Bydeclaringthistobe66absurd，"Mulbergerputshimselfoutsidetheproletarianmovementandintothecampofpetty-bourgeoissocialism。
　　Thehousingquestionhastheadvantagethatitisnotanexclusivelyworkingclassquestion，butaquestionwhich"intereststoaquiteoutstandingextent"thepettybourgeoisie，inthat，"theactualmiddleclasses"sufferfromit"justasmuchas，andperhapsevenmorethan，theproletariat。"
　　Ifanyonedeclaresthatthepettybourgeoisiesuffers，evenifinoneconnectiononly，"perhapsevenmorethantheproletariat，"thenhecanhardlycomplainwhenonecountshimamongthepetty-bourgeoissocialists。HasMulbergerthereforeanygroundsforcomplaintwhenIsay：
　　"Itiswithjustsuchsufferingsasthese，whichtheworkingclassenduresincommonwithotherclasses，andparticularlythepettybourgeoisie，thatpetty-bourgeoissocialism，towhichProudhonbelongs，preferstooccupyitself。AndthusitisnotatallaccidentalthatourGermanProudhonistoccupieshimselfchieflywiththehousingquestion，which，aswehaveseen，isbynomeansexclusivelyaworkingclassquestion。"Thereisan"absoluteinneridentity"betweentheinterestsof"theactualmiddleclassesofsociety"andtheinterestsoftheproletariat，anditisnottheproletariat，buttheseactualmiddleclasseswhowill"enjoyaboveall"the"blessings"ofthecomingtransformationofsociety。
　　Theworkers，therefore，aregoingtomakethecomingsocialrevolution"aboveall"intheinterestsofthepettybourgeoisie。Andfurther，thereisanabsoluteinneridentityoftheinterestsofthepettybourgeoisieandthoseoftheproletariat。Iftheinterestsofthepettybourgeoisiehaveaninneridentitywiththoseoftheworkers，thentheinterestsoftheworkershaveaninneridentitywiththoseofthepettybourgeoisie。
　　Thepetty-bourgeoisstandpointhasthusasmuchrighttoexistinthemovementastheproletarianstandpointhas，anditispreciselytheassertionofthisequalityofrightthatiscalledpetty-bourgeoissocialism。
　　Itis，thereforealsoperfectlylogicalwhen，onpage25ofthereprint，Mulbergerextols"smallenterprise"asthe"actualbuttressofsociety，"because"inaccordancewithitsownnature，itunitesthethreefactors：labor——acquisition——property，andbecauseintheunificationofthesethreefactorsitplacesnoboundstothecapacityfordevelopmentoftheindividual，"andwhenhereproachesmodernindustryinparticularwithdestroyingthisnurseryfortheproductionofnormalhumanbeingsand"makingoutofavigorousclasscontinuallyreproducingitself，ahelplessmassofhumanbeingswhodonotknowwhithertodirecttheiranxiousglances。"
　　ThepettybourgeoisisthusMulberger’smodelhumanbeingandsmall-scaleenterpriseisMulberger’smodelmodeofproduction。DidIdefamehimthereforewhenIputhimamongthepetty-bourgeoissocialists？
　　AsMulbergerrejectsallresponsibilityforProudhon，itwouldbesuperfluoustodiscusshereanyfurtherhowProudhon’sreformplansaimattransformingallmembersofsocietyintopettybourgeoisandsmallpeasants。Itwillbejustasunnecessarytodealherewiththeallegedidentityoftheinterestsofthepettybourgeoisieandtheworkers。WhatisnecessaryistobefoundalreadyinTheCommunistManifesto。（LeipzigEdition，1872，pp。12，21。）
　　Theresultofourexaminationisthereforethatsidebysidewiththe"mythofthepettybourgeoisProudhon"appearstherealityofthepettybourgeoisMulberger。
　　II
　　Wenowcometooneofthemainpoints。IaccusedMulberger’sarticlesoffalsifyingeconomicrelationshipsafterthemannerofProudhonbytranslatingthemintolegalterminology。Asanexampleofthis，IpickedoutthefollowingpassageofMulberger：
　　"Thehouse，onceithasbeenbuilt，servesasaperpetuallegaltitletoadefinitefractionofsociallaboralthoughtherealvalueofthehousehasalreadylongagobeenmorethanpaidoutintheformofrenttotheowner。Thusitcomesaboutthatahousethat，forinstance，wasbuiltfiftyyearsago，duringthisperiodcoverstheoriginalcosttwo，three，five，tenormoretimesoverinitsrentyield。"Mulbergernowcomplainsasfollows：
　　"Thissimple，soberstatementoffactcausesEngelstoenlightenmetotheeffectthatIshouldhaveexplainedhowthehousebecamea’legaltitle’——somethingwhichwasquiteoutsidethescopeofmytask……Adescriptionisonething，anexplanationanother。
　　WhenIsaywithProudhonthattheeconomiclifeofsocietyshouldbepervadedbyaconceptionofjustice，thenIamdescribingpresent-daysocietyasoneinwhich，itistrue，notallconceptionsofjusticeareabsent，butinwhichtheconceptionofjusticeoftherevolutionisabsent，afactwhichevenEngelswilladmit。"Letuskeepforthemomenttothehousewhichhasbeenbuilt。Thehouse，onceithasbeenlet，bringsinforitsbuildergroundrent，repairingcosts，andinterestonthebuildingcapitalinvested，aswellastheprofitmadethereonintheformofrent，and，accordingtothecircumstances，therentinstallmentscangraduallyamounttotwice，thrice，fivetimes，ortentimesasmuchastheoriginalcostpriceofthehouse。This，friendMulberger，isthe66simple，soberstatementoffact，"aneconomicfact，andifwewanttoknow"howithappens"thatitexists，thenwemustconductourexaminationontheeconomicfield。Letus，therefore，lookalittlecloseratthefactsothatnotevenachildmaymisunderstanditanylonger。
　　Asisknown，thesaleofacommodityconsistsinthefactthatitsownerrelinquishesitsusevalueandputsitsexchangevalueintohispocket。
