The Night-Born

第7章

Anationwhichonlycarriesonagriculture,isanindividual

whoinhismaterialproductionlacksonearm。Commerceismerely

themediumofexchangebetweentheagriculturalandthe

manufacturingpower,andbetweentheirseparatebranches。Anation

whichexchangesagriculturalproductsforforeignmanufactured

goodsisanindividualwithonearm,whichissupportedbya

foreignarm。Thissupportmaybeusefultoit,butnotsousefulas

ifitpossessedtwoarmsitself,andthisbecauseitsactivityis

dependentonthecapriceoftheforeigner。Inpossessionofa

manufacturingpowerofitsown,itcanproduceasmuchprovisions

andrawmaterialsasthehomemanufacturerscanconsume;butif

dependentuponforeignmanufacturers,itcanmerelyproduceasmuch

surplusasforeignnationsdonotcaretoproduceforthemselves,

andwhichtheyareobligedtobuyfromanothercountry。

Asbetweenthedifferentdistrictsofoneandthesamecountry,

sodoesthedivisionoflabourandtheco-operationofthe

productivepowersoperatebetweenthevariousnationsoftheearth。

Theformerisconductedbyinternalornational,thelatterby

internationalcommerce。Theinternationalco-operationof

productivepowersis,however,averyimperfectone,inasmuchasit

maybefrequentlyinterruptedbywars,politicalregulations,

commercialcrises,&c。Althoughitisthemostimportantinone

sense,inasmuchasbyitthevariousnationsoftheearthare

connectedwithoneanother,itisneverthelesstheleastimportant

withregardtotheprosperityofanyseparatenationwhichis

alreadyfaradvancedincivilisation。Thisisadmittedbywriters

ofthepopularschool,whodeclarethatthehomemarketofanation

iswithoutcomparisonmoreimportantthanitsforeignmarket。It

followsfromthis,thatitistheinterestofeverygreatnationto

makethenationalconfederationofitsproductivepowersthemain

objectofitsexertions,andtoconsidertheirinternational

confederationassecondinimportancetoit。

Bothinternationalandnationaldivisionoflabourarechiefly

determinedbyclimateandbyNatureherself。Wecannotproducein

everycountryteaasinChina,spicesasinJava,cottonasin

Louisiana,orcorn,wool,fruit,andmanufacturedgoodsasinthe

countriesofthetemperatezone。Itwouldbefollyforanationto

attempttosupplyitselfbymeansofnationaldivisionoflabour

(i。e。byhomeproduction)witharticlesfortheproductionofwhich

itisnotfavouredbynature,andwhichitcanprocurebetterand

cheaperbymeansofinternationaldivisionoflabour(i。e。through

foreigncommerce)。Andjustasmuchdoesitbetokenawantof

nationalintelligenceornationalindustryifanationdoesnot

employallthenaturalpowerswhichitpossessesinorderto

satisfyitsowninternalwants,andthenbymeansofthesurplusof

itsownproductionstopurchasethosenecessaryarticleswhich

naturehasforbiddenittoproduceonitsownterritory。

Thecountriesoftheworldmostfavouredbynature,withregard

tobothnationalandinternationaldivisionoflabour,are

evidentlythosewhosesoilbringsforththemostcommonnecessaries

oflifeofthebestqualityandinthelargestquantity,andwhose

climateismostconducivetobodilyandmentalexertion,andthese

arethecountriesofthetemperatezone;forinthesecountriesthe

manufacturingpowerespeciallyprospers,bymeansofwhichthe

nationnotmerelyattainstothehighestdegreeofmentaland

socialdevelopmentandofpoliticalpower,butisalsoenabledto

makethecountriesoftropicalclimatesandofinferior

civilisationtributaryinacertainmeasuretoitself。The

countriesofthetemperatezonethereforeareaboveallothers

calledupontobringtheirownnationaldivisionoflabourtothe

highestperfection,andtousetheinternationaldivisionoflabour

fortheirenrichment。

NOTES:

1。WealthofNations,BookI。chap。i。

2。WealthofNations,BookI。chap。i。

Chapter14

PrivateEconomyandNationalEconomy

Wehaveprovedhistoricallythattheunityofthenationforms

thefundamentalconditionoflastingnationalprosperity;andwe

haveshownthatonlywheretheinterestofindividualshasbeen

subordinatedtothoseofthenation,andwheresuccessive

generationshavestrivenforoneandthesameobject,thenations

havebeenbroughttoharmoniousdevelopmentoftheirproductive

powers,andhowlittleprivateindustrycanprosperwithoutthe

unitedeffortsbothoftheindividualswhoarelivingatthetime,

andofsuccessivegenerationsdirectedtoonecommonobject。We

havefurthertriedtoproveinthelastchapterhowthelawof

unionofpowersexhibitsitsbeneficialoperationintheindividual

manufactory,andhowitactswithequalpowerontheindustryof

wholenations。Inthepresentchapterwehavenowtodemonstrate

howthepopularschoolhasconcealeditsmisunderstandingofthe

nationalinterestsandoftheeffectsofnationalunionofpowers,

byconfoundingtheprinciplesofprivateeconomywiththoseof

nationaleconomy。

\'Whatisprudenceintheconductofeveryprivatefamily,\'says

AdamSmith,(1*)\'canscarcebefollyinthatofagreatkingdom。\'

Everyindividualinpursuinghisowninterestsnecessarilypromotes

therebyalsotheinterestsofthecommunity。Itisevidentthat

everyindividual,inasmuchasheknowshisownlocalcircumstances

bestandpaysmostattentiontohisoccupation,isfarbetterable

tojudgethanthestatesmanorlegislatorhowhiscapitalcanmost

profitablybeinvested。Hewhowouldventuretogiveadvicetothe

peoplehowtoinvesttheircapitalwouldnotmerelytakeupon

himselfauselesstask,butwouldalsoassumetohimselfan

authoritywhichbelongssolelytotheproducer,andwhichcanbe

entrustedtothosepersonsleastofallwhoconsiderthemselves

equaltosodifficultatask。AdamSmithconcludesfromthis:

\'Restrictionsontradeimposedonthebehalfoftheinternal

industryofacountry,aremerefolly;everynation,likeevery

individual,oughttobuyarticleswheretheycanbeprocuredthe

cheapest;inordertoattaintothehighestdegreeofnational

prosperity,wehavesimplytofollowthemaximoflettingthings

alone(laisserfaireetlaisseraller)。\'SmithandSaycomparea

nationwhichseekstopromoteitsindustrybyprotectiveduties,to

atailorwhowantstomakehisownboots,andtoabootmakerwho

wouldimposeatollonthosewhoenterhisdoor,inorderto

promotehisprosperity。Asinallerrorsofthepopularschool,so

alsointhisonedoesThomasCoopergotoextremesinhisbook(2*)

whichisdirectedagainsttheAmericansystemofprotection。

\'Politicaleconomy,\'healleges,\'isalmostsynonymouswiththe

privateeconomyofallindividuals;politicsarenoessential

ingredientofpoliticaleconomy;itisfollytosupposethatthe

communityissomethingquitedifferentfromtheindividualsofwhom

itiscomposed。Everyindividualknowsbesthowtoinvesthis

labourandhiscapital。Thewealthofthecommunityisnothingelse

thantheaggregateofthewealthofallitsindividualmembers;and

ifeveryindividualcanprovidebestforhimself,thatnationmust

betherichestinwhicheveryindividualismostlefttohimself。\'

