第12章
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  Ingeneralitappearstousthatthedefendersoffreetrade

  wouldarguemoreconsistentlyinregardtomoneycrisesandthe

  balanceoftrade,aswellastomanufacturingindustry,ifthey

  openlyadvisedallnationstoprefertosubjectthemselvestothe

  EnglishasdependenciesofEngland,andtodemandinexchangethe

  benefitsofbecomingEnglishcolonies,whichconditionof

  dependencewouldbe,ineconomicalrespects,clearlymore

  favourabletothemthantheconditionofhalfindependenceinwhich

  thosenationslivewho,withoutmaintaininganindependentsystem

  ofindustry,commerce,andcreditoftheirown,neverthelessalways

  wanttoassumetowardsEnglandtheattitudeofindependence。Donot

  weseewhatPortugalwouldhavegainedifshehadbeengoverned

  sincetheMethuenTreatybyanEnglishviceroy——ifEnglandhad

  transplantedherlawsandhernationalspirittoPortugal,and

  takenthatcountryliketheEastIndianEmpirealtogetherunder

  herwings?Donotweperceivehowadvantageoussuchacondition

  wouldbetoGermany——tothewholeEuropeancontinent?

  India,itistrue,haslosthermanufacturingpowertoEngland,

  buthasshenotgainedconsiderablyinherinternalagricultural

  productionandintheexportationofheragriculturalproducts?

  HavenottheformerwarsunderherNabobsceased?Arenotthe

  nativeIndianprincesandkingsextremelywelloff?Havetheynot

  preservedtheirlargeprivaterevenues?Donottheyfindthemselves

  therebycompletelyrelievedoftheweightycaresofgovernment?

  Moreover,itisworthyofnoticethoughitissoafterthe

  mannerofthosewho,likeAdamSmith,maketheirstrongpointsin

  maintainingparadoxicalopinionsthatthisrenownedauthor,in

  spiteofallhisargumentsagainsttheexistenceofabalanceof

  trade,maintains,nevertheless,theexistenceofathingwhichhe

  callsthebalancebetweentheconsumptionandproductionofa

  nation,which,however,whenbroughttolight,meansnothingelse

  butouractualbalanceoftrade。Anationwhoseexportsandimports

  tolerablywellbalanceeachother,mayrestassuredthat,in

  respectofitsnationalinterchange,itdoesnotconsumemuchmore

  invaluethanitproduces,whileanationwhichforaseriesof

  yearsastheUnitedStatesofAmericahavedoneinrecentyears

  importslargerquantitiesinvalueofforeignmanufacturedgoods

  thanitexportsinvalueofproductsofitsown,mayrestassured

  that,inrespecttointernationalinterchange,itconsumes

  considerablylargerquantitiesinvalueofforeigngoodsthanit

  producesathome。ForwhatelsedidthecrisesofFrance

  1786-1789,ofRussia1820-1821,andoftheUnitedStatessince

  1833,prove?

  Inconcludingthischapterwemustbepermittedtoputafew

  questionstothosewhoconsiderthewholedoctrineofthebalance

  oftradeasamereexplodedfallacy。

  Howisitthatadecidedlyandcontinuouslydisadvantageous

  balanceoftradehasalwaysandwithoutexceptionbeenaccompanied

  inthosecountriestowhosedetrimentitexistedwiththe

  exceptionofcoloniesbyinternalcommercialcrises,revolutions

  inprices,financialdifficulties,andgeneralbankruptcies,both

  inthepublicinstitutionsofcredit,andamongtheindividual

  merchants,manufacturers,andagriculturists?

  Howisitthatinthosenationswhichpossessedabalanceof

  tradedecidedlyintheirfavour,theoppositeappearanceshave

  alwaysbeenobserved,andthatcommercialcrisesinthecountries

  withwhichsuchnationswereconnectedcommercially,haveonly

  affectedsuchnationsdetrimentallyforperiodswhichpassedaway

  veryquickly?

  HowisitthatsinceRussiahasproducedforherselfthe

  greatestpartofthemanufacturedgoodswhichsherequires,the

  balanceoftradehasbeendecidedlyandlastinglyinherfavour,

  thatsincethattimenothinghasbeenheardofeconomical

  convulsionsinRussia,andthatsincethattimetheinternal

  prosperityofthatempirehasincreasedyearbyyear?

  HowisitthatintheUnitedStatesofNorthAmericathesame

  effectshavealwaysresultedfromsimilarcauses?Howisitthatin

  theUnitedStatesofNorthAmerica,underthelargeimportationof

  manufacturedgoodswhichfollowedthe\'Compromisebill,\'the

  balanceoftradewasforaseriesofyearssodecidedlyadverseto

  them,andthatthisappearancewasaccompaniedbysuchgreatand

  continuousconvulsionsintheinternaleconomyofthatnation?

  Howisitthatwe,atthepresentmoment,seetheUnitedStates

  sogluttedwithprimitiveproductsofallkindscotton,tobacco,

  cattle,corn,&c。thatthepricesofthemhavefalleneverywhere

  one-half,andthatatthesametimethesestatesareunableto

  balancetheirexportswiththeirimports,tosatisfytheirdebt

  contractedwithEngland,andtoputtheircreditagainonsound

  footing?

  Howisit,ifnobalanceoftradeexists,orifitdoesnot

  signifywhetheritisinourfavourornot,ifitisamatterof

  indifferencewhethermuchorlittleofthepreciousmetalsflowsto

  foreigncountries,thatEnglandinthecaseoffailuresofharvests

  theonlycasewherethebalanceisadversetoherstrives,with

  fearandtrembling,toequaliseherexportswithherimports,that

  shethencarefullyestimateseveryounceofgoldorsilverwhichis

  importedorexported,thathernationalbankendeavoursmost

  anxiouslytostoptheexportationofpreciousmetalsandtopromote

  theirimportation——howisit,weask,ifthebalanceoftradeis

  an\'explodedfallacy,\'thatatsuchatimenoEnglishnewspapercan

  bereadwhereinthis\'explodedfallacy\'isnottreatedasamatter

  ofthemostimportantconcerntothenation?

  Howisitthat,intheUnitedStatesofNorthAmerica,thesame

  peoplewhobeforetheCompromisebillspokeofthebalanceoftrade

  asanexplodedfallacy,sincetheCompromisebillcannotcease

  speakingofthisexplodedfallacyasamatteroftheutmost

  importancetotheircountry?

  Howisit,ifthenatureofthingsitselfalwayssufficesto

  provideeverycountrywithexactlythequantityofpreciousmetals

  whichitrequires,thattheBankofEnglandtriestoturnthis

  so-callednatureofthingsinherownfavourbylimitingher

  creditsandincreasingherratesofdiscount,andthattheAmerican

  banksareobligedfromtimetotimetosuspendtheircashpayments

  tilltheimportsoftheUnitedStatesarereducedtoatolerably

  evenbalancewiththeexports?

