Thegreatmajorityofthepoor,however,havenoineradicablepersonalweaknessbutarecapableofrespondingtoinfluenceswhichmightraisethemtoanormalstandardofliving。Inotherwords,thenine-tenthsofthecommunitywhichisnotpoormightconceivablybringinfluencestobearwhichwould梚nahealthymannerandwithoutdemoralizingalms-giving梤emoveallbutasmallpartofthepovertyoftheothertenth。Itisonlyaquestionofputtingintothemattersufficientknowledgeandgoodwill。Astotheview,stillnotuncommon,thatthelaziness,shiftlessnessandviceofthepoorarethesourceoftheirdifficulties,itmaybesaidthatthesetraits,sofarastheyexist,arenowgenerallyregardedbycompetentstudentsasquiteasmuchtheeffectasthecauseofpoverty。Ifamanisundervitalizedhewilleitherappearlazyorwillexhausthimselfineffortswhicharebeyondhisstrength梩helatterbeingcommonwiththoseofanervoustemperament。
(293)Shiftlessness’also,isthenaturaloutcomeofaconfusedanddiscouragingexperience,especiallyifaddedtopoornutritionAndastodrinkandothersensualvices,itiswellunderstoodthattheyarethelogicalresourceofthosewhoselifedoesnotmeettheneedsofhumannatureinthewayofvariety,pleasantnessandhope。Thereareothercausesofvicebesidespoverty,asappearsfromitsprevalenceamongtheunresourcefulrich,buttherecanbenodoubtthatgoodnurture,moderatework,wholesomeamusementandahopefuloutlookwoulddoawaywithagreat,probablythegreater,partofit。Thereare,nodoubt,amongthepoor,asamongthewell-to-do,manycasesofincurableviciousnessandincompetence,butitwouldbenolessunjustandfoolishtoassumethatanyindividualisofthissortthantogiveupascarletfeverpatientbecausesomewilldieofthatdiseaseinspiteofthebesttreatment。
Ifindthattheablestandmostexperiencedworkershavegenerallythemostconfidenceastowhatmaybedoneevenniththeapparentlylazy,shiftlessorviciousbybringingfreshsuggestions,encouragementsandopportunitiestobearuponthem。Anditisonlyasmallportionofthepoorthatareevenapparentlylazy,shiftlessorvicious;themajoritycomparingnotunfavorablywiththewell-to-doclassesintheserespects。
Leavingasidegeneralconditionswhichmaydepresswholenationsorraces,themaincauseofpovertyinaprosperouscountryliketheUnitedStatesiswithoutdoubtsomesortofmaladjustmentbetweentheindividual,orthefamilyorneighborhoodgroup,andthewidercom-
(294)-munity,byreasonofwhichpotentialcapacitydoesnotyielditsproperfruitinefficiencyandcomfort。Thisisevidentlythecase,forexample,withthesortofpovertymostfamiliarinourAmericancities;
thatduetothebansplantingofvastnumbersofEuropeanstoasociety,nottoogoodforthemaswecarelesslyassume,butoutofconnectionwiththeirhabitsandtraditions。TheItalians,SlavsandRussianJewswhojustnowthrongourcitiesarebynomeansdeficient,onthewhole,eitherinintelligence,industryorthrift;andthosewhoknowthembestfindthemprolificinsomequalities,suchasartisticsensibilityofvariouskinds,inwhichAmericaisotherwiseratherdeficient。Buttheprocessofadaptationtoourindustrialconditionsistryingandleavesmanyinpovertyanddemoralization。
Amongthenativepopulationalso,povertyandthemoraldegradationwhichisoftenfoundwithitisduelargely,perhapschiefly,tovariouskindsofmaladjustmentbetweentheworkingclassesandtheindustrialsystem梩olossofemploymentfromperiodicaldepressionsorfromtheintroductionofnewmethods,tothelackofprovisionforindustrialeducation,totheperilsattendingmigrationfromcountrytocity,andsoon。
Whatshallwesayofthedoctrineverywidely,thoughperhapsnotveryclearly,heldthatthepoorarethe“unfit“incourseofelimination,andaresufferingthepainfulbutnecessaryconsequencesofaninferioritythatsocietymustgetridofatanycost?Anotionofthiskindmaybediscoveredinthemindsofmanymenoffairintelligence,andisduetoremote,obscureandforthemostpart,(295)mistakenimpressionsoftheteachingofMalthusandDarwin。
Theunfit,inthesenseofDarwinandofbiologyingeneral,arethosewhosehereditarytypeissounsuitedtotheconditionsoflifethatittendstodieout,oratleastsufferrelativediminutioninnumbers,undertheactionoftheseconditions梐swhitefamiliestendtodieoutinthetropics。Inotherwords,theyhaveaninferiorityduetoheredity,andthisinferiorityisofsuchacharacterthattheydonotleaveasmanychildrentocontinuetheirraceasdothoseofasuperiororfittertype。
Itisveryquestionablewhetheranygreatpartofthepooranswerthedescriptionineitheroftheserespects。Astothefirst,itistheprevailingopinionwiththosemostfamiliarwiththematterthattheirinferiority,exceptpossiblywhereadistinctraceisinquestion,aswiththeNegroes,isduechieflytodeficientnurture,trainingandopportunity,andnottoheredity。Thisviewissupportedbythefactthatundertheconditionswhichacountryofopportunity,liketheUnitedStates,affords,greatmassesofpeoplerisefrompovertytocomfort,andmanyofthemtoopulence,showingthatthestockwasascapableasany。SomethingofthissorthastakenplacewithGermanandIrishimmigrants,andislikelytotakeplacewithJews,SlavsandItalians。
Astoelimination,itiswellknownthatonlypovertyofthemostextremeanddestructivekindsavailstorestrictpropagation,andthatthemoderatelypoorhaveahigherrateofincreasethantheeducatedandwell-to-doclasses。
Itis,infact,farmorethelatterthatarethe“unfit“inabiologicalsensethantheformer。
(296)
Thetruthisthatpovertyisunfitness,butinasocialandnotabiologicalsense。Thatistosay,itmeansthat]feeding,housing,familylife,educationandopportunity!arebelowthestandardsthatthesocialtypecallsfor,andthattheirexistenceendangersthelatterinamanneranalogoustothatinwhichthepresenceofinferiorcattleinaherdendangersthebiologicaltype。Theythreaten,andtoagreaterorlessdegreeactuallybringabout,ageneraldegradationofthecommunity,throughignorance,inefficiency,disease,vice,badgovernment,classhatred(or,stillworse,classservilityandarrogance)andsoon。
Butsincetheunfitnessissocialratherthanbiological,themethodofeliminationmustalsobesocial,namely,thereformofhousingandneighborhoodconditions,improvementoftheschools,publicteachingoftrades,abolitionofchild-laborandthehumanizingofindustry。
Thattherearestrainsofbiologicalunfitnessamongthepoor梙ereditaryidiocy,ornervousinstabilitytendingtowardviceandcrime,forexample梚snottobedenied,andcertainlytheseshouldbeeliminated,butpoverty,farfromeffectingelimination,isperhapstheirmaincause。Thiswill,nodoubt,bedulyconsideredbystudentsofthenewscienceofeugenics,forwhichthoseofuswhoapproachsocialproblemsfromanotherpointofviewmayyethavethehighestregardandexpectation。Onlyashallowsortofmindwillsupposethereisanynecessaryconflictbetweenbiologicalandpsychologicalsociology。
Astothequestion,whoistoblameforpoverty,letusrememberthatthewholequestionofpraiseorblameisoneofpointofviewandexpediency。
Blamethepoorifit,(297)willdothemanygood,andsometimes,perhaps,itwill,butnotsooftenprobablyasthewell-to-doareapttoimagine。Itusedtobethoughtthatpeoplemustalwaysbeheldresponsiblefortheircondition,andthatthemainifnottheonlysourceofimprovementwastoprodtheirsenseofthisresponsibility;butmorethoughtfulobservationshowsthatitisnotalwaysagoodthingtourgethewill。“Worry,“saysanexperiencedworker,[1]“isoneofthedirectandall-pervadingcausesofeconomicdependence,“andheassertsthat“Takenothoughtforthemorrow“isoftenthemostpracticaladvice。Manyindications,amongthemthespreadof“mind-cure“
doctrinesandpractices,pointtoawidelyfeltneedtoescapefromthewasteandunrestofanover-stimulatedsenseofresponsibility。
Themainblameforpovertymustrestupontheprosperous,becausetheyhave,onthewhole,farmorepowerinthepremises。However,povertybeingduechieflytoconditionsofwhichsocietyisonlyjustbeginningtobecomeconscious,wemaysaythatinthepastnobodyhasbeentoblame。Itisanunintendedresultoftheeconomicstruggle,andis“donewiththeelbowsratherthanthefists。”Butconsciousnessisarising,andwithitcomesresponsibility。Wearebecomingawareofwhatmakespovertyandhowitcaningreatpartbedoneawaywith,andifaccomplishmentdoesnotkeeppacewithknowledgeweshallbetoblameindeed。
Allpartsofsocietybeinginterdependent,theevilsof,(298)povertyarenotconfinedtooneclass,butspreadthroughoutthewhole;andtheinfluenceofalowstandardoflivingisfeltinthecorruptionofpolitics,theprevalenceofviceandtheinefficiencyoflabor。Thecauseofthepooristhereforethecauseofall,andfromthispointofviewthoseofthemwhoinspiteofweakness,discouragementandneglectkeepupthefightforadecentlifeandshundependenceanddegradation,shouldberegardedasheroicdefendersofthegeneralwelfare,deservingpraiseasmuchasthesoldieratthefront。Ifwedonotsoregardthem,itisbecauseofourlackofintelligenceandsocialconsciousness。