TheadherentsoftheAmericansystemofprotectionhadopposed

themselvestothisargument,whichhadformerlybeenadducedby

importingmerchantsinfavouroffreetrade;theAmerican

navigationlawshadgreatlyincreasedthecarryingtrade,the

foreigncommerce,andfisheriesoftheUnitedStates;andforthe

mereprotectionoftheirmercantilemarinemillionshadbeen

annuallyexpendedontheirfleet;accordingtohistheorythose

lawsandthisexpensealsowouldbeasreprehensibleasprotective

duties。\'Inanycase,\'exclaimsMrCooper,\'nocommercebyseais

worthanavalwar;themerchantsmaybelefttoprotect

themselves。\'

Thusthepopularschool,whichhadbegunbyignoringthe

principlesofnationalityandnationalinterests,finallycomesto

thepointofaltogetherdenyingtheirexistence,andofleaving

individualstodefendthemastheymaysolelybytheirown

individualpowers。

How?Isthewisdomofprivateeconomy,alsowisdominnational

economy?Isitinthenatureofindividualstotakeinto

considerationthewantsoffuturecenturies,asthoseconcernthe

natureofthenationandtheState?Letusconsideronlythefirst

beginningofanAmericantown;everyindividuallefttohimself

wouldcaremerelyforhisownwants,oratthemostforthoseof

hisnearestsuccessors,whereasallindividualsunitedinone

communityprovidefortheconvenienceandthewantsofthemost

distantgenerations;theysubjectthepresentgenerationforthis

objecttoprivationsandsacrificeswhichnoreasonableperson

couldexpectfromindividuals。Cantheindividualfurthertakeinto

considerationinpromotinghisprivateeconomy,thedefenceofthe

country,publicsecurityandthethousandotherobjectswhichcan

onlybeattainedbytheaidofthewholecommunity?Doesnotthe

Staterequireindividualstolimittheirprivatelibertyaccording

towhattheseobjectsrequire?Doesitnotevenrequirethatthey

shouldsacrificeforthesesomepartoftheirearnings,oftheir

mentalandbodilylabour,nay,eventheirownlife?Wemustfirst

rootout,asCooperdoes,theveryideasof\'State\'and\'nation\'

beforethisopinioncanbeentertained。

No;thatmaybewisdominnationaleconomywhichwouldbefolly

inprivateeconomy,andvicevers?andowingtotheverysimple

reason,thatatailorisnonationandanationnotailor,thatone

familyissomethingverydifferentfromacommunityofmillionsof

families,thatonehouseissomethingverydifferentfromalarge

nationalterritory。Nordoestheindividualmerelybyunderstanding

hisowninterestsbest,andbystrivingtofurtherthem,ifleftto

hisowndevices,alwaysfurthertheinterestsofthecommunity。We

askthosewhooccupythebenchesofjustice,whethertheydonot

frequentlyhavetosendindividualstothetread-millonaccountof

theirexcessofinventivepower,andoftheiralltoogreat

industry。Robbers,thieves,smugglers,andcheatsknowtheirown

localandpersonalcircumstancesandconditionsextremelywell,and

paythemostactiveattentiontotheirbusiness;butitbynomeans

followstherefrom,thatsocietyisinthebestconditionwheresuch

individualsareleastrestrainedintheexerciseoftheirprivate

industry。

InathousandcasesthepoweroftheStateiscompelledto

imposerestrictionsonprivateindustry。Itpreventstheshipowner

fromtakingonboardslavesonthewestcoastofAfrica,andtaking

themovertoAmerica。Itimposesregulationsastothebuildingof

steamersandtherulesofnavigationatsea,inorderthat

passengersandsailorsmaynotbesacrificedtotheavariceand

capriceofthecaptains。InEnglandcertainruleshaverecently

beenenactedwithregardtoshipbuilding,becauseaninfernalunion

betweenassurancecompaniesandshipownershasbeenbroughtto

light,wherebyyearlythousandsofhumanlivesandmillionsin

valueweresacrificedtotheavariceofafewpersons。InNorth

Americamillersareboundunderapenaltytopackintoeachcask

notlessthan198lbs。ofgoodflour,andforallmarketgoods

marketinspectorsareappointed,althoughinnoothercountryis

individuallibertymorehighlyprized。EverywheredoestheState

considerittobeitsdutytoguardthepublicagainstdangerand

loss,asinthesaleofnecessariesoflife,soalsointhesaleof

medicines,&c。

Butthecaseswhichwehavementioned(theschoolwillreply)

concernunlawfuldamagestopropertyandtotheperson,notthe

honourableexchangeofusefulobjects,nottheharmlessanduseful

industryofprivateindividuals;toimposerestrictionsonthese

lattertheStatehasnorightwhatever。Ofcoursenot,solongas

theyremainharmlessanduseful;thatwhich,however,isharmless

andusefulinitself,ingeneralcommercewiththeworld,can

becomedangerousandinjuriousinnationalinternalcommerce,and

vicevers?Intimeofpeace,andconsideredfromacosmopolitan

pointofview,privateeringisaninjuriousprofession;intimeof

war,Governmentsfavourit。Thedeliberatekillingofahumanbeing

isacrimeintimeofpeace,inwaritbecomesaduty。Tradingin

gunpowder,lead,andarmsintimeofpeaceisallowed;butwhoever

providestheenemywiththemintimeofwar,ispunishedasa

traitor。

ForsimilarreasonstheStateisnotmerelyjustifiedin

imposing,butboundtoimpose,certainregulationsandrestrictions

oncommerce(whichisinitselfharmless)forthebestinterestsof

thenation。Byprohibitionsandprotectivedutiesitdoesnotgive

directionstoindividualshowtoemploytheirproductivepowersand

capital(asthepopularschoolsophisticallyalleges);itdoesnot

telltheone,\'Youmustinvestyourmoneyinthebuildingofa

ship,orintheerectionofamanufactory;\'ortheother,\'Youmust

beanavalcaptainoracivilengineer;\'itleavesittothe

judgmentofeveryindividualhowandwheretoinvesthiscapital,

ortowhatvocationhewilldevotehimself。Itmerelysays,\'Itis

totheadvantageofournationthatwemanufacturetheseorthe

othergoodsourselves;butasbyfreecompetitionwithforeign

countrieswecanneverobtainpossessionofthisadvantage,wehave

imposedrestrictionsonthatcompetition,sofarasinouropinion

isnecessary,togivethoseamonguswhoinvesttheircapitalin

thesenewbranchesofindustry,andthosewhodevotetheirbodily

andmentalpowerstothem,therequisiteguaranteesthattheyshall

notlosetheircapitalandshallnotmisstheirvocationinlife;