  NOTES:

  1。WealthofNations,bookIV。chapteriii。

  Chapter24

  TheManufacturingPowerandthePrincipleofStabilityand

  ContinuityofWork

  Ifweinvestigatetheoriginandprogressofindividual

  branchesofindustryweshallfindthattheyhaveonlygradually

  becomepossessedofimprovedmethodsofoperation,machinery

  buildings,advantagesinproduction,experiences,andskill,andof

  allthoseknowledgesandconnectionswhichinsuretothemthe

  profitablepurchaseoftheirrawmaterialsandtheprofitablesale

  oftheirproducts。Wemayrestassuredthatitisasarule

  incomparablyeasiertoperfectandextendabusinessalready

  establishedthantofoundanewone。Weseeeverywhereoldbusiness

  establishmentsthathavelastedforaseriesofgenerationsworked

  withgreaterprofitsthannewones。Weobservethatitisthemore

  difficulttosetanewbusinessgoinginproportionasfewer

  branchesofindustryofasimilarcharacteralreadyexistina

  nation;because,inthatcase,masters,foremen,andworkmenmust

  firstbeeithertrainedupathomeorprocuredfromabroad,and

  becausetheprofitablenessofthebusinesshasnotbeen

  sufficientlytestedtogivecapitalistsconfidenceinitssuccess。

  Ifwecomparetheconditionsofdistinctclassesofindustryinany

  nationatvariousperiods,weeverywherefind,thatwhenspecial

  causeshadnotoperatedtoinjurethem,theyhavemaderemarkable

  progress,notonlyinregardtocheapnessofprices,butalsowith

  respecttoquantityandquality,fromgenerationtogeneration。On

  theotherhand,weobservethatinconsequenceofexternal

  injuriouscauses,suchaswarsanddevastationofterritory,&c。,

  oroppressivetyrannicalorfanaticalmeasuresofgovernmentand

  financease。g。therevocationoftheEdictofNantes,whole

  nationshavebeenthrownbackforcenturies,eitherintheirentire

  industryorincertainbranchesofit,andhaveinthismannerbeen

  faroutstrippedbynationsincomparisonwithwhichtheyhad

  previouslybeenfaradvanced。

  Onecanseeataglancethat,asinallhumaninstitutionsso

  alsoinindustry,alawofnatureliesattherootofimportant

  achievementswhichhasmuchincommonwiththenaturallawofthe

  divisionoflabourandoftheconfederationoftheproductive

  forces,whoseprinciple,namely,consistsinthecircumstancethat

  severalgenerationsfollowingoneanotherhaveequallyunitedtheir

  forcestowardstheattainmentofoneandthesameobject,andhave

  participatedinlikemannerintheexertionsneededtoattainit。

  Itisthesameprinciplewhichinthecasesofhereditary

  kingdomshasbeenincomparablymorefavourabletothemaintenance

  andincreaseofthepowerofthenationthantheconstantchanges

  oftherulingfamiliesinthecaseofelectoralkingdoms。

  Itispartlythisnaturallawwhichsecurestonationswhohave

  livedforalongtimepastunderarightlyorderedconstitutional

  formofgovernment,suchgreatsuccessesinindustry,commerce,and

  navigation。

  Onlythroughthisnaturallawcantheeffectoftheinvention

  ofprintingonhumanprogressbepartiallyexplained。Printing

  firstrendereditpossibletohanddowntheacquisitionsofhuman

  knowledgeandexperiencefromthepresenttofuturegenerations

  moreperfectlyandcompletelythancouldbedonebyoraltradition。

  Totherecognitionofthisnaturallawisundoubtedlypartly

  attributablethedivisionofthepeopleintocastes,whichexisted

  amongthenationsofantiquity,andalsothelawoftheold

  Egyptians——thatthesonmustcontinuetofollowthetradeor

  professionofhisfather。Beforetheinventionandgeneral

  disseminationofprintingtookplace,theseregulationsmayhave

  appearedtobeindispensableforthemaintenanceandforthe

  developmentofartsandtrades。

  Guildsandtradesocietiesalsohavepartlyoriginatedfrom

  thisconsideration。Forthemaintenanceandbringingtoperfection

  oftheartsandsciences,andtheirtransferfromonegenerationto

  another,weareingreatmeasureindebtedtothepriestlycastesof

  ancientnations,tothemonasteriesanduniversities。

  Whatpowerandwhatinfluencehavetheordersofpriesthoodand

  ordersofknights,aswellasthepapalchair,attainedto,bythe

  factthatforcenturiestheyhaveaspiredtooneandthesameaim,

  andthateachsuccessivegenerationhasalwayscontinuedtowork

  wheretheotherhadleftoff。

  Theimportanceofthisprinciplebecomesstillmoreevidentin

  respecttomaterialachievements。

  Individualcities,monasteries,andcorporationshaveerected

  worksthetotalcostofwhichperhapssurpassedthevalueoftheir

  wholepropertyatthetime。Theycouldonlyobtainthemeansfor

  thisbysuccessivegenerationsdevotingtheirsavingstooneand

  thesamegreatpurpose。

  LetusconsiderthecanalanddykesystemofHolland;it

  comprisesthelaboursandsavingsofmanygenerations。Onlytoa

  seriesofgenerationsisitpossibletocompletesystemsof

  nationaltransportoracompletesystemoffortificationsand

  defensiveworks。

  ThesystemofStatecreditisoneofthefinestcreationsof

  morerecentstatesmanship,andablessingfornations,inasmuchas

  itservesasthemeansofdividingamongseveralgenerationsthe

  costsofthoseachievementsandexertionsofthepresentgeneration

  whicharecalculatedtobenefitthenationalityforallfuture

  times,andwhichguaranteetoitcontinuedexistence,growth,

  greatness,power,andincreaseofthepowersofproduction;it

  becomesacurseonlyifitservesforuselessnationalexpenditure,

  andthusnotmerelydoesnotfurthertheprogressoffuture

  generations,butdeprivesthembeforehandofthemeansof

  undertakinggreatnationalworks,oralsoiftheburdenofthe

  paymentofinterestofthenationaldebtisthrownonthe

  consumptionsoftheworkingclassesinsteadofoncapital。

  Statedebtsarebillswhichthepresentgenerationdrawson

  futureones。Thiscantakeplaceeithertothespecialadvantageof

  thepresentgenerationorthespecialadvantageofthefutureone,

