplanIconclude,thatLycurgusdiscoveredtheutterinsufficiencyofanagrarianlawforestablishingequalityamongtheindividualsofastate,withoutproscribing,atthesametime,bothwealthandindustry。A
circumstancewhichseemstohaveescapedeveryotherstatesmaninancienttimes,aswellasthemodernpatronsofequalityandsimplicityofmanners。ThelandswerecultivatedbytheHelotes,whowerenourishedfromthem,andwhowereobligedtodeliverthesurplus,thatis,adeterminatequantityoffruits,totheproprietorofthelot。Everynecessarymechanicartwaslikewiseexercisedbythisbodyofslaves。
Bythisdistribution,theproduceoftheearththatiseveryarticleofnourishmentcamefreeandwithoutcosttoeveryindividualofthestate。TheSpartanlandlordswereratheroverseersoftheslaves,andcollectorsofthepublicsubsistence,thandirectproprietorsofthesoilwhichproducedit。Foralthougheverymanwasfedfromhisownlands,andprovidedhisownportion,yetthisportionwasregulated,andwastobeconsumedinpublic;andanyonewhopretendedtoeatalone,orbeforehecametothepublichall,washeldintheutmostcontempt。
Theirclothingwasthemostsimplepossible,perfectlyalike,andcouldbepurchasedforasmallvalue。Thisfrugalityproducednobadeffect;becausenomanlivedbyhisindustry。Arts,ashasbeensaid,wereexercisedbytheHelotes,thepropertyofprivatecitizens;andifsuchmastersasentertainedmanufacturingslavesgainedbythetrafficassomemustdoeverymethodofprofitingoftheirsuperiorricheswascutoff。
TheSpartanswerecontinuallytogether;theyhadnothingtodobuttodivertthemselves;andtheiramusementsweremostlymartialexercises。Theregulationsofthesenumerousassemblieswhichwerecompared,withgreateleganceandjustness,toswarmsofbeescutoffalloutwardmarksofdistinction。Therewasnotapossibilityforluxurytointroduceitself,eitherineating,drinking,cloathing,furniture,oranyotherexpence。
Herethenwasawholenationfedandprovidedforgratuitously;therewasnottheleastoccasionforindustry。theusefulnessofwhich,wehaveshewnprincipallytoconsistinitsprovinganexpedientforprocuringforthenecessitous,whattheSpartansfoundprovidedforthemwithoutlabour。
Undersuchcircumstanceswemayconclude,fromtheprincipleswehavelaiddown,thatapeoplethusabundantlynourished,musthavemultipliedexceedingly。Andsonodoubttheydid。Buttheregulationofthelotspermittednomorethanafixednumberofcitizens。Whenever,therefore,numberswerefoundtoexceedthisstandard,thesupernumerariesweredismissed,andsenttoformcolonies。AndwhentheHelotesincreasedtoomuch,andtherebybegantoriseabovetheproportionofthelabourrequiredofthem,inordertopreventtheconsumingthefoodoftheirmasters,whichtheyhadintheirhands,andtherebybecomingidle,licentious,andconsequentlydangeroustothestate,itwaspermittedtodestroythembywayofamilitaryexercise,conductedbystratagemandaddress;artswhichthispeopleconstantlypreferredinwar,tolabour,strengthandintrepidity。
Thisappearsaverybarbarouscustom,andIshallnotofferanythingasanapologyforit,buttheferocityofthemannersofthosetimes。Abstractingfromthecruelty,therestrainingthenumbersofthisclasswithincertainlimits,wasabsolutelynecessary。TheLacedemonianslaveswereinmanyrespectsfarhappierthanthoseofothernations。Theywereinrealityabodyoffarmers,whichpaidacertainquantityoffruitsoutofeverylot;towit,70medimniofbarley:theirnumberswerenotrecruitedfromabroad,aselsewhere,butsupportedbytheirownpropagation;consequentlytherewasanabsolutenecessityeithertopreventtheovermultiplicationofthem,ortodiminishanincomeproportionedexactlytothenecessitiesofthestate:andwhatexpedientcouldbefallenupon?Theywereslaves,andtherefore,couldnotbeinrolledinthenumberofcitizens;theycouldnotbesoldtostrangers,formoneywhichwasforbid;andtheywereofnousetoindustry。Nowonderthenifthefiercenessofthemannersofthosedayspermittedtheinhumantreatmenttheyreceived;which,however,PlutarchisfarfromattributingtotheprimitiveinstitutionofLycurgus。Besides,whenweseethatthefreementhemselveswereobligedtoquitthecountrythemomenttheirnumbersexceededacertainstandard,itwasnottobeexpected,thatuselessslavesshouldbepermittedtomultiplyatdiscretion。
FromthissketchofLycurgus’spoliticaloeconomy,wefindthestateabundantlyprovidedwitheverynecessaryarticle;aneffectualstopputtoabusiveprocreationamongthecitizens;andacorrectivefortheovermultiplicationoftheslaves。Thenextcareofastatesmanistoregulatetheemploymentofapeople。