andfurthertostimulateforeignerstocomeovertooursidewith

theirproductivepowers。Inthismanner,itdoesnotintheleast

degreerestrainprivateindustry;onthecontrary,itsecuresto

thepersonal,natural,andmoneyedpowersofthenationagreater

andwiderfieldofactivity。Itdoesnottherebydosomethingwhich

itsindividualcitizenscouldunderstandbetteranddobetterthan

it;onthecontraryitdoessomethingwhichtheindividuals,even

iftheyunderstoodit,wouldnotbeabletodoforthemselves。

Theallegationoftheschool,thatthesystemofprotection

occasionsunjustandanti-economicalencroachmentsbythepowerof

theStateagainsttheemploymentofthecapitalandindustryof

privateindividuals,appearsintheleastfavourablelightifwe

considerthatitistheforeigncommercialregulationswhichallow

suchencroachmentsonourprivateindustrytotakeplace,andthat

onlybytheaidofthesystemofprotectionareweenabledto

counteractthoseinjuriousoperationsoftheforeigncommercial

policy。IftheEnglishshutoutourcornfromtheirmarkets,what

elsearetheydoingthancompellingouragriculturiststogrowso

muchlesscornthantheywouldhavesentouttoEnglandunder

systemsoffreeimportation?Iftheyputsuchheavydutiesonour

wool,ourwines,orourtimber,thatourexporttradetoEngland

whollyoringreatmeasureceases,whatelseistherebyeffected

thanthatthepoweroftheEnglishnationrestrictsproportionately

ourbranchesofproduction?Inthesecasesadirectionisevidently

givenbyforeignlegislationtoourcapitalandourpersonal

productivepowers,whichbutfortheregulationsmadebyitthey

wouldscarcelyhavefollowed。Itfollowsfromthis,thatwereweto

disowngiving,bymeansofourownlegislation,adirectiontoour

ownnationalindustryinaccordancewithourownnational

interests,wecouldnotpreventforeignnationsfromregulatingour

nationalindustryafterafashionwhichcorrespondswiththeirown

realorpresumedadvantage,andwhichinanycaseoperates

disadvantageouslytothedevelopmentofourownproductivepowers。

Butcanitpossiblybewiseronourpart,andmoretotheadvantage

ofthosewhonationallybelongtous,forustoallowourprivate

industrytoberegulatedbyaforeignnationalLegislature,in

accordancewithforeignnationalinterests,ratherthanregulateit

bymeansofourownLegislatureandinaccordancewithourown

interests?DoestheGermanorAmericanagriculturistfeelhimself

lessrestrictedifhehastostudyeveryyeartheEnglishActsof

Parliament,inordertoascertainwhetherthatbodydeemsit

advantageoustoencourageortoimposerestrictionsonhis

productionofcornorwool,thanifhisownLegislatureimposes

certainrestrictionsonhiminrespectofforeignmanufactured

goods,butatthesametimeinsureshimamarketforallhis

products,ofwhichhecanneveragainbedeprivedbyforeign

legislation?