　　Theusevaluesofcommoditiesdifferfromoneanotheramongotherthingsinthevaryingperiodsoftimerequiredfortheirconsumption。Aloafofbreadisconsumedinaday，apairoftrouserswillbewornoutinayear，andahouse，ifyoulike，inahundredyears。Hence，inthecaseofcommoditieswithalongperiodofwear，thepossibilityarisesofsellingtheirusevaluepiecemealandeachtimeforadefiniteperiod，thatistosay，toletitout。Thepiecemealsalethereforerealizestheexchangevalueonlygradually。Asacompensationforhisrenouncingtheimmediaterepaymentofthecapitaladvancedandtheprofitearnedonit，thesellerreceivesanincreasedprice，interest，whoserateisdeterminedbythelawsofpoliticaleconomyandnotbyanymeansinanarbitraryfashion。Attheendofthehundredyearsthehouseisusedup，wornoutandnolongerhabitable。Ifwethendeductfromthetotalrentpaidforthehousethefollowing：1。
　　Thegroundrenttogetherwithanyincreasethatmayhaveoccurredtoitduringtheperiodinquestion，and2。thesumsexpendedforcurrentrepairs，weshallfindthattheremainderiscomposedonanaverageasfollows：
　　1。thebuildingcapitaloriginallyinvestedinthehouse;2。theprofitonthis，and3。theinterestonthegraduallymaturingcapitalandontheprofit。Nowitistruethatattheendofthisperiodthetenanthasnohouse，butneitherhasthehouseowner。Thelatterhasonlythesite（providedthatitbelongstohim）andthebuildingmaterialonit，which，however，isnolongerahouse。Andalthoughinthemeantimethehousemayhavebroughtinasum"whichcoversfiveortentimestheoriginalcostprice，"weshallseethatthisissolelyduetoanincreaseofgroundrent。ThisprocessisasecrettonooneinsuchcitiesasLondonwherethelandownerandthehouseownerareusuallytwodifferentpersons。Suchtremendousrentincreasesoccurinrapidlygrowingtowns，butnotinavillage，wherethegroundrentforbuildingsitesremainspracticallyunchanged。Itisindeedanotoriousfactthat，apartfromincreasesinthegroundrent，rentsproduceonanaveragenomorethansevenpercentperannumontheinvestedcapital（includingprofit）forthehouseowner，andoutofthissum，repaircosts，etc。，mustbepaid。Inshort，therentagreementisquiteanordinarycommoditytransactionwhichis，theoreticallyspeaking，ofnogreaterandnolesserinteresttotheworkerthananyothercommoditytransaction，withtheexceptionofthatwhichconcernsthebuyingandsellingoflaborpower，and，practically，theworkercomesfacetofacewiththerentagreementasoneofthethousandformsofbourgeoischeatingwhichIdealtwithonpage4ofthereprint，buteventhen，asIprovedthere，itissubjecttoeconomicregulation。
　　Mulberger，ontheotherhand，regardstherentagreementasnothingbutpure"arbitrariness"（page19ofthereprint）andwhenIprovethecontrarytohimhecomplainsthatIamtellinghim"allsortsofthingswhichunfortunately"he"alreadyknew。"
　　Butwithalltheeconomicinvestigationsintohouserentwearenotabletoturntheabolitionoftherenteddwellinginto"oneofthemostfruitfulandmagnificenteffortswhichhaseversprungfromthewomboftherevolutionaryidea。"Inordertoaccomplishthiswemusttranslatethesimplefactfromsobereconomicsintothefarmoreideologicalsphereoflegaltalk。"Thehouseservesasaperpetuallegaltitle"tohouserent，and"thusitcomeabout"thatthevalueofahousecanbepaidbackinrenttwo，three，fiveortentimes。Inordertodiscoverhowitreallycomesabout，the"legaltitle"doesnothelpusintheleastandthereforeIsaidthatMulbergerwouldhavebeenabletofindouthowit"thuscomesabout"byfirstofallinquiringhowthehousebecomesalegaltitle。Wediscoverthisonlyafterwehaveexamined，asIdid，theeconomicnatureofhouserent，insteadofgettingangryatthelegalexpressionunderwhichtherulingclasssanctionsit。Whoeverproposesthetakingofeconomicstepstoabolishrentoughtsurely，firstofall，toknowmoreabouthouserentthanthatitis"thetributewhichthetenantmustpaytotheperpetualtitleofcapital。"ButtothisMulbergeranswers，"adescriptionisonething，anexplanationanother。"
　　Wehave，therefore，convertedthehouse，althoughitisbynomeanseverlasting，intoaperpetuallegaltitletohouserent。Wefindnomatterhow"itthuscomesabout，"thatbyvirtueofthislegaltitle，thehousebringsinitsoriginalvalueseveraltimesoverintheformofrent。Bythetranslationintolegalphraseologywearehappilysofarremovedfromeconomicsthatwecanseenomorethanthephenomenonthatahousecangraduallygetpaidforingrossrentseveraltimesover。Aswearethinkingandtalkinginlegalterms，weapplytothisphenomenonthemeasureofequalityandjustice，andwediscoverthatitisunjust，thatitisnotinaccordancewiththe"conceptionofjusticeoftherevolution，"whateverkindofathingthatmaybe，andthatthereforethelegaltitleisnogood。
　　Wefindfurtherthatthesameholdsgoodforinterest-bearingcapitalandleasedagriculturalland，andwenowhavetheexcuseforseparatingtheseclassesofpropertyfromtheothersandsubjectingthemtoexceptionaltreatment。Thisconsistsinthedemands：1。todeprivetheowneroftherighttogivenotice，therighttodemandthereturnofhisproperty;2。
　　togivethelessee，borrowerortenanttheusewithoutpaymentoftheobjecthandedovertohim，butnotbelongingtohim;and3。topayofftheownerininstallmentsoveralongperiodwithoutinterest。AndwiththiswehaveexhaustedtheProudhonist"principles"fromthisangle。ThisisProudhon’s"socialliquidation。"
　　Incidentally，itisobviousthatthiswholereformplanistobenefitalmostexclusivelythepettybourgeoisandthesmallpeasantsinthatitconsolidatesthemintheirpositionaspettybourgeoisandsmallpeasants。Herewecanobservethat"thepettybourgeois，Proudhon，"whoisamythicalfigureaccordingtoMulberger，suddenlytakesonaverytangiblehistoricalexistence。
　　Mulbergercontinues：
　　"WhenIsaywithProudhonthattheeconomiclifeofsocietyshouldbepervadedbyaconceptionofjustice，thenIamdescribingpresent-daysocietyasoneinwhich，itistrue，notallconceptionsofjusticeareabsent，butinwhichtheconceptionofjusticeoftheresolutionisabsent，afactwhichevenEngelswilladmit。"UnfortunatelyIamnotinapositiontodoMulbergerthisfavor。Mulbergerdemandsthatsocietyshouldbepervadedwithaconceptionofjustice，andcallsthatadescription。Ifacourtsendsabailifftomewithasummonsforthepaymentofadebt，then，accordingtoMulberger，itisdoingnomorethandescribingmeasamanwhodoesnotpayhisdebts！Adescriptionisonething，andapresumptuousdemandisanother。AndpreciselythereinliestheessentialdifferencebetweenGermanscientificsocialismandProudhon。