Everyfreemaninthestatewasbredupfromhisinfancytoarms。Nofamilycarecouldpreventhimfromservingthestateasasoldier:hischildrenwerenoloaduponhim;itwasthebusinessoftheHelotestosupplythemwithprovisions:oftheservantsintowntopreparethese,andthepublictableswerealwaysreadyfurnished。ThewholeyouthofSpartawaseducatednotasthechildrenoftheirparents,butofthestate。Theyimbibedthesamesentimentsoffrugality,temperance,andloveofsimplicity。Theyexercisedthesameemployment,andwereoccupiedinthesamewayineveryrespect。ThesimplicityofLycurgus’splan,renderedthisapracticablescheme。Themultiplicityandvarietyofemploymentsamongus,makesitabsolutelynecessarytotrusttheparentswiththeeducationoftheirchildren;whereasinSparta,therewerenottwoemploymentsforafreeman;therewasneitherorator,lawyer,physician,orpolitician,byprofessiontobefound。Theinstitutionsoftheirlawgiverwereconstantlyinculcatedbytheolduponthemindsoftheyoung;
everythingtheyheardorsaw,wasrelativetowar。Theverygodswererepresentedinarmour,andeveryprecepttheyweretaught,tendedtobanishsuperfluity,andtoestablishmoderationandhardliving。
Theyouthwerecontinuallystrivingtogetherinallmilitaryexercises;suchasboxingandwrestling。Tokeepup,therefore,aspiritofemulation,andtobanishanimosityatthesametime,sharp,satiricalexpressionsweremuchencouraged;butthesewerealwaystobeseasonedwithsomethinggraciousorpolite。Thegravedemeanourlikewise,anddowncastlookwhichtheywereorderedtoobserveinthestreets,andtheinjunctionofkeepingtheirhandswithintheirrobes,mightverynaturallybecalculatedtopreventquarrels,andespeciallyblows,attimeswhentheauthorityofapublicassemblycouldnotmoderatethevivacityoftheirpassions。Bythesearts,theSpartanslivedingreatharmonyinthemidstofacontinualwar。
Undersuchregulationsapeoplemustenjoysecurityfromforeignattacks;andcertainlytheintentionofthelegislatorneverwastoextendthelimitsofLaconiabyconquest。WhatpeoplecouldeverthinkofattackingtheLacedemonians,wherenothingbutblowscouldbeexpected?
Theyenjoyedeaseinthemostsupremedegree;theywereabundantlyprovidedwitheverynecessaryoflife;although,I
confess,theenjoymentofthese,insoaustereamanner,wouldnotberelishedbyanymodernsociety。Buthabitisallinthingsofthiskind。Acoarsemeal,toagoodstomach,hasmorerelishthanallthedelicaciesofthemostexquisitepreparationtoadepravedappetite;andifthepleasuresoflovebereckonedamongthepleasuresoflife,enoughofitmighthavebeenmetwithinthemannersofthispeople。Itdoesnotbelongtomysubjecttoenterintoparticulardetailsonthishead。Butthemostrationalpleasureamongmen,thedelightfulcommunicationofsociety,washereenjoyedtotheutmostextent。Thewholerepublicwascontinuallygatheredtogetherinbodies,andtheirstudies,theiroccupationsandtheiramusements,werethesame。Onetastewasuniversal;andtheyoungandtheoldbeingconstantlytogether,thefirstundertheimmediateinspectionandauthorityofthelatter,thesamesentimentsweretransmittedfromgenerationtogeneration。TheSpartansweresopleased,andsosatisfiedwiththeirsituation,thattheydespisedthemannersofeveryothernation。Ifthisdoesnottransmitanideaofhappiness,Iamatalosstoformone。Security,ease,andhappiness,therefore,arenotinseparableconcomitantsoftradeandindustry。
Lycurgushadpenetrationenoughtoperceivetheweaksideofhisinstitution。Hewasnostrangertotheseducinginfluenceofluxury;andplainlyforesaw,thattheconsequencesofindustry,whichprocurestomankindagreatvarietyofnewobjectsofdesire,andawonderfulfacilityinsatisfyingthem,wouldeasilyrootouttheprincipleshehadendeavouredtoinstilintohiscountrymen,ifthestateofsimplicityshouldevercometobecorruptedbyforeigncommunications。Heaffected,therefore,tointroduceseveralcustomswhichcouldnotfailofdisgustingandshockingthedelicacyofneighbouringstates。Hepermittedthedeadtobeburiedwithinthewalls;thehandlingofdeadbodieswasnotreckonedpollutionamongtheLacedemonians。Heforbadebathing,sonecessaryforcleanlinessinahotcountry;andthecoarsenessanddirtinessoftheircloaths,andsweatfromtheirhardexercises,couldnotfailtodisguststrangersfromcomingamongthem。Ontheotherhand,nothingwasfoundatSpartawhichcouldengageastrangertowishtobecomeoneoftheirnumber。
Andtopreventthecontagionofforeigncustomsfromgettingin,bymeansofthecitizensthemselves,heforbadetheSpartanstotravel;andexcludedfromanyemploymentinthestate,thosewhohadgotaforeigneducation。NothingindeedbutaSpartanbreedingcouldhavefittedapersontoliveamongthem。