Inatrulyorganicsocietythestrugglesandsufferingofapoorclasswouldarousethesameaffectionateandhelpingsolicitudeasisfeltwhenonememberofafamilyfallsill。Incontrasttothis,theindifferenceorsomewhatcontemptuouspityusuallyfelttowardpovertyindicatesalowstateofcommunitysentiment,adeficientwe-feeling。Respectandappreciationwouldseemtobeduetothosewhosustainthestrugglesuccessfully,andsympathetichelptothosewhoarebrokendownbyit。Especiallybrutal,stupidandinexpedient梬henwethinkofit?istheoldwayoflumpingthepoorwiththedegenerateas“thelowerclass,“andeitherleavingthemtobeartheirdiscreditedexistenceasbesttheymay,ordealingouttothemacontemptuousandunbrotherlyalms。Theconfusionwiththedegradedofthosewhoarekeepingupthesocialstandardinthefaceofexceptionaldifficultiesisasmeananddeadlyawrongascouldwellbe。
Insofarasthereisaneffective,self-consciousChristian,(299)spiritintheworld,thought,feelingandeffortmustconcentratewhereverthereisinjusticeoravoidablesuffering。Thatthistakesplacesoslowlyandimperfectlyinthematterofpovertyislargelyowingtoalackofclearperceptionofwllatougbttobedone。Isupposethereisnodoubtthatifmeregiftscouldwipeoutpovertyitwouldbewipedoutatonce。Butpeoplearenow,forthemostpart,justsufficientlyinformedtoseethefutilityofordinaryalms,withoutbeinginstructedinthepossibilitiesofrationalphilanthropy。Rationalphilanthropyiscoming,however,alongwithanexcellentliteratureandabodyofexpertpersonswhounitehumaneenthusiasmwithascientificspirit。[2]
Thefundamentalremedyforpovertyis,ofcourse,rationalorganizationhavingforitsaimthecontrolofthoseconditions,nearandremote,whichleadpeopleintoitandpreventtheirgettingout。Themostradicalmeasuresarethosewhichareeducationalandprotectiveinaverybroadandsearchingsenseofthewords梩hehumanizationoftheprimaryschoolsystem,industrialeducation,facilitiesforplay,physicaltrainingandhealthyamusement,goodhousing,therestrictionbylawofchildlaborandofallviciousandunwholesomeconditions,and,finally,thebiologicalprecautionofstoppingthepropagationofreallydegeneratetypesofmen。
Endnotes,AneditorialwriterinCharitiesandtheCommons,presumablyProfessorDevine,theauthorofPrinciplesofRelief,andotherworksonrationalcharity。”Ourchildren’schildrenmaylearnwithamazementhowwethoughtitanaturalsocialphenomenonthatmenshoulddieintheirprime,leavingwivesandchildreninterrorofwant,thataccidentsshouldmakeanarmyofmaimeddependents;thatthereshouldnotbeenoughhousesforworkers;andthatepidemicsshouldsweepawaymultitudesasautumnfrostsweepsawaysummerinsects“SimonN。Patten,TheNewBasisofCivilization,197,CharlesHortonCooley:SocialOrganization:Chapter27:HostileFeelingbetween,Classes,CHAPTERXXVII
HOSTILEFEELINGBETWEENCLASSES,CONDITIONSPRODUCINGCLASSANIMOSITY——THESPIRITOFSERVICE
ALLAYSBITTERNESS——POSSIBLEDECREASEOFTHEPRESTIGEOFWEALTH——PROBABILITY
OFAMORECOMMUNALSPIRITINTHEUSEOFWEALTH——INFLUENCEOFSETTLED
RULESFORSOCIALOPPOSITION——IMPORTANCEOFFACE-TO-FACEDISCUSSION
CLASSanimositybynomeansincreasesinproportiontotheseparationofclasses。Onthecontrary,wherethereisadefiniteandrecognizedclasssystemwhichnoonethinksofbreakingdown,amaincauseofarroganceandjealousyisabsent。Everyonetakeshispositionforgrantedandisnotconcernedtoassertorimproveit。InSpain,itissaid,“youmaygivetheinchtoanypeasant;heissuretobeagentleman,andheneverthinksoftakingtheelf。”SoinanEnglishtale,writtenabout1875,Ifindthefollowing:“Thepeasantryandlittlepeopleincountryplacesliketofeelthegentryfarabovethem。Theydonotcaretobecaughtupintotheempyreanofanequalhumanity,butenjoythepoetryoftheirself-abasementinthebeliefthattheirsuperiorsareindeedtheirbetters。”SoattheSouththerewasakindoffellowshipbetweentheracesunderslaverywhichpresentconditionsmakemoredifficult。Asettledinequalityisthenextbestthing,forintercourse,toequality。
Butwheretheidealofequalityhasentered,evenslightdifferencesmayberesented,andclassfeelingismostbitter,probably,wherethisidealisstrongbuthasnoregu-
(302)-larandhopefulmethodsofassertingitself。Inthatcaseaspirationturnssourandgenerateshatefulpassions。Castecountriesaresafefromthisbylackingtheidealofequality,democraciesbypartlyrealizingit。ButinGermany,forinstance,wherethereisafiercedemocraticpropagandaontheonehand,andastonewallofmilitaryandaristocraticinstitutionsontheother,onemayfeelaclassbitternessthatwehardlyknowinAmerica。
AndinEnglandalso,atthepresenttime,whenclassesarestillrecognizedbutveryill-defined,thereseemstobemuchofanuneasypreoccupationaboutrank,andoftheelbowing,snubbingandsuspicionthatgowithit。
Peopleappeartobemoreconcernedwithtryingtogetintoasetabovethem,orrepressingotherswhoarepushingupfrombelow,thanwithus。
InAmericasocialpositionexists,but,havingnosuchdefinitesymbolsasinEngland,isforthemostparttoointangibletogiverisetosnobbery,whichisbasedontitlesandotherexternalitieswhichmenmaycovetorgloatoverinawayhardlypossiblewhenthelineismerelyoneofopinion,congenialityandcharacter。
Thfeelingbetweenclasseswillpotbeverybittersolongastheidealofserviceispresentinallandmutuallyrecognized。Anditisthetendencyofthedemocraticspirit梫eryimperfectlyworkedoutasyet梩oraisethisidealaboveallothersandmakeitacommonstandardofconduct。ThusMontesquieu,describinganidealdemocracy,saysthatambitionislimited“tothesoledesire,tothesolehappiness,ofdoinggreaterservicestoourcountrythantherestofourfellowcitizens。Theycannotallrenderherequalservices,buttheyalloughttoserveher,(303)withequalalacrity。”Hethinksalsothattheloveoffrugality,bywhichhemeanscompunctioninmaterialself-indulgence,“limitsthedesireofhavingtothestudyofprocuringnecessitiestoourfamilyandsuperfluitiestoourcountry。”[1]Ifitwereindeedsoillourownworld,therewouldbenodangerofaclassconflict。
Possiblyallstatesofopinionbywhichanyserviceisdespisedaresurvivalsfromacastesociety,andreminiscentofthedominationofoneorderoveranother梛ustasslaveryhasleftafeelingintheSouththathandlaborisdegrading。Sosoonasallkindsofworkerssharefreelyinthesocialandpoliticalorder,allworkmustberespected。Thesocialprestigeofidleness,of“conspicuousleisure,“thatstillexistsintheOldWorld,isevidentlyasurvivalofthissort,anditcanhardlyhappeninthedemocraticfuturethat“peoplewilllettheirnailsgrowthatallmayseetheydonotwork。”“Idonotcallonegreaterandonesmaller,“
saysWhitman,“thatwhichfillsitsperiodandplaceisequaltoany。”[2]Ithink,however,thattherewillalwaysbeespecialesteemforsomesortsofachievement,butthegroundsforthiswill,moreandmore,bedistinctioninthecommonservice。
Theexcessiveprestigeofwealth,alongwithmuchoftheillfeelingwhichitinvolves,isalso,inmyopinion,ratheralegacyfromcastesocietythanatraitcongenialtodemocracy。Ihavetriedtoshowthattheascendancyofrichesisreallygreaterintheolderandlessdemocraticsocieties;
anditsurvivesindemocracyasmuchasit,(304)doespartlybecauseofthetraditionthatassociateswealthwithanuppercaste,andpartlybecauseotheridealsareasyetcrudeandunorganized。
Arealdemocracyofsentimentandaction,arenewedChristianityandarenewedartmightmakelifebeautifulandhopefulforthosewhohavelittlemoneywithoutdiminishingthewholesomeoperationofthedesireforgain。
Atpresentthecommonmanisimpoverishednotmerelybyanabsolutewantofmoneybutbyacurrentwayofthinkingwhichmakespecuniarysuccessthestandardofmerit,andsomakeshimfeelthatfailuretogetmoneyisfailureoflife。Aswenolongerfeelmuchadmirationformerephysicalprowess,apartfromtheusethatismadeofit,soitseemsnaturalthatthesameshouldcometrueofmerepecuniarystrength。Themindofachild,orofanynaiveperson,basesconsiderationchieflyonfunction,onwhatamancandointhecommonlife,anditisinthelineofdemocraticdevelopmentthatweshouldreturntowardthissimpleandhumanview。
Itisinaccordwiththismovementthatchildrenofallclassesaremoreandmoretaughttheuseoftools,cookingandotherprimaryartsoflife。Thisnotonlymakesforeconomyandindependence,buteducatesthe“instinctofworkmanship,“leadingustofeelaninterestinallgoodworkandarespectforthosewhodoit。
Themainneedofmenislife,self-expression,notluxury,andifself-expressioncanbemadegeneralmaterialinequalitiesalonewillexcitebutlittleresentment。
Astotheuseofwealthwemayexpectagrowingsenseofsocialresponsibility,ofwhichtherearealreadycheerful,(305)indications。Sinceitisnolongerrespectabletobeidle,whymaywenothopethatitwillpresentlyceasetoberespectabletoindulgeone’slowerselfinotherways梚npecuniarygreed,inluxuriouseating,indisplay,richclothesandothercostlyandexclusivepleasures?
