The Socialism of to-day

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 835096955

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-28834

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Laveleye, Émile de

Title:: The Socialism of to-day

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Field & Tuer

Year of publication:: 1884

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (XLIV, 331 S.)

Collection:: Economics Books

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THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. 48 picture of modern philosophy in Germany, and endeavoured to prove that the theories of Kant, Fichte, and Hegel were only the logical development of the same system. The form of his dis course was too abstract, and did not please the public at all, although he was careful to recall the fact that Fichte had pro phesied German unity, and had announced that one day the German people would enjoy the liberty and equality proclaimed by the French Revolution. He had a sort of worship for the men of that time, and especially for Robespierre, often carrying a cane given to him by his friend Forster, the historian, which had once belonged to Robespierre. Like his model of ’93, he affected great elegance, and one of his critics said of him, that he liked to have a chased handle to his Jacobin poignard, and lace on his Phrygian cap. In 1861 he published a literary study of Lessing, and a very learned work on jurisprudence in two volumes, the “System of Acquired Rights " {Systetn der Envorbenen Rechte). Radical ideas of reform obtrude themselves through the purely scientific dissertations, as, for instance, when the existing system of property and inheritance is severely criticised. In two political pamphlets which appeared shortly afterwards, “ The Essence of a V Constitution” ( Ueber Verfassungswesen), and “ Might and Right ” {Macht und Recht), he takes up his favourite idea that in human affairs it is force which always decides in the last resort. All constitutional problems are summed up in this : Who is the strongest? If the Chambers cannot command efficacious means of resistance, they lie at the mercy of the sovereign. This theory, which has since widely spread, because certain contemporary events have appeared to justify it, is open to objection. It is true bayonets decide, but what puts bayonets in motion if not ideas? Is it not the abstract principle of nationality which has completely changed the map of Europe ? Cavour created the unity of Italy, and Bismarck that of Germany, because they carried out this idea, while Napoleon I., with all his prodigious victories ahd amazing genius, created nothing durable, because he ignored and disregarded it ; and unless Austria will frankly accept this principle, sooner or later she will fall before it.

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