  ortothecommonadvantageofboth。Inthefirstcaseonlyisthis

  systemanobjectionableone。Butallcasesinwhichtheobjectin

  viewisthemaintenanceandpromotionofthegreatnessandwelfare

  ofthenationality,sofarasthemeansrequiredforthepurpose

  surpassthepowersofthepresentgeneration,belongtothelast

  category。

  Noexpenditureofthepresentgenerationissodecidedlyand

  speciallyprofitabletofuturegenerationsasthatforthe

  improvementofthemeansoftransport,especiallybecausesuch

  undertakingsasarule,besidesincreasingthepowersofproduction

  offuturegenerations,doalsoinaconstantlyincreasingrationot

  merelypayinterestonthecostinthecourseoftime,butalso

  yielddividends。Thepresentgenerationis,therefore,notmerely

  entitledtothrowontofuturegenerationsthecapitaloutlayof

  theseworksandfairinterestonitaslongastheydonotyield

  sufficientincome,butfurtheractsunjustlytowardsitselfandto

  thetruefundamentalprinciplesofnationaleconomy,ifittakes

  theburdenorevenanyconsiderablepartofitonitsown

  shoulders。

  Ifinourconsiderationofthesubjectofthecontinuityof

  nationalindustrywereverttothemainbrancheswhichconstitute

  it,wemayperceive,thatwhilethiscontinuityhasanimportant

  influenceonagriculture,yetthatinterruptionstoit,inthecase

  ofthatindustry,aremuchlessdecidedandmuchlessinjurious

  whentheyoccur,alsothattheirevilconsequencescanbemuchmore

  easilyandquicklymadegoodthaninthecaseofmanufactures。

  Howevergreatmaybeanydamageorinterruptiontoagriculture,

  theactualpersonalrequirementsandconsumptionofthe

  agriculturist,thegeneraldiffusionoftheskillandknowledge

  requiredforagriculture,andthesimplicityofitsoperationsand

  oftheimplementswhichitrequires,sufficetopreventitfrom

  comingentirelytoanend。

  Evenafterdevastationsbywaritquicklyraisesitselfup

  again。Neithertheenemynortheforeigncompetitorcantakeaway

  themaininstrumentofagriculture,theland;anditneedsthe

  oppressionsofaseriesofgenerationstoconvertarablefields

  intouncultivatedwaste,ortodeprivetheinhabitantsofacountry

  ofthecapabilityofcarryingonagriculture。

  Onmanufactures,however,theleastandbriefestinterruption

  hasacripplingeffect;alongeroneisfatal。Themoreartand

  talentthatanybranchofmanufacturerequires,thelargerthe

  amountsofcapitalwhichareneedfultocarryiton,themore

  completelythiscapitalissunkinthespecialbranchofindustry

  inwhichithasbeeninvested,somuchthemoredetrimentalwillbe

  theinterruption。Byitmachineryandtoolsarereducedtothe

  valueofoldironandfire-wood,thebuildingsbecomeruins,the

  workmenandskilledartificersemigratetootherlandsorseek

  subsistenceinagriculturalemployment。Thusinashorttimea

  complexcombinationofproductivepowersandofpropertybecomes

  lost,whichhadbeencreatedonlybytheexertionsandendeavours

  ofseveralgenerations。

  Justasbytheestablishmentandcontinuanceofindustryone

  branchoftradeoriginates,drawsafterit,supportsandcausesto

  flourishmanyothers,soistheruinofonebranchofindustry

  alwaystheforerunneroftheruinofseveralothers,andfinallyof

  thechieffoundationsofthemanufacturingpowerofthenation。

  Theconvictionofthegreateffectsproducedbythesteady

  continuationofindustryandoftheirretrievableinjuriescaused

  byitsinterruption,andnottheclamourandegotisticaldemandsof

  manufacturersandtradersforspecialprivileges,hasledtothe

  ideaofprotectivedutiesfornativeindustry。

  Incaseswheretheprotectivedutycannothelp,wherethe

  manufactories,forinstance,sufferfromwantofexporttrade,

  wheretheGovernmentisunabletoprovideanyremedyforits

  interruption,weoftenseemanufacturerscontinuingtoproduceat

  anactualloss。Theywanttoavert,inexpectationofbettertimes,

  theirrecoverableinjurywhichtheywouldsufferfromastoppageof

  theirworks。

  Byfreecompetitionitisoftenhopedtoobligethecompetitor

  todiscontinueworkwhichhascompelledthemanufactureror

  merchanttosellhisproductsundertheirlegitimatepriceand

  oftenatanactualloss。Theobjectisnotmerelytopreventthe

  interruptionofourownindustry,butalsotoforceothersto

  discontinuetheirsinthehopelateronofbeingablebybetter

  pricestorecoupthelosseswhichhavebeensuffered。

  Inanycasestrivingaftermonopolyformspartofthevery

  natureofmanufacturingindustry。Thiscircumstancetendsto

  justifyandnottodiscreditaprotectivepolicy;forthis

  striving,whenrestrictedinitsoperationtothehomemarket,

  tendstopromotecheaperpricesandimprovementsintheartof

  production,andthusincreasesthenationalprosperity;whilethe

  samething,incaseitpressesfromwithoutwithoverwhelmingforce

  ontheinternalindustry,willoccasiontheinterruptionofwork

  anddownfalloftheinternalnationalindustry。

  Thecircumstancethattherearenolimitstomanufacturing

  productionespeciallysinceithasbeensoextraordinarilyaided

  andpromotedbymachineryexceptthelimitsofthecapitalwhich

  itpossessesanditsmeansofeffectingsales,enablesthat

  particularnationwhosemanufacturingindustryhascontinuedfora

  century,whichhasaccumulatedimmensecapitals,extendedits

  commerceallovertheworld,dominatedthemoneymarketbymeansof

  largeinstitutionsofcreditwhoseoperationsareabletodepress

  thepricesoffabricsandtoinducemerchantstoexport,to

  declareawarofexterminationagainstthemanufacturersofall

  othercountries。Undersuchcircumstancesitisquiteimpossible

  thatinothernations,\'inthenaturalcourseofthings\'asAdam

  Smithexpresseshimself,merelyinconsequenceoftheirprogress

  inagriculture,immensemanufacturesandworksshouldbe

  established,orthatthosemanufactureswhichhaveoriginatedin

  consequenceofthecommercialinterruptionscausedbywarshouldbe

