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articles is unlimited; and that the time is not far distant when
England will make herself independent of the importation of these
articles from America and the West Indies。 Holland on her part is
already embarrassed for means of sale of her colonial products; and
seeks actively for new markets。 Let us further remember that North
America continues to augment her cotton production that in Texas
a State has risen up which without doubt will become possessed of
the whole of Mexico; and will make out of that fertile country a
territory such as the Southern States of the North American Union
now are。 We may well imagine that order and law; industry and
intelligence; will extend themselves gradually over the South
American States from Panama to Cape Horn; then over the whole of
Africa and Asia; and augment everywhere production and a surplus of
products; and we may then comprehend without difficulty that here
there is room enough for more than one nation for the sale of
manufactured goods。
By calculating the area of the land which has up to this time
been actually used for the production of colonial produce; and
comparing it with the entire area which is fitted By nature for
such production; we shall find that at present scarcely the
fiftieth part of the land fitted for this production is actually
used。
How; then; could England be able to monopolise the
manufacturing markets of all countries which yield colonial
produce; if she is able to supply her own entire requirements of
such produce by means of importation from the East Indies alone?
How can England indulge the hope of selling manufactured goods to
countries whose colonial products she cannot take in exchange? Or
how can a great demand for colonial produce spring up in the
continent of Europe; if the Continent is not enabled by its
manufacturing production to pay for; and thus to consume; these
goods?
It is therefore evident; that keeping down the manufacturing
industry of the Continent; though it certainly hinders the progress
of the Continental nations; does not in the least further the
prosperity of England。
It is further clear; that; at present; as well as for some long
time to come; the countries of the torrid zone will offer to all
nations which are fitted for manufacturing production abundant
materials for exchange。
Lastly; it is evident that a world…manufacturing monopoly such
as is at present established by the free competition of English
manufactured goods on the European and American continents is not
in the least more conducive to the welfare of the human race than
the system of protection; which aims at developing the
manufacturing power of the whole temperate zone; for the benefit of
the agriculture of the whole torrid zone。
The advance which England has made in manufactures; navigation;
and commerce; need therefore not discourage any other nation which
is fitted for manufacturing production; by the possession of
suitable territory; of national power and intelligence; from
entering into the lists with England's manufacturing supremacy。 A
future is approaching for manufactures; commerce; and navigation
which will surpass the present as much as the present surpasses the
past。 Let us only have the courage to believe in a great national
future; and in that belief to march onward。 But above all things we
must have enough national spirit at once to plant and protect the
tree; which will yield its first richest fruits only to future
generations。 We must first gain possession of the home market of
our own nation; at least as respects articles of general necessity;
and try to procure the products of tropical countries direct from
those countries which allow us to pay for them with our own
manufactured goods。 This is especially the task which the German
commercial union has to solve; if the German nation is not to
remain far behind the French and North Americans; nay; far behind
even the Russians。
NOTES:
1。 Vide Wealth of Nations; Book IV。 chap。 ii。 (TR。)
Chapter 16
Popular and State Financial Administration; Political and National
Economy
That which has reference to the raising; the expending; and the
administration of the material means of government of a community
(the financial economy of the State); must necessarily be
distinguished everywhere from those institutions; regulations;
laws; and conditions on which the economy of the individual
subjects of a State is dependent; and by which it is regulated;
i。e。 from the economy of the people。 The necessity for this
distinction is apparent in reference to all political communities;
whether these comprise a whole nation or merely fractions of a
nation; and whether they are small or large。
In a confederated State; the financial economy of the State is
again divided into the financial economy of the separate states and
the financial economy of the entire union。
The economy of the people becomes identical with national
economy where the State or the confederated State embraces a whole
nation fitted for independence by the number of its population; the
extent of its territory; by its political institutions;
civilisation; wealth; and power; and thus fitted for stability and
political influence。 The economy of the people and national economy
are; under these circumstances; one and the same。 They constitute
with the financial economy of the State the political economy of
the nation。
But; on the other hand; in States whose population and
territory merely consist of the fraction of a nation or of a
national territory; which neither by complete and direct union; nor
by means of a federal union with other fractions; constitutes a
whole; we can only take into consideration an 'economy of the
people' which is directly opposed to 'private economy' or to
'financial economy of the State。'
In such an imperfect political condition; the objects and
requirements of a great nationality cannot be taken into
consideration; especially is it impossible to regulate the economy
of the people with reference to the development of a nation
complete in itself; and with a view to its independence;
permanence; and power。 Here politics must necessarily remain
excluded from economy; here can one only take account of the
natural laws of social economy; as these would develop and shape
themselves if no large united nationality or national economy
existed anywhere。
It is from this standpoint that that science has been
cultivated in Germany which was formerly called 'State
administration;' then 'national economy;' then 'political economy;'
then 'popular administration;' without anyone having clearly
apprehended the fundamental error of these systems。
The true conception and real character of national economy
could not be recognised because no economically united nation was
in existence; and because for the distinct and definite term
'nation' men had everywhere substituted the general and vague term
'society'; an idea which is as applicable to entire humanity; or to
a small country; or to a single town; as to the nation。
Chapter 17
The Manufacturing Power and the Personal; Social; and Political
Productive Powers of the Nation
In a country devoted to mere raw agriculture; dullness of mind;
awkwardness of body; obstinate adherence to old notions; customs;
methods; and processes; want of culture; of prosperity; and of
liberty prevail。 The spirit of striving for a steady increase in
mental and bodily acquirements; of emulation; and of liberty;
characterise; on the contrary; a State devoted to manufactures and
commerce。
The cause of this difference lies partly in the different kind
of social habits and of education which respectively characterise
these two classes of people; partly in the different character of
their occupation and in the things which are requisite for it。 The
agricultural population lives dispersed over the whole surface of
the country; and also; in respect to mental and material
intercourse; agriculturists are widely separated from one another。
One agriculturist does almost precisely what the other does; the
one produces; as a rule; what the other produces。 The surplus
produce and the requirements of all are almost alike; everybody is
himself the best consu