ThetheftencouragedamongtheLacedemonianswascalculatedtomakethemartfulanddextrous;andcontainednotthesmallesttinctureofvice。Itwasgenerallyofsomethingeatable,andthefrugalityoftheirtablepromptedthemtoit;whileontheotherhand,theirbeingexposedtothelikereprisals,madethemwatchfulandcarefulofwhatbelongedtothemselves;andthepleasureofpunishinganunsuccessfulattempt,inpartindemnifiedthemforthetroubleofbeingconstantlyupontheirguard。ALacedemonianhadnothingofanyvaluethatcouldbestolen;anditisthedesireandintentionofmakingunlawfulgainwhichrendersthefteithercriminalorscandalous。
ThehiddenintercoursebetweentheSpartansandtheiryoungwiveswasnodoubt,calculatedtoimpressuponthemindsofthefairsex,thewidedifferencethereisbetweenanactofimmodesty,andthatofsimplyappearingnakedinthepublicexercises;twothingswhichweareapttoconfound,fromtheimpressionofourowncustomsonly。Iampersuadedthatmanyayoungpersonhasfelthermodestyasmuchhurtbytakingoffherhandkerchief,thefirsttimesheappearedatcourt,asanyLacedemoniangirlcouldhavedonebystrippingbeforeathousandpeople;yetbothherreasonandcommonsense,mustmakehersensibleofthedifferencebetweenacompliancewithacustominamatterofdress,andapalpabletransgressionagainstthelawsofherhonour,andthemodestyofhersex。
IhavecalledthisLacedemonianrepublicaperfectplanofpoliticaloeconomy;becauseitwasasystem,uniformandconsistentinallitsparts。There,nosuperfluitywasnecessary,becausetherewasnooccasionforindustry,togivebreadtoanybody。There,nosuperfluitywaspermitted,becausethemomentthelimitsoftheabsolutelynecessaryaretransgressed,thedegreesofexcessarequiteindeterminate,andbecomepurelyrelative。
Thesamethingwhichappearssuperfluitytoapeasant,appearsnecessarytoacitizen;andtheutmostluxuryofthisclassfrequentlydoesnotcomeuptowhatisthoughtthemerenecessaryforoneinahigherrank。Lycurgusstoptattheonlydeterminedfrontier,thepurephysicalnecessary。Allbeyondthiswasconsideredasabusive。
TheonlythingsincommerceamongtheSpartanswere,First,Whatmightremaintothemofthefruitsoftheirlot,overtheirownconsumption;andsecondly,Theworkoftheslavesemployedintrades。Thenumbersofthesecouldnotbemany,asthetimberoftheirhouseswasworkedwiththesawandaxeonly;
andeveryutensilwasmadewiththegreatestsimplicity。Asmallquantity,therefore,ofironcoin,asIimagine,musthavebeensufficientforcarryingonthecirculationatSparta。Theverynatureoftheirwantsmust,asIhavesaid,terminatealltheircommerce,intheexchangeofthesurplus-foodoftheirportionsofland,withtheworkofthemanufacturingslaves,whomusthavebeenfedfromit。
AstheLacedemonianshadnomercantilecommunicationswithothernations,theironcoinwasnomorethanabanknoteofnointrinsicvalue,asIsuppose,butamiddletermintroducedforkeepingaccounts,andforfacilitatingbarter。Anadditionalargumentforthisopinionofthecoinbeingofnointrinsicvalue,is,thatitissaidtohavebeenrenderedunserviceableforotheruses,bybeingslakedinvinegar;inorderconsequentlytodestroy,astheyimagined,anyintrinsicvaluewhichmightotherwiseremain。Ifthiscoin,therefore,wasmadeofanextra-ordinaryweight,itmusthavebeenentirelywithapoliticalviewofdiscouragingcommerceandcirculation,aninstitutionquiteconsistentwiththegeneralplan,andnowiseaconsequenceofthebasenessofthemetalofwhichitwasmade:asmallquantityofthis,withthestampofpublicauthorityforitscurrencyandvalue,wouldhaveansweredeverypurposeequallywell。
Letmenowconcludethischapterbyanillustrationofthesubject,whichwillstillmoreclearlypointouttheforceoftheprinciplesuponwhichthisLacedemonianrepublicwasestablished。
WereanyPrinceinEurope,whosesubjects,Ishallsuppose,mayamounttosixmillionsofinhabitants,onehalfemployedinagriculture,theotherhalfemployedintradeandindustry,orlivinguponarevenuealreadyacquired;weresuchaPrince,I
say,supposedtohaveauthoritysufficienttoengagehispeopletoadoptanewplanofoeconomy,calculatedtosecurethemagainstthedesignsofapowerfulneighbour,who,Ishallsuppose,hasformedschemesofinvadingandsubduingthem。
