EventhoughignoringtheoppositeopinionofGermanwritersonjurisprudence,andevenwithoutananalysiswhichprovestheirownopiniontobeuntenable,Bentham’sdisciplesmighthavebeenledtotreatlesscavalierlythedoctrineofnaturalrights。Forsundrygroupsofsocialphenomenaunitetoprovethatthisdoctrineiswellwarranted,andthedoctrinetheysetagainstitunwarranted。
  Tribesinvariouspartsoftheworldshowusthatbeforedefinitegovernmentarises,conductisregulatedbycustoms。TheBechuanasarecontrolledby"long—acknowledgedcustoms。"(11*)
  AmongtheKorannaHottentots,whoonly"toleratetheirchiefsratherthanobeythem,"(12*)"whenancientusagesarenotintheway,everymanseemstoactasisrightinhisowneyes。"(13*)
  TheAraucaniansareguidedby"nothingmorethanprimordialusagesortacitconventions。"(14*)AmongtheKirghizesthejudgmentsoftheeldersarebasedon"universallyrecognizedcustoms。"(15*)So,too,oftheDyaks,RajahBrooketellsusthat"customseemssimplytohavebecomethelaw;andbreakingcustomleadstoafine。"(16*)Sosacredarememorialcustomswiththeprimitiveman,thatheneverdreamsofquestioningtheirauthority;andwhengovernmentarises,itspowerislimitedbythem。InMadagascartheking’swordsufficesonly"wherethereisnolaw,custom,orprecedent。"(17*)RafflestellsusthatinJava"thecustomsofthecountry"(18*)restrainthewilloftheruler。
  InSumatra,too,thepeopledonotallowtheirchiefsto"altertheirancientusages。"(19*)Nay,occasionally,asinAshantee,"theattempttochangesomecustoms"hascausedaking’sdethronement。"(20*)Now,amongthecustomswhichwethusfindtobepre—governmental,andwhichsubordinategovernmentalpowerwhenitisestablished,arethosewhichrecognizecertainindividualrights——rightstoactincertainwaysandpossesscertainthings。Evenwheretherecognitionofpropertyisleastdeveloped,thereisproprietorshipofweapons,tools,andpersonalornaments;and,generally,therecognitiongoesfarbeyondthis。AmongsuchNorth—AmericanIndiansastheSnakes,whoarewithoutgovernment,thereisprivateownershipofhorses。BytheChippewayans,"whohavenoregulargovernment,"gametakeninprivatetraps"isconsideredasprivateproperty。"(21*)Kindredfactsconcerninghuts,utensils,andotherpersonalbelongings,mightbebroughtinevidencefromaccountsoftheAhts,theComanches,theEsquimaux,andtheBrazilianIndians。Amongvariousuncivilizedpeoples,customhasestablishedtheclaimtothecropgrownonaclearedplotofground,thoughnottothegrounditself;andtheTodas,whoarewhollywithoutpoliticalorganization,makealikedistinctionbetweenownershipofcattleandofland。Kolff’sstatementrespecting"thepeacefulArafuras"
  wellsumsuptheevidence。They"recognizetherightofproperty,inthefullestsenseoftheword,withouttherebeingany[other]
  authorityamongthemthanthedecisionsoftheirelders,accordingtothecustomsoftheirforefathers。"(22*)Butevenwithoutseekingproofsamongtheuncivilized,sufficientproofsarefurnishedbyearlystagesofthecivilized。Benthamandhisfollowersseemtohaveforgottenthatourowncommonlawismainlyanembodimentof"thecustomsoftherealm。"Itdidbutgivedefiniteshapetothatwhichitfoundexisting。Thus,thefactandthefictionareexactlyoppositetowhattheyallege。
  Thefactisthatpropertywaswellrecognizedbeforelawexisted;
  thefictionisthat"propertyisthecreationoflaw。"
  Considerationsofanotherclassmightalonehaveledthemtopausehadtheydulyconsideredtheirmeanings。Wereittrue,asallegedbyBentham,thatGovernmentfulfilsitsoffice"bycreatingrightswhichitconfersonindividuals;"then,theimplicationwouldbe,thatthereshouldbenothingapproachingtouniformityintherightsconferredbydifferentgovernments。Intheabsenceofadeterminingcauseover—rulingtheirdecisions,theprobabilitieswouldbemanytooneagainstconsiderablecorrespondenceamongtheirdecisions。Butthereisverygreatcorrespondence。Lookwherewemay,wefindthatgovernmentsinterdictthesamekindsofaggressions;and,byimplication,recognizethesamekindsofclaims。Theyhabituallyforbidhomicide,theft,adultery:thusassertingthatcitizensmaynotbetrespassedagainstincertainways。Andassocietyadvances,minorindividualclaimsareprotectedbygivingremediesforbreachofcontract,libel,falsewitness,etc。Inaword,comparisonsshowthatthoughcodesoflawdifferintheirdetailsastheybecomeelaborated,theyagreeintheirfundamentals。Whatdoesthisprove?Itcannotbebychancethattheythusagree。
  Theyagreebecausetheallegedcreatingofrightswasnothingelsethangivingformalsanctionandbetterdefinitiontothoseassertionsofclaimsandrecognitionsofclaimswhichnaturallyoriginatefromtheindividualdesiresofmenwhohavetoliveinpresenceofoneanother。
  ComparativeSociologydisclosesanothergroupoffactshavingthesameimplication。AlongwithsocialprogressitbecomesinanincreasingdegreethebusinessoftheState,notonlytogiveformalsanctiontomen’srights,butalsotodefendthemagainstaggressors。Beforepermanentgovernmentexists,andinmanycasesafteritisconsiderablydeveloped,therightsofeachindividualareassertedandmaintainedbyhimself,orbyhisfamily。Alikeamongsavagetribesatpresent,amongcivilizedpeoplesinthepast,andevennowinunsettledpartsofEurope,thepunishmentformurderisamatterofprivateconcern:"thesacreddutyofbloodrevenge"devolvesonsomeoneofaclusterofrelatives。
  Similarly,compensationsforaggressionsonpropertyandforinjuriesofotherkinds,areinearlystatesofsocietyindependentlysoughtbyeachmanorfamily。Butassocialorganizationadvances,thecentralrulingpowerundertakesmoreandmoretosecuretoindividualstheirpersonalsafety,thesafetyoftheirpossessions,and,tosomeextent,theenforcementoftheirclaimsestablishedbycontract。Originallyconcernedalmostexclusivelywithdefenceofthesocietyasawholeagainstothersocieties,orwithconductingitsattackonothersocieties,Governmenthascomemoreandmoretodischargethefunctionofdefendingindividualsagainstoneanother。Itneedsbuttorecallthedayswhenmenhabituallycarriedweapons,ortobearinmindthegreatersafetytopersonandpropertyachievedbyimprovedpolice—administrationduringourowntime,ortonotetheincreasedfacilitiesnowgivenforrecoveringsmalldebts,toseethattheinsuringtoeachindividualtheunhinderedpursuitoftheobjectsoflife,withinlimitssetbyothers’likepursuits,ismoreandmorerecognizedasadutyoftheState。Inotherwords,alongwithsocialprogress,theregoesnotonlyafullerrecognitionofthesewhichwecallnaturalrights,butalsoabetterenforcementofthembyGovernment:Governmentbecomesmoreandmoretheservanttotheseessentialpre—requisitesforindividualwelfare。