Wemustnot,however,besooptimisticastooverlooktheeasewithwhichnarroworselfishinterestsmayformspecialgroupsoftheirown,encouragingoneanotheringreedorluxurytotheneglectofthecommonlife。Suchassociationscannotaltogethershutoutgeneralsentiment,buttheycananddosofardeadenitsinfluencethatthemorehardenedorfrivolousarepracticallyunconsciousofit。Whiletherearesomecheerfulgiversonalargescaleamongus,andmanyonasmallone,Iamnotsurethattherewasever,onthewhole,acommercialsocietythatcontributedasmallerpartofitsgainstogeneralcauses。Wehavedonemuchinthisway;butthenweareenormouslyrich;andthemostthathasbeendonehasbeenbytaxation,whichfallsmostheavilyuponsmallproperty-owners。Themorecommunaluseofwealthisratheramatterofgeneralprobability,andoffaithindemocraticlsentiment,thanofdemonstrablefact。
Muchmightbesaidofthevariouswaysinwhichmorecommunitysentimentmightbeshownandclassresentmentalleviated。Inthematterofdress,forexample;shalloneexpresshiscommunityconsciousnessinitorhisclassconsciousness,assumingthateachisnaturalandcreditable?Itwouldseemthatwhenhegoesabroadamongmenthegooddemocratshouldprefertoappearaplaincitizen,withnothingabouthimtointerruptintercoursewithanyclass。Andinfact,itisawholesome,(306)featureofAmericanlife,innotablecontrastwith,say,Germany,thathighaswellaslowareaversetowearingmilitaryorotherdistinctivecostumeinpublic梕xceptattimesoffestivalordisplay,whenclassconsciousnessisinspecialfunction。Wefeelthatifamanwantstodistinguishhimselfingeneralintercourseheshoulddosoincourtesyorwisdom,notinmedalsorclothes。
Andwhyshouldnotthesameprinciple,ofdeferencetothecommunityinnon-essentials,applytoone’shouseandtoone’swayoflivingingeneral?
Ifhehasanythingworthytoexpressinthesethings,lethimexpressit,butnotprideorluxury。
Letusnot,however,formulizeuponthequestionwhatonemayrightlyspendmoneyfor,orimaginethatformulismispracticable。Theprinciplethatwealthisatrustheldforthegeneralgoodisnottobedisputed;
butlatitudemustbelefttoindividualconceptionsofwhatthegeneralgoodis。Thesearemattersnotforformulasorsumptuarylaws,butforconscience。Tosetupanyotherstandardwouldbetosuppressindividualityanddomoreharmthangood。
Someofuswouldbegladtoseealmostanyamountofwealthspentuponbeautifularchitecture,thoughwemightpreferthatthebuildingsbedevotedtosomepublicuse。Letushavebeauty,evenluxury,butletitbepublicandcommunicable。Itcertainlyseemsatfirstsightthatvastexpenditureuponprivateyachts,privatecars,costlyballs,displayofjewelry,sumptuouseatingandthelike,indicatesalowstateofculture;butperhapsthisisamistake;nodoubtthereissomebeneficenceinthesethingsnotgenerallyunderstood。
(307)
Wedonotwantuniformityinearningandspending,morethanelsewhere,onlyunityofspirit。Somewriterspraisetheemulationthatisdeterminedtohaveasfinethingsasothershave,butwhilethishasitsusesitisasocialimpulseofnohighkindallakeepsthemassofmenfeelingpoorandinferior。Ourdignityandhappinesswouldprofitmoreifeachofusweretoworkoutlifeinawayofhisownwithoutinvidiouscomparisons。
Weshallneverbecontentexceptaswedevelopandenjoyourindividualityandarewillingtoforegowhatdoesnotbelongtoit。IknowthatIwasnotborntogetortouseriches,butIamwillingtobelievethatothersare。
Anessentialconditionofbetterfeelingintheinevitablestrugglesoflifeisthatthereshouldbejustandaccepted“rulesofthegame“togivemoralunitytothewholeMuchmustbesuffered,butmenwillsufferwithoutbitternessiftheybelievethattheydosounderjustandnecessaryprinciples。
Asolidfoundationhasbeenlaidforthis,infreecountries,bytheestablishmentofinstitutionsunderwhichallclassconflictsarereferred,inthelastresort,tohumannatureitself。Throughfreespeechageneralwillmaybeorganizedonanymatterurgentenoughtoattractgeneralattention,andthroughdemocraticgovernmentthismaybetested,recordedandcarriedout。Thusisprovidedatribunalfreefromclassbiasbeforewhichcontroversiesmaybetriedandsettledinanorderlymanner。
Itwouldbehardtoexaggeratetheimportancetosocialpeaceofthisrecognitionoftheultimateauthorityofpublicopinion,actingslowlybutsurelythroughconstitutional,(308)methods。Itmeansamoralwholewhichprescribesrules,directssaneagitationintohealthyandmoderatechaneels,andtakesawayallrationalgroundforviolenceorrevolutionIfmen,forinstance,believethataparticularkindofsocialisticstateisthecurefortheevilsofsociety,letthemspeak,printandformtheirparty。Perhapstheyareright;
atleast,theygetmuchwholesomeself-expressionandakindofhappinessoutoftheiraspirationandlabors。Andiftheyarepartlywrong,yettheymaybothlearnandimpartmuchtothegeneraladvantage。
Butwehavemadeonlyabeginninginthis。Ourethicsisonlyavagueoutline,notamaturedsystem,andinthedetailsofsocialcontact梐sbetweenemployerandworkman,richandpoor,Negroandwhite,andsoon梩hereissuchalackofacceptedstandardsthatmenhavelittletogobybuttheircrudeimpulses。Allthismustbeworkedout,inasmuchpatienceandgoodwillaspossible,beforewecanexpecttohavepeace。
Wherethereisnoveryradicalconflictofessentialprinciples,illfeelingmaycommonlybealleviatedbyface-to-facediscussion,sincethemorewecometounderstandoneanotherthemorewegetbelowsuperficialunlikenessandfindessentialcommunity。Betweenfairlyreasonableandhonestmenitisalwayswholesometo“haveitout,“andmanycarefulstudiesoflabortroublesagreeregardingthelargepartplayedbymisunderstandingsandsuspicionthathavenocauseexceptlackofopportunityforexplanation。
“Theriotingwouldnothavetakenplace,“saysastudentofcertainn。iriingdisorders,“hadnottheignoranceandsuspicionoftheHungariansbeensupplementedbythe,(309)ignoranceandsuspicionoftheemployers;andtheperseveranceofthismutualattitudemayyetcreateanotherriot。”[3]Thereisastrongtemptationforthoseinauthority,especiallyiftheyareoverworkedorconsciousofbeingalittleweakorunreadyinconference,tofencethemselvesinwithformalityandthetype-writtenletter。Butamanofrealfitnessinanyadministrativecapacitymusthaveastomachforopenandface-to-facedealingwithmen。
Andademocraticsystemsoonerorlaterbringstopassface-to-facediscussionofallvitalquestions,becausethepeoplewillbesatisfiedwithnoother。Anappearanceofshirkingitwillarouseevenmoredistrustandhostilitythantheopenavowalofselfishmotives;andaccordinglyitismoreandmorethepracticeofaggressiveintereststoseektojustifythemselvesbyatleasttheappearanceoffrankappealtopopularjudgment。
Endnotes,TheSpiritofLaws,bookv,chap。3。LeavesofGrass,71。Spahr,America’sWorkingPeople,128。,CharlesHortonCooley:SocialOrganization:Chapter28:Institutionsandthe,Individual,CHAPTERXXVIII
INSTITUTIONSANDTHEINDIVIDUAL,THENATUREOFINSTITUTIONS——HEREDITARYANDSOCIALFACTORS——
THECHILDANDTHEWORLD——SOCIETYANDPERSONALITY——PERSONALITYversusTHEINSTITUTION——THEINSTITUTIONASABASISOFPERSONALITY——THE
MORALASPECT——CHOICEversusMECHANISM——PERSONALITYTHELIFE
OFINSTITUTIONS——INSTITUTIONSBECOMINGFREERINSTRUCTURE。
ANinstitutionissimplyadefiniteandestablishedphaseofthepublicmind,notdifferentinitsultimatenaturefrompublicopinion,thoughoftenseeming,onaccountofits;permanenceandthevisiblecustomsandsymbolsinwhichitisclothed,tohaveasomewhatdistinctandindependentexistence。Thusthepoliticalstateandthechurch,withtheirvenerableassociations,theirvastandancientpower,theirliterature,buildingsandoffices,hardlyappeareventoademocraticpeopleasthemereproductsofhumaninventionwhich,ofcourse,theyare。
Thegreatinstitutionsaretheoutcomeofthatorganizationwhichhumanthoughtnaturallytakesonwhenitisdirectedforageafterageuponaparticularsubject,andsograduallycrystallizesindefiniteforms梕nduringsentiments,beliefs,customsandsymbols。Andthisisthecasewhenthereissomedeepandabidinginteresttoholdtheattentionofmen。Language,government,thechurch,lawsandcustomsofpropertyandofthefamily,systems,(314)ofindustryandeducation,areinstitutionsbecausetheyaretheworkingoutofpermanentneedsofhumannature。