  able,\'inthenaturalcourseofthings,\'tocontinuetomaintain

  themselves。Thereasonforthisisthesameasthatwhyachildor

  aboyinwrestlingwithastrongmancanscarcelybevictoriousor

  evenoffersteadyresistance。Themanufactorieswhichconstitute

  thecommercialandindustrialsupremacyofEnglandhavea

  thousandadvantagesoverthenewlybornorhalf-grownmanufactories

  ofothernations。Theformer,forinstance,canobtainskilledand

  experiencedworkmeninthegreatestnumberandatthecheapest

  wages,thebesttechnicalmenandforemen,themostperfectandthe

  cheapestmachinery,thegreatestbenefitinbuyingandselling

  advantageously;further,thecheapestmeansoftransport,as

  respectsrawmaterialsandalsoinrespectoftransportinggoods

  whensold,moreextendedcreditforthemanufacturerswithbanks

  andmoneyinstitutionsatthelowestratesofinterest,greater

  commercialexperience,bettertools,buildings,arrangements,

  connections,suchascanonlybeacquiredandestablishedinthe

  courseofgenerations;anenormoushomemarket,and,whatis

  equallygood,acolonialmarketequallyenormous。Henceunderall

  circumstancestheEnglishmanufacturerscanfeelcertaintyasto

  thesaleoflargequantitiesofmanufacturedproductsbyvigorous

  efforts,andconsequentlypossessaguaranteeforthecontinuance

  oftheirbusinessandabundantmeanstoselloncreditforyearsto

  comeinthefuture,ifitisrequiredtoacquirethecontrolofa

  foreignmarket。Ifweenumerateandconsidertheseadvantagesone

  afteranother,wemayeasilybeconvincedthatincompetitionwith

  suchapoweritissimplyfoolishtorestourhopesonthe

  operationof\'thenaturalcourseofthings\'underfreecompetition,

  where,asinourcase,workmenandtechnicalmenhaveinthefirst

  placeyettobetrained,wherethemanufactureofmachineryand

  propermeansoftransportaremerelyincourseoferection,where

  eventhehomemarketisnotsecuredtothemanufacturer——notto

  mentionanyimportantexportmarket,wherethecreditthatthe

  manufacturercanobtainisunderthemostfortunatecircumstances

  limitedtothelowestpoint,wherenomancanbecertainevenfor

  adaythat,inconsequenceofEnglishcommercialcrisesandbank

  operations,massesofforeigngoodsmaynotbethrownonthehome

  marketatpriceswhichscarcelyrecoupthevalueoftheraw

  materialsofwhichtheyaremade,andwhichbringtoastandfor

  yearstheprogressofourownmanufacturingindustries。

  Itwouldbeinvainforsuchnationstoresignthemselvestoa

  stateofperpetualsubordinationtotheEnglishmanufacturing

  supremacy,andcontentthemselveswiththemodestdeterminationto

  supplyitwithwhatitmaynotbeabletoproduceforitselforto

  procureelsewhere。Evenbythissubordinationtheywillfindno

  permanentbenefit。WhatbenefitisittothepeopleoftheUnited

  States,forinstance,thattheysacrificethewelfareoftheir

  finestandmostcultivatedstates,thestatesoffreelabour,and

  perhapstheirentirefuturenationalgreatness,fortheadvantage

  ofsupplyingEnglandwithrawcotton?Dotheytherebyrestrictthe

  endeavoursofEnglandtoprocurethismaterialfromotherdistricts

  oftheworld?InvainwouldtheGermansbecontenttoobtaintheir

  requirementsofmanufacturedgoodsfromEnglandinexchangefor

  theirfinesheep\'swool;theywouldbysuchapolicyhardlyprevent

  AustraliafromfloodingallEuropewithfinewoolinthecourseof

  thenexttwentyyears。

  Suchaconditionofdependenceappearsstillmoredeplorable

  whenweconsiderthatsuchnationsloseintimesofwartheirmeans

  ofsellingtheiragriculturalproducts,andtherebythemeansof

  purchasingthemanufacturingproductsoftheforeigner。Atsuch

  timesalleconomicalconsiderationsandsystemsarethrustintothe

  background。Itistheprincipleofself-maintenance,of

  self-defence,whichcounselsthenationstoworkuptheir

  agriculturalproductsthemselves,andtodispensewiththe

  manufacturedgoodsoftheenemy。Whateverlossesmaybeinvolvedin

  adoptingsuchawar-prohibitivesystem,cannotbetakeninto

  accountduringsuchastateofthings。Howevergreattheexertions

  andthesacrificesmayhavebeenbywhichtheagriculturalnation

  duringthetimeofwarhascalledintoexistencemanufacturesand

  works,thecompetitionofthemanufacturingsupremacywhichsetsin

  ontherecurrenceofpeacewillagaindestroyallthesecreations

  ofthetimesofnecessity。Inshort,itisaneternalalternation

  oferectinganddestroying,ofprosperityandcalamitywhichthose

  nationshavetoundergowhodonotstrivetoinsure,through

  realisationoftheirnationaldivisionoflabourandthroughthe

  confederationoftheirownpowersofproduction,thebenefitsof

  thecontinuationoftheirownindustriesfromgenerationto

  generation。

  Chapter25

  TheManufacturingPowerandtheInducementtoProductionand

  Consumption

  Insocietymanisnotmerelyproductiveowingtothe

  circumstancethathedirectlybringsforthproductsorcreates

  powersofproduction,buthealsobecomesproductivebycreating

  inducementstoproductionandtoconsumption,ortotheformation

  ofproductivepowers。

  Theartistbyhisworksactsinthefirstplaceonthe

  ennoblingandrefinementofthehumanspiritandontheproductive

  powerofsociety;butinasmuchastheenjoymentofartpresupposes

  thepossessionofthosematerialmeanswherebyitmustbe

  purchased,theartistalsooffersinducementstomaterial

  productionandtothrift。

  Booksandnewspapersactonthementalandmaterialproduction

  bygivinginformation;buttheiracquisitioncostsmoney,andso

  fartheenjoymentwhichtheyaffordisalsoaninducementto

  materialproduction。

  Theeducationofyouthennoblessociety;butwhatgreat

  exertionsdoparentsmaketoobtainthemeansofgivingtheir

  childrenagoodeducation!

  Whatimmenseperformancesinbothmentalandmaterial

  productionariseoutoftheendeavourtomoveinbettersociety!