Iftheschoolmaintainsthatprotectivedutiessecuretothe

homemanufacturersamonopolytothedisadvantageofthehome

consumers,insodoingitmakesuseofaweakargument。Foras

everyindividualinthenationisfreetoshareintheprofitsof

thehomemarketwhichisthussecuredtonativeindustry,thisis

innorespectaprivatemonopoly,butaprivilege,securedtoall

thosewhobelongtoournation,asagainstthosewhonationally

belongtoforeignnations,andwhichisthemorerighteousandjust

inasmuchasthosewhonationallybelongtoforeignnationspossess

themselvestheverysamemonopoly,andthosewhobelongtousare

merelytherebyputonthesamefootingwiththem。Itisneithera

privilegetotheexclusiveadvantageoftheproducers,nortothe

exclusivedisadvantageoftheconsumers;foriftheproducersat

firstobtainhigherprices,theyrungreatrisks,andhaveto

contendagainstthoseconsiderablelossesandsacrificeswhichare

alwaysconnectedwithallbeginningsinmanufacturingindustry。But

theconsumershaveamplesecuritythattheseextraordinaryprofits

shallnotreachunreasonablelimits,orbecomeperpetual,bymeans

ofthecompetitionathomewhichfollowslateron,andwhich,asa

rule,alwayslowerspricesfurtherthanthelevelatwhichtheyhad

steadilyrangedunderthefreecompetitionoftheforeigner。Ifthe

agriculturists,whoarethemostimportantconsumerstothe

manufacturers,mustalsopayhigherprices,thisdisadvantagewill

beamplyrepaidtothembyincreaseddemandsforagricultural

products,andbyincreasedpricesobtainedforthelatter。

Itisafurthersophism,arrivedatbyconfoundingthetheory

ofmerevalueswiththatofthepowersofproduction,whenthe

popularschoolinfersfromthedoctrine,\'thatthewealthofthe

nationismerelytheaggregateofthewealthofallindividualsin

it,andthattheprivateinterestofeveryindividualisbetter

ablethanallStateregulationstoincitetoproductionand

accumulationofwealth,\'theconclusionthatthenationalindustry

wouldprosperbestifonlyeveryindividualwereleftundisturbed

intheoccupationofaccumulatingwealth。Thatdoctrinecanbe

concededwithouttheconclusionresultingfromitatwhichthe

schooldesiresthustoarrive;forthepointinquestionisnot(as

wehaveshowninapreviouschapter)thatofimmediatelyincreasing

bycommercialrestrictionstheamountofthevaluesofexchangein

thenation,butofincreasingtheamountofitsproductivepowers。

Butthattheaggregateoftheproductivepowersofthenationis

notsynonymouswiththeaggregateoftheproductivepowersofall

individuals,eachconsideredseparately——thatthetotalamountof

thesepowersdependschieflyonsocialandPoliticalconditions,

butespeciallyonthedegreeinwhichthenationhasrendered

effectualthedivisionoflabourandtheconfederationofthe

powersofproductionwithinitself——webelievewehave

sufficientlydemonstratedintheprecedingchapters。

Thissystemeverywheretakesintoitsconsiderationonly

individualswhoareinfreeunrestrainedintercourseamong

themselves,andwhoarecontentedifweleaveeveryonetopursue

hisownprivateinterestsaccordingtohisownprivatenatural

inclination。Thisisevidentlynotasystemofnationaleconomy,

butasystemoftheprivateeconomyofthehumanrace,asthat

wouldconstituteitselfweretherenointerferenceonthepartof

anyGovernment,weretherenowars,nohostileforeigntariff

restrictions。Nowheredotheadvocatesofthatsystemcaretopoint

outbywhatmeansthosenationswhicharenowprosperoushave

raisedthemselvestothatstageofpowerandprosperitywhichwe

seethemmaintain,andfromwhatcausesothershavelostthat

degreeofprosperityandpowerwhichtheyformerlymaintained。We

canonlylearnfromithowinprivateindustry,naturalability,

labourandcapital,arecombinedinordertobringintoexchange

valuableproducts,andinwhatmannertheselatteraredistributed

amongthehumanraceandconsumedbyit。Butwhatmeansaretobe

adoptedinordertobringthenaturalpowersbelongingtoany

individualnationintoactivityandvalue,toraiseapoorandweak

nationtoprosperityandpower,cannotbegatheredfromit,because

theschooltotallyignoringpolitics,ignoresthespecial

conditionsofthenation,andconcernsitselfmerelyaboutthe

prosperityofthewholehumanrace。Whereverinternationalcommerce

isinquestion,thenativeindividualisthroughoutsimplypitted

againsttheforeignindividual;examplesfromtheprivatedealings

ofseparatemerchantsarethroughouttheonlyonesadduced——goods

arespokenofingeneralterms(withoutconsideringwhetherthe

questionisoneofrawproductsorofmanufacturedarticles)——in

ordertoprovethatitisequallyforthebenefitofthenation

whetheritsexportsandimportsconsistofmoney,ofrawmaterials,

orofmanufacturedgoods,andwhetherornottheybalanceone

another。Ifwe,forexample,terrifiedatthecommercialcrises

whichprevailintheUnitedStatesofNorthAmericalikenative

epidemics,consultthistheoryastothemeansofavertingor

diminishingthem,itleavesusutterlywithoutcomfortor

instruction;nay,itisindeedimpossibleforustoinvestigate

thesephenomenascientifically,because,underthepenaltyofbeing

takenformuddleheadsandignoramuses,wemustnotevenutterthe

term\'balanceoftrade,\'whilethistermis,notwithstanding,made

useofinalllegislativeassemblies,inallbureauxof

administration,oneveryexchange。Forthesakeofthewelfareof

humanity,thebeliefisinculcatedonusthatexportsalways

balancethemselvesspontaneouslybyimports;notwithstandingthat

wereadinpublicaccountshowtheBankofEnglandcomestothe

assistanceofthenatureofthings;notwithstandingthatcornlaws

exist,whichmakeitsomewhatdifficultfortheagriculturistof

thosecountrieswhichdealwithEnglandtopaywithhisownproduce

forthemanufacturedgoodswhichheconsumes。

Theschoolrecognisesnodistinctionbetweennationswhichhave

attainedahigherdegreeofeconomicaldevelopment,andthosewhich

occupyalowerstage。Everywhereitseekstoexcludetheactionof

thepoweroftheState;everywhere,accordingtoit,willthe

individualbesomuchbetterabletoproduce,thelessthepowerof

theStateconcernsitselfforhim。Infact,accordingtothis

doctrinesavagenationsoughttobethemostproductiveandwealthy

oftheearth,fornowhereistheindividualleftmoretohimself

thaninthesavagestate,nowhereistheactionofthepowerofthe

Statelessperceptible。

Statisticsandhistory,however,teach,onthecontrary,that

thenecessityfortheinterventionoflegislativepowerand

administrationiseverywheremoreapparent,thefurthertheeconomy

ofthenationisdeveloped。Asindividuallibertyisingenerala

goodthingsolongonlyasitdoesnotruncountertotheinterests

ofsociety,soisitreasonabletoholdthatprivateindustrycan

onlylayclaimtounrestrictedactionsolongasthelatter

consistswiththewell-beingofthenation。Butwheneverthe

enterpriseandactivityofindividualsdoesnotsufficeforthis

purpose,orinanycasewherethesemightbecomeinjurioustothe

nation,theredoesprivateindustryrightlyrequiresupportfrom

thewholepowerofthenation,thereoughtitforthesakeofits

ownintereststosubmittolegalrestrictions。

Iftheschoolrepresentsthefreecompetitionofallproducers

asthemosteffectualmeansforpromotingtheprosperityofthe

humanrace,itisquiterightfromthepointofviewwhichit

assumes。Onthehypothesisofauniversalunion,everyrestriction

onthehonestexchangeofgoodsbetweenvariouscountriesseems

unreasonableandinjurious。Butsolongasothernations

Subordinatetheinterestsofthehumanraceasawholetotheir

nationalinterests,itisfollytospeakoffreecompetitionamong

theindividualsofvariousnations。Theargumentsoftheschoolin

favouroffreecompetitionarethusonlyapplicabletotheexchange

betweenthosewhobelongtooneandthesamenation。Everygreat

nation,therefore,mustendeavourtoformanaggregatewithin

itself,whichwillenterintocommercialintercoursewithother

similaraggregatessofaronlyasthatintercourseisSuitableto

theinterestsofitsownspecialcommunity。Theseinterestsofthe

communityare,however,infinitelydifferentfromtheprivate

interestsofalltheseparateindividualsofthenation,ifeach

individualistoberegardedasexistingforhimselfaloneandnot

inthecharacterofamemberofthenationalcommunity,ifwe

regard(asSmithandSaydo)individualsasmereproducersand

consumers,notcitizensofstatesormembersofnations;foras

such,mereindividualsdonotconcernthemselvesfortheprosperity

offuturegenerations——theydeemitfoolish(asMrCooperreally

demonstratestous)tomakecertainandpresentsacrificesinorder

toendeavourtoobtainabenefitwhichisasyetuncertainand

lyinginthevastfieldofthefuture(ifevenitpossessanyvalue

atall);theycarebutlittleforthecontinuanceofthenation——

theywouldexposetheshipsoftheirmerchantstobecometheprey

ofeveryboldpirate——theytroublethemselvesbutlittleabout

thepower,thehonour,orthegloryofthenation,atthemostthey

canpersuadethemselvestomakesomematerialsacrificesforthe

educationoftheirchildren,andtogivethemtheopportunityof

learningatrade,providedalwaysthatafterthelapseofafew

yearsthelearnersareplacedinapositiontoearntheirown

bread。

Indeed,accordingtotheprevailingtheory,soanalogousis

nationaleconomytoprivateeconomythatJ。B。Say,where

(exceptionally)heallowsthatinternalindustrymaybeprotected

bytheState,makesitaconditionofsodoing,thatevery

probabilitymustexistthatafterthelapseofafewyearsitwill

attainindependence,justasashoemaker\'sapprenticeisallowed

onlyafewyears\'timeinordertoperfecthimselfsofarinhis

tradeastodowithoutparentalassistance。

NOTES:

