The Industrial Revolution

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 1027928145

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-159926

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Cunningham, William http://d-nb.info/gnd/128907487

Title:: The Industrial Revolution

Place of publication:: Cambridge

Publisher:: The University Press

Year of publication:: 1922

Scope:: xxii S., S. 404-886

Digitisation:: 2021

Collection:: Economics Books

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THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF WELFARE 877 the people. There has been a conscious effort to preserve is concen- the welfare of the community, in all its various aspects, and the Welfare a tendency to disparage the ambition for national power jf the this finds its fullest expression in Socialism, but it has influenced publid opinion in many ways, and affected govern- mental action. There has at least been a noticeable change in the stress laid on these different objects. In 1850 England had consciously discarded the old scheme for foster- ing the various factors of national power, but assiduous thought has been constantly given to the elements which go to constitute human welfare, and to the best means of attaining them either by State action or associated effort. It has been possible to trace the influence of philanthropic sentiment in checking abuses of many kinds, but it is not easy to delineate with any precision the positive conception of welfare on which it has been based. We are forced to separate it from the ideals of religion altogether, though these may do much to mould the personal attitude towards social duty’. Religious motives have done and may do much to stimulate to philanthropic action; but the aims which are comprised in the current ideals of welfare are purely mundane. They cannot be universal, similar for all human beings alike, but must be adapted to the temperament and conditions of different races; they cannot be eternal, since they concentrate attention on earthly existence. They offer a practical aim, andthe which is attractive to many whose enthusiasm is not kindled for real- by ideal objects. Among the conditions of welfare in human sng. life, a supply of the comforts and conveniences of life occupies a large place; the increase of material goods affords the possibility of leisure, and freedom from constant drudgery; these are conditions without which high national attainment in literature or science or art do not seem to be possible. Hence the classical political economy of Adam Smith and his successors has a permanent importance ; the causes of the wealth of nations, the increase of physical resources, and of 1 On the different attitude taken to work-—as a matter of expediency or of duty—see Cunningham, Gospel of Work, p. 54. The influence of religiin is treated more generally by Professor Nicholson in his excellent chapter on the Relation of Political Economy to Morality and Christianity, in Principles, mm. 427. See also Cunningham, Modern Civilisation, 189.

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