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list2-第26部分
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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 consumer of his own products; here; therefore;
little inducement exists for mental intercourse or material
exchange。 The agriculturist has to deal less with his fellow…men
than with inanimate nature。 Accustomed to reap only after a long
lapse of time where he has sown; and to leave the success of his
exertions to the will of a higher power; contentment with little;
patience; resignation; but also negligence and mental laziness;
become to him a second nature。 As his occupation keeps him apart
from intercourse with his fellow…men; so also does the conduct of
his ordinary business require but little mental exertion and bodily
skill on his part。 He learns it by imitation in the narrow circle
of the family in which he was born; and the idea that it might be
conducted differently and better seldom occurs to him。 From the
cradle to the grave he moves always in the same limited circle of
men and of circumstances。 Examples of special prosperity in
consequence of extraordinary mental and bodily exertions are seldom
brought before his eyes。 The possession of means or a state of
poverty are transmitted by inheritance in the occupation of mere
agriculture from generation to generation; and almost all that
power which originates in emulation lies dead。
The nature of manufactures is fundamentally different from that
of agriculture。 Drawn towards one another by their business;
manufacturers live only in society; and consequently only in
commercial intercourse and by means of that intercourse。 The
manufacturer procures from the market all that he requires of the
necessaries of life and raw materials; and only the smallest part
of his own products is destined for his own consumption。 If the
agriculturist expects a blessing on his exertions chiefly from
nature; the prosperity and existence of the manufacturer mainly
depend on his commercial
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