  Wecanliveaswellinahousemadeofboardsasinavilla,we

  canprotectourselvesforafewflorinsagainstrainandcoldas

  wellasbymeansofthefinestandmostelegantclothing。Ornaments

  andutensilsofgoldandsilveraddnomoretocomfortthanthose

  ofironandtin;butthedistinctionconnectedwiththepossession

  oftheformeractsasaninducementtoexertionsofthebodyand

  themind,andtoorderandthrift;andtosuchinducementssociety

  owesalargepartofitsproductiveness。Eventhemanlivingonhis

  privatepropertywhomerelyoccupieshimselfwithpreserving,

  increasing,andconsuminghisincome,actsinmanifoldwayson

  mentalandmaterialproduction:firstly,bysupportingthroughhis

  consumptionartandscience,andartistictrades;next,by

  discharging,asitwere,thefunctionofapreserverandaugmenter

  ofthematerialcapitalofsociety;finally,byincitingthrough

  hisdisplayallotherclassesofsocietytoemulation。Asawhole

  schoolisencouragedtoexertionsbytheofferofprizes,although

  onlyafewbecomewinnersoftheprincipalprizes,sodoesthe

  possessionoflargeproperty,andtheappearanceanddisplay

  connectedwithit,actoncivilsociety。Thisactionofcourse

  ceaseswhenthegreatpropertyisthefruitofusurpation,of

  extortion,orfraud,orwherethepossessionofitandthe

  enjoymentofitsfruitscannotbeopenlydisplayed。

  Manufacturingproductionyieldseitherproductiveinstruments

  orthemeansofsatisfyingthenecessitiesoflifeandthemeansof

  display。Thelasttwoadvantagesarefrequentlycombined。The

  variousranksofsocietyareeverywheredistinguishedbythemanner

  inwhichandwheretheylive,andhowtheyarefurnishedand

  clothed,bythecostlinessoftheirequipagesandthequality,

  number,andexternalappearanceoftheirservants。Wherethe

  commercialproductionisonalowscale,thisdistinctionisbut

  slight,i。e。almostallpeoplelivebadlyandarepoorlyclothed,

  emulationisnowhereobservable。Itoriginatesandincreases

  accordingtotheratioinwhichindustriesflourish。Inflourishing

  manufacturingcountriesalmosteveryonelivesanddresseswell,

  althoughinthequalityofmanufacturedgoodswhichareconsumed

  themostmanifolddegreesofdifferencetakeplace。Noonewho

  feelsthathehasanypowerinhimtoworkiswillingtoappear

  outwardlyneedy。Manufacturingindustry,therefore,furthers

  productionbythecommunitybymeansofinducementswhich

  agriculture,withitsmeandomesticmanufacture,itsproductionsof

  rawmaterialsandprovisions,cannotoffer。

  Thereisofcourseanimportantdifferencebetweenvarious

  modesofliving,andeveryonefeelssomeinducementtoeatand

  drinkwell;butwedonotdineinpublic;andaGermanproverbsays

  strikingly,\'MansiehtmiraufdenKragen,nichtaufdenMagen\'

