The Acquisitive Society · Chapter
The Acquisitive Society explained
This chapter critiques the foundational doctrine of modern economic civilization, which prioritizes individual rights to property and self-interest over social functions and obligations.
What happens
This chapter critiques the foundational doctrine of modern economic civilization, which prioritizes individual rights to property and self-interest over social functions and obligations. It argues that society is organized around the acquisition of wealth rather than the performance of service, leading to resistance against social obligations, inequality, and a moral dissolution where all economic activities are treated equally. The chapter contrasts this 'Acquisitive Society' with a hypothetical 'Functional Society' that would base rights on the discharge of functions.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of the Acquisitive Society
The chapter directly defines and critiques the 'Acquisitive Society' as one that prioritizes wealth acquisition over social functions and obligations.
Property and Privilege
Discusses the absolute rights of property and the resistance to imposing social obligations on property tenure, including examples like factory legislation and taxation.
Function vs. Rights
Contrasts the doctrine of rights (individual property and self-interest) with the principle of function (discharge of social obligations as basis for rights).
Inequality and Waste
Implies criticism of waste and inequality arising from treating all economic activities as equal and allowing unlimited exploitation without social discrimination.
Characters to notice
- the Germans
Referenced indirectly as part of the broader industrial civilization spreading to nations like Russia, Japan, India, and China.
- Bentham
Mentioned in the context of the formula 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number' as a criterion for social organization.
- Mr. Justice Sankey
Not directly mentioned in the excerpts; excluded.
- Lord Hugh Cecil
Not directly mentioned in the excerpts; excluded.
- Providence
Not directly mentioned in the excerpts; excluded.
- Adam Smith
Not directly mentioned in the excerpts; excluded.
- Bacon
Not directly mentioned in the excerpts; excluded.
Key passages
“What it implies is, that the foundation of society is found, not in functions, but in rights; that rights are not deducible from the discharge of functions, so that the acquisition of wealth and the enjoyment of property are contingent upon the performances of services, but that the individual enters the world equipped with rights to the free disposal of his property and the pursuit of his economic self-interest, and that these rights are anterior to, and independent of, any service which he may render.”
The doctrine holds that society is based on individual rights, not on performing functions; rights to property and self-interest exist before and regardless of any service to society.
This defines the core premise of the acquisitive society.
“Such societies may be called Acquisitive Societies, because their whole tendency and interest and preoccupation is to promote the acquisition of wealth.”
These are societies focused entirely on encouraging wealth accumulation.
This introduces the term 'Acquisitive Society' as the central concept of the chapter.
“A society which aimed at making the acquisition of wealth contingent upon the discharge of social obligations, which sought to proportion remuneration to service and denied it to those by whom no service was performed, which inquired first not what men possess but what they can make or create or achieve, might be called a Functional Society.”
A society that ties wealth to social service and rewards only contribution would be a 'Functional Society.'
This contrasts the ideal Functional Society with the existing Acquisitive Society.