1。WealthofNations,BookIV。chap。ii。

2。LecturesonPoliticalEconomy,byThomasCooper,pp。1,15,19,

117。

Chapter15

NationalityandtheEconomyoftheNation

Thesystemoftheschoolsuffers,aswehavealreadyshownin

theprecedingchapters,fromthreemaindefects:firstly,from

boundlesscosmopolitanism,whichneitherrecognisestheprinciple

ofnationality,nortakesintoconsiderationthesatisfactionof

itsinterests;secondly,fromadeadmaterialism,whicheverywhere

regardschieflythemereexchangeablevalueofthingswithout

takingintoconsiderationthementalandpolitical,thepresentand

thefutureinterests,andtheproductivepowersofthenation;

thirdly,fromadisorganisingparticularismandindividualism,

which,ignoringthenatureandcharacterofsociallabourandthe

operationoftheunionofpowersintheirhigherconsequences,

considersprivateindustryonlyasitwoulddevelopitselfundera

stateoffreeinterchangewithsociety(i。e。withthewholehuman

race)werethatracenotdividedintoseparatenationalsocieties。

Betweeneachindividualandentirehumanity,however,stands

THENATION,withitsspeciallanguageandliterature,withits

peculiaroriginandhistory,withitsspecialmannersandcustoms,

lawsandinstitutions,withtheclaimsofalltheseforexistence,

independence,perfection,andcontinuanceforthefuture,andwith

itsseparateterritory;asocietywhich,unitedbyathousandties

ofmindandofinterests,combinesitselfintooneindependent

whole,whichrecognisesthelawofrightforandwithinitself,and

initsunitedcharacterisstillopposedtoothersocietiesofa

similarkindintheirnationalliberty,andconsequentlycanonly

undertheexistingconditionsoftheworldmaintainself-existence

andindependencebyitsownpowerandresources。Astheindividual

chieflyobtainsbymeansofthenationandinthenationmental

culture,powerofproduction,security,andprosperity,soisthe

civilisationofthehumanraceonlyconceivableandpossibleby

meansofthecivilisationanddevelopmentoftheindividual

nations。

Meanwhile,however,aninfinitedifferenceexistsinthe

conditionandcircumstancesofthevariousnations:weobserve

amongthemgiantsanddwarfs,well-formedbodiesandcripples,

civilised,half-civilised,andbarbarousnations;butinallof

them,asintheindividualhumanbeing,existstheimpulseof

self-preservation,thestrivingforimprovementwhichisimplanted

bynature。Itisthetaskofpoliticstocivilisethebarbarous

nationalities,tomakethesmallandweakonesgreatandstrong,

but,aboveall,tosecuretothemexistenceandcontinuance。Itis

thetaskofnationaleconomytoaccomplishtheeconomical

developmentofthenation,andtoprepareitforadmissionintothe

universalsocietyofthefuture。

Anationinitsnormalstatepossessesonecommonlanguageand

literature,aterritoryendowedwithmanifoldnaturalresources,

extensive,andwithconvenientfrontiersandanumerouspopulation。

Agriculture,manufactures,commerce,andnavigationmustbeall

developedinitproportionately。artsandsciences,educational

establishments,anduniversal,cultivationmuststandinitonan

equalfootingwithmaterialproduction。Itsconstitution,laws,and

institutionsmustaffordtothosewhobelongtoitahighdegreeof

securityandliberty,andmustpromotereligion,morality,and

prosperity;inaword,musthavethewell-beingofitscitizensas

theirobject。Itmustpossesssufficientpoweronlandandatsea

todefenditsindependenceandtoprotectitsforeigncommerce。It

willpossessthepowerofbeneficiallyaffectingthecivilisation

oflessadvancednations,andbymeansofitsownsurplus

populationandoftheirmentalandmaterialcapitaltofound

coloniesandbegetnewnations。

Alargepopulation,andanextensiveterritoryendowedwith

manifoldnationalresources,areessentialrequirementsofthe

normalnationality;theyarethefundamentalconditionsofmental

cultivationaswellasofmaterialdevelopmentandpoliticalpower。

Anationrestrictedinthenumberofitspopulationandin

territory,especiallyifithasaseparatelanguage,canonly

possessacrippledliterature,crippledinstitutionsforpromoting

artandscience。AsmallStatecanneverbringtocomplete

perfectionwithinitsterritorythevariousbranchesofproduction。

Initallprotectionbecomesmereprivatemonopoly。Onlythrough

allianceswithmorepowerfulnations,bypartlysacrificingthe

advantagesofnationality,andbyexcessiveenergy,canitmaintain

withdifficultyitsindependence。

Anationwhichpossessesnocoasts,mercantilemarine,ornaval

power,orhasnotunderitsdominionandcontrolthemouthsofits

rivers,isinitsforeigncommercedependentonothercountries;it

canneitherestablishcoloniesofitsownnorformnewnations;all

surpluspopulation,mentalandmaterialmeans,whichflowsfrom

suchanationtouncultivatedcountries,islosttoitsown

literature,civilisationandindustry,andgoestothebenefitof

othernationalities。

Anationnotboundedbyseasandchainsofmountainsliesopen

totheattacksofforeignnations,andcanonlybygreat

sacrifices,andinanycaseonlyveryimperfectly,establishand

maintainaseparatetariffsystemofitsown。

Territorialdeficienciesofthenationcanberemediedeither

bymeansofhereditarysuccession,asinthecaseofEnglandand

Scotland;orbypurchase,asinthecaseofFloridaandLouisiana;