  Onelooksatmyshirtcollar,notatmystomach。Ifweare

  accustomedfromyouthtoroughandsimplefare,weseldomwishfor

  better。Theconsumptionofprovisionsalsoisrestrictedtovery

  narrowlimitswhereitisconfinedtoarticlesproducedinthe

  immediateneighbourhood。Theselimitsareextendedincountriesof

  temperateclimate,inthefirstinstance,byprocuringtheproducts

  oftropicalclimates。Butasrespectsthequantityandthequality

  oftheseproducts,intheenjoymentofwhichthewholepopulation

  ofacountrycanparticipate,theycanonlybeprocuredaswehave

  showninaformerchapterbymeansofforeigncommercein

  manufacturedgoods。

  Colonialproducts,sofarastheydonotconsistofraw

  materialsformanufacturingpurposes,evidentlyactmoreas

  stimulantsthannecessarymeansofsubsistence。Noonewilldeny

  thatbarleycoffeewithoutsugarisasnutritiousasmochacoffee

  withsugar;andadmittingalsothattheseproductscontainsome

  nutritiousmatter,theirvalueinthisrespectisneverthelessso

  unimportantthattheycanscarcelybeconsideredassubstitutesfor

  nativeprovisions。Withregardtospicesandtobacco,theyare

  certainlymerestimulants,i。e。theychieflyproduceauseful

  effectonsocietyonlysofarastheyaugmenttheenjoymentsofthe

  masses,andincitethemtomentalandbodilylabour。

  Inmanycountriesveryerroneousnotionsprevailamongthose

  wholivebysalariesorrents,respectingwhattheyareaccustomed

  tocalltheluxurioushabitsofthelowerclasses;suchpersonsare

  shockedtoobservethatlabourersdrinkcoffeewithsugar,and

  regretthetimeswhentheyweresatisfiedwithgruel;theydeplore

  thatthepeasanthasexchangedhispoorclothingofcoarsehomespun

  forwoollencloth;theyexpressfearsthatthemaid-servantwill

  soonnotbedistinguishablefromtheladyofthehouse;theypraise

  thelegalrestrictionsondressofpreviouscenturies。Butifwe

  comparetheresultofthelabouroftheworkmanincountrieswhere

  heiscladandnourishedlikethewell-to-domanwiththeresultof

  hislabourwherehehastobesatisfiedwiththecoarsestfoodand

  clothing,weshallfindthattheincreaseofhiscomfortinthe

  formercasehasbeenattainednotattheexpenseofthegeneral

  welfare,buttotheadvantageoftheproductivepowersofthe

  community。Theday\'sworkoftheworkmanisdoubleorthreetimes

  greaterintheformercasethaninthelatter。Attemptstoregulate

  dressandrestrictionsonluxuryhavedestroyedwholesomeemulation

  inthelargemassesofsociety,andhavemerelytendedtothe

  increaseofmentalandbodilyidleness。

  Inanycaseproductsmustbecreatedbeforetheycanbe

  consumed,andthusproductionmustnecessarilygenerallyprecede

  consumption。Inpopularandnationalpractice,however,consumption

  frequentlyprecedesproduction。Manufacturingnations,supportedby

  largecapitalandlessrestrictedintheirproductionthanmere

  agriculturalnations,make,asarule,advancestothelatteron

  theyieldoffuturecrops;thelatterthusconsumebeforethey

  produce——theyproducelateronbecausetheyhavepreviously

  consumed。Thesamethingmanifestsitselfinamuchgreaterdegree

  intherelationbetweentownandcountry:thecloserthe

  manufactureristotheagriculturist,themorewilltheformer

  offertothelatterbothaninducementtoconsumeandmeansfor

  consumption,themorealsowillthelatterfeelhimselfstimulated

  togreaterproduction。

  Amongthemostpotentstimulantsarethoseaffordedbythe

  civilandpoliticalinstitutionsofthecountry。Whereitisnot

  possibletoraiseoneselfbyhonestexertionsandbyprosperity

  fromoneclassofsocietytoanother,fromthelowesttothe

  highest;wherethepossessornecessarilyhesitatestoshowhis

  propertypubliclyortoenjoythefruitsofitbecauseitwould

  exposehispropertytorisk,orlestheshouldbeaccusedof

  arroganceorimpropriety;wherepersonsengagedintradeare

  excludedfrompublichonour,fromtakingpartinadministration,

  legislation,andjuries;wheredistinguishedachievementsin

  agriculture,industry,andcommercedonotleadalsotopublic

  esteemandtosocialandcivildistinction,therethemost

  importantmotivesforconsumptionaswellasforproductionare

  wanting。

  Everylaw,everypublicregulation,hasastrengtheningor

  weakeningeffectonproductionoronconsumptionoronthe

  productiveforces。

  Thegrantingofpatentprivilegesoffersaprizetoinventive

  minds。Thehopeofobtainingtheprizearousesthementalpowers,

  andgivesthemadirectiontowardsindustrialimprovements。It

  bringshonourtotheinventivemindinsociety,androotsoutthe

  prejudiceforoldcustomsandmodesofoperationsoinjuriousamong

  uneducatednations。Itprovidesthemanwhomerelypossessesmental

  facultiesfornewinventionswiththematerialmeanswhichhe

  requires,inasmuchascapitalistsarethusincitedtosupportthe

  inventor,bybeingassuredofparticipationintheanticipated

  profits。

  Protectivedutiesactasstimulantsonallthosebranchesof

  internalindustrytheproduceofwhichforeigncountriescan

  providebetterthanthehomecountrybutoftheproductionofwhich

  thehomecountryiscapable。Theyguaranteearewardtothemanof

  enterpriseandtotheworkmanforacquiringnewknowledgeand

  skill,andoffertotheinlandandforeigncapitalistmeansfor

  investinghiscapitalforadefiniteandcertaintimeina

  speciallyremunerativemanner。

  Chapter26

  CustomsDutiesasaChiefMeansofEstablishingandProtectingthe

  internalManufacturingPower

  Itisnotpartofourplantotreatofthosemeansofpromoting

  internalindustrywhoseefficacyandapplicabilityarenowhere

  calledinquestion。Tothesebelonge。g。educationalestablishments

  especiallytechnicalschools,industrialexhibitions,offersof

  prizes,transportimprovements,patentlaws,&c。;inshort,all

  thoselawsandinstitutionsbymeansofwhichindustryis

  furthered,andinternalandexternalcommercefacilitatedand

  regulated。Wehaveheremerelytospeakoftheinstitutionof

  customsdutiesasameansforthedevelopmentofindustry。

  Accordingtooursystem,prohibitionsof,ordutieson,exports

  canonlybethoughtofasexceptionalthings;theimportsof

  naturalproductsmusteverywherebesubjecttorevenuedutiesonly,

  andnevertodutiesintendedtoprotectnativeagricultural

  production。Inmanufacturingstates,articlesofluxuryfromwarm

  climatesarechieflysubjecttodutiesforrevenue,butnotthe

  commonnecessariesoflife,ase。g。cornorfatcattle;butthe

  countriesofwarmerclimateorcountriesofsmallerpopulationor

  limitedterritory,orcountriesnotyetsufficientlypopulous,or

  suchasarestillfarbehindincivilisationandintheirsocial

  andpoliticalinstitutions,arethosewhichshouldonlyimposemere

  revenuedutiesonmanufacturedgoods。

  Revenuedutiesofeverykind,however,shouldeverywherebeso

  moderateasnotessentiallytorestrictimportationand

  consumption;because,otherwise,notonlywouldtheinternal

  productivepowerbeweakened,buttheobjectofraisingrevenuebe

  defeated。

  Measuresofprotectionarejustifiableonlyforthepurposeof

  furtheringandprotectingtheinternalmanufacturingpower,and

  onlyinthecaseofnationswhichthroughanextensiveandcompact

  territory,largepopulation,possessionofnaturalresources,far

  advancedagriculture,ahighdegreeofcivilisationandpolitical

  development,arequalifiedtomaintainanequalrankwiththe

  principalagriculturalmanufacturingcommercialnations,withthe

  greatestnavalandmilitarypowers。

  Protectioncanbeafforded,eitherbytheprohibitionof

  certainmanufacturedarticles,orbyratesofdutywhichamount

  wholly,oratleastpartly,toprohibition,orbymoderateimport

  duties。Noneofthesekindsofprotectionareinvariablybeneficial

  orinvariablyobjectionable;anditdependsonthespecial

  circumstancesofthenationandontheconditionofitsindustry

  whichoftheseistherightonetobeappliedtoit。

  Warexercisesagreatinfluenceontheselectionoftheprecise

  systemofprotection,inasmuchasiteffectsacompulsory

  prohibitivesystem。Intimeofwar,exchangebetweenthe

  belligerentpartiesceases,andeverynationmustendeavour,

  withoutregardtoitseconomicalconditions,tobesufficientto

  itself。Hence,ontheonehand,inthelessadvancedmanufacturing

  nationscommercialindustry,ontheotherhand,inthemost

  advancedmanufacturingnationagriculturalproduction,becomes

  stimulatedinanextraordinarymanner,indeedtosuchadegreethat

  itappearsadvisabletothelessadvancedmanufacturingnation

  especiallyifwarhascontinuedforseveralyearstoallowthe

  exclusionwhichwarhasoccasionedofthosemanufacturedarticles

  inwhichitcannotyetfreelycompetewiththemostadvanced

  manufacturingnation,tocontinueforsometimeduringpeace。

  FranceandGermanywereinthisconditionafterthegeneral

  peace。Ifin1815FrancehadallowedEnglishcompetition,as

  Germany,Russia,andNorthAmericadid,shewouldalsohave

  experiencedthesamefate;thegreatestpartofhermanufactories

  whichhadsprungupduringthewarwouldhavecometogrief;the

  progresswhichhassincebeenmadeinallbranchesofmanufacture,

  inimprovingtheinternalmeansoftransport,inforeigncommerce,

  insteamriverandseanavigation,intheincreaseinthevalueof

  landwhich,bytheway,hasdoubledinvalueduringthistimein

  France,intheaugmentationofpopulationandoftheState\'s

  revenues,couldnothavebeenhopedfor。Themanufactoriesof

  Franceatthattimewerestillintheirchildhood;thecountry

  possessedbutfewcanals;themineshadbeenbutlittleworked;

  politicalconvulsionsandwarshadnotyetpermittedconsiderable

  capitaltoaccumulate,sufficienttechnicalcultivationtoexist,

  asufficientnumberofreallyqualifiedworkmenoranindustrial

  andenterprisingspirittohavebeencalledintoexistence;the

  mindofthenationwasstillturnedmoretowardswarthantowards

  theartsofpeace;thesmallcapitalwhichastateofwarpermitted

  toaccumulate,stillflowedprincipallyintoagriculture,whichhad

  declinedverymuchindeed。Then,forthefirsttime,couldFrance

  perceivewhatprogressEnglandhadmadeduringthewar;then,for

  thefirsttime,wasitpossibleforFrancetoimportfromEngland

  machinery,artificers,workmen,capital,andthespiritof

  enterprise;then,tosecurethehomemarketexclusivelyforthe

  benefitofhomeindustry,demandedtheexertionofherbestpowers,

  andtheutilisationofallhernaturalresources。Theeffectsof

  thisprotectivepolicyareveryevident;nothingbutblind

  cosmopolitanismcanignorethem,ormaintainthatFrancewould

  have,underapolicyoffreecompetitionwithothernations,made

  greaterprogress。DoesnottheexperienceofGermany,theUnited

  StatesofAmerica,andRussia,conclusivelyprovethecontrary?