  Analliedandstillmoresignificantchangehasaccompaniedthis。Inearlystages,atthesametimethattheStatefailedtoprotecttheindividualagainstaggression,itwasitselfanaggressorinmultitudinousways。Thoseancientsocietieswhichprogressedenoughtoleaverecords,havingallbeenconqueringsocieties,showuseverywherethetraitsofthemilitantregime。
  As,fortheeffectualorganizationoffightingbodies,thesoldiers,absolutelyobedient,mustactindependentlyonlywhencommandedtodoit;so,fortheeffectualorganizationoffightingsocieties,citizensmusthavetheirindividualitiessubordinated。Privateclaimsareover—riddenbypublicclaims;
  andthesubjectlosesmuchofhisfreedomofaction。Oneresultisthatthesystemofregimentation,pervadingthesocietyaswellasthearmy,causesdetailedregulationofconduct。Thedictatesoftheruler,sanctifiedbyascriptionofthemtohisdivineancestor,areunrestrainedbyanyconceptionofindividualliberty;andtheyspecifymen’sactionstoanunlimitedextent——
  downtokindsoffoodeaten,modesofpreparingthem,shapingofbeards,fringingofdresses,sowingofgrain,etc。Thisomnipresentcontrol,whichtheancientEasternnationsingeneralexhibited,wasexhibitedalsoinlargemeasurebytheGreeks;andwascarriedtoitsgreatestpitchinthemostmilitantcity,Sparta。SimilarlyduringmedievaldaysthroughoutEurope,characterizedbychronicwarfarewithitsappropriatepoliticalformsandideas,therewerescarcelyanyboundstoGovernmentalinterference:agriculture,manufactures,trade,wereregulatedindetail;religiousbeliefsandobservanceswereimposed;andrulerssaidbywhomalonefursmightbeworn,silverused,booksissued,pigeonskept,etc。etc。Butalongwithincreaseofindustrialactivities,andimpliedsubstitutionoftheregimeofcontractfortheregimeofstatus,andgrowthofassociatedsentiments,therewent(untiltherecentreactionaccompanyingreversiontomilitantactivity)adecreaseofmeddlingwithpeople’sdoings。Legislationgraduallyceasedtoregulatethecroppingoffields,ordictatetheratioofcattletoacreage,orspecifymodesofmanufactureandmaterialstobeused,orfixwagesandprices,orinterferewithdressesandgames(exceptwheretherewasgambling),orputbountiesandpenaltiesonimportsorexports,orprescribemen’sbeliefs,religiousorpolitical,orpreventthemfromcombiningastheypleased,ortravellingwheretheyliked。Thatistosay,throughoutalargerangeofconduct,therightofthecitizentouncontrolledactionhasbeenmadegoodagainstthepretensionsoftheStatetocontrolhim。Whiletherulingagencyhasincreasinglyhelpedhimtoexcludeintrudersfromthatprivatesphereinwhichhepursuestheobjectsoflife,ithasitselfretreatedfromthatsphere;
  or,inotherwords——decreaseditsintrusions。
  Notevenyethavewenotedalltheclassesoffactswhichtellthesamestory。Itistoldafreshintheimprovementsandreformsoflawitself;aswellasintheadmissionsandassertionsofthosewhohaveeffectedthem。"Soearlyasthefifteenthcentury,"saysProfessorPollock,"wefindacommon—lawjudgedeclaringthat,asinacaseunprovidedforbyknownrulestheciviliansandcanonistsdeviseanewruleaccordingto’thelawofnaturewhichisthegroundofalllaws,’theCourtsofWestminstercanandwilldothelike。"(23*)Again,oursystemofEquity,introducedanddevelopedasitwastomakeupfortheshortcomingsofCommon—law,orrectifyitsinequities,proceededthroughoutonarecognitionofmen’sclaimsconsideredasexistingapartfromlegalwarrant。Andthechangesoflawnowfromtimetotimemadeafterresistance,aresimilarlymadeinpursuanceofcurrentideasconcerningtherequirementsofjustice:ideaswhich,insteadofbeingderivedfromthelaw,areopposedtothelaw。Forexample,thatrecentActwhichgivestoamarriedwomanarightofpropertyinherownearnings,evidentlyoriginatedintheconsciousnessthatthenaturalconnexionbetweenlabourexpendedandbenefitenjoyed,isonewhichshouldbemaintainedinallcases。Thereformedlawdidnotcreatetheright,butrecognitionoftherightcreatedthereformedlaw。
  Thus,historicalevidencesoffivedifferentkindsuniteinteachingthat,confusedasarethepopularnotionsconcerningrights,andincluding,astheydo,agreatdealwhichshouldbeexcluded,yettheyshadowforthatruth。
  Itremainsnowtoconsidertheoriginalsourceofthistruth。
  InapreviouspaperIhavespokenoftheopensecret,thattherecanbenosocialphenomenabutwhat,ifweanalysethemtothebottom,bringusdowntothelawsoflife;andthattherecanbenotrueunderstandingofthemwithoutreferencetothelawsoflife。Letus,then,transferthisquestionofnaturalrightsfromthecourtofpoliticstothecourtofscience——thescienceoflife。Thereaderneedfeelnoalarm:itssimplestandmostobviousfactswillsuffice。Wewillcontemplatefirstthegeneralconditionstoindividuallife;andthenthegeneralconditionstosociallife。Weshallfindthatbothyieldthesameverdict。
  Animallifeinvolveswaste;wastemustbemetbyrepair;repairimpliesnutrition。Again,nutritionpresupposesobtainmentoffood;foodcannotbegotwithoutpowersofprehension,and,usually,oflocomotion;andthatthesepowersmayachievetheirends,theremustbefreedomtomoveabout。Ifyoushutupamammalinasmallspace,ortieitslimbstogether,ortakefromitthefoodithasprocured,youeventually,bypersistenceinoneorotherofthesecourses,causeitsdeath。Passingacertainpoint,hindrancetothefulfilmentoftheserequirementsisfatal。Andallthis,whichholdsofthehigheranimalsatlarge,ofcourseholdsofman。
