News from Nowhere, or, an Epoch of Rest : being some chapters from a utopian romance by William Morris
page 100 of 269 (37%)
page 100 of 269 (37%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
(H.) This is true; and we may admit that the pretensions of the government to defend the poor (i.e., the useful) people against other countries come to nothing. But that is but natural; for we have seen already that it was the function of government to protect the rich against the poor. But did not the government defend its rich men against other nations? (I) I do not remember to have heard that the rich needed defence; because it is said that even when two nations were at war, the rich men of each nation gambled with each other pretty much as usual, and even sold each other weapons wherewith to kill their own countrymen. (H.) In short, it comes to this, that whereas the so-called government of protection of property by means of the law-courts meant destruction of wealth, this defence of the citizens of one country against those of another country by means of war or the threat of war meant pretty much the same thing. (I) I cannot deny it. (H.) Therefore the government really existed for the destruction of wealth? (I) So it seems. And yet - (H.) Yet what? (I) There were many rich people in those times. |
|