Lethimengagethewholeproprietorsoflandtorenouncetheirseveralpossessions:orifthatsuppositionshouldappeartooabsurd,lethimcontractdebtstothevalueofthewholepropertyofthenation;lettheland-taxbeimposedattwentyshillingsinthepound,andthenlethimbecomebankrupttothecreditors。Lettheincomeofallthelandsbecollectedthroughoutthecountryfortheuseofthestate;letalltheluxuriousartsbeproscribed;andletthoseemployedinthembeformed,underthecommandoftheformerlandproprietors,intoabodyofregulartroops,officersandsoldiers,providedwitheverythingnecessaryfortheirmaintenance,andthatoftheirwivesandfamiliesatthepublicexpence。Letmecarrythesuppositionfarther。Leteverysuperfluitybecutoff;letthepeasantsbeenslaved,andobligedtolabourthegroundwithnoviewofprofittothemselves,butforsimplesubsistence;lettheuseofgoldandsilverbeproscribed;andletallthesemetalsbeshutupinapublictreasure。Letnoforeigntrade,andverylittledomesticbeencouraged;butleteveryman,willingtoserveasasoldier,bereceivedandtakencareof;andthosewhoeitherinclinetobeidle,orwhoarefoundsuperfluous,besentoutofthecountry。Iask,whatconfederacyamongthemodernEuropeanPrinces,wouldcarryonasuccessfulwaragainstsuchapeople?Whatarticlewouldbewantingtotheirease,thatis,totheiramplesubsistence?Theirhappinesswoulddependuponthetemperoftheirmind。Andwhatcountrycoulddefenditselfagainsttheattackofsuchanenemy?Suchasystemofpoliticaloeconomy,Ireadilygrant,isnotlikelytotakeplace:butifeveritdid,woulditnoteffectuallydashtopiecesthewholefabricoftradeandindustrywhichhasbeenformingforsomanyyears?Andwoulditnotquicklyobligeeveryothernationtoadopt,asfaraspossible,asimilarconduct,fromaprincipleofself-preservation。
Chap。XV
AgeneralViewofthePrinciplestobeattendedtobyaStatesman,whoresolvestoestablishTradeandIndustryuponalastingFootingThetwoprecedingchaptersIhaveintroducedpurposelytoswerveasanillustrationofgeneralprinciples,andasarelaxationtothemind,likeafarcebetweentheactsofaseriousopera。InowreturntotheplacewhereIbrokeoffmysubject,attheendofthetwelfthchapter。
Itisagreatassistancetomemory,nowandthentoassembleourideas,aftercertainintervals,ingoingthroughanextensivesubject。Everybranchofitmust,insettingout,betreatedwithsimplicity,andallcombinationsnotabsolutelynecessary,mustbebanishedfromthetheory。Whenthistheoryagaincomestobeappliedtoexamples,combinationswillcrowdin,andeveryoneofthesemustbeattendedto。
Forthisreasonnothingcanappearmoreinconsistentthanthespiritwhichrunsthroughsomepartsofthisbook,ifcomparedwiththatwhichprevailedinthefirst。Thereluxurywaslookedonwithafavourableeye,andeveryaugmentationofsuperfluitywasconsideredasamethodofadvancingpopulation。Wewerethenemployedindrawingmankind,as,itwere,outofastateofidleness,inordertoincreasetheirnumbers,andengagethemtocultivatetheearth。Wehadnooccasiontodividethemintosocietieshavingseparateinterests,becausetheprincipleswetreatedofwerecommontoall。Wethereforeconsideredtheindustrious,whoaretheproviders,andtheluxurious,whoaretheconsumers,aschildrenofthesamefamily,andasbeingunderthecareofthesamefather。
Wearenowengagedinamorecomplexoperation;werepresentdifferentsocieties,animatedwithadifferentspirit;somegiventoindustryandfrugality,otherstodissipationandluxury。Thiscreatesseparateinterestsamongnations,andeveryonemustbesupposedtobeunderthegovernmentofastatesman,whoiswhollytakenupinadvancingthegoodofthosehegoverns,thoughattheexpenceofothersocietieswhichlieroundhim。
Thispresentsanewidea,andgivesbirthtonewprinciples。
Thegeneralsocietyofmankindtreatedofinthefirstbook,ishereinamannerdividedintotwo:theindustriousprovidersaresupposedtoliveinonecountry,theluxuriousconsumersinanother。Theprinciplesofthefirstbookremainhereinfullvigour。Luxurystilltendsasmuchasevertotheadvancementofindustry,thestatesman’sbusinessonlyis,toremovetheseatofitfromhisowncountry。Whenthiscanbeaccomplishedwithoutdetrimenttoindustryathome,hehasanopportunityofjoiningalltheadvantagesofancientsimplicitytothewealthandpowerwhichattendupontheluxuryofmodernstates。Hemaypreservehispeopleinsobriety,andmoderationastoeveryexpence,astoeveryconsumption,andmakethemenjoy,atthesametime,richesandsuperiorityoveralltheirneighbours。
Suchwouldbethestateoftradingnations,weretheyemployedinsupplyingthewantsorextravagantconsumptionofstrangersonly,anddidtheynotinsensiblyadopttheverymannerswithwhichtheystrivetoinspireothers。
Asoften,therefore,aswesupposeapeopleapplyingthemselvestotheadvancementofforeigntrade,wemustsimplifyourideas,bydismissingallpoliticalcombinationsofothercircumstances;thatistosay,wemustsupposethisspirituniversal,andthenpointouttheprincipleswhichinfluencethesuccessofit。