orbyconquests,asinthecaseofGreatBritainandIreland。

Inmoderntimesafourthmeanshasbeenadopted,whichleadsto

thisobjectinamannermuchmoreinaccordancewithjusticeand

withtheprosperityofnationsthanconquest,andwhichisnotso

dependentonaccidentsashereditarysuccession,namely,theunion

oftheinterestsofvariousStatesbymeansoffreeconventions。

ByitsZollverein,theGermannationfirstobtainedoneofthe

mostimportantattributesofitsnationality。Butthismeasure

cannotbeconsideredcompletesolongasitdoesnotextendover

thewholecoast,fromthemouthoftheRhinetothefrontierof

Poland,includingHollandandDenmark。Anaturalconsequenceof

thisunionmustbetheadmissionofboththesecountriesintothe

GermanBund,andconsequentlyintotheGermannationality,whereby

thelatterwillatonceobtainwhatitisnowinneedof,namely,

fisheriesandnavalpower,maritimecommerceandcolonies。Besides,

boththesenationsbelong,asrespectstheirdescentandwhole

character,totheGermannationality。Theburdenofdebtwithwhich

theyareoppressedismerelyaconsequenceoftheirunnatural

endeavourstomaintainthemselvesasindependentnationalities,and

itisinthenatureofthingsthatthisevilshouldrisetoapoint

whenitwillbecomeintolerabletothosetwonationsthemselves,

andwhenincorporationwithalargernationalitymustseem

desirableandnecessarytothem。

Belgiumcanonlyremedybymeansofconfederationwitha

neighbouringlargernationherneedswhichareinseparablefromher

restrictedterritoryandpopulation。TheUnitedStatesandCanada,

themoretheirpopulationincreases,andthemoretheprotective

systemoftheUnitedStatesisdeveloped,somuchthemorewill

theyfeelthemselvesdrawntowardsoneanother,andthelesswill

itbepossibleforEnglandtopreventaunionbetweenthem。

Asrespectstheireconomy,nationshavetopassthroughthe

followingstagesofdevelopment:originalbarbarism,pastoral

condition,agriculturalcondition,agricultural-manufacturing

condition,andagricultural-manufacturing-commercialcondition。

Theindustrialhistoryofnations,andofnonemoreclearly

thanthatofEngland,provesthatthetransitionfromthesavage

statetothepastoralone,fromthepastoraltotheagricultural,

andfromagriculturetothefirstbeginningsinmanufactureand

navigation,iseffectedmostspeedilyandadvantageouslybymeans

offreecommercewithfurtheradvancedtownsandcountries,but

thataperfectlydevelopedmanufacturingindustry,animportant

mercantilemarine,andforeigntradeonareallylargescale,can

onlybeattainedbymeansoftheinterpositionofthepowerofthe

State。

Thelessanynation\'sagriculturehasbeenperfected,andthe

moreitsforeigntradeisinwantofopportunitiesofexchanging

theexcessofnativeagriculturalproductsandrawmaterialsfor

foreignmanufacturedgoods,thedeeperthatthenationisstill

sunkinbarbarismandfittedonlyforanabsolutemonarchicalform

ofgovernmentandlegislation,themorewillfreetrade(i。e。the

exportationofagriculturalproductsandtheimportationof

manufacturedgoods)promoteitsprosperityandcivilisation。

Ontheotherhand,themorethattheagricultureofanation,

itsindustries,anditssocial,political,andmunicipal

conditions,arethoroughlydeveloped,thelessadvantagewillitbe

abletoderivefortheimprovementofitssocialconditions,from

theexchangeofnativeagriculturalproductsandrawmaterialsfor

foreignmanufacturedgoods,andthegreaterdisadvantageswillit

experiencefromthesuccessfulcompetitionofaforeign

manufacturingpowersuperiortoitsown。

Solelyinnationsofthelatterkind,namely,thosewhich

possessallthenecessarymentalandmaterialconditionsandmeans

forestablishingamanufacturingpoweroftheirown,andofthereby

attainingthehighestdegreeofcivilisation,anddevelopmentof

materialprosperityandpoliticalpower,butwhichareretardedin

theirprogressbythecompetitionofaforeignmanufacturingpower

whichisalreadyfartheradvancedthantheirown——onlyinsuch

nationsarecommercialrestrictionsjustifiableforthepurposeof

establishingandprotectingtheirownmanufacturingpower;andeven

inthemitisjustifiableonlyuntilthatmanufacturingpoweris

strongenoughnolongertohaveanyreasontofearforeign

competition,andthenceforthonlysofarasmaybenecessaryfor

protectingtheinlandmanufacturingpowerinitsveryroots。

Thesystemofprotectionwouldnotmerelybecontrarytothe

principlesofcosmopoliticaleconomy,butalsototherightly

understoodadvantageofthenationitself,wereittoexclude

foreigncompetitionatonceandaltogether,andthusisolatefrom

othernationsthenationwhichisthusprotected。Ifthe

manufacturingpowertobeprotectedbestillinthefirstperiodof

itsdevelopment,theprotectivedutiesmustbeverymoderate,they

mustonlyrisegraduallywiththeincreaseofthementaland

materialcapital,ofthetechnicalabilitiesandspiritof

enterpriseofthenation。Neitherisitatallnecessarythatall

branchesofindustryshouldbeprotectedinthesamedegree。Only

themostimportantbranchesrequirespecialprotection,forthe

workingofwhichmuchoutlayofcapitalinbuildingandmanagement,

muchmachinery,andthereforemuchtechnicalknowledge,skill,and

experience,andmanyworkmenarerequired,andwhoseproducts

belongtothecategoryofthefirstnecessariesoflife,and

consequentlyareofthegreatestimportanceasregardstheirtotal

valueaswellasregardsnationalindependence(as,forexample,

cotton,woollenandlinenmanufactories,&c。)。Ifthesemain

branchesaresuitablyprotectedanddeveloped,allotherless

importantbranchesofmanufacturewillriseuparoundthemundera

lessdegreeofprotection。Itwillbetotheadvantageofnations

inwhichwagesarehigh,andwhosepopulationisnotyetgreatin

proportiontotheextentoftheirterritory,e。g。intheUnited

StatesofNorthAmerica,togivelessprotectiontomanufacturesin

whichmachinerydoesnotplayanimportantpart,thantothosein

whichmachinerydoesthegreaterpartofthework,providingthat

thosenationswhichsupplythemwithsimilargoodsallowinreturn

freeimportationtotheiragriculturalproducts。

Thepopularschoolbetraysanuttermisconceptionofthenature

ofnationaleconomicalconditionsifitbelievesthatsuchnations

canpromoteandfurthertheircivilisation,theirprosperity,and

especiallytheirsocialprogress,equallywellbytheexchangeof

