Mutual Aid · Chapter
X: The Origin of the Guilds explained
This chapter explores the origins of guilds, arguing that they are modeled on the clan and represent an 'imaginary brotherhood' or 'occupation bond' that emerged when clan ties loosened due to migrations and occupational diversity.
What happens
This chapter explores the origins of guilds, arguing that they are modeled on the clan and represent an 'imaginary brotherhood' or 'occupation bond' that emerged when clan ties loosened due to migrations and occupational diversity. It traces guild-like organizations from ancient Rome and Greece to medieval Europe, Russia, and the East, emphasizing their common features: mutual support, shared worship, and internal arbitration. The chapter also critiques the view that Parisian guilds were typical, noting that royal oversight stunted their development compared to free cities.
Themes in this chapter
Historical Development of Social Institutions
The chapter traces the origin and evolution of guilds from ancient clan structures through Roman and medieval periods, showing how institutions adapt to changing social conditions.
State vs. Communal Organization
Critiques royal interference in guilds, arguing that state tutelage (as in Paris) stifled the vitality of free communal organization seen in independent cities.
Resilience of Mutual Aid Institutions
Highlights the persistence of guild-like mutual aid structures across cultures and centuries, from ancient Rome to medieval Europe and Russia.
Characters to notice
- Plutarch
Cited for his account of Numa's legislation on trade-colleges in ancient Rome.
- Étienne Martin-Saint-Léon
Referenced for his work on the organization of trades in Paris and the history of corporations.
- Nicholas Miklukho-Maclay
Mentioned for his description of 'clubs' among savages as prototypes of guilds.
- Alfred Rambaud
Noted for proving Slavic participation in intercourse between Normans and the East-Roman Empire.
Key passages
“When the bonds which formerly connected men in their clans were loosened in consequence of migrations, the appearance of the paternal family, and a growing diversity of occupations—a new territorial bond was worked out by mankind in the shape of the village community; and another bond—an occupation bond—was worked out in an imaginary brotherhood—the imaginary clan.”
As clan ties weakened due to migration, family changes, and specialization, people created two new forms of community: the village community based on territory, and the guild based on shared occupation, modeled on an imagined clan.
Summarizes the core thesis of the chapter on the origin of guilds as an occupational bond replacing clan bonds.
“Far from representing 'the picture of a typical corporation,' the corporations of Paris, 'born and developed under the direct tutorship of royalty,' for this very same cause ... could never attain the wonderful growth and influence upon all the life of the city which they did attain in Northeastern France, at Lyons, Montpellier, Nimes, etc., or in the free cities of Italy, Flanders, Germany, and so on.”
Parisian guilds, controlled by the monarchy, were not typical; they lacked the vitality and influence of guilds in free cities where royal interference was absent.
Critique of royal oversight and its negative impact on guild development.