Wemustencourageoeconomy,frugality,andasimplicityofmanners,discouragetheconsumptionofeverythingthatcanbeexported,andexciteatasteforsuperfluityinneighbouringnations。Whensuchasystemcannomorebesupportedtoitsfullextent,bythescaleofforeigndemandbecomingpositivelylighter;theninordertosetthebalanceevenagain,withouttakinganythingoutoftheheavierscale,andtopreserveandtogivebreadtothosewhohaveenrichedthestate;anadditionalhomeconsumption,proportionedtothedeficiencyofforeigndemand,mustbeencouraged。Forwerethesamesimplicityofmannersstillkeptup,theinfallibleconsequencewouldbeaforcedrestitutionofthebalance,bythedistress,misery,andatlastextinctionofthesupernumeraryworkmen。
Imusttherefore,uponsuchoccasions,considertheintroductionofluxury,orsuperfluousconsumption,asarationalandmoralconsequenceofthedeficiencyofforeigntrade。
Iam,however,farfromthinkingthattheluxuryofeverymodernstate,isinproportiononlytosuchfailure;andI
readilyadmit,thatmanyexamplesmaybeproducedwheretheprogressofluxuryathomeandthedomesticcompetitionswithstrangerswhocometomarket,havebeenthecausebothofthedeclineandextinctionoftheirforeign,tradebutasmybusinessischieflytopointoutprinciples,andtoshewtheireffects,itisheresufficienttoobserve,thatinproportionasforeigntradedeclines,eitheraproportionalaugmentationuponhomeconsumptionmusttakeplace,oranumberoftheindustrious,proportionedtothediminutionofformerconsumption,mustdecrease。Bythefirst,whatIcallanaturalrestitutionofthebalanceisbroughtabout,fromtheprinciplesabovededuced;bythesecond,whatIcallaforcedone。
Herethenisanexample,wheretheintroductionofluxurymaybearationalandprudentstepofadministration;andaslongastheprogressofitisnotacceleratedfromanyothermotive,butthatofpreservingtheindustrious,bygivingthememployment;
thesamespirit,underthedirectionofanablestatesman,willsoonthrowindustryintoanewchannel,bettercalculatedforrevivingforeigntrade,andforpromotingthepublicgood,bysubstitutingthecallofforeignersinsteadofthatofdomesticluxury。
Ihope,fromwhatIhavesaid,thatthepoliticaleffectsofluxury,ortheconsumptionofsuperfluity,aresufficientlyunderstood。TheseIhavehithertoconsideredasadvantageoustothoseclassesonlywhoaremadetosubsistbythem;Ireserveforanotheroccasionthepointingouthowtheyinfluencetheimpositionoftaxes,andhowtheabuseofconsumptionintherichmayaffecttheprosperityofastate。
Sosoonasallforeigntradehascometoastop,withoutaschemeforrecallingit,anddomesticconsumptionhasfilledupitsplaceinconsumingthework,andgivingbreadtotheindustrious,wefundourselvesobligedtoreasonagainupontheprinciplesofthefirstbook。Thestatesmanhasoncemoreboththeproducersandtheconsumersunderhiscare。Theconsumerscanlivewithoutemployment,theproducerscannot。Thefirstseldomhaveoccasionforthestatesman’sprotection;thelastconstantlystandinneedofit。Thereisaperpetualfluctuationinthebalancebetweenthesetwoclasses,fromwhichamultitudeofnewprinciplesarise;andtheserendertheadministrationofgovernmentinfinitelymoredifficult,andrequiresuperiortalentsinthepersonwhoisatthehelm。Ishallherepointoutthemoststrikingeffectsonlyofthefluctuationandoverturnofthisnewbalance,whichinthesubsequentchaptersshallbemorefullyillustrated。
First,Inproportionastheconsumersbecomeextravagant,theproducersbecomewealthy;andwhentheformerbecomebankrupts,thelatterfilltheirplace。
Secondly,Astheformerbecomefrugalandoeconomical,thelatterlanguish;whenthosebegintohoard,andtoadoptasimplelife,theseareextinguished:allextremesarevicious。
Thirdly,Iftheproduceofindustryconsumedinacountrysurpasstheincomeofthosewhodonotwork,thebalanceduebytheconsumersmustbepaidtothesuppliersbyaproportionalalienationoftheirfunds。Thisvibrationofthebalancegivesaverycorrectideaofwhatismeantbyrelativeprofitandloss。
Thenationherelosesnothingbythechangeproduced。
Fourthly,When,ontheotherhand,theannualproduceofindustryconsumedinacountry,doesnotamounttothevalueoftheincomeofthosewhodonotwork,thebalanceofincomesaved;
musteitherbelockedupinchests,madeintoplate,lenttoforeigners,orfairlyexportedasthepriceofforeignconsumption。