  Ifweadoptpessimismasacreed,andwithitaccepttheimplicationthatlifeingeneralbeinganevilshouldbeputanendto,thenthereisnoethicalwarrantfortheseactionsbywhichlifeismaintained:thewholequestiondrops。Butifweadopteithertheoptimistvieworthemelioristview——ifwesaythatlifeonthewholebringsmorepleasurethanpain;orthatitisonthewaytobecomesuchthatitwillyieldmorepleasurethanpain;thentheseactionsbywhichlifeismaintainedarejustified,andthereresultsawarrantforthefreedomtoperformthem。Thosewhoholdthatlifeisvaluable,hold,byimplication,thatmenoughtnottobepreventedfromcaringonlife—sustainingactivities。Inotherwords,ifitissaidtobe"right"thattheyshouldcarrythemon,then,bypermutation,wegettheassertionthatthey"havearight"tocarrythemon。Clearlytheconceptionof"naturalrights"originatesinrecognitionofthetruththatiflifeisjustifiable,theremustbeajustificationfortheperformanceofactsessentialtoitspreservation;and,therefore,ajustificationforthoselibertiesandclaimswhichmakesuchactspossible。
  Butbeingtrueofothercreaturesasofman,thisisapropositionlackingethicalcharacter。Ethicalcharacterarisesonlywiththedistinctionbetweenwhattheindividualmaydoincaringonhislife—sustainingactivities,andwhathemaynotdo。
  Thisdistinctionobviouslyresultsfromthepresenceofhisfellows。Amongthosewhoareincloseproximity,orevenatsomedistanceapart,thedoingsofeachareapttointerferewiththedoingsofothers;andintheabsenceofproofthatsomemaydowhattheywillwithoutlimit,whileothersmaynot,mutuallimitationisnecessitated。Thenon—ethicalformoftherighttopursueends,passesintotheethicalform,whenthereisrecognizedthedifferencebetweenactswhichcanbeperformedwithouttransgressingthelimits,andotherswhichcannotbesoperformed。
  This,whichistheaprioriconclusion,istheconclusionyieldedaposteriori,whenwestudythedoingsoftheuncivilized。Initsvaguestform,mutuallimitationofspheresofaction,andtheideasandsentimentsassociatedwithit,areseenintherelationsofgroupstooneanother。Habituallytherecometobeestablished,certainboundstotheterritorieswithinwhicheachtribeobtainsitslivelihood;andthesebounds,whennotrespected,aredefended。AmongtheWood—Veddahs,whohavenopoliticalorganization,thesmallclanshavetheirrespectiveportionsofforest;and"theseconventionalallotmentsarealwayshonourablyrecognized。"(24*)OftheungovernedtribesofTasmania,wearetoldthat"theirhuntinggroundswerealldetermined,andtrespasserswereliabletoattack。"(25*)And,manifestly,thequarrelscausedamongtribesbyintrusionsononeanother’sterritories,tend,inthelongrun,tofixboundsandtogiveacertainsanctiontothem。Aswitheachinhabitedarea,sowitheachinhabitinggroup。Adeathinone,rightlyorwronglyascribedtosomebodyinanother,prompts"thesacreddutyofblood—revenge;"andthoughretaliationsarethusmadechronic,somerestraintisputonnewaggressions。Likecausesworkedlikeeffectsinthoseearlystagesofcivilizedsocieties,duringwhichfamiliesorclans,ratherthanindividuals,werethepoliticalunits;andduringwhicheachfamilyorclanhadtomaintainitselfanditspossessionsagainstotherssuch。Thismutualrestraint,whichinthenatureofthingsarisesbetweensmallcommunities,similarlyarisesbetweenindividualsineachcommunity;andtheideasandusagesappropriatetotheonearemoreorlessappropriatetotheother。Thoughwithineachgroupthereiseveratendencyforthestrongertoaggressontheweaker;yet,inmostcases,consciousnessoftheevilsresultingfromaggressiveconductservestorestrain。Everywhereamongprimitivepeoples,trespassesarefollowedbycounter—trespasses。
  SaysTurneroftheTannese,"adulteryandsomeothercrimesarekeptincheckbythefearofclub—law。"(26*)FitzroytellsusthatthePatagonian,"ifhedoesnotinjureoroffendhisneighbour,isnotinterferedwithbyothers:"(27*)personalvengeancebeingthepenaltyforinjury。WereadoftheUaupesthat"theyhaveverylittlelawofanykind;butwhattheyhaveisofstrictretaliation,aneyeforaneyeandatoothforatooth。"(28*)Andthatthelextalionistendstoestablishadistinctionbetweenwhateachmemberofthecommunitymaysafelydoandwhathemaynotsafelydo,andconsequentlytogivesanctionstoactionswithinacertainrangebutnotbeyondthatrange,isobvious。Though,saysSchoolcraftoftheChippewayans,they"havenoregulargovernment,aseverymanislordinhisownfamily,theyareinfluencedmoreorlessbycertainprincipleswhichconducetotheirgeneralbenefit:"(29*)oneoftheprinciplesnamedbeingrecognitionofprivateproperty。
  Howmutuallimitationofactivitiesoriginatestheideasandsentimentsimpliedbythephrase"naturalrights,"weareshownmostdistinctlybythefewpeacefultribeswhichhaveeithernominalgovernmentsornoneatall。Beyondthosefactswhichillustratescrupulousregardforoneanother’sclaimsamongtheTodas,Santals,Lepchas,Bodo,Chakmas,Jakuns,Arafuras,etc。,wehavethefactthattheutterlyuncivilizedWood—Veddahs,withoutanysocialorganizationatall,"thinkitperfectlyinconceivablethatanypersonshouldevertakethatwhichdoesnotbelongtohim,orstrikehisfellow,orsayanythingthatisuntrue。"(30*)Thusitbecomesclear,alikefromanalysisofcausesandobservationoffacts,thatwhilethepositiveelementintherighttocarryonlife—sustainingactivities,originatesfromthelawsoflife,thatnegativeelementwhichgivesethicalcharactertoit,originatesfromtheconditionsproducedbysocialaggregation。
  Soalientothetruth,indeed,istheallegedcreationofrightsbygovernment,that,contrariwise,rightshavingbeenestablishedmoreorlessclearlybeforegovernmentarises,becomeobscuredasgovernmentdevelopsalongwiththatmilitantactivitywhich,bothbythetakingofslavesandtheestablishmentofranks,producesstatus;andtherecognitionofrightsbeginsagaintogetdefinitenessonlyasfastasmilitancyceasestobechronicandgovernmentalpowerdeclines。
  Whenweturnfromthelifeoftheindividualtothelifeofthesociety,thesamelessonistaughtus。