　　Wedescribe——anddespiteMulbergereveryrealdescriptionisatthesametimeanexplanation——economicrelationshipsastheyareandastheyaredeveloping，andweprovidetheproof，strictlyeconomically，thattheirdevelopmentisatthesametimethedevelopmentoftheelementsofasocialrevolution，thedevelopmentontheonehandofaclasswhoseconditionsoflifenecessarilydriveittosocialrevolution，theproletariat，andontheotherhandofproductiveforceswhich，havinggrownbeyondtheframeworkofcapitalistsociety，mustnecessarilyburstthatframework，andwhichatthesametimeofferthemeansforabolishingclassdifferencesonceandforallintheinterestsofsocialprogressitself。Proudhon，onthecontrary，demandsfrompresent-daysocietythatitshalltransformitselfnotaccordingtothelawsofitsowneconomicdevelopment，butaccordingtotheprescriptionsofjustice（the"conceptionofjustice"doesnotbelongtohim，buttoMulberger）。Whereweprove，Proudhon，andwithhimMulberger，preachesandlaments。
　　Whatkindofathing"theconceptionofjusticeoftherevolution"
　　is，Iamquiteunabletoguess。Proudhon，itistrue，makesasortofgoddessoutof"therevolution，"thebearerandexecutorofhis"justice"indoingwhichhethenfallsintothepeculiarerrorofmixingupthebourgeoisrevolutionof1739-94withthecomingproletarianrevolution。Hedoesthisinalmostallhisworksandparticularlysince1848;1shallquoteonlyoneasanexample，namely，the"Ideegeneraledelarevolution，"pages39and40ofthe1868edition。As，however，MulbergerrejectsallandeveryresponsibilityforProudhonIamnotallowedtoexplain"theconceptionofjusticeoftherevolution"fromProudhonandremainthereforeinEgyptiandarkness。Mulbergersaysfurther：
　　"ButneitherProudhonnorIappealtoan’eternaljustice’inordertherebytoexplaintheexistingunjustconditions，orevenexpect，asEngelsimputestome，theimprovementoftheseconditionsfromtheappealtothisjustice。"Mulbergerapparentlyreckonsonthefactthat，"inGermanyProudhonisasgoodasunknown。"InallhisworksProudhonmeasuresallsocial，legal，politicalandreligiouspropositionsbythemeasureof"justice，"andcondemnsorrecognizesthemaccordingtowhethertheyconformordonotconformtowhathecalls"justice。"Inthe"Contradictionseconomiques"thisjusticeisstillcalled"eternaljustice，""justice’eternelle。"Lateron，nothingmoreissaidabouteternity，buttheidearemainsinessence。Forinstance，in"DelaJusticedanslaRevolutionetdansl’Eglise，"1858edition，thefollowingpassageisthetextofthewholethree-volumesermon（Vol。1，page42）：
　　"Whatisthebasicprinciple，theorganic，regulating，sovereignprincipleofallsocieties，theprinciplewhichsubordinatesallotherstoitself，whichrules，protects，represses，punishes，andincaseofneedevensuppressesallrebelliouselements？Isitreligion，idealismorinterest？Inmyopinionthisprincipleisjustice。Whatisjustice？Itistheessenceofhumanityitself。
　　Whathasitbeensincethebeginningoftheworld？Nothing。Whatshoulditbe？Everything。"Justicewhichistheessenceofhumanityitself，whatisthatifitisnoteternaljustice？Justicewhichistheorganic，regulating，sovereignbasicprincipleofallsocieties，whichhasneverthelessbeennothinguptothepresent，butwhichoughttobeeverything——whatisthatifitisnotthestandardwithwhichtomeasureallhumanaffairs，ifitisnotthefinalarbitertobeappealedtoinallconflicts？AnddidIassertanythingelsethanthatProudhoncloakshiseconomicignoranceandhelplessnessbyjudgingalleconomicconditionsnotaccordingtoeconomiclaws，butaccordingtowhethertheyconformordonotconformtohisconceptionofthiseternaljustice？AndwhatisthedifferencebetweenMulbergerandProudhonwhenMulbergerdemandsthat"alltheseexchangesinthelifeofmodernsociety"shouldbe"pervadedbyaconceptionofjustice，thatistosay，iftheytookplacealwaysaccordingtothestrictdemandsofjustice？"
　　IsitthatIcan’tread，orthatMulbergercan’twrite？
　　Mulbergersaysfurther：
　　"ProudhonknowsaswellasMarxandEngelsthattheactualdrivingspiritinhumansocietyistheeconomicandnotthejuridicalrelations;healsoknowsthatthegivenconceptionsofjusticeofapeopleareonlytheexpression，theimpression，theproductoftheeconomic——andinparticulartheproductionrelations……Inaword，forProudhonjusticeisthehistoricallyevolvedeconomicproduct。"IfProudhonknowsallthis（IampreparedtolettheunclearexpressionsusedbyMulbergerpassandtakethegoodwillforthedeed），ifheknowsitall"aswellasMarxandEngels，"whatistherelefttoquarrelabout？
　　However，thesituationisinfactsomewhatdifferentwithregardtoProudhon’sscience。Theeconomicrelationsofagivensocietypresentthemselvesinthefirstplaceasinterests。Butinthepassagewhichhasjustbeenquotedfromhismainwork，Proudhonsaysinsomanywordsthatthe44regulating，organic，sovereignbasicprincipleofallsocieties，theprinciplewhichsubordinatesallotherstoitself"isnotinterest，butjustice。Andherepeatsthesamethinginallthedecisivepassagesofallhisworks，althoughthisdoesnotpreventMulbergerfromcontinuing：