Fifthly,Thescalesstandevenwhenthereisnobalanceoneitherside;thatis,whenthedomesticconsumptionisjustequivalenttotheannualincomeofthefunds。Idonotpretendtodecideatpresentwhetherthisexactequilibriummarksthestateofperfectioninacountrywherethereisnoforeigntrade,ofwhichwearenowtreating,orwhetheritwouldbebettertohavesmallvibrationsbetweenthetwoscales;butIthinkImaysay,thatallsubversionsofthebalanceoneithersidemustbehurtful,andthereforeshouldbeprevented。
Letthissufficeatpresent,uponasubjectwhichshallbemorefullytreatedofafterwards。
Letusnextfixourattentionupontheinterestsofapeopleentirelytakenupintheprosecutionofforeigntrade。Solongasthisspiritprevails,Isay,thatitisthedutyofastatesmantoencouragefrugality,sobriety,andanapplicationtolabourinhisownpeople,andtoexciteinforeignnationsatasteforsuperfluitiesasmuchaspossible。
Whileapeopleareoccupiedintheprosecutionofforeigntrade,themutualrelationsbetweentheindividualsofthestate,willnotbesointimateaswhentheproducersandconsumersliveinthesamesociety;suchtradeimplies,andevennecessarilycreatesachainofforeigndependences;whichproportionallydiminishthemutualdependencewhichformerlysubsistedamongthecitizens。Nowtheuseofdependences,Ihavesaid,istoformabandofsociety,capableofmakingthenecessitoussubsistoutofthesuperfluitiesoftherich,andtokeepmankindinpeaceandharmonywithoneanother。
Trade,therefore,andforeigncommunications,formanewkindofasocietyamongnations;andconsequentlyrendertheoccupationofstatesmanmorecomplex。Hemust,asbefore,beattentivetoprovidefood,othernecessariesandemploymentforallhispeople;butastheforeignconnectionsmaketheseverycircumstancesdependupontheentertainingagoodcorrespondencewithneighbouringnations,hemustacquireaproperknowledgeoftheirdomesticsituation,soastoreconcile,asmuchasmaybe,theinterestsofbothparties,byengagingthestrangerstofurnisharticlesofthefirstnecessity,whenthepreciousmetalscannotbeprocured;andtoaccept,inreturn,themostconsumablesuperfluitieswhichindustrycaninvent。And,lastofall,hemustinspirehisownpeoplewithaspiritofemulationintheexerciseoffrugality,temperance,oeconomy,andanapplicationtolabourandingenuity。Ifthisspiritofemulationbenotkeptup,anotherwilltakeplace;foremulationisinseparablefromthenatureofman;andifthecitizenscannotbemadetoviewithoneanother,inthepracticeofmoderation,thewealththeymustacquire,willsoonmakethemviewithstrangers,inluxuryanddissipation。
Whileaspiritofmoderationprevailsinatradingnation,itmayrestassured,thatasfarasinthisparticularitexcelsthenationswithwhomitcorresponds,sofarwillitincreasetheproportionofitswealth,power,andsuperiority,overthem。
Thesearelawfulpursuitsamongmen,whenpurchasedbysuccessinsolaudableanemulation。
Ifitbetrue,thatsuperfluity,intemperance,prodigality,andidleness,qualitiesdiametricallyoppositetotheformer,corruptthehumanmind,andleadtoviolenceandinjustice;isitnotverywiselycalculatedbytheAuthorofallthings,thatasoberpeople,livingunderagoodgovernmentshould,byindustryandmoderation,necessarilyacquirewealth,whichisthebestmeansofwardingofftheviolenceofthose,withwhomtheyareboundinthegreatsocietyofmankind?Andisitnotalsomostwiselyordained,thatinproportionasapeoplecontractvicioushabits,whichmayleadtoexcessandinjustice,theveryconsequenceoftheirdissipationpovertyshoulddeprivethemofthepowerofdoingharm?Butsuchreflectionsseemrathertobetoogreatarefinementonmysubject,andexceedtheboundsofpoliticaloeconomy。
Whenwetreatofavirtuouspeopleapplyingtotradeandindustry,letusconsidertheirinterestonly,inpreservingthesesentiments;andexaminethepoliticaleviloftheirfallingofffromthem。Whenwetreatofaluxuriousnation,wherethenot-workingpartisgiventoexcessesinallkindsofconsumption,andtheworking-parttolabourandingenuity,inordertosupplythem,letusexaminetheconsequencesofsuchaspirit,withrespecttoforeigntrade:andifwefind,thataluxuriousturnintherichisprejudicialtoit,letustryifwecandiscoverthemethodsforengagingtheinhabitantstocorrecttheirmannersfromamotiveofself-interest。Thesethingspremised。
Ishallnowgiveashortsketchofthegeneralprinciplesuponwhichasystemofforeigntrademaybeestablished,andpreservedaslongaspossible;andofthemethodsbywhichitmaybeagainrecovered,when,fromthenaturaladvantagesandsuperiorabilityofadministrationinrivalnations,notfromvicesathome,apeoplemayhavelostforatimeeveryadvantagetheyusedtodrawfromtheirforeigncommerce。