  Thoughmereloveofcompanionshippromptsprimitivementoliveingroups,yetthechiefprompterisexperienceoftheadvantagestobederivedfromco—operation。Onwhatconditiononlycanco—operationarise?Evidentlyonconditionthatthosewhojointheireffortsseverallygainbydoingso。If,asinthesimplestcases,theyunitetoachievesomethingwhicheachbyhimselfcannotachieve,orcanachievelessreadily,itmustbeonthetacitunderstanding,eitherthattheyshallsharethebenefit(aswhengameiscaughtbyapartyofthem)orthatifonereapsallthebenefitnow(asinbuildingahutorclearingaplot)theothersshallseverallyreapequivalentbenefitsintheirturns。When,insteadofeffortsjoinedindoingthesamething,differentthingsareeffectedbythem——whendivisionoflabourarises,withaccompanyingbarterofproducts,thearrangementimpliesthateach,inreturnforsomethingwhichhehasinsuperfluousquantity,getsanapproximateequivalentofsomethingwhichhewants。Ifhehandsovertheoneanddoesnotgettheother,futureproposalstoexchangewillmeetwithnoresponse。Therewillbeareversiontothatrudestconditioninwhicheachmakeseverythingforhimself。Hencethepossibilityofco—operationdependsonfulfilmentofcontract,tacitorovert。
  Nowthiswhichweseemustholdoftheveryfirststeptowardsthatindustrialorganizationbywhichthelifeofasocietyismaintained,mustholdmoreorlessfullythroughoutitsdevelopment。Thoughthemilitanttypeoforganization,withitssystemofstatusproducedbychronicwar,greatlyobscurestheserelationsofcontract,yettheyremainpartiallyinforce。
  Theystillholdbetweenfreemen,andbetweentheheadsofthosesmallgroupswhichformtheunitsofearlysocieties;and,inameasure,theystillholdwithinthesesmallgroupsthemselves;
  sincesurvivalofthemasgroups,impliessuchrecognitionoftheclaimsoftheirmembers,evenwhenslaves,thatinreturnfortheirlabourstheygetsufficienciesoffood,clothing,andprotection。Andwhen,withdiminutionofwarfareandgrowthoftrade,voluntaryco—operationmoreandmorereplacescompulsoryco—operation,andthecarryingonofsociallifebyexchangeunderagreement,partiallysuspendedforatime,graduallyre—establishesitself;itsre—establishmentmakespossiblethatvastelaborateindustrialorganizationbywhichagreatnationissustained。
  Forinproportionascontractsareunhinderedandtheperformanceofthemcertain,thegrowthisgreatandthesociallifeactive。Itisnotnowbyoneorotheroftwoindividualswhocontract,thattheevileffectsofbreachofcontractareexperienced。Inanadvancedsociety,theyareexperiencedbyentireclassesofproducersanddistributors,whichhavearisenthroughdivisionoflabour;and,eventually,theyareexperiencedbyeverybody。AskonwhatconditionitisthatBirminghamdevotesitselftomanufacturinghardware,orpartofStaffordshiretomakingpottery,orLancashiretoweavingcotton。Askhowtheruralpeoplewhoheregrowwheatandtherepasturecattle,finditpossibletooccupythemselvesintheirspecialbusinesses。
  Thesegroupscanseverallythusactonlyifeachgetsfromtheothersinexchangeforitsownsurplusproduct,duesharesoftheirsurplusproducts。Nolongerdirectlyeffectedbybarter,thisobtainmentoftheirrespectivesharesofoneanother’sproductsisindirectlyeffectedbymoney;andifweaskhoweachdivisionofproducersgetsitsdueamountoftherequiredmoney,theansweris——byfulfilmentofcontract。IfLeedsmakeswoollensanddoesnot,byfulfilmentofcontract,receivethemeansofobtainingfromagriculturaldistrictstheneedfulquantityoffood,itmuststarve,andstopproducingwoollens。IfSouthWalessmeltsironandtherecomesnoequivalentagreedupon,enablingittogetfabricsforclothing,itsindustrymustcease。Andsothroughout,ingeneralandindetail。Thatmutualdependenceofpartswhichweseeinsocialorganization,asinindividualorganization,ispossibleonlyonconditionthatwhileeachpartdoestheparticularkindofworkithasbecomeadjustedto,itreceivesitsproportionofthosematerialsrequiredforrepairandgrowth,whichalltheotherpartshavejoinedtoproduce:suchproportionbeingsettledbybargaining。Moreover,itisbyfulfilmentofcontractthatthereiseffectedabalancingofallthevariousproductstothevariousneeds——thelargemanufactureofknivesandthesmallmanufactureoflancets;
  thegreatgrowthofwheatandthelittlegrowthofmustard—seed。
  Thecheckonundueproductionofeachcommodity,resultsfromfindingthatafteracertainquantity,noonewillagreetotakeanyfurtherquantityontermsthatyieldanadequatemoneyequivalent。Andsothereispreventedauselessexpenditureoflabourinproducingthatwhichsocietydoesnotwant。
  Lastly,wehavetonotethestillmoresignificantfactthattheconditionunderwhichonlyanyspecializedgroupofworkerscangrowwhenthecommunityneedsmoreofitsparticularkindofwork,isthatcontractsshallbefreeandfulfilmentofthemenforced。Ifwhen,fromlackofmaterial,Lancashirefailedtosupplytheusualquantityofcotton—goods,therehadbeensuchinterferencewithcontractsaspreventedYorkshirefromaskingagreaterpriceforitswoollens,whichitwasenabledtodobythegreaterdemandforthem,therewouldhavebeennotemptationtoputmorecapitalintothewoollenmanufacture,noincreaseintheamountofmachineryandnumberofartizansemployed,andnoincreaseofwoollens:theconsequencebeingthatthewholecommunitywouldhavesufferedfromnothavingdeficientcottonsreplacedbyextrawoollens。Whatseriousinjurymayresulttoanationifitsmembersarehinderedfromcontractingwithoneanother,waswellshowninthecontrastbetweenEnglandandFranceinrespectofrailways。Here,thoughobstacleswereatfirstraisedbyclassespredominantinthelegislature,theobstacleswerenotsuchaspreventedcapitalistsfrominvesting,engineersfromfurnishingdirectiveskill,orcontractorsfromundertakingworks;andthehighinterestoriginallyobtainedoninvestments,thegreatprofitsmadebycontractors,andthelargepaymentsreceivedbyengineers,ledtothatdraftingofmoney,energy,andability,intorailway—making,whichrapidlydevelopedourrailway—system,totheenormousincreaseofournationalprosperity。ButwhenM。Thiers,thenMinisterofPublicWorks,cameovertoinspect,andhavingbeentakenaboutbyMrVignoles,saidtohimwhenleaving:"IdonotthinkrailwaysaresuitedtoFrance,"(31*)thereresulted,fromtheconsequentpolicyofhinderingfreecontract,adelayof"eightortenyears"inthatmaterialprogresswhichFranceexperiencedwhenrailwaysweremade。
  Whatdoallthesefactsmean?Theymeanthatforthehealthfulactivityanddueproportioningofthoseindustries,occupations,professions,whichmaintainandaidthelifeofasociety,theremust,inthefirstplace,befewrestrictionsonmen’slibertiestomakeagreementswithoneanother,andtheremust,inthesecondplace,beanenforcementoftheagreementswhichtheydomake。Aswehaveseen,thechecksnaturallyarisingtoeachman’sactionswhenmenbecomeassociated,arethoseonlywhichresultfrommutuallimitation;andthereconsequentlycanbenoresultingchecktothecontractstheyvoluntarilymake:
  interferencewiththeseisinterferencewiththoserightstofreeactionwhichremaintoeachwhentherightsofothersarefullyrecognized。Andthen,aswehaveseen,enforcementoftheirrightsimpliesenforcementofcontractsmade;sincebreachofcontractisindirectaggression。If,whenacustomerononesideofthecounterasksashopkeeperontheotherforashilling’sworthofhisgoods,and,whiletheshopkeeper’sbackisturned,walksoffwiththegoodswithoutleavingtheshillinghetacitlycontractedtogive,hisactdiffersinnoessentialwayfromrobbery。Ineachsuchcasetheindividualinjuredisdeprivedofsomethinghepossessed,withoutreceivingtheequivalentsomethingbargainedfor;andisinthestateofhavingexpendedhislabourwithoutgettingbenefit——hashadanessentialconditiontothemaintenanceoflifeinfringed。
  Thus,then,itresultsthattorecognizeandenforcetherightsofindividuals,isatthesametimetorecognizeandenforcetheconditionstoanormalsociallife。Thereisonevitalrequirementforboth。
  Beforeturningtothosecorollarieswhichhavepracticalapplications,letusobservehowthespecialconclusionsdrawnconvergetotheonegeneralconclusionoriginallyforeshadowed——
  glancingattheminreversedorder。
  Wehavejustfoundthatthepre—requisitetoindividuallifeisinadoublesensethepre—requisitetosociallife。Thelifeofasociety,inwhicheveroftwosensesconceived,dependsonmaintenanceofindividualrights。Ifitisnothingmorethanthesumofthelivesofcitizens,thisimplicationisobvious。Ifitconsistsofthosemanyunlikeactivitieswhichcitizenscarryoninmutualdependence,stillthisaggregateimpersonalliferisesorfallsaccordingastherightsofindividualsareenforcedordenied。
  Studyofmen’spolitico—ethicalideasandsentiments,leadstoalliedconclusions。Primitivepeoplesofvarioustypesshowusthatbeforegovernmentsexist,memorialcustomsrecognizeprivateclaimsandjustifymaintenanceofthem。Codesoflawindependentlyevolvedbydifferentnations,agreeinforbiddingcertaintrespassesonthepersons,properties,andlibertiesofcitizens;andtheircorrespondencesimply,notanartificialsourceforindividualrights,butanaturalsource。Alongwithsocialdevelopment,theformulatinginlawoftherightspre—establishedbycustom,becomesmoredefiniteandelaborate。
  Atthesametime,Governmentundertakestoanincreasingextentthebusinessofenforcingthem。Whileithasbeenbecomingabetterprotector,Governmenthasbeenbecominglessaggressivehasmoreandmorediminisheditsintrusionsonmen’sspheresofprivateaction。And,lastly,asinpasttimeslawswereavowedlymodifiedtofitbetterwithcurrentideasofequity;sonow,law—reformersareguidedbyideasofequitywhicharenotderivedfromlawbuttowhichlawhastoconform。
  Here,then,wehaveapolitico—ethicaltheoryjustifiedalikebyanalysisandbyhistory。Whathaveweagainstit?A
  fashionablecounter—theorywhichprovestobeunjustifiable。Ontheonehand,whilewefindthatindividuallifeandsociallifebothimplymaintenanceofthenaturalrelationbetweeneffortsandbenefits;wealsofindthatthisnaturalrelation,recognizedbeforeGovernmentexisted,hasbeenallalongassertingandre—assertingitself,andobtainingbetterrecognitionincodesoflawandsystemsofethics。Ontheotherhand,thosewho,denyingnaturalrights,committhemselvestotheassertionthatrightsareartificiallycreatedbylaw,arenotonlyflatlycontradictedbyfacts,buttheirassertionisself—destructive:theendeavourtosubstantiateit,whenchallenged,involvestheminmanifoldabsurdities。
  Noristhisall。There—institutionofavaguepopularconceptioninadefiniteformonascientificbasis,leadsustoarationalviewoftherelationbetweenthewillsofmajoritiesandminorities。Itturnsoutthatthoseco—operationsinwhichallcanvoluntarilyunite,andinthecaringonofwhichthewillofthemajorityisrightlysupreme,areco—operationsformaintainingtheconditionsrequisitetoindividualandsociallife。Defenceofthesocietyasawholeagainsteternalinvaders,hasforitsremoteendtopreserveeachcitizeninpossessionofsuchmeansashehasforsatisfyinghisdesires,andinpossessionofsuchlibertyashehasforgettingfurthermeans。
  Anddefenceofeachcitizenagainstinternalinvaders,frommurderersdowntothosewhoinflictnuisancesontheirneighbours,hasobviouslythelikeend——anenddesiredbyeveryonesavethecanalanddisorderly。Henceitfollowsthatformaintenanceofthisvitalprinciple,alikeofindividuallifeandsociallife,subordinationofminoritytomajorityislegitimate;
  asimplyingonlysuchatrenchingonthefreedomandpropertyofeach,asisrequisiteforthebetterprotectingofhisfreedomandproperty。Atthesametimeitfollowsthatsuchsubordinationisnotlegitimatebeyondthis;since,implyingasitdoesagreateraggressionupontheindividualthanisrequisiteforprotectinghim,itinvolvesabreachofthevitalprinciplewhichistobemaintained。
  Thuswecomeroundagaintothepropositionthattheassumeddivinerightofparliaments,andtheimplieddivinerightofmajorities,aresuperstitions。WhilemenhaveabandonedtheoldtheoryrespectingthesourceofState—authority,theyhaveretainedabeliefinthatunlimitedextentofState—authoritywhichrightlyaccompaniedtheoldtheory,butdoesnotrightlyaccompanythenewone。Unrestrictedpoweroversubjects,rationallyascribedtotherulingmanwhenhewasheldtobeadeputy—god,isnowascribedtotherulingbody,thedeputy—godhoodofwhichnobodyasserts。
  Opponentswill,possibly,contendthatdiscussionsabouttheoriginandlimitsofgovernmentalauthorityaremerepedantries。
  "Government,"theymayperhapssay,"isboundtouseallthemeansithas,orcanget,forfurtheringthegeneralhappiness。
  Itsaimmustbeutility;anditiswarrantedinemployingwhatevermeasuresareneedfulforachievingusefulends。Thewelfareofthepeopleisthesupremelaw;andlegislatorsarenottobedeterredfromobeyingthatlawbyquestionsconcerningthesourceandrangeoftheirpower。"Istherereallyanescapehere?
  ormaythisopeningbeeffectuallyclosed?