Thesevariousinstitutionsarenotseparableentities,butratherphasesofacommonandatleastpartlyhomogeneousbodyofthought,justasarethevarioustendenciesandconvictionsofanindividual:theyarethe“apperceptivesystems“ororganizedattitudesofthepublicmind,anditisonlybyabstractionthatwecanregardthemasthingsbythemselves。Wearetorememberthatthesocialsystemisaboveallawhole,nomatterhowtheconvenienceofstudymayleadustodivideit。
Intheindividualtheinstitutionexistsasahabitofmindandofaction,largelyunconsciousbecauselargelycommontoallthegroup:itisonlythedifferentialaspectofourselvesofwhichwearecommonlyaware。Butitisinmenandnowhereelsethattheinstitutionistobefound。TherealexistenceoftheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,forexampleisinthetraditionalideasofthepeopleandtheactivitiesofjudges,legislatorsandadministrators;thewritteninstrumentbeingonlyameansofcommunication,anArkoftheCovenant,ensuringtheintegrityofthetradition。
Theindividualisalwayscauseaswellaseffectoftheinstitution:
hereceivestheimpressofthestatewhosetraditionshaveenvelopedhimfromchildhood,butatthesametimeimpresseshisowncharacter,formedbyotherforcesaswellasthis,uponthestate,whichthusinhimandotherslikehimundergoeschange。
Ifwethinkcarefullyaboutthismatter,however,weshallseethatthereareseveralsomewhatdifferentquestionswhichmightbeincludedinastudyoftherelationbetween,(315)theindividualandinstitutions;andtheseweoughttodistinguish。
Oneofthemisthatofthebabetotheworld,orofthehereditaryfactoroflife,existinginusatbirth,tothefactorofcommunicationandinfluence。
Anotherandquitedifferentoneisthatofsocietyandpersonality,oroftherelationbetweenthematureindividualandthewholeofwhichheisamember。
Athirdisthequestion梐gainadistinctone梠ftherelation,notbetweenthepersonandsocietyatlarge,butbetweenhimandparticularinstitutions。
Thislastistheonewithwhichwearemoreproperlyconcerned,butitmaynotbeamisstooffersomeobservationsontheothers。
Thechildatbirth,when,wemaysupposeforconvenience,societyhashadnodirectinfluenceuponhimrepresentstheracestockorhereditaryfactorinlifeinantithesistothefactoroftradition,communicationandsocialorganization。Healsorepresentsanundevelopedormerelybiologicalindividualityincontrasttothedevelopedsocialwholeintowhichhecomes。
Wethinkofthesocialworldasthemature,organized,institutionalfactorintheproblem;andyetwemaywellsaythatthechildalsoembodiesaninstitution(usingthewordlargely)andonemoreancientandstablethanchurchorstate,namelythebiologicaltype,littlechanged,probably,sincethedawnofhistory。ItcannotbeshowninanywaythatIknowofthatthechildrenbornto-dayofEnglishorAmericanparents條eavingasideanyquestionofracemixture梐regreatlydifferentinnaturaloutfitfrom,(316)theSaxonboysandgirls,theirancestors,whoplayeduponthebanksoftheElbefifteenhundredyearsago。Therootedinstinctsandtemperamentofracesappeartobeverymuchwhattheywere,andthechangesofhistory?
thedevelopmentofpoliticalinstitutions,theeconomicrevolutions,thesettlementofnewcountries,theReformation,theriseofscienceandthelike梐rechangesmainlyinthesocialfactoroflife,whichthusappearscomparativelyashiftingthing。
Inthedevelopmentofthechild,then,wehavetodowiththeinteractionoftwotypes,bothofwhichareancientandstable,thoughonemoresothantheother。Andthestirandgenerationofhumanlifeispreciselyintheminglingofthesetypesandinthemanyvariationsofeachone。
Thehereditaryoutfitofachildconsistsofvaguetendenciesoraptitudeswhichgetdefinitenessandmeaningonlythroughthecommunicativeinfluenceswhichenablethemtodevelop。Thusbabblingisinstinctive,whilespeechcomesbythisinstinctbeingdefinedandinstructedinsociety;curiositycomesbynature,knowledgebylife;fear,inavague,instinctiveform,issupposedtobefeltevenbythefoetus,butthefearsoflaterlifearechieflysocialfears;thereisaninstinctivesensibilitywhichdevelopsintosympathyandlove;andsoon。
Nothingismorefutilethangeneraldiscussionsoftherelativeimportanceofheredityandenvironment。Itismuchlikethecaseofmatterversusmind;bothareindispensabletoeveryphaseoflife,andneithercanexistapartfromtheother:theyarecoordinateinimportanceandincommensurableinnature。Onemightaswellaskwhetherthesoilortheseedpredominatesintheformation,(317)ofatree,aswhethernaturedoesmoreforusthannurture。Thefactthatmostwritershaveapredilectionforoneofthesefactorsattheexpenseoftheother(Mr。Galtonandthebiologicalschool,forexample,seeingheredityeverywhere,andnotmuchelse,whilepsychologistsandsociologistsputthestressoninfluence)meansonlythatsomearetrainedtoattendtooneclassoffactsandsometoanother。Onemaybemorerelevantforagivenpracticalpurposethantheother,buttomakeageneraloppositionisunintelligent。
Totheeyeofsentimentanew-bornchildoffersamovingcontrasttotheancientandgrimyworldintowhichitsoinnocentlyenters;theoneformed,apparently,forallthatispureandgood,“trailingcloudsofglory“assomethink,fromamorespiritualworldthanours,patheticallyunconsciousofanythingbutjoy;theothergrayandsaturnine,suretoproveinmanywaysaprison-house,perhapsafoulone。“Fullsoonthysoulshallhaveherearthlyfreight。”[1]Nodoubt,however,thepathosofthiscontrastarisesinpartfromsomewhatfallaciouspreconceptions。Theimaginationidealizesthechild,readingitsownvisionsintohisinnocenceasitdoesintotheinnocenceoftheseaandthemountains,andcontrastinghisfuturecareernotwithwhatheis,butwithanidealofwhathemightbecome。Intruththechildalreadyfeels,inhisownway,thepainfulsideoflife;hehastheseedsofdarknessinhimaswellasthoseoflight,andcannotinstrictnessbesaidtobeany,(318)betterthantheworld。Thegoodoflifetranscendshisimaginationasmuchasdoestheevil,andhecouldnotbecomeanythingatallexceptinasocialworld。Thepityofthematterwhichmaywellmoveeveryonewhothinksofittoworkforbetterhomes,schoolsandplaygrounds,issimplythatweareabouttomakesopoorauseofaplasticmaterial,thathemightbesomuchbetterandhappierifwewouldprepareabetterplaceforhim。
Itistrue,inasense,asBaconsays,thatyouthhasmoreofdivinity,butperhapswemightalsosaythatithasmoreofdeviltry;theyoungerlifeis,themoreunbounditis,notyetinharness,withmoredivineinsightandmorerecklesspassion,andadolescenceistheperiodofcriminalityaswellasofpoetry。
Thereisanaturalaffinitybetweenchildhoodanddemocracy;thelatterimplying,indeed,thatwearetobecomemoreaslittlechildren,moresimple,frankandhuman。Anditisaveryproperpartofthedemocraticmovementthatmoreandmoreprestigeisattachingtochildhood,thatitismorestudied,cherishedandrespected。Probablynothingelsegivessuchcogencytotheideaofreformastothinkofwhatitmeanstochildren。Wewishtoknowthatallthechildrenofthelandarehappilyunfoldingtheirmindsandheartsathome,schoolandplay;andthatthereisagradualinductionintousefulwork,whichalsoproceedsregularlyandhappily。Thiscallsforbetterhomesandneighborhoods,andtheovercomingofconditionsthatdegradethem;itimpliesbetterschools,thesuppressionofchild-labor,regularindustrialeducation,wholesomeandfairlypaidwoarkandreasonablesecurityofposition。Whilethechildisnotexactlybetter,(319)thantheworld,hispossibilitiesmakeusfeelthattheworldoughttobebetterforhissake。Asfastasachildbecomesapersonhealsobecomesmemberoftheexistingsocialorder。’[’hisissimplyacaseofawholeandoneofitsdifferentiatedparts;havingsoofteninsistedthatsocietyandtheindividualareaspectsofthesamething,Ineednotenlargeuponithere。Eventhedegenerate,sofarastheyhavefacultyenoughtobehuman,liveinthesocialorderandareasmuchonewithitastherestofmankind。Wesimplycannotseparatetheindividualfromsocietyatlarge;
