list2-第22章
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nation which gains entire possession of its own home market for
manufactures; gains in the course of time; by its home production
and consumption of manufactured goods; infinitely more than the
nation which has hitherto provided the former with manufactured
goods loses by being excluded; because a nation which manufactures
for itself; and which is perfectly developed in its economical
conditions; becomes more than proportionately richer and more
populous; consequently is enabled to consume infinitely more
fabrics; than it could import while depending on a foreign
manufacturing nation for its supply。
As respects the exportation of manufactured goods; however; the
countries of the temperate zone (being specially fitted By nature
for manufacturing) have a special field for their efforts in
supplying the consumption of the countries of the torrid zone;
which latter provide the former with colonial produce in exchange
for their manufactured goods。 The consumption of manufactured goods
by the countries of the torrid zone; however; is partly determined
by their ability to produce a surplus of the articles peculiar to
their climate; and partly according to the proportion in which the
countries of the temperate zone augment their demand for the
products of the torrid zone。
If it can now be proved; that in the course of time the
countries of the torrid zone can produce sugar; rice; cotton;
coffee; &c。 to an extent five or ten times greater than hitherto;
and that the countries of the temperate zone can consume five or
ten times more of these articles than hitherto; it will be
simultaneously proved that the countries of the temperate zone can
increase their exportation of manufactured goods to the countries
of the torrid zone by from five to ten times their present total
quantity。
The capability of the Continental nations to increase their
consumption of colonial produce thus considerably; is indicated by
the increase of consumption in England for the last fifty years; in
reference to which it must further be borne in mind; that that
increase would probably have become very much greater still were it
not for the excessive taxes on consumption。
Of the possibility of augmenting the productions of the torrid
zone; Holland in Sumatra and Java; and England in the East Indies;
have given us during the last five years irrefragable proofs。
England has quadrupled her importation of sugar from the East
Indies from 1835 to 1839; her importation of coffee has increased
even in a still larger proportion; while the importation of East
India cotton is also greatly increasing。 In one word; the latest
English papers (February; 1840) announced with great rejoicing that
the capability of the East Indies for the production of these
articles is unlimited; and that the time is not far distant when
England will make herself independent of the importation of these
articles from America and the West Indies。 Holland on her part is
already embarrassed for means of sale of her colonial products; and
seeks actively for new markets。 Let us further remember that North
America continues to augment her cotton production that in Texas
a State has risen up which without doubt will become possessed of
the whole of Mexico; and will make out of that fertile country a
territory such as the Southern States of the North American Union
now are。 We may well imagine that order and law; industry and
intelligence; will extend themselves gradually over the South
American States from Panama to Cape Horn; then over the whole of
Africa and Asia; and augment everywhere production and a surplus of
products; and we may then comprehend without difficulty that here
there is room enough for more than one nation for the sale of
manufactured goods。
By calculating the area of the land which has up to this time
been actually used for the production of colonial produce; and
comparing it with the entire area which is fitted By nature for
such production; we shall find that at present scarcely the
fiftieth part of the land fitted for this production is actually
used。
How; then; could England be able to monopolise the
manufacturing markets of all countries which yield colonial
produce; if she is able to supply her own entire requirements of
such produce by means of importation from the East Indies alone?
How can England indulge the hope of selling manufactured goods to
countries whose colonial products she cannot take in exchange? Or
how can a great demand for colonial produce spring up in the
continent of Europe; if the Continent is not enabled by its
manufacturing production to pay for; and thus to consume; these
goods?
It is therefore evident; that keeping down the manufacturing
industry of the Continent; though it certainly hinders the progress
of the Continental nations; does not in the least further the
prosperity of England。
It is further clear; that; at present; as well as for some long
time to come; the countries of the torrid zone will offer to all
nations which are fitted for manufacturing production abundant
materials for exchange。
Lastly; it is evident that a world…manufacturing monopoly such
as is at present established by the free competition of English
manufactured goods on the European and American continents is not
in the least more conducive to the welfare of the human race than
the system of protection; which aims at developing the
manufacturing power of the whole temperate zone; for the benefit of
the agriculture of the whole torrid zone。
The advance which England has made in manufactures; navigation;
and commerce; need therefore not discourage any other nation which
is fitted for manufacturing production; by the possession of
suitable territory; of national power and intelligence; from
entering into the lists with England's manufacturing supremacy。 A
future is approaching for manufactures; commerce; and navigation
which will surpass the present as much as the present surpasses the
past。 Let us only have the courage to believe in a great national
future; and in that belief to march onward。 But above all things we
must have enough national spirit at once to plant and protect the
tree; which will yield its first richest fruits only to future
generations。 We must first gain possession of the home market of
our own nation; at least as respects articles of general necessity;
and try to procure the products of tropical countries direct from
those countries which allow us to pay for them with our own
manufactured goods。 This is especially the task which the German
commercial union has to solve; if the German nation is not to
remain far behind the French and North Americans; nay; far behind
even the Russians。
NOTES:
1。 Vide Wealth of Nations; Book IV。 chap。 ii。 (TR。)
Chapter 16
Popular and State Financial Administration; Political and National
Economy
That which has reference to the raising; the expending; and the
administration of the material means of government of a community
(the financial economy of the State); must necessarily be
distinguished everywhere from those institutions; regulations;
laws; and conditions on which the economy of the individual
subjects of a State is dependent; and by which it is regulated;
i。e。 from the economy of the people。 The necessity for this
distinction is apparent in reference to all political communities;
whe