110
Manual of Political Economy.
maintenance instead of upon his own individual efforts.In the schemes of Fourier and St. Simon, a certain number of persons formed themselves into an association or company, and guaranteed to give maintenance to each other. No one can deny the right of a number of individuals to enter into such an arrangement as this. It may however happen that people, instead of promising maintenance to others as a voluntary act, may be compelled to do so by law. A notable example of such compulsion is afforded by our Poor-Law system, for it confers upon every individual a legal claim for maintenance. If a man is in a state of destitution he can claim parochial relief, even if the destitution is entirely caused by his own indolence or imprudence; he can thus compel other people to keep him whether they wish to do so or not. We shall in a subsequent chapter discuss the general effects produced by the Poor-Law. We have referred to the subject here, because it affords an example of a practical adoption of the socialistic principle by the State. Not only has a powerful encouragement already been given to socialism by the State, but many who would be foremost in their denunciations of socialism are constantly bringing forward proposals which would extend the influence of socialism in its most mischievous form. Thus it is not unfrequently said, that parochial relief ought to be granted on more easy and liberal terms. But if such a suggestion were carried out, it is evident that an increased inducement would be offered to people to depend upon society rather than upon their own efforts for maintenance, and thus the socialistic influence exercised by the Poor-Law would be greatly extended. As another illustration, it may be mentioned that an increasing number of people are now urging the adoption of a general system of free primary education. It is, however, obvious that a new and important recognition would be given to socialism, if the entire expense of educating children were transferred from the parent to the State.[1] If such a transfer were
- ↑ [This prophecy has been fulfilled. The entire cost of primary education was thrown on the rates and taxes in 1891, and since that date an agitation of considerable importance has grown up to provide school children with food at the public expense.]