  Ifwemaintainthattheprohibitivesystemhasbeenusefulto

  Francesince1815,wedonotbythatcontentionwishtodefend

  eitherhermistakesorherexcessofprotection,northeutilityor

  necessityofhercontinuedmaintenanceofthatexcessiveprotective

  policy。ItwasanerrorforFrancetorestricttheimportationof

  rawmaterialsandagriculturalproductspig-iron,coal,wool,

  corn,cattlebyimportduties;itwouldbeafurthererrorif

  France,afterhermanufacturingpowerhasbecomesufficiently

  strongandestablished,werenotwillingtorevertgraduallytoa

  moderatesystemofprotection,andbypermittingalimitedamount

  ofcompetitionincitehermanufacturerstoemulation。

  Inregardtoprotectivedutiesitisespeciallyimportantto

  discriminatebetweenthecaseofanationwhichcontemplates

  passingfromapolicyoffreecompetitiontooneofprotection,and

  thatofanationwhichproposestoexchangeapolicyofprohibition

  foroneofmoderateprotection;intheformercasetheduties

  imposedatfirstmustbelow,andbegraduallyincreased,inthe

  lattertheymustbehighatfirstandbegraduallydiminished。

  Anationwhichhasbeenformerlyinsufficientlyprotectedby

  customsduties,butwhichfeelsitselfcalledupontomakegreater

  progressinmanufactures,mustfirstofallendeavourtodevelop

  thosemanufactureswhichproducearticlesofgeneralconsumption。

  Inthefirstplacethetotalvalueofsuchindustrialproductsis

  incomparablygreaterthanthetotalvalueofthemuchmore

  expensivefabricsofluxury。Theformerclassofmanufactures,

  therefore,bringsintomotionlargemassesofnatural,mental,and

  personalproductivepowers,andgives——bythefactthatit

  requireslargecapital——inducementsforconsiderablesavingof

  capital,andforbringingovertoitsaidforeigncapitaland

  powersofallkinds。Thedevelopmentofthesebranchesof

  manufacturethustendspowerfullytopromotetheincreaseof

  population,theprosperityofhomeagriculture,andalsoespecially

  theincreaseofthetradewithforeigncountries,inasmuchasless

  cultivatedcountrieschieflyrequiremanufacturedgoodsofcommon

  use,andthecountriesoftemperateclimatesareprincipally

  enabledbytheproductionofthesearticlestocarryondirect

  interchangewiththecountriesoftropicalclimates。Acountrye。g。

  whichtradehastoimportcottonyarnsandcottongoodscannot

  carryondirectwithEgypt,Louisiana,orBrazil,becauseitcannot

  supplythosecountrieswiththecottongoodswhichtheyrequire,

  andcannottakefromthemtheirrawcotton。Furthermore,these

  articles,onaccountofthemagnitudeoftheirtotalvalue,serve

  especiallytoequalisetheexportsofthenationtolerablywell

  withitsimports,andalwaystoretaininthenationtheamountof

  circulatingmediumwhichitrequires,ortoprovideitwiththe

  same。Thusitisbytheprosperityandpreservationofthese

  importantbranchesofindustrythattheindustrialindependenceof

  thenationisgainedandmaintained,forthedisturbanceoftrade

  resultingfromwarsisoflittleimportanceifitmerelyhinders

  thepurchaseofexpensivearticlesofluxury,but,ontheother

  hand,italwaysoccasionsgreatcalamitiesifitisattendedby

  scarcityandriseinpriceofcommonmanufacturedgoods,andbythe

  interruptionofapreviouslyconsiderablesaleofagricultural

  products。Finally,theevasionofcustomsdutiesbysmugglingand

  falsedeclarationsofvalueismuchlesstobefearedinthecase

  ofthesearticles,andcanbemuchmoreeasilypreventedthanin

  thecaseofcostlyfabricsofluxury。

  Manufacturesandmanufactoriesarealwaysplantsofslow

  growth,andeveryprotectivedutywhichsuddenlybreaksoff

  formerlyexistingcommercialconnectionsmustbedetrimentaltothe

  nationforwhosebenefititisprofessedlyintroduced。Suchduties

  oughtonlytobeincreasedintheratioinwhichcapital,technical

  abilities,andthespiritofenterpriseareincreasinginthe

  nationorarebeingattractedtoitfromabroad,intheratioin

  whichthenationisinaconditiontoutiliseforitselfits

  surplusofrawmaterialsandnaturalproductswhichithad

  previouslyexported。Itis,however,ofspecialimportancethatthe

  scalebywhichtheimportdutiesareincreasedshouldbedetermined

  beforehand,sothatanassuredremunerationcanbeofferedtothe

  capitalists,artificers,andworkmen,whoarefoundinthenation

  orwhocanbeattractedtoitfromabroad。Itisindispensableto

  maintainthesescalesofdutyinviolably,andnottodiminishthem

  beforetheappointedtime,becausetheveryfearofanysuchbreach

  ofpromisewouldalreadydestroyforthemostparttheeffectof

  thatassuranceofremuneration。

  Towhatextentimportdutiesshouldbeincreasedinthecaseof

  achangefromfreecompetitiontotheprotectivesystem,andhow

  muchtheyoughttobediminishedinthecaseofachangefroma

  systemofprohibitiontoamoderatesystemofprotection,cannotbe

  determinedtheoretically:thatdependsonthespecialconditionsas

  wellasontherelativeconditionsinwhichthelessadvanced

  nationisplacedinrelationtothemoreadvancedones。TheUnited

  StatesofNorthAmericae。g。havetotakeintospecial

  considerationtheirexportsofrawcottontoEngland,andof

  agriculturalandmaritimeproductstotheEnglishcolonies,also

  thehighrateofwagesexistingintheUnitedStates;wherebythey

  againprofitbythefactthattheycandependmorethananyother

  nationonattractingtothemselvesEnglishcapital,artificers,men

  ofenterprise,andworkmen。

  Itmayingeneralbeassumedthatwhereanytechnicalindustry

  cannotbeestablishedbymeansofanoriginalprotectionofforty

  tosixtypercentandcannotcontinuetomaintainitselfundera

  continuedprotectionoftwentytothirtypercentthefundamental

  conditionsofmanufacturingpowerarelacking。

  Thecausesofsuchincapacitycanberemovedmoreorless

  readily;totheclassmorereadilyremovablebelongwantof

  internalmeansoftransport,wantoftechnicalknowledge,of

  experiencedworkmen,andofthespiritofindustrialenterprise;to

  theclasswhichitismoredifficulttoremovebelongthelackof

  industriousdisposition,civilisation,education,morality,and

  loveofjusticeonthepartofthepeople;wantofasoundand

  vigoroussystemofagriculture,andhenceofmaterialcapital;but

  especiallydefectivepoliticalinstitutions,andwantofcivil

  libertyandofsecurityofjustice;andfinally,wantof

  compactnessofterritory,wherebyitisrenderedimpossibletoput

  downcontrabandtrade。

  Thoseindustrieswhichmerelyproduceexpensivearticlesof

  luxuryrequiretheleastconsiderationandtheleastamountof

  protection;firstly,becausetheirproductionrequiresandassumes

  theexistenceofahighdegreeoftechnicalattainmentandskill;