togetacontrastwemustpassontoconsiderhiminrelationtoparticularinstitutions,ortoinstitutionsingeneralasdistinguishedfrommoreplasticphasesoflife。
Aninstitutionisamature,specializedandcomparativelyrigidpartofthesocialstructure。Itismadeupofpersons,butnotofwholepersons;
eachoneentersintoitwithatrainedandspecializedpartofhimself。
Consider,forinstance,thelegalpartofalawyer,theecclesiasticalpartofachurchmemberorthebusinesspartofamerchant。Inantithesistotheinstitution,therefore,thepersonrepresentsthewholenessandhumannessoflife;heis,asProfessorAlfredLloydsays,[2]“acorrectorofpartiality,andatranslatoranddistributorofspecialdevelopment。”
Amanisnomanatallifheismerelyapieceofaninstitution;hemuststandalsoforhumannature,fortheinstinctive,theplasticandtheideal。
(320)Thesayingthatcorporationshavenosoulexpresseswellenoughthisdefectofalldefinitesocialstructures,whichgivesrisetoanirrepressibleconflictbetweenthemandthefreerandlargerimpulsesofhumannature。
Justinproportionastheyachieveaneffectivespecialmechanismforanarrowpurpose,theylosehumanness,breadthandadaptability。Aswehavetobespeciallyonourguardagainstcommercialcorporations,becauseoftheirunionofpowerandimpersonality,soweshouldbeagainstallinstitutions。
Theinstitutionrepresentsmight,andalso,perhaps,right,butrightorganized,mature,perhapsgonetoseed,neverfreshandunrecognized。
Newright,ormoralprogress,alwaysbeginsinarevoltagainstinstitutions。
Ihaveinmindapaintingwhichmaybesaidtosetforthtotheeyethisrelationbetweenthelivingsoulandtheinstitution。ItrepresentsSt。JamesbeforetheRomanEmperor。[3]Theformerispoorlyclad,beautiful,withrapt,upliftedface;thelattermajestic,dominant,assured,seatedhighonhisivorychairandsurroundedbysoldiers。
Ofcoursetheinstitutionalelementisequallyessentialwiththepersonal。
Themechanicalworkingoftraditionandconventionpoursintothemindthetriedwisdomoftherace,asystemofthoughteverypartofwhichhassurvivedbecauseitwas,insomesense,thefittest,becauseitapproveditselftothehumanspirit。Inthiswaytheindividualgetslanguage,sentiments,moralstandardsandallkindsofknowledge:getsthemwithanexertionofthe,(321)willbidingcomparedwithwhatthesethingsoriginallycost。Theyhavebecomeasocialatmospherewhichpervadesthemindmostlywithoutitsactiveparticipation。Oncethefocusofattentionandeffort,theyhavenowreceededintothedimnessofthematter-of-course,leavingenergyfreefornewconquests。Onthisinvoluntaryfoundationwebuild,anditneedsnoargumenttoshowthatwecouldaccomplishnothingwithoutit。
Thusallinnovationisbasedonconformity,allheterodoxyonorthodoxy,allindividualityonsolidarity。Withouttheorthodoxtraditioninbiology,forinstance,undertheguidanceofwhichastoreoforderedknowledgehadbeencollected,theheterodoxyofDarwin,basedonareinterpretationofthisknowledge,wouldhavebeenimpossible。Andsoinart,theinstitutionsuppliesabasistotheveryindividualwhorebelsagainstit。Mr。BrownellinhisworkonFrenchArt,pointsout,indiscussingtherelationofRodintheinnovatingsculptortothe[FrenchInstitute,thatheoweshisdevelopmentandtheinteresthisnon-conformityexciteslargelyto“theverysystemthathasbeenpowerfulenoughtopopularizeindefinitelythesubjectbothofsubscriptionandrevolt。”*InAmericaitisnothostilecriticismbutnocriticismatal1梥heerignoranceandindifference梩hatdiscouragestheartistandmanoflettersandmakesitdifficulttoformahighideal。
Wherethereisanorganizedtraditiontheremaybeintolerancebuttherewillalsobeintelligence。
Thuschoice,whichrepresentstherelativelyfreeactionofhumannatureinbuildinguplife,islikethecoralinsect,(322)alwaysworkingonamountainmadeupofthecrystallizedremainsofdeadpredecessors。
Itisamistaketosupposethatthepersonis,ingeneral,betterthantheinstitution。Morally,asinotherrespects,thereareadvantagesoneachside。Thepersonhasloveandaspirationandallsortsofwarm,fresh,plasticirnpulses,towhichtheinstitutionisseldomhospitable,butthelatterhasasoberandtriedgoodnessoftheages,thedeposit,littlebylittle,ofwhathasbeenfoundpracticableinthewaywardandtransientoutreachingsofhumanidealism。Thelaw,thestate,thetraditionalcodeofrightandwrong,thesearerelatedtopersonalityasagrayhairedfathertoachild。Howeverworld-wornandhardenedbyconflict,theyareyetstrongandwiseandkind,andwedowellinmostmatterstoobeythem。
Asimilarlineofreasoningappliestothepopularfallacythatanationisofnecessitylessmoralinitsdealingswithothernationsthananindividualwithotherindividuals。Internationalmoralityisonalowplanebecauseitisrecentandundeveloped,notfromanyinevitabledefectinitsnature。
Itisslowtogrow,likeanythingelseofaninstitutionalcharacter,butthereisnoreasonwhyitshouldnoteventuallyexpresstheutmostjusticeandgenerosityofwhichwearecapable。Alldependsupontheenergyandpersistencewithwhichpeopletrytoeffectuatetheiridealsinthissphere。
Theslownessofaninstitutioniscompensatedbyitscapacityforage-longcumulativegrowth,andinthiswayitmayoutstrip,evenmorally,theordinaryachievementofindividualsastheChristianChurch,forexample,standsforidealsbeyondtheattain-
(323)-mentofmostofitsmembers。Ifwesetourheartsonhavingarighteousstatewecanhaveonemorerighteousthananyindividual。
ThetreatmentofCubabytheUnitedStatesandthesuppressionoftheslave-tradebytheBritishareexamplesOfnationsactingupongenerousprincipleswhichwemayreasonablyexpecttoextendastimegoeson。Astheneedofinternationaljusticeandpeacebecomeskeenlyfelt,itsgrowthbecomesasnaturalastheanalogousprocessinanindividual。
Wheneverthequestionisraisedbetweenchoiceandmechanism,[5]theadvocatesofthelattermayjustlyclaimthatitsavesenergy,andmaydemandwhether,inagivencase,theresultsofchoicejustifyitscost。
Thuschoice,workingonalargescale,iscompetition,andtheonlyalternativeissomemechanicalprinciple,eithertireinheritedstatusofhistoryorsomenewruleofstabilitytobeworkedout,perhaps,bysocialism。Yetthepresentcompetitiveorderisnotunjustlycensuredaswasteful,harassing,unjustandhostiletotheartisticspirit。Choiceisworkingsomewhatriotously,withoutanadequatebasisofestablishedprinciplesandstandards,andsofarassocialismisseekingtheseitisdoingwell。
Carlyleandothershaveurgedwithmuchreasonthatthemediaevalworkman,hemmedinashewasbymechanicalandtousunreasonablerestrictions,wasinsomerespectsbetteroffthanhismodernsuccessor。Therewaslessfreedomofopportunity,butalsolessstrain,uglinessand,(324)despair;andthestandardsofthedaywereperhapsbettermaintainedthanoursarenow。
Weneedabetterdiscipline,amoreadequateorganization;thecompetentstudentcanhardlyfailtoseethis;butthesethingsdonotexistready-made,andourpresenttaskseemstobetoworkthemout,attheexpense,doubt。
less,ofotherobjectstowardwhich,inquietertimes,choicemightbedirected。
Thusitisfromtheinteractionofpersonalityandinstitutionsthatprogresscomes。Thepersonrepresentsmoredirectlythathumannaturewhichitistheendofallinstitutionstoserve,buttheinstitutionrepresentsthenetresultofadevelopmentfartranscendinganysinglepersonalconsciousness。
Thepersonwillcriticise,andbemostlyinthewrong,butnotaltogether。
Hewillattack,andmostlyfail,butfrommanyattackschangewillensue。
Itisalsotruethat-althoughinstitutionsstand,inageneralway,forthemoremechanicalphaseoflife,theyyetrequire,withinthemselves,anelementofpersonalfreedom。Individuality,provideditbeinharness,isthelifeofinstitutions,allvigorandadaptabilitydependinguponit。