  Theessentialquestionraisedisthetruthoftheutilitariantheoryascommonlyheld;andtheanswerheretobegivenisthat,ascommonlyheld,itisnottrue。Alikebythestatementsofutilitarianmoralists,andbytheactsofpoliticiansknowinglyorunknowinglyfollowingtheirlead,itisimpliedthatutilityistobedirectlydeterminedbysimpleinspectionofthemediatefactsandestimationofprobableresults。Whereas,utilitarianismasrightlyunderstood,impliesguidancebythegeneralconclusionswhichanalysisofexperienceyields。"Goodandbadresultscannotbeaccidental,butmustbenecessaryconsequencesoftheconstitutionofthings;"anditis"thebusinessofMoralSciencetodeduce,fromthelawsoflifeandtheconditionsofexistence,whatkindsofactionnecessarilytendtoproducehappiness,andwhatkindstoproduceunhappiness。"(32*)Currentutilitarianspeculation,likecurrentpracticalpolitics,showsinadequateconsciousnessofnaturalcausation。Thehabitualthoughtisthat,intheabsenceofsomeobviousimpediment,thingscanbedonethiswayorthatway;andnoquestionisputwhetherthereiseitheragreementorconflictwiththenormalworkingofthings。
  Theforegoingdiscussionshave,Ithink,shownthatthedictatesofutility,and,consequently,theproperactionsofgovernments,arenottobesettledbyinspectionoffactsonthesurface,andacceptanceoftheirprimafaciemeanings;butaretobesettledbyreferenceto,anddeductionfrom,fundamentalfacts。Thefundamentalfactstowhichallrationaljudgmentsofutilitymustgoback,arethefactsthatlifeconsistsin,andismaintainedby,certainactivities;andthatamongmeninasociety,theseactivities,necessarilybecomingmutuallylimited,aretobecarriedonbyeachwithinthelimitsthencearising,andnotcarriedonbeyondthoselimits:themaintenanceofthelimitsbecoming,byconsequence,thefunctionoftheagencywhichregulatessociety。Ifeach,havingfreedomtousehispowersuptotheboundsfixedbythelikefreedomofothers,obtainsfromhisfellow—menasmuchforhisservicesastheyfindthemworthincomparisonwiththeservicesofothers——ifcontractsuniformlyfulfilledbringtoeachthesharethusdetermined,andheisleftsecureinpersonandpossessionstosatisfyhiswantswiththeproceeds;thenthereismaintainedthevitalprinciplealikeofindividuallifeandofsociallife。Further,thereismaintainedthevitalprincipleofsocialprogress;inasmuchas,undersuchconditions,theindividualsofmostworthwillprosperandmultiplymorethanthoseoflessworth。Sothatutility,notasempiricallyestimatedbutasrationallydetermined,enjoinsthismaintenanceofindividualrights;and,byimplication,negativesanycoursewhichtraversesthem。
  Here,then,wereachtheultimateinterdictagainstmeddlinglegislation。Reducedtoitslowestterms,everyproposaltointerferewithcitizens’activitiesfurtherthanbyenforcingtheirmutuallimitations,isaproposaltoimprovelifebybreakingthroughthefundamentalconditionstolife。Whensomearepreventedfrombuyingbeerthatothersmaybepreventedfromgettingdrunk,thosewhomakethelawassumethatmoregoodthanevilwillresultfrominterferencewiththenormalrelationbetweenconductandconsequences,alikeinthefewill—regulatedandthemanywell—regulated。Agovernmentwhichtakesfractionsoftheincomesofmultitudinouspeople,forthepurposeofsendingtothecoloniessomewhohavenotprosperedhere,orforbuildingbetterindustrialdwellings,orformakingpubliclibrariesandpublicmuseums,etc。,takesforgrantedthat,notonlyproximatelybutultimately,increasedgeneralhappinesswillresultfromtransgressingtheessentialrequirementtogeneralhappinesstherequirementthateachshallenjoyallthosemeanstohappinesswhichhisactions,carriedonwithoutaggression,havebroughthim。Inothercaseswedonotthusletthemediateblindustotheremote。Whenassertingthesacrednessofpropertyagainstprivatetransgressors,wedonotaskwhetherthebenefittoahungrymanwhotakesbreadfromabaker’sshop,isorisnotgreaterthantheinjuryinflictedonthebaker:weconsider,notthespecialeffects,butthegeneraleffectswhichariseifpropertyisinsecure。ButwhentheStateexactsfurtheramountsfromcitizens,orfurtherrestrainstheirliberties,weconsideronlythedirectandproximateeffects,andignoretheindirectanddistanteffectswhicharecausedwhentheseinvasionsofindividualrightsarecontinuallymultiplied。Wedonotseethatbyaccumulatedsmallinfractionsofthem,thevitalconditionsoflife,individualandsocial,cometobesoimperfectlyfulfilledthatthelifedecays。
  Yetthedecaythuscausedbecomesmanifestwherethepolicyispushedtoanextreme。Anyonewhostudies,inthewritingsofMM。TaineanddeTocqueville,thestateofthingswhichprecededtheFrenchRevolution,willseethatthetremendouscatastrophecameaboutfromsoexcessivearegulationofmen’sactionsinalltheirdetails,andsuchanenormousdraftingawayoftheproductsoftheiractionstomaintaintheregulatingorganization,thatlifewasfastbecomingimpracticable。Theempiricalutilitarianismofthatday,liketheempiricalutilitarianismofourday,differedfromrationalutilitarianisminthis,thatineachsuccessivecaseitcontemplatedonlytheeffectsofparticularinterferencesontheactionsofparticularclassesofmen,andignoredtheeffectsproducedbyamultiplicityofsuchinterferencesonthelivesofmenatlarge。Andifweaskwhatthenmade,andwhatnowmakes,thiserrorpossible,wefindittobethepoliticalsuperstitionthatgovernmentalpowerissubjecttonorestraints。
  Whenthat"divinity"which"dothhedgeaking,"andwhichhasleftaglamouraroundthebodyinheritinghispower,hasquitediedaway——whenitbeginstobeseenclearlythat,inapopularly—governednation,thegovernmentissimplyacommitteeofmanagement;itwillalsobeseenthatthiscommitteeofmanagementhasnointrinsicauthority。Theinevitableconclusionwillbethatitsauthorityisgivenbythoseappointingit;andhasjustsuchboundsastheychoosetoimpose。Alongwiththiswillgothefurtherconclusionthatthelawsitpassesarenotinthemselvessacred;butthatwhateversacrednesstheyhave,itisentirelyduetotheethicalsanction——anethicalsanctionwhich,aswefind,isderivablefromthelawsofhumanlifeascarriedonundersocialconditions。Andtherewillcomethecorollarythatwhentheyhavenotthisethicalsanctiontheyhavenosacredness,andmayrightlybechallenged。
  ThefunctionofLiberalisminthepastwasthatofputtingalimittothepowersofkings。ThefunctionoftrueLiberalisminthefuturewillbethatofputtingalimittothepowersofParliaments。
  NOTES:
  1。Hobbes,CollectedWorks,Vol。iii,pp。112—3。
  2。Ibid。,p。159。
  3。Ibid。,p。130—1。
  4。TheProvinceofJurisprudenceDetermined(secondedition),p。
