AND ON THE CONTINENT.

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public opinion that property—as far as it did not serve productiveobjects—was justified only so far and in the degree as the bearerserved the upward movement of those lacking means.

But, in opposition to the former division of national income bycustom or law, the new development led firstly, without doubt, toa sharpening of the difference in property possession. Ricardohad such conditions before his eyes when compiling his “ Law ofWages ” ; K. Marx became acquainted with such in the English Blue-Books of the “ thirties ” and “ forties,” which he studied.The operative, power]ess and hopeless, in such times joins thattemporary labour party which places itself without theState, and therefore dispenses with all influence in theState, It is hoped to overpower the State, in orderto arrange it in its own interest. As if this happened bya wave of the hand, whilst still the influence in the State dependssolely upon the division of economical power between the classesof society. But even this movement is not hopeless. In that itinfluences the ruling classes, and firstly, in many cases, theagrarian powers, to legislate for the operatives’ protection, it drivesforward the technical-economical development.

Let us summarise the peculiarities of that first stage of cen-tralised industry. Economically viewed, they are:—High costsof production on the ground of dearer labour (because many handsare required); and dear capital, high prices, and high profits, byreason of a position of monopoly. Socially viewed, they are :—A minimum standard of life on one side, and concentration ofriches on the other—class contentions. This stage of thedevelopment accompanies the social-political views noted downat the beginning of this chapter.

International competition compels further progress. Continuouscheapening of the costs of production is the leading motive of thedevelopment, as was followed more closely above in the case of theEnglish cotton industry. But this coercion for limiting the costsof production regulates the whole centralised industrial develop-ment. Without an uninterrupted lessening of its costs of produc-tion no industry can hold up its head in the world’s market.

We now ask, What are the influences of this development on thedivision of national income 1 ?