Anarmyisthetypeofamechanicalinstitution;andyet,eveninanarmy,individualchoice,confinedofcoursewithinspecialchannels,isvitaltothemachine。IntheGermanarmy,accordingtoacompetentobserver,thereisasystematiccultureofself-reliance,a“developmentoftheindividualpowersbyaccordinglibertytotheutmostextentpossiblewiththemaintenanceofthenecessarysystemanddiscipline。”“Tothecommandantofthecompanyislefttheentireresponsibilityfortheinstruction,(325)ofhismen,inwhatmodeandatwhathourhemayseefit,“and“alikefreedomisaccordedtoeveryofficerchargedwitheverybranchwhatsoeverofinstruction,“while“theintelligenceandself-relianceofthesoldierisconstantlyappealedto。”[6]InAmericanarmiestheself-reliantspiritOfthesoldierandthecommon-senseandadaptabilitydevelopedbyourrough-and-readycivilizationhavealwaysbeenoftheutmostvalue。Noraretheyunfavorabletodiscipline,that“truedisciplineofthesoldiersoffreedom,adisciplinewhichmustarisefromindividualconvictionofdutyandisverydifferentfromthecompulsorydisciplineofthesoldierofdespotism。”[7]Thus,inthebattleofGettysburg,whenPickett’schargebroketheFederalline,andwhenforthemoment,owingtothedeathofmanyofficers,thesuccessionofcommandwaslost,itissaidthatthemenwithoutorderstookupapositionwhichenabledthemtocrushtheinvadingcolumn。
Asthegeneralcharacteroforganizationbecomesfreerandmorehuman,boththemechanicalandthechoosingelementsoftheinstitutionrisetoahigherplane。Theformerceasestobeanarbitraryandintolerantlaw,upheldbyfear,bysupernaturalsanctionsandthesuppressionoffreespeech;
andtendstobecomesimplyasettledhabitofthought,settlednotbecausediscussionisstifledbutbecauseitissuperfluous,becausethehabitofthoughthassoproveditsfitnesstoexistingconditionsthatthereisnoprospectofshakingit。
Thusinafreemodernstate,thepoliticalsystem,funda-
(326)-mentalpropertyrightsandthelikearesettled,sofarastheyaresettled,notbecausetheyaresacredorauthoritative,butbecausethepublicmindisconvincedoftheirsoundness。Thoughwemaynotreasonaboutthemtheyare,sotospeak,potentiallyrational,inasmuchastheyarebelievedtorestuponreasonandmayatanytimebetestedbyit。
Theadvantagesanddisadvantagesofthissortofinstitutionsarewellunderstood。Theydonotaffordquitethesharpanddefinitedisciplineofamorearbitrarysystem,buttheyaremoreflexible,morecloselyexpressiveofthepublicmind,andso,iftheycanbemadetoworkatall,morestable。
Thefreeelementininstitutionsalsotendstobecomebetterinformed,bettertrained,betterorganized,moretrulyrational。Wehavesomanyoccasionstonotethisthatitisunnecessarytodwelluponithere。
Endnotes,Wordsworth,OdeontheIntimationsofImmortality,etc。InapaperonThePersonalandtheFactionalintheLifeofSociety。TheJournalofPhilosophy,PsychologyandScientificMethods,1905,p。337,ByMantegna。Page30。Seealsothelastchapter。Imeanbymechanismanythinginthewayofhabit,authorityorformulathattendstodispensewithchoice。Baring-Gould,Germany,i,350ff,Garibaldi’sAutobiography,i,105。,CharlesHortonCooley:SocialOrganization:Chapter29:Institutionsandthe,Individual(continued),CHAPTERXXIX
INSTITUTIONSANDTHEINDIVIDUAL——(CONTINUED),INNOVATIONASAPERSONALTENDENCY——INNOVATIONANDCONSERVATISM
ASPUBLICHABIT——SOLIDARITY——FRENCHANDANGLO-SAXONSOLIDARITY——TRADITION
ANDCONVENTION——NOTSOOPPOSITEASTHEYAPPEAR——REALDIFFERENCE,INTHIS
REGARD,BETWEENMODERNANDMEDIAEVALSOCIETY——TRADITIONALISMANDCONVENTIONALISM
INMODERNLIFE
THEtime-wornquestionofconservatismasagainstchangehasevidentlymuchincommonwiththatofpersonalityasagainstinstitutions。Innovation,thatis,isboundupwiththeassertionoffreshpersonalityagainstmechanism;
andtheargumentsforandagainstitarethesameasIhavealreadysuggested。
Whereverthereisvigorandconstructivepowerintheindividualthereislikelytobediscontentwiththeestablishment。Theyoungnotoriouslytendtoinnovation,andsodothoseofaboldandrestlesstemperamentatanyage;theold,onthecontrary,thequiet,thetimid,areconservative。
Andsowithwholepeoples;insofarastheyareenfeebledbyclimateorothercausestheybecomeinertandincapableofconstructivechange。
Whatmaynotbequitesoobvious,atleasttothosewhohavenotreadM。Tarde’sworkontheLawsofImitation,[1]
(328)
isthatinnovationortheoppositemaybeapublichabit,independentlyofdifferencesinageorvigor。Theattitudetowardchangeissubjecttothesamesortofalterationaspublicopinion,oranyotherphaseofthepublicmind。Thatanationhasmovedforcenturiesinthedeepestrutsofconservatism,likeChinaorIndia,isnoproofofalackofnaturalvigor,butmaymeanonlythatthesocialtypehasmaturedandhardenedinisolation,notencounteringanyinfluencepungentenoughtopierceitsshellandstartacycleofchange。Thusitisnowapparentthatlackofincitement,notlackofcapacity,wasthecauseofthebackwardnessofJapan,andthereislittledoubtthatthesameistrueofChina。
Energyandsuggestionareequallyindispensabletoallhumanachievement。
Intheabsenceofthelatterthemindeasilyspendsitselfinminoractivities,andthereisnoreasonwhythisshouldnotbetrueofawholepeopleandcontinueforcenturies。Then,again,asparkmaysetitonfireandproduceinafewyearspregnantchangesinthestructureofsociety。Thephysicallawofthepersistenceofenergyinuniformquantityisamostillusiveonetoapplytohumanlife。Thereisalwaysagreatdealmorementalenergythanisutilized,andtheamountthatisreallyproductivedependschieflyontheurgencyofsuggestion。Indeed,thehigheractivitiesofthehumanmindare,ingeneral,morelikeaseriesofsomewhatfortuitousexplosionsthanliketheworkofauniformforce。
Theremayalsobeahabitofchangethatismererestlessnessandhasnoconstructivesignificance。IntheearlyhistoryofAmericaaconspicuouscharacteronthefrontierwasthemanwhohadthehabitofmovingon,(329)Hewouldsettlefortwoorthreeyearsinonelocalityandthen,gettingrestless,selloutandgoontoanother。Soatpresent,thosewhomambitionandcircumstance,inearlymanhood,havedrivenrapidlyfromonethingtoanother,oftencontinueintooldagethehabitsoacquired,makingtheirfamiliesandfriendsmostuncomfortable。Ihavenoticedthatthereareover-strenuouspeoplewhohavecometohaveanidealofthemselvesasmakinganeffort,andaremostuneasywhenthisisnotthecase。To“beinglatentfeelthemselvesnoless“isquiteimpossibletothem。
Inourcommercialandindustriallifethesomewhatfeverishprogresshasgeneratedahabit,awholesystemofhabits,basedontheexpectationofchange。Enterpriseandadaptabilityarecultivatedattheexpenseofwhateverconflictswiththem;eachone,feelingthattheprocessionismovingonandthathemustkeepupwithit,hurriesalongattheexpense,perhaps,ofhealth,cultureandsanity。
Thisunrestisduerathertotransitionthantodemocracy;theancientviewthatthelatterisinitsnatureunstablebeing,asIhavesaid,quitediscredited。EvenDeTocqueville,about1835,sawthatthepoliticalunrestofAmericawasinminoraffairs,andthatademocraticpolitymightconceivably“rendersocietymorestationarythanithaseverbeeninourwesternpartoftheworld。”[2]Tardehasexpoundedthematteratlengthandtomuchthesameeffect。Apolicyisstablewhenitissuitedtoprevailingconditions;andeveryyearmakesitmoreapparentthatforpeoplesofEuropeanstock,atleast,a,(330)polityessentiallydemocraticistheonlyonethatcanpermanentlymeetthistest。
Asocialgroupinwhichthereisafundamentalharmonyofforcesresultingineffectivecooperationmaybesaid,Isuppose,tobesolidaire,toadoptaFrenchwordmuchusedinthisconnection。ThusFrancewithitscomparetivelyhomogeneouspeoplehasnodoubtmoresolidarity梟otwithstandingitsdissensions梩hanAustria;EnglandmorethanRussia,andJapanmorethanChina。
ButifonethinkscloselyaboutthequestionhewillfinditnoeasymattertosayinjustwhatsolidarityconsistsNotinmerelikeness,certainly,sincethedifferenceofindividualsandpartsisnotonlyconsistentwithbutessentialtoaharmoniouswhole梐stheharmonyofmusicisproducedbydifferingbutcorrelatedsounds。WewantwhatBurkedescribedas“thatactionandcounteraction,whichinthenaturalandinthepoliticalworld,fromthereciprocalstruggleofdiscordantpowersdrawsouttheharmonyoftheuniverse。”[3]
Sofaraslikenessisnecessaryitisapparentlyalikenessofessentialideasand,stillmore,ofsentiments,appropriatetotheactivityinquestion。