　　"……theideaofeconomicjustice，asitwasdevelopedbyProudhonmostprofoundlyofallinLaGuerreetlaPaix，[WarandPeace-Ed。]completelycoincideswiththatbasicideaofLassallesoexcellentlyexpressedbyhiminhisforewordtotheSystemofAcquiredRights。"LaGuerreetlaPaixisperhapsthemostschoolboyishofallthemanlyschoolboyishworksofProudhonandIwouldnothaveexpectedittobeputforwardasaproofforProudhon’sallegedunderstandingoftheGermanmaterialistconceptionofhistorywhichexplainsallhistoricaleventsandideas，allpolitics，philosophyandreligionfromthematerial，economicconditionsoflifeofthehistoricalperiodinquestion。Thebookissolittlematerialistthatitcannotevenconstructitsconceptionofwarwithoutcallinginthehelpofthecreator："However，thecreatorwhochosethisformoflifeforushadhisaims。"（Vol。II，page100，1869edition。）OnwhathistoricalknowledgethebookisbasedcanbejudgedfromthefactthatitbelievesinthehistoricalexistenceoftheGoldenAge："Inthebeginningwhenthehumanracewasthinlyspreadovertheearth’ssurface，naturesupplieditsneedswithoutdifficulty。ItwastheGoldenAge，theageofpeaceandplenty。"（Ibid。，page102。）ItseconomicstandpointisthatofthecrassestMalthusianism。"Whenproductionisdoubled，thepopulationwillsoonbedoubledalso。"（Page105。）Inwhatdoesthematerialismofthisbookconsistthen？Inthatitdeclaresthecauseofwartohavebeenalwaysandstilltobe："pauperism"（forinstance，page143）。UncleBrasigwasjustsuchamaterialistwheninhis1848speechhelaunchedthegreattruthintotheworld，"thecauseofthegreatimpoverishmentisthegreatpauvrete。"
　　Lassalle’sSystemofAcquiredRightsiscaughtinthetrammelsnotonlyofthewholeillusionofthejurists，butalsointhatoftheOld-Hegelians。OnpageVII，Lassalledeclaresexpresslythatalso"ineconomicstheconceptionofacquiredrightisthedrivingforceofallfurtherdevelopment"
　　andheseekstoprovethat"justiceisareasonableorganismdevelopingoutofitself"（andnotthereforeoutofeconomicprerequisites）。（PageIX。）ForLassalleitisaquestionofevolvingjusticenotoutofeconomicrelations，butfrom"theconceptofwillitselfofwhichthephilosophyoflawisonlythedevelopmentandexposition。"（PageX。）Whatthereforeisthepointofbringinginthebookhere？TheonlydifferencebetweenProudhonandLassalleisthatthelatterwasreallyajuristandHegelian，whileinbothjurisprudenceandphilosophy，asinallothermatters，Proudhonwasmerelyadilettante。
　　IknowperfectlywellthatProudhon，whonotoriouslycontinuallycontradictshimself，occasionallymadeanutterancehereandtherewhichlookedasthoughheexplainedideasonthebasisoffacts，butsuchutterancesarewithoutanysignificanceasagainstthebasictendencyofhisthought，andwheretheydooccurtheyareextremelyconfusedandinherentlyillogical。
　　Atacertain，veryprimitivestageofthedevelopmentofsociety，theneedarisestoco-ordinateunderacommonregulationthedailyrecurringactsofproduction，distributionandexchangeofproducts，toseetoitthattheindividualsubordinateshimselftothecommonconditionsofproductionandexchange。Thisregulation，whichisatfirstcustom，soonbecomeslaw。
　　Withlaw，organsnecessarilyarisewhichareentrustedwithitsmaintenance——publicauthority，thestate。Withfurthersocialdevelopment，lawdevelopsintoamoreorlesscomprehensivelegalsystem。Themorecomplicatedthislegalsystembecomes，themoreitsterminologybecomesremovedfromthatinwhichtheusualeconomicconditionsofthelifeofsocietyareexpressed。
　　Itappearsasanindependentelementwhichderivesthejustificationforitsexistenceandthereasonforitsfurtherdevelopmentnotoutoftheexistingeconomicconditions，butoutofitsowninnerlogic，or，ifyoulike，outof"theconceptofwill。"Peopleforgetthederivationoftheirlegalsystemfromtheireconomicconditionsoflife，justastheyhaveforgottentheirownderivationfromtheanimalworld。Withthedevelopmentofthelegalsystemintoacomplicatedandcomprehensivewholethenecessityarisesforanewsocialdivisionoflabor;anorderofprofessionaljuristsdevelopsandwiththeselegalsciencecomesintobeing。Initsfurtherdevelopmentthissciencecomparesthelegalsystemsofvariouspeoplesandvarioustimes，notastheexpressionofthegiveneconomicrelationships，butassystemswhichfindtheirjustificationinthemselves。Thecomparisonassumessomethingcommontothemall，andthisthejuristsfindbysummingupthatwhichismoreorlesscommontoalltheselegalsystemsasnaturallaw。However，thestandardwhichistakentodeterminewhatisnaturallawandwhatisnot，ispreciselythemostabstractexpressionoflawitself，namely，justice。Fromthispointon，therefore，thedevelopmentoflawforthejurists，andforthosewhobelievethemuncritically，isnothingmorethanthestrivingtobringhumanconditions，sofarastheyareexpressedinlegalterms，intocloserandcloserconformitywiththeidealofjustice，eternaljustice。Andthisjusticeisneveranythingbuttheideologized，glorifiedexpressionoftheexistingeconomicrelations，attimesfromtheconservativeside，attimesfromtherevolutionaryside。ThejusticeoftheGreeksandRomansheldslaverytobejust。Thejusticeofthebourgeoisof1789demandedtheabolitionoffeudalismbecauseitwasunjust。ForthePrussianJunkereventhemiserableKreisordnung[legislationestablishingdistinctlocalauthorities-Ed。]isaviolationofeternaljustice。Theconceptionofeternaljusticethereforevariesnotonlyaccordingtotimeandplace，butalsoaccordingtopersons，anditbelongsamongthosethingsofwhichMulbergercorrectlysays，"everyoneunderstandssomethingdifferent。"
　　Whileineverydaylife，inviewofthesimplicityoftherelationswhichcomeintoquestion，expressionslikeright，wrong，justice，conceptionofjustice，canbeusedwithoutmisunderstandingeveninrelationtosocialmatters，theycreate，aswehaveseen，hopelessconfusioninanyscientificinvestigationofeconomicrelations，infact，muchthesameconfusionaswouldbecreateinmodernchemistryiftheterminologyofthephlogistontheoryweretoberetained。Theconfusionbecomesstillworseifone，likeProudhon，believesinthissocialphlogiston，"justice，"orifone，likeMulberger，declaresthatthephlogistontheorynolessthantheoxygentheoryisperfectlycorrect。