agriculturalproductsformanufacturedgoods,asbyestablishinga

manufacturingpoweroftheirown。Amereagriculturalnationcan

neverdeveloptoanyconsiderableextentitshomeandforeign

commerce,itsinlandmeansoftransport,anditsforeign

navigation,increaseitspopulationindueproportiontotheir

wellbeing,ormakenotableprogressinitsmoral,intellectual,

social,andpoliticaldevelopment:itwillneveracquireimportant

politicalpower,orbeplacedinapositiontoinfluencethe

cultivationandprogressoflessadvancednationsandtoform

coloniesofitsown。AmereagriculturalStateisaninfinitely

lessperfectinstitutionthananagriculturalmanufacturingState。

Theformerisalwaysmoreorlesseconomicallyandpolitically

dependentonthoseforeignnationswhichtakefromitagricultural

productsinexchangeformanufacturedgoods。Itcannotdetermine

foritselfhowmuchitwillproduce;itmustwaitandseehowmuch

otherswillbuyfromit。Theselatter,onthecontrary(the

agricultural-manufacturingStates),produceforthemselveslarge

quantitiesofrawmaterialsandprovisions,andsupplymerelythe

deficiencybyimportationfromthepurelyagriculturalnations。The

purelyagriculturalnationsarethusinthefirstplacedependent

fortheirpowerofeffectingsalesonthechancesofamoreorless

plentifulharvestintheagricultural-manufacturingnations;inthe

nextplacetheyhavetocompeteinthesesaleswithotherpurely

agriculturalnations,wherebytheirpowerofsale,initselfvery

uncertain,thusbecomesstillmoreuncertain。Lastly,theyare

exposedtothedangerofbeingtotallyruinedintheirtradingwith

foreignmanufacturingnationsbywars,ornewforeigntariff

regulationswherebytheysufferthedoubledisadvantageoffinding

nobuyersfortheirsurplusagriculturalproducts,andoffailing

toobtainsuppliesofthemanufacturedgoodswhichtheyrequire。An

agriculturalnationis,aswehavealreadystated,anindividual

withonearm,whomakesuseofaforeignarm,butwhocannotmake

sureoftheuseofitinallcases;anagricultural-manufacturing

nationisanindividualwhohastwoarmsofhisownalwaysathis

disposal。

Itisafundamentalerroroftheschoolwhenitrepresentsthe

systemofprotectionasameredeviceofspeculativepoliticians

whichiscontrarytonature。Historyistheretoprovethat

protectiveregulationsoriginatedeitherinthenaturaleffortsof

nationstoattaintoprosperity,independence,andpower,orin

consequenceofwarsandofthehostilecommerciallegislationof

predominatingmanufacturingnations。

Theideaofindependenceandpoweroriginatesintheveryidea

of\'thenation。\'Theschoolnevertakesthisintoconsideration,

becauseitdoesnotmaketheeconomyoftheseparatenation,but

theeconomyofsocietygenerally,i。e。ofthewholehumanrace,the

objectofitsinvestigations。Ifweimagine,forinstance,thatall

nationswereunitedbymeansofauniversalconfederation,their

individualindependenceandpowerwouldceasetobeanobjectof

regard。Thesecurityfortheindependenceofeverynationwouldin

suchacaserestonthelegalprovisionsoftheuniversalsociety,

justase。g。thesecurityoftheindependenceofthestatesof

RhodeIslandandDelawareliesintheunionofallthefreestates

constitutingtheAmericanUnion。Sincethefirstfoundationofthat

Unionithasneveryetoccurredtoanyofthesesmallerstatesto

carefortheenlargementofitsownpoliticalpower,ortoconsider

itsindependencelesssecuredthanisthatofthelargeststatesof

theUnion。

Inproportion,however,astheprincipleofauniversal

confederationofnationsisreasonable,injustthesamedegree

wouldagivennationactcontrarytoreasonif,inanticipationof

thegreatadvantagestobeexpectedfromsuchaunion,andfroma

stateofuniversalandperpetualpeace,itweretoregulatethe

principlesofitsnationalpolicyasthoughthisuniversal

confederationofnationsexistedalready。Weask,wouldnotevery

sanepersonconsideragovernmenttobeinsanewhich,in

considerationofthebenefitsandthereasonablenessofastateof

universalandperpetualpeace,proposedtodisbanditsarmies,

destroyitsfleet,anddemolishitsfortresses?Butsucha

governmentwouldbedoingnothingdifferentinprinciplefromwhat

thepopularschoolrequiresfromgovernmentswhen,becauseofthe

advantageswhichwouldbederivablefromgeneralfreetrade,it

urgesthattheyshouldabandontheadvantagesderivablefrom

protection。

Warhasaruinouseffectonthereciprocalcommercialrelations

betweennationandnation。Theagriculturistlivinginonecountry

isbyitforciblyseparatedfromthemanufacturerlivinginanother

country。While,however,themanufacturer(especiallyifhebelongs

toanationpowerfulatsea,andcarryingonextensivecommerce)

readilyfindscompensationfromtheagriculturistsofhisown

country,orfromthoseofotheraccessibleagriculturalcountries,

theinhabitantofthepurelyagriculturalcountrysuffersdoubly

throughthisinterruptionofintercourse。

Themarketforhisagriculturalproductswillfailhim

entirely,andhewillconsequentlylosethemeansofpayingfor

thosemanufacturedgoodswhichhavebecomenecessariestohimowing

topreviouslyexistingtrade;hispowerbothofproductionand

consumptionwillbediminished。

If,however,oneagriculturalnationwhoseproductionand

consumptionarethusdiminishedbywarhasalreadymade

considerableadvancesinpopulation,civilisation,andagriculture,

manufacturesandfactorieswillspringupinitinconsequenceof

theinterruptionofinternationalcommercebywar。Waractsonit

likeaprohibitivetariffsystem。Ittherebybecomesacquainted

withthegreatadvantagesofamanufacturingpowerofitsown,it

becomesconvincedbypracticalexperiencethatithasgainedmore

thanithaslostbythecommercialinterruptionswhichwarhas

occasioned。Theconvictiongainsgroundinit,thatitiscalledto

passfromtheconditionofamereagriculturalStatetothe

conditionofanagricultural-manufacturingState,andin

consequenceofthistransition,toattaintothehighestdegreeof

prosperity,Civilisation,andpower。Butifaftersuchanationhas

alreadymadeconsiderableprogressinthemanufacturingcareer

whichwasopenedtoitbywar,peaceisagainestablished,and

shouldbothnationsthencontemplatetheresumptionoftheir

previouslyexistingcommercialintercourse,theywillbothfind

thatduringthewarnewinterestshavebeenformed,whichwouldbe

destroyedbyre-establishingtheformercommercialinterchange。(1*)