Thefirstgeneralprincipleistoemploy,asusefullyaspossible,acertainnumberofthesociety,inproducingobjectsofthefirstnecessity,alwaysmorethansufficienttosupplytheinhabitants;andtocontrivemeansofenablingeveryoneofthefreehandstoprocuresubsistenceforhimself,bytheexerciseofsomespeciesofindustry。
Thesefirstobjectscompassed,Iconsiderthepeopleasabundantlyprovidedwithwhatispurelynecessary;andalsowithasurpluspreparedforanadditionalnumberoffreehands,sosoonasademandcanbeprocuredfortheirlabour。Inthemeantime,thesurpluswillbeanarticleofexportation;butnosoonerwilldemandcomefromabroad,foragreaterquantityofmanufacturesthanformerly,thansuchdemandwillhavetheeffectofgraduallymultiplyingtheinhabitantsuptotheproportionofthesurplusabovementioned,providedthestatesmanbeallalongcarefultoemploytheseadditionalnumbers,whichanusefulmultiplicationmusthaveproduced,insupplyingtheadditionaldemand:thenwiththeequivalenttheyreceivefromstrangers,theywillatthesametimeenrichthecountry,andpurchaseforthemselvesthatpartofthenationalproductions,whichhadbeenpermittedtobeexported,forwantonlyofademandforitathome。
Hemust,atthesametime,continuetogiveaproperencouragementtotheadvancementofagriculture,inorderthattheremaybeconstantlyfoundasurplusofsubsistenceforwithoutasurplustherecanneverbeenough;thismustbeallowedtobeexported,andoughttobeconsideredastheprovisionofthoseindustrioushandswhichareyetunborn。
Hemustcutoffallforeigncompetition,aboveacertainstandardprice,forthatquantityofsubsistencewhichisnecessaryforhomeconsumption;and,bypremiumsuponexportation,hemustdischargethefarmersofanysuperfluousload,whichmayremainupontheirhandswhenpricesfalltoolow。
Thisimportantmattershallbeexplainedatlargeinanotherplace,whenwecometotreatofthepolicyofgrain。
Ifnaturalcausesshouldproduceariseinthepriceofsubsistence,whichcannotbebroughtdownbyanyencouragementhecangivetoagriculture,hemustthenlaythewholecommunityundercontribution,inordertoindemnifythosewhoworkforstrangers,fortheadvanceuponthepriceoftheirfood;orhemustindemnifythestrangersinanotherway,fortheadvanceinthepriceofmanufactures。
Hemustconsiderthemanufacturesofsuperfluity,aswroughtupfortheuseofstrangers,anddiscouragealldomesticcompetitionforthem,byeverypossiblemeans。
Hemustdowhathecan,constantlytoproportionthesupplytothedemandmadeforthem;andwhenthesupplynecessarilycomestoexceedthedemand,inspiteofallhiscare,hemustthenconsiderwhatremainsoverthedemand,asasuperfluityofthestrangers;andforthesupportoftheequalbalancebetweenworkanddemand,hemustpromotethesaleofthissuperfluityevenwithinthecountryundercertainrestrictionshowever,untilthehandsemployedinsuchbrancheswherearedundancyisfound,canbemoreusefullysettoworkinanotherway。
Hemustconsidertheadvancementofthecommongoodasadirectobjectofprivateinteresttoeveryindividual,andbyadisinterestedadministrationofthepublicmoney,hemustplainlymakeitappearthatitisso。
Fromthisprincipleflowstheauthority,vestedinallgovernments,toloadthecommunitywithtaxes,inordertoadvancetheprosperityofthestate。Andthisobjectcanbenowisebetterobtainedthanbyapplyingtheamountofthemtothekeepinganevenbalancebetweenworkanddemand。Uponthisthehealthofatradingstateprincipallydepends。
Ifthefailureofforeigndemandbefoundtoproceedfromthesuperiornaturaladvantagesofothercountries,hemustdoublehisdiligencetopromoteluxuryamonghisneighbours;hemustsupportsimplicityathome;hemustincreasehisbountiesuponexportation;andhisexpenceinrelievingmanufactures,asoftasthepriceoftheirindustryfallsbelowtheexpenceoftheirsubsistence。
Whiletheseoperationsareconductedwithcoolnessandperseverance,whiletheallurementsofthewealthacquireddonotfrustratetheexecution,thestatesmanmaydependuponseeingforeignersreturntohisports,sosoonastheirowndissipation,andwantoffrugality,cometocompensatetheadvantageswhichnaturehadformerlygiventhemovertheirfrugalandindustriousneighbours。
Ifthisplanbepursued,foreigntradewillincreaseinproportiontothenumberofinhabitants;anddomesticluxurywillserveasaninstrumentonlyinthehandsofthestatesmantoincreasedemandathome,whenthesupplybecomestoogreatforforeignconsumption。Inotherwords,therichcitizenswillbeengagedtoconsumewhatissuperfluous,inordertokeepthebalanceeveninfavouroftheindustrious,andinfavourofthenation。