ThusaJapanesewriterexplainsthepatrioticunityofhiscountrymenbytheircommondevotiontotheMikadoandtheimperialfamily。
“WhenaJapanesesays’Ilovemycountry,’agreatoreventhegreaterpartofhisideaofhis’country’istakenupbytheemperorandtheimperialfamily……hisforefathersanddescendantsarealsotakenintoaccount。”
“Injoyandinsorrowhebelievesthatthey(hisownancestors)arewithhim。Heservesthemasiftheywereliving。Andtheseancestorswhomhelovesandrevereswere,(331)allloyaltotheiremperorsintheirdays;sohefeelshemustbeloyaltohisemperor。
“Nothingissorealtohimaswhathefeels;andhefeelsthatwithhimareunitedthepast,thepresentandthefuturegenerationsofhiscountrymen。”“Thusfullyconsciousoftheintensesympathy`ofhiscompatriots,bothdeadandliving,andswelledwithloftyanticipationsofhisgloriousdestiny,nodangercanappallandnotoilcantiretherealJapanesesoldier。”[4]
InAmericaunityofspiritisintense,andyetsingularlyheadlessandformless。Thereisnocapitalcity,noguidingupperclass,nomonarch,nocreed,scarcelyevenadominatingtradition。Itseemstobeamatterofcommonallegiancetovaguesentimentsoffreedom,kindlinessandhope。
Andthisverycircumstance,thattheAmericanspiritissolittlespecializedandsomuchatonewiththegeneralspiritofhumannature,doesmorethananythingelsetomakeitinfluential,andpotentintheassimilationofstrangeelements。
Theonlyadequateproofofalackofsolidarityisinefficiencyintotalaction。Theremaybeintensestrifeofpartiesandclasseswhichhasnothingreallydisintegratinginit;butwhenwesee,aswasapparentlythecaseinRussianotlongago,thatthehourofconflictwithanexternalenemydoesnotuniteinternalforcesbutincreasestheirdivergence,itisclearthatsomethingiswrong。
ItissometimessaidthatFrancehasmoresolidaritythanGreatBritainortheUnitedStates,thegroundbeingthatwehavealessfluentunityofthesocialmind,amorevigorousself-assertionoftheindividual。Butthisisas,(332)dubiousastosaythatthecontentionofathletesamongthemselveswillpreventtheirunitingtoformastrongteam。Yettheredoesseemtobeaninterestingdifferenceinkindbetweenthesortofunity,ofcommondisciplineandsentimentwhichexistsamongtheFrenchandthatofEnglishorAmericans梩heselatter,howeverdifferent,beingfarmorelikeeachotherinthisrespectthaneithertotheFrench。Thecontrastseemstomesoilluminating,asastudyofsocialtypes,thatIwillspendafewpagesinattemptingtoexpoundit。
Frenchthought梐stothisIfollowlargelyMr。Brownell’spenetratingstudy*梥eemstobenotonlymorecentralizedinplace,thatis,moredominatedbythecapital,butalso,leavingasidecertainnotoriousdivisions,moreuniform,moreauthoritative,moreintolerant,moreobviouslysolidaire。Thereislessinitiative,lessaggressivenon-conformity。Frenchsentimentemphasizesequalitymuchmorethanindividualfreedomandissomewhatintolerantofanymarkeddeparturefromthedominanttypesofthought。Thereismorejealousyofpersonalpower,especiallyinpolitics,andlessofthateageryetself-poisedsympathywithtriumphantpersonalitywhichwefindinEnglandorAmerica。Thereis,infact,moreneedtobejealousofapersonalascendancy,because,whenitoncegainssway,thereislesstocheckit。AndwithallthisgoestheFrenchsystemofpubliceducation,whosewell-knownuniformity,strictnessofdisciplineandclassicalconservatismisbothcauseandeffectofthetrendtowardformalsolidarity。
(333)
Thereisalsoanintoleranceoftheun-Frenchandaninabilitytounderstanditevengreater,perhaps,thanthecorrespondingphenomenoninothernations。
TheFrenchareself-absorbedandcarelittleforthehistoryofotherpeoples。
Norarethesympathieswithcontemporaries“InParis,certainly,“saysMr。Brownell,“theforeigner,hospitablyasheisinvariablytreated,isinvariablytreatedastheforeignerthatheis。”[6]
TherelativeweaknessofindividualityinFranceisdue,ofcourse,nottoanylackofself-feeling,buttothefactthattheFrenchmanidentifieshimselfmorewiththesocialwhole,and,mergedinthat,doesnottakehismoreparticularselfsoseriously。Itisratherawe-feelingthananI-feeling,anddifferentiatesFrancemoresharplyfromothernationsthanitdoestheindividualFrenchmanfromhiscompatriots。“HedoesnotadmireFrancebecausesheishiscountry。HiscomplacencewithhimselfproceedsfromthecircumstancethatheisaFrenchman;whichisdistinctlywhatheisfirst,beingamanafterward。”[7]“OneneverhearstheFrenchmanboastofthecharacterandqualityofhiscompatriotsasEnglishmenandourselvesdo。HeisthinkingaboutFrance,aboutherdifferentgloires,aboutherpositionattheheadofcivilization。”[8]
Asthereislessindividualityingeneral,sothereisahappylackofwhimsicalandoffensiveoddity,ofsharpcornersandbadtaste。Mr。
BrownellfindsnothingmoresignificantthantheabsenceinFranceofprigs。
“Oneinfersatonceinsuchasocietyafreeandeffortlessplayofthefaculties,alarge,humorousandtolerantviewof,(334)oneselfandothers,leisure,calm,healthfulandrationalvivacity,atranquilconfidenceinone’sownperceptionsandintheintelligenceofone’sneighbors。”[9]
Withthispartialirresponsibility,thistendencynottotakeone’sprivateselftooseriously,goesalackofmoralextremesofallkinds。
Theirgoodnessisnotsogood,theirvicenotsoviciousasours。Botharemorederivedfromimmediateintercourse。“WhatwouldbeviceamongusremainsinFrancesocialirregularityinducedbysentiment。[10]“
ThesetraitshaveanobviousconnectionwiththatmoreeagerandfacilecommunicativenessthatstrikesussointheFrench:theyhaveasarulelessintrospection,livemoreimmediatelyandcongeniallyinasocialstreamfromwhich,accordingly,theyarelessdisposedtodifferentiatethemselves。
Franceis,nodoubt,astrulydemocraticinitswayastheUnitedStates;
indeed,innoothercountry,perhaps,istheprevalentsentimentofthepeopleinagivengroupsocratic,soimmediatelyauthoritative。Suchformalismasprevailsthereisofasortwithwhichthepeoplethemselvesareinintelligentsympathy,notoneimposedfromabovelikethatofRussia,oreventhatofGermany。Butitisademocracyofatypequiteotherthanours,lessdifferentiatedindividuallyandmoreso,perhaps,bygroups,moreconsolidatedandinstitutional。Thesourceofthisdivergenceliespartlyinthecourseofhistoryandpartly,nodoubt,inracepsychology。
Rooteddissensions,likethatbetweentheRepublicandtheChurch,andtheneedofkeepingthepeopleinreadinessforsuddenwar,are,(335)amongtheinfluenceswhichmakeformalunitymorenecessaryandtolerableinFrancethaninEngland。
TheFrenchkindofsolidarityhasbothadvantagesanddisadvantagesascomparedwiththeAnglo-Saxon。ltcertainlyfacilitatestheformationofwell-knitsocialgroups;such,forinstance,astheartistic“schools“
whosevigorhasdonesomuchtowardgivingFranceitsleadin“estheticproduction。Ontheotherhand,wheretheAnglo-Saxontypeofstructuresucceedsincombininggreatervigorofindividualitywithanequallyeffectiveunityofsentiment,itwouldseemtobe,insofar,superiortoatypewhosesolidarityissecuredatmoreexpenseofvariation。Itistheself-dependence,theso-calledindividualism,oftheTeutonicpeopleswhichhasgiventhemsodecidedaleadintheindustrialandpoliticalstrugglesofrecenttimes。
Perhapsthemostsearchingtestofsolidarityisthatloyaltyoftheindividualtothewholewhichensuresthat,howeverisolated,asasoldier,apioneer,amechanic,astudent,hewillcherishthatwholeinhisheartanddohisdutytoitincontemptofterrororbribes。AnditispreciselyinthisthattheAnglo-Saxonpeoplesarestrong。TheEnglishman,thoughaloneinthewildsofAfrica,isseldomotherthananEnglishman,settinghisconsciencebyEnglishstandardsandmakingthemgoodinaction。Thismoralwhole,possessingtheindividualandmakingeveryoneaheroafterhisownprivatefashion,isthesolidaritywewant。
Traditioncomesdownfromthepast,whileconventionarrives,sidewiseasitwere,fromourcontemporaries;the,(336)firesidetalesandmaximsofourgrandparentsillustratetheone,thefashionsofthedaytheother。Bothindicatecontinuityofmind,buttraditionhasalongextensionintimeandverylittle,perhaps,inplace,whileconventionextendsinplacebutmayendureonlyforaday。