Theformeragriculturalnationwillfeel,thatinordertoresume

thesaleofitsagriculturalproductstotheforeigner,itwould

havetosacrificeitsownmanufacturingindustrywhichhasinthe

meanwhilebeencreated;themanufacturingnationwillfeelthata

portionofitshomeagriculturalproduction,whichhasbeenformed

duringthewar,wouldagainbedestroyedbyfreeimportation。Both,

therefore,trytoprotecttheseinterestsbymeansofimposing

dutiesonimports。Thisisthehistoryofcommercialpolitics

duringthelastfiftyyears。

Itiswarthathascalledintoexistencethemorerecent

systemsofprotection;andwedonothesitatetoassert,thatit

wouldhavebeentotheinterestofthemanufacturingnationsofthe

secondandthirdranktoretainaprotectivepolicyandfurther

developit,evenifEnglandaftertheconclusionofpeacehadnot

committedthemonstrousmistakeofimposingrestrictionsonthe

importationofnecessariesoflifeandofrawmaterials,and

consequentlyofallowingthemotiveswhichhadledtothesystemof

protectioninthetimeofthewar,tocontinueduringpeace。Asan

uncivilisednation,havingabarbaroussystemofagriculture,can

makeprogressonlybycommercewithcivilisedmanufacturing

nations,soafterithasattainedtoacertaindegreeofculture,

innootherwaycanitreachthehighestgradeofprosperity,

civilisation,andpower,thanbypossessingamanufacturing

industryofitsown。Awarwhichleadstothechangeofthepurely

agriculturalStateintoanagricultural-manufacturingStateis

thereforeablessingtoanation,justastheWarofIndependence

oftheUnitedStatesofNorthAmerica,inspiteoftheenormous

sacrificeswhichitrequired,hasbecomeablessingtoallfuture

generations。Butapeacewhichthrowsbackintoapurely

agriculturalconditionanationwhichisfittedtodevelopa

manufacturingpowerofitsown,becomesacursetoit,andis

incomparablymoreinjurioustoitthanawar。

Itisfortunateforthemanufacturingpowersofthesecondand

thirdrank,thatEnglandaftertherestorationofthegeneralpeace

hasherselfimposedalimittohermaintendency(ofmonopolising

themanufacturingmarketofthewholeearth),byimposing

restrictionsontheimportationofforeignmeansofsubsistenceand

rawmaterials。CertainlytheEnglishagriculturists,whohad

enjoyedamonopolyofsupplyingtheEnglishmarketwithproducts

duringthewar,wouldofcoursehavepainfullyfelttheforeign

competition,butthatonlyatfirst;atalaterperiod(aswewill

showmoreparticularlyelsewhere),theselosseswouldhavebeen

madeuptothemtenfoldbythefactthatEnglandhadobtaineda

monopolyofmanufacturingforthewholeworld。Butitwouldhave

beenstillmoreinjudiciousifthemanufacturingnationsofthe

secondandthirdrank,aftertheirownmanufacturingpowerhadjust

beencalledintoexistence,inconsequenceofwarslastingfor

twenty-fiveyears,andafter(inconsequenceoftwenty-fiveyears\'

exclusionoftheiragriculturalproductsfromtheEnglishmarket)

thatpowerhasbeenstrengthenedsofarthatpossiblyitonly

requiredanothertenorfifteenyearsofstrictprotectioninorder

tosustainsuccessfullyfreecompetitionwithEnglishmanufactures——

if(wesay)thesenations,afterhavingenduredthesacrifices

ofhalfacentury,weretogiveuptheimmenseadvantagesof

possessingamanufacturingpoweroftheirown,andweretodescend

oncemorefromthehighstateofculture,prosperity,and

independence,whichispeculiartoagricultural-manufacturing

countries,tothelowpositionofdependentagriculturalnations,

merelybecauseitnowpleasestheEnglishnationtoperceiveits

errorandthecloselyimpendingadvancesoftheContinentalnations

whichenterintocompetitionwithit。

SupposingalsothatthemanufacturinginterestofEngland

shouldobtainsufficientinfluencetoforcetheHouseofLords,

whichchieflyconsistsoflargelandedproprietors,andtheHouse

ofCommons,composedmostlyofcountrysquires,tomakeconcessions

inrespectoftheimportationofagriculturalproducts,whowould

guaranteethatafteralapseofafewyearsanewToryministry

wouldnotunderdifferentcircumstancesagainpassanewCornLaw?

WhocanguaranteethatanewnavalwaroranewContinentalsystem

maynotseparatetheagriculturistsoftheContinentfromthe

manufacturersoftheislandkingdom,andcompeltheContinental

nationstorecommencetheirmanufacturingcareer,andtospend

theirbestenergiesinovercomingitsprimarydifficulties,merely

inorder,atalaterperiodtosacrificeeverythingagainatthe

conclusionofpeace。

InthismannertheschoolwouldcondemntheContinentalnations

forevertoberollingthestoneofSisyphus,forevertoerect

manufactoriesintimeofwarinordertoallowthemtofalltoruin

intimeofpeace。

Toresultssoabsurdasthesetheschoolcouldneverhave

arrivedhaditnot(inspiteofthenamewhichitgivestothe

sciencewhichitprofesses)completelyexcludedpoliticsfromthat

science,haditnotcompletelyignoredtheveryexistenceof

nationality,andleftentirelyoutofconsiderationtheeffectsof

waronthecommercialintercoursebetweenseparatenations。

Howutterlydifferentistherelationoftheagriculturistto

themanufacturerifbothliveinoneandthesamecountry,andare

consequentlyreallyconnectedwithoneanotherbyperpetualpeace。

Underthosecircumstances,everyextensionorimprovementofan

alreadyexistingmanufactoryincreasesthedemandforagricultural

products。Thisdemandisnouncertainone;itisnotdependenton

foreigncommercialregulationsorforeigncommercialfluctuations,

onforeignpoliticalcommotionsorwars,onforeigninventionsand

improvements,oronforeignharvests;thenativeagriculturisthas

nottoshareitwithothernations,itiscertaintohimevery

year。Howeverthecropsofothernationsmayturnout,whatever

misunderstandingsmayspringupinthepoliticalworld,hecan

dependonthesaleofhisownproduce,andonobtainingthe

manufacturedgoodswhichheneedsatsuitableandregularprices。

Ontheotherhand,everyimprovementofthenativeagriculture,

everynewmethodofculture,actsasastimulantonthenative

manufacture,becauseeveryaugmentationofnativeagricultural

productionmustresultinaproportionateaugmentationofnative

manufacturingproduction。Thus,bymeansofthisreciprocalaction,

progressisinsuredforalltimetoboththesemainsourcesofthe

nation\'sstrengthandsupport。

Politicalpowernotmerelysecurestothenationtheincrease

ofitsprosperitybyforeigncommerceandbycoloniesabroad,it

alsosecurestoitthepossessionofinternalprosperity,and

securestoititsownexistence,whichisfarmoreimportanttoit

thanmerematerialwealth。Englandhasobtainedpoliticalpowerby

meansofhernavigationlaws;andbymeansofpoliticalpowershe

hasbeenplacedinapositiontoextendhermanufacturingpower

overothernations。Poland,however,wasstruckoutofthelistof

nationsbecauseshedidnotpossessavigorousmiddleclass,which

couldonlyhavebeencalledintoexistencebytheestablishmentof

aninternalmanufacturingpower。

Theschoolcannotdenythattheinternalmarketofanationis

tentimesmoreimportanttoitthanitsexternalone,evenwhere

thelatterisinthemostflourishingcondition;butithasomitted

todrawfromthistheconclusion,whichisveryobvious,thatitis

tentimesmoreimportanttocultivateandsecurethehomemarket,

thantoseekforwealthabroad,andthatonlyinthosenations

whichhavedevelopedtheirinternalindustrytoahighdegreecan

foreigncommerceattainimportance。

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