Thewholepurportofthisplanistopointouttheoperationofthreeveryeasyprinciples。
Thefirst,Thatinacountryentirelytakenupwiththeobjectofforeigntrade,nocompetitionshouldbeallowedtocomefromabroadforarticlesofthefirstnecessity,andprincipallyforfood,soastoraisepricesbeyondacertainstandard。
Thesecond,Thatnodomesticcompetitionshouldbeencourageduponarticlesofsuperfluity,soastoraisepricesbeyondacertainstandard。
Thethird,Thatwhenthesestandardscannotbepreserved,andthat,fromnaturalcauses,pricesgetabovethem,publicmoneymustbethrownintothescaletobringpricestothelevelofthoseofexportation。
Thegreatertheextentofforeigntradeinanynationis,thelowerthesestandardsmustbekept;thelesstheextentofitis,thehighertheymaybeallowedtorise。Consequently,Werenobodyinanationemployedinproducingthenecessariesoflife,andalltheindustriousemployedinsupplyingotherarticlesofconsumption,thepricesofnecessariesmightbeallowedtofallaslowaspossible。Therewouldbenooccasionforastandardinfavourofthosewholivebyproducingthem。
Werenomaninthestateemployedinsupplyingstrangers,thepricesofsuperfluitiesmightbeallowedtoriseashighaspossible,andastandardwouldalsobecomeuseless,asthesoledesignofitistofavourexportation。
Butasneitherofthesesuppositionscanevertakeplace,andasineverynationthereisapartemployedinproducing,andapartinconsuming;andasitisthesurplusonlyofindustrywhichcanbeexported;astandardisnecessaryforsupportingthereciprocalinterestsofbothpartiesathome;andthepublicmoneymustbemadetooperateuponthepriceofthesurplusofindustryonlysoastomakeitexportable,evenincaseswherethenationalpricesuponhomeconsumptionhavegotupbeyondtheproperstandard。Letmesetthismatterinanotherlight,thebettertocommunicateanideawhichIthinkisstillalittleobscure。
Werefoodandothernecessariesthepuregiftofnatureinanycountry,Ishouldhavelaiditdownasaprincipletodiscourageallforeigncompetitionforthem,eitherbeloworaboveanycertainstandard;becauseinthiscasethelowerthepriceofthembe,itissomuchthebetter,sincenoinconveniencecanresultfromthencetoanyindustriousperson。
Butastheproductionoftheseisinitselfamanufacture,oranobjectofindustry,acertainstandardmustbekeptupinfavourofthosewholivebyproducingthem。
Ontheotherhand,astothemanufacturesofsuperfluity,domesticcompetitionshouldbediscouraged,beyondacertainstandard,inorderthatpricesmaynotriseabovethoseofferedbyforeigners;butitmightbeencouragedbelowthestandard,inordertopromoteconsumptionandgivebreadtomanufacturers。Butweretherenoforeigndemandatall,therewouldbenooccasionforanystandard,andthenation’swealthwouldtherebycirculateonlywithgreaterorlessrapidityinproportionaspricesmightriseorfall。Thestudyofthebalancebetweenworkanddemand,wouldstillcontinueaprincipalobjectofattentioninthestatesman,notwithaviewtoenrichthestate,butinordertopreserveeverymemberofitinhealthandvigour。Ontheotherhand,theobjectofastandardregardsforeigntrade,andtheacquisitionofnewwealth,attheexpenceofothernations。Therich,therefore,ofatradingstatemustnotbeallowedtoincreasetheirconsumptionofsuperfluitiestothefullproportionoftheconstantsupply;becauseanamplesurplusmustremainforexportation;andtheonlywaytopreventforeignersfromsupplyingthemselves,istopreventpricesfromgettingupbeyondthestandard,atwhichtheseforeignerscanproducethem。
Farther,wereeveryoneofthesocietyinthesamepursuitafterindustry,therewouldbenooccasionforthepublictobelaidundercontributionforadvancingthegeneralwelfare;butasthereisconstantlyapartemployedinenrichingthestate,bythesaleoftheirworktostrangers,andapartemployedinmakingtheserichescirculateathome,bytheconsumptionofsuperfluities,Ithinkitisagoodexpedienttothrowapartofdomesticcirculationintothepubliccoffersbythenameoftaxes;thatwhentheconsequencesofprivatewealthcomenecessarilytoraiseprices,astatesmanmaybeenabledtodefraytheexpenseofbountiesuponthatpartwhichcanbeexported,andtherebyenablethenationtocontinuetosupplyforeignersatthesamepriceasformerly。
Thefarthertheseprinciplescanbecarriedintoexecution,thelongerastatewillflourish;andthelongershewillsupporthersuperiority。Whenforeigndemandbeginstofail,soasnottoberecalled,eitherindustrymustdecline,ordomesticluxurymustbegin。Theconsequencesofbothmaybeeasilyguessedat,andtheprincipleswhichinfluencethemshallbeparticularlyexaminedinthefollowingchapter。