  secondlybecausetheirtotalvalueisinconsiderableinproportion

  tothatofthewholenationalproduction,andtheimportsofthem

  canbereadilypaidforbymeansofagriculturalproductsandraw

  materials,orwithmanufacturedproductsofcommonuse;further,

  becausetheinterruptionoftheirimportationoccasionsno

  importantinconvenienceintimeofwar;lastly,becausehigh

  protectivedutiesonthesearticlescanbemostreadilyevadedby

  smuggling。

  Nationswhichhavenotyetmadeconsiderableadvancesin

  technicalartandinthemanufactureofmachineryshouldallowall

  complicatedmachinerytobeimportedfreeofduty,oratleastonly

  levyasmalldutyuponthem,untiltheythemselvesareina

  Positiontoproducethemasreadilyasthemostadvancednation。

  Machinemanufactoriesareinacertainsensethemanufacturersof

  manufactories,andeverytaxontheimportationofforeign

  machineryisarestrictionontheinternalmanufacturingpower。

  Sinceitis,however,ofthegreatestimportance,becauseofits

  greatinfluenceonthewholemanufacturingpower,thatthenation

  shouldnotbedependentonthechancesandchangesofwarin

  respectofitsmachinery,thisparticularbranchofmanufacturehas

  veryspecialclaimsforthedirectsupportoftheStateincaseit

  shouldnotbeableundermoderateimportdutiestomeet

  competition。TheStateshouldatleastencourageanddirectly

  supportitshomemanufactoriesofmachinery,sofarastheir

  maintenanceanddevelopmentmaybenecessarytoprovideatthe

  commencementofatimeofwarthemostnecessaryrequirements,and

  underalongerinterruptionbywartoserveaspatternsforthe

  erectionofnewmachinefactories。

  Drawbackscanaccordingtooursystemonlybeentertainedin

  caseswherehalf-manufacturedgoodswhicharestillimportedfrom

  abroad,asforinstancecottonyarn,mustbesubjectedtoa

  considerableprotectivedutyinordertoenablethecountry

  graduallytoproducethemitself。

  Bountiesareobjectionableaspermanentmeasurestorenderthe

  exportsandthecompetitionofthenativemanufactoriespossible

  withthemanufactoriesoffurtheradvancednationsinneutral

  markets;buttheyarestillmoreobjectionableasthemeansof

  gettingpossessionoftheinlandmarketsformanufacturedgoodsof

  nationswhichhavethemselvesalreadymadeprogressin

  manufactures。Yettherearecaseswheretheyaretobejustifiedas

  temporarymeansofencouragement,namely,wheretheslumbering

  spiritofenterpriseofanationmerelyrequiresstimulusand

  assistanceinthefirstperiodofitsrevival,inordertoevokein

  itapowerfulandlastingproductionandanexporttradeto

  countrieswhichthemselvesdonotpossessflourishingmanufactures。

  ButeveninthesecasesitoughttobeconsideredwhethertheState

  wouldnotdobetterbymakingadvancesfreeofinterestand

  grantingspecialprivilegestoindividualmenofenterprise,or

  whetheritwouldnotbestillmoretothepurposetopromotethe

  formationofcompaniestocarryintoeffectsuchprimary

  experimentaladventures,toadvancetosuchcompaniesaportionof

  theirrequisitesharecapitaloutoftheStatetreasury,andto

  allowtotheprivatepersonstakingsharesinthemapreferential

  interestontheirinvestedcapital。Asinstancesofthecases

  referredto,wemaymentionexperimentalundertakingsintradeand

  navigationtodistantcountries,towhichthecommerceofprivate

  personshasnotyetbeenextended;theestablishmentoflinesof

  steamerstodistantcountries;thefoundingofnewcolonies,&c。

  Chapter27

  TheCustomsSystemandthePopularSchool

  Thepopularschooldoesnotdiscriminateinrespectofthe

  operationofprotectivedutiesbetweennaturalorprimitive

  productsandmanufacturedproducts。Itpervertsthefactthatsuch

  dutiesalwaysoperateinjuriouslyontheproductionofprimitiveor

  naturalproducts,intothefalseconclusionthattheyexercisean

  equallydetrimentalinfluenceontheproductionofmanufactured

  goods。

  Theschoolrecognisesnodistinctioninreferencetothe

  establishmentofmanufacturingindustryinaStatebetweenthose

  nationswhicharenotadaptedforsuchindustryandthosewhich,

  owingtothenatureoftheirterritory,toperfectlydeveloped

  agriculture,totheircivilisation,andtotheirjustclaimsfor

  guaranteesfortheirfutureprosperityfortheirpermanence,and

  fortheirpower,areclearlyqualified,toestablishsuchan

  industryforthemselves。

  Theschoolfailstoperceivethatunderasystemofperfectly

  freecompetitionwithmoreadvancedmanufacturingnations,anation

  whichislessadvancedthanthose,althoughwellfittedfor

  manufacturing,canneverattaintoaperfectlydeveloped

  manufacturingpowerofitsown,nortoperfectnational

  independence,withoutprotectiveduties。

  Itdoesnottakeintoaccounttheinfluenceofwaronthe

  necessityforaprotectivesystem;especiallyitdoesnotperceive

  thatwareffectsacompulsoryprohibitivesystem,andthatthe

  prohibitivesystemofthecustom-houseisbutanecessary

  continuationofthatprohibitivesystemwhichwarhasbrought

  about。

  Itseekstoadducethebenefitswhichresultfromfreeinternal

  tradeasaproofthatnationscanonlyattaintothehighestdegree

  ofprosperityandpowerbyabsolutefreedomininternationaltrade;

  whereashistoryeverywhereprovesthecontrary。

  Itmaintainsthatprotectivemeasuresaffordamonopolyto

  inlandmanufacturers,andthustendtoinduceindolence;while,

  nevertheless,allthetimeinternalcompetitionamplysufficesas

  astimulustoemulationamongmanufacturersandtraders。

  Itwouldhaveusbelievethatprotectivedutiesonmanufactured

  goodsbenefitmanufacturersattheexpenseofagriculturists;

  whereasitcanbeprovedthatenormousbenefitsaccruetohome

  agriculturefromtheexistenceofahomemanufacturingpower,

  comparedtowhichthesacrificeswhichtheformerhastomaketo

  theprotectivesystemareinconsiderable。

  Asamainpointagainstprotectiveduties,thepopularschool

  adducestheexpensesofthecustom-housesystemandtheevils

  causedbycontrabandtrade。Theseevilscannotbedenied;butcan

  theybetakenseriouslyintoaccountincomparisonofmeasures

  whichexercisesuchenormousinfluenceontheexistence,thepower,

  andtheprosperityofthenation?Cantheevilsofstandingarmies

  andwarsconstituteanadequatemotiveforthenationtoneglect

  meansofdefence?Ifitismaintainedthatprotectivedutieswhich

  farexceedthelimitwhichoffersanassuredremunerationto

  smuggling,servemerelytofavourcontrabandtrade,butnotto

  benefithomemanufactures,thatcanapplyonlytoill-regulated

  customsestablishments,tocountriesofsmallextentandirregular

  frontiers,totheconsumptionwhichtakesplaceonthefrontiers,

  andonlytohighdutiesonarticlesofluxuryofnogreataggregate

  bulk。

  butexperienceeverywhereteachesusthatwithwell-ordered

  customsestablishments,andwithwiselydevisedtariffs,the

  objectsofprotectivedutiesinlargeandcompactstatescannotbe

  materiallyimpededbycontrabandtrade。

  Sofarasregardsthemereexpensesofthecustomssystem,a

  largeportionofthesewould,ifitwereabolished,havetobe

  incurredinthecollectionofrevenueduties;andthatrevenue

  dutiescanbedispensedwithbygreatnations,eventheschool

  itselfdoesnotmaintain。

  Moreover,theschoolitselfdoesnotcondemnallprotective

  duties。

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