actually a philosophy of life stressing justice and happiness for the
individual, whether in his political, social, or economic capacity.
The more humanitarian our view, the more situations calling for remedy
fall within it. Child labor, to give a single example, was not
generally considered an evil a century ago, but to-day an enlarged
social conscience condemns it.

43. NECESSITY OF AVOIDING PATERNALISM.--The solution of many national
problems implies an extension of government control. Now, it is not
generally appreciated that while an enlarged social conscience has
increased the number of our problems, the individualistic strain in
the American nature resists that paternalism which at present appears
necessary to an effective treatment of certain problems. We are behind
Germany in legislation designed to prevent industrial accidents,
lessen the evils of unemployment, and otherwise protect the worker
against the risks of industry. But Germany has built up this system of
social insurance by restricting personal liberty, and by greatly
extending the power of government over the individual. The great task
confronting our government is to do as much for the individual as any
paternalistic government, without endangering his rights by an undue
extension of governmental control.

44. THE COMPLEXITY OF OUR PROBLEMS.--The mistake is sometimes made of
thinking that national issues can be nicely defined, and separated
from one another. The human mind has its limitations, and we are prone
to emphasize the outline and content of particular problems in order
to perceive their essential character the more clearly. But though
this is permissible for purposes of study, we must bear in mind that
the questions which we are to discuss are connected with one another
in a most baffling way. To understand the administration of charity,