　　[Beforethediscoveryofoxygenthechemistsexplainedtheburningofsubstancesinatmosphericairbyassumingtheexistenceofaspecialigneoussubstance，phlogiston，whichescapedduringtheprocessofcombustion。
　　Sincetheyfoundthatsimplesubstancesoncombustionweighedmoreafterhavingbeenburnedthantheydidbefore，theydeclaredthatphlogistonhadanegativeweightsothatasubstancewithoutitsphlogistonweighedmorethanonewithit。Inthiswayallthemainpropertiesofoxygenweregraduallyascribedtophlogiston，butallinaninvertedform。Thediscoverythatcombustionconsistsinacombinationoftheburningsubstancewithanothersubstance，oxygen，andthepreparationofthisoxygendisposedoftheoriginalassumption。butonlyafterlongresistanceonthepartoftheolderchemists。——NotebyF。Engels。]
　　III
　　MulbergerfurthercomplainsthatIcalledhis"emphatic"utterance，"thatthereisnomoreterriblemockeryofthewholecultureofourlaudedcenturythanthefactthatinthebigcities90percentandmoreofthepopulationhavenoplacethattheycancalltheirown"——areactionaryjeremiad。Certainly，Idid。IfMulbergerhadconfinedhimself，ashepretends，todescribing"thehorrorsofthepresenttime"Ishouldcertainlynothavesaidoneillwordabout"himandhismodestwords。"Infacthowever，hedoessomethingquitedifferent;hedescribesthese"horrors"astheresultofthefactthattheworkers"havenoplacethattheycancalltheirown。"Whetheroneregrets"thehorrorsofthepresenttime"asaresultofthefactthattheworkersnolongerowntheirowndwellings，or，astheJunkersdo，asaresultofthefactthatfeudalismandtheguildshavebeenabolished，inbothcasesnothingmorecancomeofitthanareactionaryjeremiad，asongofsorrowatthecomingoftheinevitable，ofthehistoricallynecessary。ThereactionarycharacterofMulberger’sattitudeliespreciselyinthefactthathewishestore-establishindividualhouseownershipfortheworkers——amatterwhichhistoryhaslongagoputanendto——thathecanconceiveoftheemancipationoftheworkersinnootherwaythanbymakingeveryoneonceagaintheownerofhisownhouse。
　　Andfurther：
　　"Ideclaremostemphatically，therealstruggleistobewagedagainstthecapitalistmodeofproduction;onlybyitstransformationisanimprovementofhousingconditionstobehopedfor。Engelsseesnothingofallthis……Ipresupposethewholesolutionofthesocialquestioninordertobeabletoproceedtotheabolitionoftherenteddwelling。"Unfortunately，Istillseenothingofallthisevennow。Itissurelyimpossibleformetoknowwhatsomeone，whosenameIdidnotevenknow，presupposesinthesecretrecessesofhismind。AllIcandoistosticktotheprintedarticlesofMulberger。AndthereIfindeventoday（pages15and16ofthereprint）thatMulberger，inordertobeabletoproceedtotheabolitionoftherenteddwelling，presupposesnothingmorethantherenteddwellingitself。Onlyonpage17doeshetake"theproductivityofcapitalbythehorns，"andweshallcomebacktothislater。Eveninhisanswerheconfirmsthiswhenhesays："Itwasratheraquestionofshowinghowunderexistingconditionsacompletetransformationinthehousingquestioncanbeachieved。"
　　Underexistingconditions，andbythetransformation（itshouldbeabolition）
　　ofthecapitalistmodeofproduction，aresurelythingsdiametricallyopposed。
　　NowonderMulbergercomplainswhenIregardthephilanthropiceffortsofDollfusandothermanufacturerstoassisttheworkerstoobtainhousesoftheirownastheonlypossiblepracticalrealizationofhisProudhonistprojects。IfheweretorealizethatProudhon’splanforsocialsalvationisafantasyrestingcompletelyonthebasisofbourgeoissociety，thenhewouldnaturallynotbelieveinit。Ihaveneveratanytimecalledhisgoodwillintoquestion。ButwhythendoeshepraiseDr。ReschauerforproposingtotheViennaTownCouncilthatitshouldimitatetheprojectsofDollfus？
　　Mulbergerfurtherdeclares：
　　"Asfarastheantithesisbetweentownandcountryisparticularlyconcerned。itisutopiantowanttoabolishit。Thisantithesishasbecomeanatural，ormorecorrectly，ahistoricalone。Thequestionisnotoneofabolishingthisantithesis，butoffindingpoliticalandsocialformsinwhichitwouldbeharmless，indeedevenfruitful。Inthiswayitwouldbepossibletoexpectapeacefulsolution，agradualbalancingofinterests。"Sotheabolitionoftheantithesisbetweentownandcountryisutopian，becausethisantithesishasbecomeanatural，ormorecorrectly，ahistoricalone。Letusapplythissamelogictootherantithesesinmodernsocietyandseewherewearrivethen。Forinstance：
　　"Asfarastheantithesisbetweenthecapitalistsandthewageworkersisparticularlyconcerned，itisutopiantowanttoabolishit。Thisantithesishasbecomeanatural，ormorecorrectly，ahistoricalone。Thequestionisnotoneofabolishingthisantagonism，butoffindingpoliticalandsocialformsinwhichitwouldbeharmless，indeedevenfruitful。Inthiswayitwouldbepossibletoexpectapeacefulsolution，agradualbalancingofinterests。"AndwiththiswehaveonceagainarrivedatSchulze-Delitzsch。
　　Theabolitionoftheantithesisbetweentownandcountryisnomoreandnolessutopianthantheabolitionoftheantithesisbetweencapitalistsandwageworkers。Fromdaytodayitisbecomingmoreandmoreapracticaldemandofbothindustrialandagriculturalproduction。NoonehasdemandedthismoreenergeticallythenLiebiginhiswritingsonthechemistryofagriculture，inwhichhisfirstdemandhasalwaysbeenthatmanshallgivebacktothelandwhathetakesfromit，andinwhichheprovesthatonlytheexistenceofthetowns，andinparticularthebigtowns，preventsthis。