Thisseemsacleardistinction,andagreatdealhasbeenmadeofitbysomewriters,whoregard“customimitation“and“fashionimitation,“[11]tousethetermsofTarde,thebrilliantFrenchsociologist,asamongtheprimarytraitsthatdifferentiatesocieties。
Thusmediaevalsociety,itissaid,wastraditional:peoplelivedinsomewhatisolatedgroupsandweredominatedbytheideasoftheirancestors,thesebeingmoreaccessiblethanthoseoftheircontemporaries。Ontheotherhand,modernsociety,withitstelegraphs,newspapersandmigrations,isconventional。Thoughtistransmittedovervastareasandcountlessmultitudes;
ancestralcontinuityisbrokenup;peoplegetthehabitoflookingsidewiseratherthanbackward,andtherecomestobeaninstinctivepreferenceoffashionovercustom。InthetimeofDante,ifyoutravelledoverEuropeyouwouldfindthateachtown,eachdistrict,haditsindividualdress,dialectandlocalcustom,handeddownfromthefathers。Therewasmuchchangewithplace,littlewithtime。Ifyoudidthesameto-day,youwouldfindthepeopleeverywheredressedverymuchalike,dialectspassingoutofuseandmeneagertoidentifythemselveswiththecommonstirofcontemporarylife。Andyouwouldalsofindthatthedress,behaviorandobjectsofcurrentinterest,thoughmuchthesameforwholenationsandhavingagreatdealincommonthe,(337)worldover,weresomewhattransientincharacter,changingmuchwithtime,littlewithplace。
Thereis,truly,amomentousdifferenceinthisregardbetweenmodernandmediaevallife,bultocalliltachangefromtraditiontoconventiondoesnot,Ithink,indicateitsrealcharacter。Indeed,traditionandconventionarebynomeanstheseparateandoppositethingstheymayappeartobewhenwelookatthemintheirmostcontrastedphases。Itwouldbestrangeiftherewereanyrealseparationbetweenideascomingfromthepastandthosecomingfromcontemporaries,sincetheyexistinthesamepublicmind。
Atraditionalusageisalsoaconventionwithinthegroupwhereitprevails。
Onelearnsitfromotherpeopleandconformstoitbyimitationandthedesirenottobesingular,justashedoestoanyotherconvention。Thequaintlocalcostumethatstillprevailsinout-of-thewaycornersofEuropeiswornforthesamereasons,nodoubt,thattheequallypeculiardress-suitandsilkhatarewornbysophisticatedpeopletheworldover;oneconventionissimplymoreextendedthantheother。Inoldtimestheconforminggroup,owingtothedifficultyofintercourse,wassmall。Peoplewereeagertobeinthefashion,astheyarenow,buttheyknewnothingoffashionsbeyondtheirownlocality。Moderntraditionsareconventionalonalargerscale。
TheMonroeDoctrine,totakeadignifiedexample,isatradition,regardedhistorically,butaconventionastothemannerinwhichitentersintocontemporaryopinion。
Inasimilarmannerwemayseethatconventionsmustalsobetraditions。
Thenewfashionsareadaptationsof,(338)oldones,andtherearenoreallynewideasofanysort,onlyagradualtransformationofthosethathavecomedownfromthepast。
Inalargeview,then,traditionandconventionaremerelyaspectsofthetransmissionofthoughtandoftheunityoisocialgroupsthatresultsfromit。Ifourmindisfixeduponthehistoricalphaseofthematterweseetradition,ifuponthecontemporaryphaseweseeconvention。Buttheprocessisreallyone,andtheoppositiononlyparticularandapparent。
Allinfluencesarecontemporaryintheirimmediateorigin,allarerootedinthepast。
Whatisit,then,thatmakesthedifferencebetweenanapparentlytraditionalsociety,suchasthatofmediaevalEurope,andanapparentlyconventionalsociety,likethatofourtime?Simplythattheconditionsaresuchastomakeoneofthesephasesmoreobviousthantheother。Inacomparativelysmallandstablegroup,continuousinthesamelocalityandhavinglittleintercoursewiththeworldoutside,thefactthatideascomefromtraditionisevident;theypassdownfromparentstochildrenasvisiblyasphysicaltraits。Convention,however,ortheactionofcontemporaryintercourse,isonsosmallascaleastobelessapparent;thelengthandnotthebreadthofthemovementattractstheeye。
Ontheotherhand,inthecaseofawide-reachinggroupboundintoconsciousunitybyfacilecommunication,peoplenolongerlookchieflytotheirfathersforideas;thepaternalinfluencehastocompetewithmanyothers,andisfurtherweakenedbythebreakingupoffamilyassociationswhichgoeswitheaseofmovement。Yetmenare,(339)notlessdependentuponthepastthanbefore;itisonlythattraditionissointricateandsospreadoutoverthefaceofthingsthatitscharacterastraditionishardlytobediscovered。Theobviousthingnowisthelateralmovement;influencesseemtocomeinsidewiseandfashionrulesovercustom。Thedifferenceissomethinglikethatbetweenamultitudeofdisconnectedstreamletsandasinglewideriver,inwhichthegeneraldownwardmovementisobscuredbynumerouscross-currentsandeddies。
Intruth,facilecommunicationextendsthescopeoftraditionasmuchasitdoesthatoffashion。Alltheknownpastbecomesaccessibleanywhere,andinsteadofthecultofimmediateancestorswehavealong-armed,selectiveappropriationofwhatevertraditionalideassuitourtastes。ForpaintingthewholeworldgoestoRenaissanceItaly,forsculpturetoancientGreece,andsoon。Conventionhasnotgainedasagainsttradition,butbothhavebeentransformed。
Inmuchthesamewaywemaydistinguishbetweentraditionalismandconventionalism;
theonemeaningadominanttypeofthoughtevidentlyhandeddownfromthepast,theotheratypeformedbycontemporaryinfluence梑utweshouldnotexpectthedistinctiontobeanymorefundamentalthanbefore。
Traditionalismmaybelookedforwherevertherearelong-establishedgroupssomewhatshutoutfromlateralinfluence,eitherbyexternalconditionsorbythecharacteroftheirownsystemofideas梚nisolatedruralcommunities,forexample,inoldandclose-knitorganizationslikethe,(340)church,orinintrovertednationssuchasChinausedtobe。Conventionalismappliestowell-knittypesnotevidentlytraditional,anddescribesagreatpartofmodernlife。
Thefactthatsomephasesofsocietyaremoredominatedbysettledtypes,whethertraditionalorconventional,thanothers,indicates,ofcourse,acertainequilibriumofinfluencesinthem,andacomparativeabsenceofcompetingideas。This,inturn,isfavoredbyavarietyofcauses。Oneisalackofindividualityandself-assertivenessonthepartofthepeople梐stheFrencharesaidtoconformtotypesmorereadilythantheEnglishorAmericans。Anotherrequisiteisthelapseofsufficienttimeforthetypetoestablishitselfandmouldmen’sactionsintoconformity;evenfashioncannotbemadeinaminute。Athirdisthatthereshouldbeenoughinterestinthematterthatnon-conformitymaybenoticedanddisapproved;andyetnotenoughinteresttofosteroriginality。Wearemostimitativewhenwenoticebutdonotgreatlycare。Stillanotherfavoringconditionisthehabitofdeferencetosomeauthority,whichmayimposethetypebyexample。
ThustheeducatedclassesofEnglandare,perhaps,moreconventionalindressandmannerthanthecorrespondingclassesintheUnitedStates。
Ifso,theexplanationisprobablynotinanyintrinsicdifferenceofindividuality,butinconditionsmoreorlessfavorabletotheripeningoftypes;suchasthecomparativenewnessandconfusionofAmericancivilization,theabsenceofanacknowledgedupperclasstosetanauthoritativeexample,andacertainlackofinterestintheexternalsoflifewhich,(341)ourrestlessnessseemstofoster。[12]Ontheotherhand,itmustbesaidthattheinsecurityofpositionandmoreimmediatedependenceupontheopinionofone’sfellows,whichexistinAmerica,haveatendencytowardconventionalism,becausetheymaketheindividualmoreeagerloappearwellintheeyesofothers。Itisacuriousfact,whichmayillustratethisprinciple,thattheHouseofCommons,themoredemocraticbranchoftheBritishlegislature’isdescribedasmoreconventionalthantheHouseofLords。ProbablyifstandardsweresufficientlydevelopedinAmericatherewouldbenomoredifficultyinenforcingthemthaninEngland。
PerhapsweshouldhitnearestthetruthifwesaidthatAmericanlifehadconventionsofitsown,vaguerthantheBritishandputtinglessweightonformsandmoreonfellow-feeling,butnotnecessarilylesscogent。