2/2 
THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. 
interest ; and that, consequently, it should be subjected to 
such limitations and forms as the progress of civilization, which 
is the purpose of its existence, may from time to time require. 
In short, while the old Economists, starting from certain 
abstract principles, believed that they could attain, by the 
deductive method, to conclusions of absolute truth and uni 
versal application, the Katheder-Socialisten, basing their science 
on the facts of experience, past and present, draw from them, 
by the inductive and historical method, only relative solutions 
which have to be modified according to the state of society to 
which they are to be applied. The former, convinced that 
the natural order which presides over physical phenomena 
must also govern human societies, assert that, when all artificial 
fetters are removed, there will result, from the free play of 
inclinations, a harmony of interests, and from the complete 
enfranchisement of individuals a better social organization, the 
fullest well-being, and the most equitable distribution of wealth. 
The latter think, on the contrary, that, in the economic field as 
amongst animals, in the struggle for existence and in the con 
flict of selfish interests, the strongest will crush or exploit the 
weakest, unless the State, as the organ of justice, intervene to 
secure to each what is his due. They add that the State ought 
to contribute to the progress of civilization, and to accept, as 
its chief mission, the amelioration of the moral, intellectual, and 
material condition of the labouring classes. Finally, instead of 
declaring, with the orthodox Economists, that unlimited liberty 
is sufficient to put an end to social conflicts, they assert that a 
series of reforms and improvements, inspired by sentiments of 
equity, is indispensable, if we are to escape from civil dissen 
sions and from the despotism which they inevitably bring in 
their train. They admit that Socialism has rendered a real 
service by calling attention to the evils and iniquities of the 
existing social order, and by awakening in the hearts of all 
good men the desire to apply a remedy. 
It is especially in Germany that the new school has 
developed. The reason is that Political Economy has been 
there included among the “ cameralistic ” sciences, that is to 
say, those which have the State for their object. It has, there-