　　WhenoneobserveshowhereinLondonaloneagreaterquantityofmanurethanisproducedbythewholekingdomofSaxonyispouredawayeverydayintotheseawithanexpenditureofenormoussums，andwhenoneobserveswhatcolossalworksarenecessaryinordertopreventthismanurefrompoisoningthewholeofLondon，thentheutopianproposaltoabolishtheantithesisbetweentownandcountryisgivenapeculiarlypracticalbasis。
　　AndevencomparativelyinsignificantBerlinhasbeenwallowinginitsownfilthforatleastthirtyyears。
　　Ontheotherhand，itiscompletelyutopiantowant，likeProudhon，totransformpresent-daybourgeoissocietywhilemaintainingthepeasantassuch。Onlyasuniformadistributionaspossibleofthepopulationoverthewholecountry，onlyanintegralconnectionbetweenindustrialandagriculturalproductiontogetherwiththetherebynecessaryextensionofthemeansofcommunication-presupposingtheabolitionofthecapitalistmodeofproduction-wouldbeabletosavetheruralpopulationfromtheisolationandstuporinwhichithasvegetatedalmostunchangedforthousandsofyears。Itisnotutopiantodeclarethattheemancipationofhumanityfromthechainswhichitshistoricpasthasforgedwillonlybecompletewhentheantithesisbetweentownandcountryhasbeenabolished;theutopiabeginswhenoneundertakes"fromexistingconditions"toprescribetheforminwhichthisoranyotheroftheantithesesofpresent-daysocietyistobesolved。AndthisiswhatMulbergerdoesbyadoptingtheProudhonistformulaforthesolutionofthehousingquestion。
　　MulbergerthencomplainsthatIhavemadehimtoacertainextentco-responsiblefor"themonstrousviewsofProudhononcapitalandinterest"
　　anddeclares：
　　"Ipresupposethealterationoftheproductionrelationsasanaccomplishedfact，andthetransitionallawregulatingtherateofinterestdoesnotrefertoproductionrelations，buttothesocialturnover，totheconditionsofcirculation……Thealterationofproductionrelations，or，astheGermanschoolsaysmoreaccurately，theabolitionofthecapitalistmodeofproduction。
　　certainlydoesnotresult，asEngelstriestomakemesay，fromatransitionallawabolishinginterest，butfromtheactualseizureofalltheinstrumentsoflabor，armtheseizureofindustryasawholebytheworkingpeople。Whetherinthistheworkingpeoplewillpayallegiance（！）moretotheideaofgradualredemptionorimmediateexpropriationisnotforeitherEngelsormyselftodecide。"Irubmyeyesinastonishment。IhavereadMulberger’sarticlethroughonceagainfrombeginningtoendinordertofindthepassagewherehepresupposesasanaccomplishedfact，"theactualseizureofalltheinstrumentsoflabor……theseizureofindustryasawholebytheworkingpeople，"
　　asaprerequisiteforredemptionoftherenteddwelling，butIhavebeenunabletofindit。Itdoesnotexist。Thereisnowherementionof"actualseizure，"etc。，butthereisthefollowing：
　　"Letusnowassumethattheproductivityofcapitalisreallytakenbythehorns，asitmustbesoonerorlater，forinstancebyatransitionallawwhichfixestheinterestonallcapitalsatonepercent，butmarkyou，withthetendencytomakeeventhisrateofinterestapproximatemoreandmoretothezeropoint……Likeallotherproducts，housesanddwellingsarenaturallyalsoincludedwithintheframeworkofthislaw……Wesee，therefore，thatfromthisangletheredemptionoftherenteddwellingisanecessaryconsequenceoftheabolitionoftheproductivityofcapitalingeneral。"Thus，itissaidhereinplainwords，quitecontrarytoMulberger’slatestabout-face，thattheproductivityofcapital，。bywhichconfusedphraseheadmittedlymeansthecapitalistmodeofproduction，isreally"takenbythehorns"bythelawabolishinginterest，andthatpreciselyasaresultofthislaw，"theredemptionoftherenteddwellingisanecessaryconsequenceoftheabolitionoftheproductivityofcapitalingeneral。"Notatall，saysMulbergernow。Thattransitionallaw"doesnotrefertoproductionrelations，buttotheconditionsofcirculation。"Inviewofthiscrasscontradiction，asGoethewouldsay，"equallymysteriousforwisemenasforfools，"allthatisleftformeistoassumethatIhavetodowithtwoseparateanddistinctMulbergers，oneofwhomcomplainswithjustificationthatIhave"triedtomakehimsay"whattheotheronecausedtobeprinted。
　　ItiscertainlytruethattheworkingpeoplewillaskneithermenorMulbergerwhetherintheactualseizureitwill"payallegiancemoretotheideaofgradualredemptionorimmediateexpropriation。"Inallprobabilityitwillprefernotto"payallegiance"atall。However，therewasneveranyquestionoftheactualseizureofalltheinstrumentsoflaborbytheworkingpeople，butonlyofMulberger’sassertion（page17）that"thewholecontentofthesolutionofthehousingquestionisgivenintheexpression：gradualredemption。"Andifbenowdeclaresthisgradualredemptiontobeextremelydoubtful，whatwasthereasonforgivingourselvesandourreadersalltheunnecessarytrouble？
　　Fortherest，itmustbepointedoutthatthe"actualseizure"
　　ofalltheinstrumentsoflabor，theseizureofindustryasawholebytheworkingpeople，istheexactcontraryoftheProudhonisttheoryof"gradualredemption。"Underthelattertheindividualworkerbecomestheownerofthedwelling，thepeasantfarm，theinstrumentsoflabor;undertheformerthe"workingpeople"remainthecollectiveownersofthehouses，factoriesandinstrumentsoflaborandwouldhardlypermittheiruse，atleastinatransitionalperiod，byindividualsorassociationswithoutcompensationforthecost。Justastheabolitionofpropertyinlandisnottheabolitionofgroundrent，butitstransfer，althoughin-amodifiedform，tosociety。Theactualseizureofalltheinstrumentsoflaborbytheworkingpeoplethereforedoesnotatallexcludetheretentionoftherentrelations。