  241。
  5。FortnightlyReviewin1880,vol。xxvii,p。322。
  6。Bentham’sWorks,vol。1,p。301。
  7。Prescott,ConquestofPeru,bk。i。,ch。i。
  8。Harris,HighlandofAethiopia,ii。94。
  9。Burton,MissiontoGelele,KingofDahome,i。p。226。
  10。Bentham’sWorks,vol。ix,p。97。
  11。Burchell,W。J。,TravelsintheInteriorofSouthernAfrica,vol。i,p。544。
  12。ArboussetandDaumas,VoyageofExploration,p。27。
  13。Thompson,G。,TravelsandAdventuresinSouthernAfrica,vol。
  ii,p。30。
  14。Thompson,G。A。,Alcedo’sGeographicalandHistoricalDictionaryofAmerica,vol。i,p。405。
  15。Mitchell,Alex。,SiberianOverlandRoute,p。248。
  16。Brooke,C。,TenYearsinSardwak,vol。i,p。129。
  17。Ellis,HistoryofMadagascar,vol。i,377。
  18。Raffles,SirT。S。,HistoryofJava,vol。i,274。
  19。Marsden,W。,HistoryofSumatra,p。217。
  20。Beecham,J。,AshanteandtheGoldCoast,p。90。
  21。Schoolcraft,H。R。,ExpeditiontotheSourcesoftheMississippiRiver,v。,177。
  22。Earl’sKolff’sVoyageoftheDomga,p。161。
  23。"TheMethodsofJurisprudence:anIntroductoryLectureatUniversityCollege,London,"October31,1882。
  24。Tennant,Ceylon:anAccountoftheIsland,etc。,ii,440。
  25。Bonwick,J。,DailyLifeandtheOriginoftheTasmanians,83。
  26。Polynesia,p。86。
  27。VoyagesoftheAdventureandBeagle,3vols。
  28。Wallace,A。R。,TravelsonAmazonandRioNegro,p。499。
  29。Schoolcraft,ExpeditiontotheSourceoftheMississippi,v。,177。
  30。B。F。Hartshorne,FortnightlyReview,March,1876。SeealsoH。C。Sirr,CeylonandtheCeyonese,ii。219。
  31。AddressofC。B。Vignoles,Esq。,F。R。S。,onhisElectionasPresidentoftheInstitutionofCivilEngineers,Session,1869—70,p。53。
  32。DataofEthics,section21。Seealsosections56—62。
  POSTSCRIPT
  "DoIexpectthisdoctrinetomeetwithanyconsiderableacceptance?"IwishIcouldsay,yes;butunhappilyvariousreasonsobligemetoconcludethatonlyhereandthereasolitarycitizenmayhavehispoliticalcreedmodified。Ofthesereasonsthereisonefromwhichalltheothersoriginate。
  Thisessentialreasonisthattherestrictionofgovernmentalpowerwithinthelimitsassigned,isappropriatetotheindustrialtypeofsocietyonly;and,whilewhollyincongruouswiththemilitanttypeofsociety,ispartiallyincongruouswiththatsemi—militantsemi—industrialtype,whichnowcharacterizesadvancednations。Ateverystageofsocialevolutiontheremustexistsubstantialagreementbetweenpracticesandbeliefs——realbeliefsImean,notnominalones。Lifecanbecarriedononlybytheharmonizingofthoughtsandacts。Eithertheconductrequiredbycircumstancesmustmodifythebeliefstofitit;orelsethechangedbeliefsmusteventuallymodifytheconduct。
  Henceifthemaintenanceofsociallifeunderonesetofconditions,necessitatesextremesubordinationtoarulerandentirefaithinhim,therewillbeestablishedatheorythatthesubordinationandthefaithareproper——nayimperative。
  Converselyif,underotherconditions,greatsubjectionofcitizenstogovernmentisnolongerneedfulforpreservationofthenationallife——if,contrariwise,thenationallifebecomeslargerinamountandhigherinqualityasfastascitizensgainincreasedfreedomofaction;therecomesaprogressivemodificationoftheirpoliticaltheory,havingtheresultofdiminishingtheirfaithingovernmentalaction,increasingtheirtendencytoquestiongovernmentalauthority,andleadingtheminmorenumerouscasestoresistgovernmentalpower:involving,eventually,anestablisheddoctrineoflimitation。
  Thusitisnottobeexpectedthatcurrentopinionrespectinggovernmentalauthority,canatpresentbemodifiedtoanygreatextent。Butletuslookatthenecessitiesofthecasemoreclosely。
  Manifestlythesuccessofanarmydependsverymuchonthefaithofthesoldiersintheirgeneral:disbeliefinhisabilitywillgofartowardsparalysingtheminbattle;whileabsoluteconfidenceinhimwillmakethemfulfiltheirrespectivepartswithcourageandenergy。If,asinthenormally—developedmilitanttypeofsociety,therulerinpeaceandtheleaderinwarareoneandthesame,thisconfidenceinhimextendsfrommilitaryactiontocivilaction;andthesociety,inlargemeasureidenticalwiththearmy,willinglyacceptshisjudgmentsaslaw—giver。Evenwherethecivilhead,ceasingtobethemilitaryhead,doeshisgeneralshipbydeputy,therestillclingstohimthetraditionalfaith。
  Similarlywiththewillingnesstoobey。Otherthingsequalanarmyofinsubordinatesoldiersfailsbeforeanarmyofsubordinatesoldiers。Thosewhoseobediencetotheirleaderisperfectandprompt,areobviouslymorelikelytosucceedinbattlethanarethosewhodisregardthecommandsissuedtothem。
  Andaswiththearmysowiththesocietyasawhole;successinwarmustlargelydependonthatconformitytotheruler’swillwhichbringsmenandmoneywhenwanted,andadjustsallconducttohisneeds。
  Thusbysurvivalofthefittest,themilitanttypeofsocietybecomescharacterizedbyprofoundfaithinthegoverningpower,joinedwithaloyaltycausingsubmissiontoitinallmatterswhatever。Andtheremusttendtobeestablishedamongthosewhospeculateaboutpoliticalaffairsinamilitantsociety,atheorygivingformtotheneedfulideasandfeelings;accompaniedbyassertionsthatthelaw—giverifnotdivineinnatureisdivinelydirected,andthatunlimitedobediencetohimisdivinelyordered。Changeintheideasandfeelingswhichthusbecomecharacteristicofthemilitantformoforganization,cantakeplaceonlywherecircumstancesfavourdevelopmentoftheindustrialformoforganization。Beingcarriedonbyvoluntaryco—operationinsteadofbycompulsoryco—operation,industriallifeaswenowknowit,habituatesmentoindependentactivities,leadsthemtoenforcetheirownclaimswhilerespectingtheclaimsofothers,strengthenstheconsciousnessofpersonalrights,andpromptsthemtoresistexcessesofgovernmentalcontrol。Butsincethecircumstanceswhichrenderwarlessfrequentarisebutslowly,andsincethemodificationsofnaturecausedbythetransitionfromalifepredominantlymilitanttoalifepredominantlyindustrialcanthereforegoononlylittlebylittle,ithappensthattheoldsentimentsandideasgiveplacetonewones,bysmalldegreesonly。Andthereareseveralreasonswhythetransitionnotonlyis,butoughttobe,gradual。Herearesomeofthem。