　　Ingeneral，thequestionisnotwhethertheproletariatwhenitcomestopowerwillsimplyseizebyforcethetoolsofproduction，therawmaterialsandmeansofsubsistence，whetheritwillpayimmediatecompensationforthem，orwhetheritwillredeempropertythereinbyinstallmentsspreadoveralongperiod。Toattempttoanswersuchaquestioninadvanceandforallcaseswouldbeutopia-making，andIleavethattoothers。
　　IV
　　IthasbeennecessarytowriteverymuchinordertoworkourwayfinallythroughMulberger’sevasionsandtwistingstotherealpointatissue，apointwhichMulbergercarefullyavoidstouchingoninhisanswer。
　　WhatwereMulberger’spositivestatementsinhisarticles？
　　Firstly：that"thedifferencebetweentheoriginalcostpriceofahouse，buildingsite，etc。，anditspresentvalue"belongsbyrighttosociety。Inthelanguageofeconomics，thisdifferenceiscalledgroundrentProudhonalsowantstoappropriatethisforsociety，asonemayreadinhis"IdeegeneraledelaRevolution，，"page219ofthe1868edition。
　　Secondly：thatthesolutionofthehousingquestionconsistsineveryonebeingtheownerinsteadofthetenantofhisdwelling。
　　Thirdly：thatthissolutiontakesplacebythepassingofalawturningrentpaymentsintoinstallmentpaymentsonthepurchasepriceofthedwelling。Thesepoints2and3arebothtakenfromProudhonasanyonecanseeinthe"IdeegeneraledelaRevolution，"page199etseq。，whereonpage203aprojectofthelawinquestionistobefoundalreadydrafted。
　　Fourthly：thattheproductivityofcapitalistakenbythehornsbyatransitionallawreducingtherateofinteresttemporarilytoonepercent，subjecttoreducingitstillfurtherlateron。ThispointhasalsobeentakenfromProudhonandcanbereadindetailonpages182to186oftheIdeegeneraledelaRevolution。
　　WithregardtoeachofthesepointsIhavecitedthepassageofProudhonwheretheoriginaloftheMulbergercopyistobefound，andI
　　asknowwhetherIwasjustifiedincallingtheauthorofaseriesofarticlescontainingcompletelyProudhonistandnothingbutProudhonistviews，aProudhonistornot？NeverthelessMulbergercomplainsaboutnothingmorebitterlythanthatIcallhimaProudhonistbecauseI"cameuponafewexpressionssuchasarepeculiartoProudhon！"Quitethecontrary。TheexpressionsallbelongtoMulberger，theircontentbelongstoProudhon。
　　AndwhenIthensupplementtheProudhonistarticlesfromProudhonhimself，MulbergercomplainsthatIamascribingtohim"themonstrousideas"’ofProudhon！
　　WhatdidIreplytothisProudhonistplan？
　　Firstly：thatthetransferofgroundrenttothestateisidenticalwiththeabolitionofindividualpropertyinland。
　　Secondly：thatthegradualredemptionoftherenteddwellingandthetransferofpropertyinthedwellingtothetenantsdoesnotatallaffectthecapitalistmodeofproduction。
　　Thirdly：thatwiththepresentdevelopmentoflarge-scaleindustryandtowns，thisproposalisasabsurdasitisreactionary，andthatthereintroductionofownershipofhisdwellingbyeachindividualwouldbeastepbackward。
　　Fourthly：thatthecompulsoryreductionoftherateofinterestoncapitalwouldbynomeansattackthecapitalistModeofproduction，andthat，onthecontrary，astheusurylawsprove，theideaisasoldasitisimpossible。
　　Fifthly：thattheabolitionofinterestoncapitalbynomeansabolishesthepaymentofrentforhouses。
　　Mulbergerhasnowadmittedpoints2and4。Totheotherpointshemakesnoreplywhatever。Nevertheless，thesearejustthepointsaroundwhichthewholedebatecentered。Mulberger’sanswer，however，isnotarefutation;itcarefullyavoidsdealingwithalleconomicpoints，whichare，ofcourse，thedecisiveones。Itisapersonalcomplaint，nothingmore。Forinstance，hecomplainswhenIanticipatehispromisedsolutionofotherquestions，forinstance，statedebts，privatedebtsandcredit，andsaythatthesolutionwouldbethesameineachcaseashissolutionofthehousingquestion，namely，theabolitionofinterest，thetransformationofinterestpaymentsintoinstallmentsforpayingoffthecapitalsum，andfreecredit。Nevertheless，IamstillreadytobetthatifthesearticlesofMulbergereverseethelightofday，theiressentialcontentwillcoincidewithProudhon’sIdeegeneraledelaRevolution：credit，page182;statedebts，page186;privatedebts，page196;justashisarticlesonthehousingquestioncoincidedwiththepassagesIhavequotedfromthesamebook。
　　Mulbergertakesthisopportunityofinformingmethatquestionssuchastaxation，statedebts，privatedebtsandcredit，towhichisnowaddedthequestionofmunicipalautonomy，areofthegreatestimportancetothepeasantandforpropagandainthecountryside。ToagreatextentIagree，but，1。uptothemomenttherehasbeennomentionofthepeasant，and2。Proudhon’s61solutions"ofallthesequestionsarejustasabsurdeconomicallyandjustasessentiallybourgeoisashissolutionofthehousingquestion。IneedhardlydefendmyselfagainstMulberger’ssuggestionthatIfailtoappreciatethenecessityofdrawingthepeasantsintothemovement。
　　However，IcertainlyconsideritfollytorecommendtothemforthispurposetheProudhonianquackery。Thereisstillverymuchlarge-scalelandedpropertyinGermany。AccordingtoProudhon’stheoryallthisoughttobedividedupintowallpeasantfarms，which，inthepresentstateofagricultureandaftertheexperienceofsmalllandownershipinFranceandinWesternGermany，wouldbepositivelyreactionary。Thelarge-scalelandedestateswhichstillexistwillratheraffordusawelcomeopportunityofconductingagricultureonalargescale——theonlywaywhichcanutilizemodernequipmentmachinery，etc。——byassociatedworkers，andthusdemonstratingtothesmallpeasantstheadvantagesoflarge-scaleenterprisebymeansofassociations。
　　TheDanishsocialists，whointhisrespectareaheadofallothers，haverealizedthislongago。
　　ItisequallyunnecessaryformetodefendmyselfagainstthesuggestionthatIregardtheexistinginfamoushousingconditionsas"aninsignificantdetail。"AsfarasIknow，IwasthefirsttodescribeinGermantheseconditionsintheirclassicalformastheyexistinEngland。