  Intheprimitivemanandinmanbutlittlecivilized,theredoesnotexistthenaturerequiredforextensivevoluntaryco—operations。Effortswillinglyunitedwiththoseofothersforacommonadvantage,imply,iftheundertakingislarge,aperseverancehedoesnotpossess。Moreover,wherethebenefitstobeachievedaredistantandunfamiliar,asaremanyforwhichmennow—a—dayscombine,thereneedsastrengthofconstructiveimaginationnottobefoundinthemindsoftheuncivilized。Andyetagain,greatcombinationsofaprivatekindforwholesaleproduction,forlargeenterprises,andforotherpurposes,requireagraduatedsubordinationoftheunitedworkers——agraduatedsubordinationsuchasthatwhichmilitancyproduces。Inotherwords,thewaytothedevelopedindustrialtypeaswenowknowit,isthroughthemilitanttype;which,bydisciplinegeneratesinlongagesthepowerofcontinuousapplication,thewillingnesstoactunderdirection(nownolongercoercivebutagreedtoundercontract)andthehabitofachievinglargeresultsbyorganizations。
  Consequently,duringlongstagesofsocialevolutionthereneeds,forthemanagementofallmattersbutthesimplest,agovernmentalpowergreatindegreeandwideinrange,withacorrelativefaithinitandobediencetoit。Hencethefactthat,astherecordsofearlycivilizationsshowus,andasweareshownintheEastatpresent,largeundertakingscanbeachievedonlybyState—action。Andhencethefactthatonlylittlebylittlecanvoluntaryco—operationreplacecompulsoryco—operation,andrightlybringaboutacorrelativedecreaseoffaithingovernmentalabilityandauthority。
  Chiefly,however,themaintenanceofthisfaithisnecessitatedbythemaintenanceoffitnessforwar。Thisinvolvescontinuanceofsuchconfidenceintherulingagency,andsuchsubordinationtoit,asmayenableittowieldalltheforcesofthesocietyonoccasionsofattackordefence;andtheremustsurviveapoliticaltheoryjustifyingthefaithandtheobedience。Whiletheirsentimentsandideasareofkindswhichperpetuallyendangerpeace,itisrequisitethatmenshouldhavesuchbeliefintheauthorityofgovernmentasshallgiveitadequatecoercivepoweroverthemforwarpurposes——abeliefinitsauthoritywhichinevitably,atthesametime,givesitcoercivepoweroverthemforotherpurposes。
  Thus,assaidatfirst,thefundamentalreasonfornotexpectingmuchacceptanceofthedoctrinesetforth,isthatwehaveatpresentbutpartiallyemergedfromthemilitantregimeandhavebutpartiallyenteredonthatindustrialregimetowhichthisdoctrineisproper。
  Solongasthereligionofenmitypredominatesoverthereligionofamity,thecurrentpoliticalsuperstitionmustholditsground。WhilethroughoutEurope,theearlycultureoftherulingclassesisonewhicheverydayoftheweekholdsupforadmirationthosewhoinancienttimesachievedthegreatestfeatsinbattle,andonlyonSundayrepeatstheinjunctiontoputupthesword——whiletheserulingclassesaresubjecttoamoraldisciplineconsistingofsix—seventhspaganexampleandone—seventhChristianprecept;thereisnolikelihoodthattherewillarisesuchinternationalrelationsasmaymakeadeclineingovernmentalpowerpracticable,andacorrespondingmodificationofpoliticaltheoryacceptable。WhileamongourselvestheadministrationofcolonialaffairsissuchthatnativetribeswhoretaliateonEnglishmenbywhomtheyhavebeeninjured,arepunished,notontheirownsavageprincipleoflifeforlife,butontheimprovedcivilizedprincipleofwholesalemassacreinreturnforsinglemurder,thereislittlechancethatapoliticaldoctrineconsistentonlywithunaggressiveconductwillgaincurrency。Whilethecreedmenprofessissointerpretedthatoneofthemwhoathomeaddressesmissionarymeetings,seeks,whenabroad,tofomentaquarrelwithanadjacentpeoplewhomhewishestosubjugate,andthenreceivespublichonoursafterhisdeath,itisnotlikelythattherelationsofoursocietytoothersocietieswillbecomesuchthattherecanspreadtoanyextentthatdoctrineoflimitedgovernmentalfunctionsaccompanyingthediminishedgovernmentalauthoritypropertoapeacefulstate。Anationwhich,interestedinecclesiasticalsquabblesabouttheceremoniesofitshumanecult,caressolittleabouttheessenceofthatcultthatfillibusteringinitscoloniesreceivesapplauseratherthanreprobation,andisnotdenouncedevenbythepriestsofitsreligionoflove,isanationwhichmustcontinuetosufferfrominternalaggressions,alikeofindividualsononeanotherandoftheStateonindividuals。Itisimpossibletounitetheblessingsofequityathomewiththecommissionofinequitiesabroad。
  Ofcourse,therewillarisethequestion——Why,then,enunciateandemphasizeatheoryatvariancewiththetheoryadaptedtoourpresentstate?
  Beyondthegeneralreplythatitisthedutyofeveryonewhoregardsadoctrineastrueandimportant,todowhathecantowardsdiffusingit,leavingtheresulttobewhatitmaybe,thereareseveralmorespecialreplies,eachofwhichissufficient。
  Inthefirstplaceanideal,farinadvanceofpracticabilitythoughitmaybe,isalwaysneedfulforrightfulguidance。If,amidallthosecompromiseswhichthecircumstancesofthetimesnecessitate,orarethoughttonecessitate,thereexistnotrueconceptionsofbetterandworseinsocialorganization——ifnothingbeyondtheexigenciesofthemomentareattendedto,andtheproximatelybestishabituallyidentifiedwiththeultimatelybest;therecannotbeanytrueprogress。Howeverdistantmaybethegoal,andhoweverofteninterveningobstaclesmaynecessitatedeviationinourcoursetowardsit,itisobviouslyrequisitetoknowwhereaboutsitlies。
  Again,whilesomethinglikethepresentdegreeofsubjectionoftheindividualtotheState,andsomethinglikethecurrentpoliticaltheoryadaptedtoit,mayremainneedfulinpresenceofexistinginternationalrelations;itisbynomeansneedfulthatthissubjectionshouldbemadegreaterandtheadaptedtheorystrengthened。Inourdaysofactivephilanthropy,hostsofpeopleeagertoachievebenefitsfortheirlessfortunatefellowsbytheshortestmethods,arebusilyoccupiedindevelopingadministrativearrangementsofakindpropertoalowertypeofsociety——arebringingaboutretrogressionwhileaimingatprogression。Thenormaldifficultiesinthewayofadvancearesufficientlygreat,anditislamentablethattheyshouldbemadegreater。Hence,somethingwellworthdoingmaybedone,ifphilanthropistscanbeshownthattheyareinmanycasesinsuringthefutureill—beingofmenwhileeagerlypursuingtheirpresentwell—being。
  Chiefly,however,itisimportanttoimpressonallthegreattruth,atpresentbutlittlerecognized,thatasociety’sinternalandeternalpoliciesaresoboundtogether,thattherecannotbeanessentialimprovementoftheonewithoutanessentialimprovementoftheother。Ahigherstandardofinternationaljusticemustbehabituallyactedupon,beforetherecanbeconformitytoahigherstandardofjusticeinournationalarrangements。Theconvictionthatadependenceofthiskindexists,coulditbediffusedamongcivilizedpeoples,wouldgreatlycheckaggressivebehaviourtowardsoneanother;and,bydoingthis,woulddiminishthecoercivenessoftheirgovernmentalsystemswhileappropriatelychangingtheirpoliticaltheories。