　　Ididnotdothat，asMulbergersuggests，becausethey"violatedmysenseofjustice"——whoeverinsistedonwritingbooksaboutallthefactswhichviolatedhissenseofjusticewouldhavealottodo——butascanbereadintheintroductiontomybook，bydescribingthesocialconditionscreatedbymodernlarge-scaleindustry，toprovideanactualbasisforGermansocialism，whichwasthenarisingandwasexpendingitselfinemptyphrases。However，itdoesnot-occurtometotrytosolvetheso-calledhousingquestionanymorethanIoccupymyselfwith-thedetailsofthestillmoreimportantfoodquestion。IamsatisfiedifIcanprovethattheproductionofourmodernsocietyissufficienttoprovideallitsmemberswithenoughtoeat，andthattherearehousesenoughinexistencetoprovidetheworkingmassesforthetimebeingwithroomyandhealthylivingaccommodation。
　　Tospeculateastohowafuturesocietywouldorganizethedistributionoffoodanddwellingsleadsdirectlytoutopia。Theutmostwecandoistonote，fromanunderstandingofthebasicconditionsofallmodesofproductionuptonow，thatwiththedownfallofthecapitalistmodeofproductioncertainformsofappropriationbysocietyhithertowillbecomeimpossible。Eventhetransitionalmeasureswilleverywherehavetobeinaccordancewiththeconditionsinexistenceatthemoment;incountriesofsmall-scalelandownershipquitedifferentfromthoseincountrieswherelarge-scalelandownershipprevails，etc。Mulbergerhimselfshowsusbetterthananyoneelsewhereonearrivesatifoneattemptstofindisolatedsolutionsforso-calledpracticalquestions，suchasthehousingquestion，whenlietakes28pagestoexplaintousthat，"thewholecontentofthesolutionofthehousingquestionisgivenintheexpression：gradualredemption，"
　　butwho，whenonepresseshimhard，beginstostammerinembarrassmentthatitisreallyverydoubtfulwhether，whenitcomestoaquestionoftheactualseizureofthehouses，"theworkingpeoplewillpayallegiancemoretotheideaofgradualredemption"ortosomeotherformofexpropriation。
　　Mulbergerdemandsthatweshouldbecomepractical，thatweshouldnot"comeforwardmerelywithdeadandabstractformulas"when"facedwithrealpracticalconditions，"thatweshould，"proceedbeyondabstractsocialismandcomeclosetothedefiniteconcreteconditionsofsociety。"IfMulbergerhadclonethishimselfhemightperhapshaverenderedgreatservicetothemovement。Thefirststepincomingclosetothedefiniteandconcreteconditionsofsocietyissurelythatoneshouldlearnwhattheyare，thatoneshouldexaminethemaccordingtotheirexistingeconomicinterrelations。
　　ButwhatdowefindinMulberger’sarticles？Twowholesentences，namely：
　　1。"Asthewageworkerinrelationtothecapitalist，soisthetenantinrelationtothehouseowner。"Ihavealready，provedonpagesixofthereprintthatthisistotallyfalse，andMulbergerhasnotawordtosayinreply。
　　2。"However，thebullwhich（inanysocialreform）mustbetakenbythehornsistheproductivityofcapital，astheliberalschoolofpoliticaleconomycallsit，athingwhichinrealitydoesnotexist，butwhichinitsapparentexistenceservesasacloakforalltheinequalitywhichburdenspresent-daysociety。"Thus，thebullwhichhastobetakenbythehorns"inrealitydoesnotexist，"andthereforealsohasno"horns。"Notthebullitselfisthe;evil，but，its"apparentexistence。"Despitethis，"theso-calledproductivity"（ofcapital）"isabletoconjureuphousesfindtowns"whoseexistenceisanythingbut"apparent。"Andamanwho，althoughMarx’sCapital"isfamiliaralsotohim，"jabbersinthishopelesslyconfusedfashionabouttherelationofcapitalandlabour，takesonthetaskofshowingtheGermanworkersanewandbetterpath，andpresentshimselfasthe"masterbuilder"whois"clearaboutthearchitecturalstructureofthefuturesocietyatleastinitsmainoutlines"！
　　Noonehascomecloser"tothedefiniteandconcreteconditionsofsociety"thanMarxinCapital。Hespenttwenty-fiveyearsininvestigatingthemfromallangles，andtheresultsofhiscriticismcontainthroughoutthekernelsofso-calledsolutions，inasfarastheyarepossibleatalltoday。ButthatisnotenoughforfriendMulberger。Thatisallabstractsocialism，deadandabstractformulas。Insteadofstudying"thedefiniteandconcreteconditionsofsociety"forhimself，friendMulbergercontentshimselfwithreadingthroughafewvolumesofProudhonwhich，althoughtheyofferhimnexttonothingconcerningthedefiniteconcreteconditionsofsociety，doofferhimverydefiniteandconcretemiraculousremediesforallsocialevils。Hethenpresentsthisready-madeplanforsocialsalvation，thisProudhoniansystem，totheGermanworkersunderthepretextthathewantstosaygood-byetothesystems，"whileI"choosetheoppositepath。"InordertograspthisImustassumethatIamblindandMulbergerdeafsothatanyunderstandingbetweenusisutterlyimpossible。
　　Butenough。Ifthispolemicservesfornothingelseithasthevalueinanycaseofhavingprovidedproofofhowimpracticaltheseso-called"practical"socialistsreallyare。Thesepracticalproposalsfortheabolitionofallsocialevils，theseuniversalsocialpanaceas，havealwaysandeverywherebeentheworkofsectarianswhoappearedatatimewhentheproletarianmovementwasstillinitsinfancy。Proudhonalsobelongsamongthem。Thedevelopmentoftheproletariatsooncastsasidetheseswaddling-clothesandproducesintheworkingclassitselftheunderstandingthatnothingislesspracticalthanthese"practicalsolutions，"concoctedinadvanceanduniversallyapplicable，andthatpracticalsocialismconsistsratherinacorrectknowledgeofthecapitalistmodeofproductionfromallitsvarioussides。Aworkingclasswhichissecureinthisknowledgewillneverbeindoubtinanygivencaseagainstwhichsocialinstitutions，andinwhatmanner，itsmainattacksshouldbedirected。