Later on the Saint-Simonians abandoned this idea and demanded Governmental control of all social relations. “Far from admitting that the directive control of Government in social matters ought to be restricted, we believe that it ought to be extended until it includes every kind of social activity. Moreover, we believe that it should always be exercised, for society to us seems a veritable hierarchy.” (Doctrine de Saint-Simon, Exposition, Deuxième Année, p. 108; Paris, 1830.)
[453] “Under the old régime men were considered inferior to things,” according to a brochure entitled Des Bourbons et des Stuarts (1822; Œuvres choisies, vol. ii, p. 447). “The object of the new system will be to extend man’s hold over things.” (Œuvres, vol. iv, p. 81.) “In the present state of education what the nation wants is not more government, but more cheap administration.” (Syst. indust., Œuvres, vol. v, p. 181.) Engels, in his book written in reply to Eugen Dühring, makes use of identical terms in speaking of the socialist régime. “When the administration of things and the direction of the processes of production take the place of the governing of persons the State will not merely be abolished: it will be dead.” (Philosophie, Économie politique, Socialisme, French translation by Laskine, p. 361; Paris, 1911.)
[454] Lettres à un Américain, Œuvres, vol. ii, p. 189.
[455] Des Bourbons et des Stuarts, Œuvres choisies, vol. ii, pp. 437-438.
[456] L’Organisateur, Œuvres choisies, vol. iv, pp. 86 and 150-151.
[457] Lettres à un Américain, Œuvres, vol. ii, p. 188.
[458] This is not the only plan of government proposed by Saint-Simon, although it is the one most characteristic of him. It is to be found in L’Organisateur immediately after the Parable. We have to remember that Saint-Simon was very hostile to a Government of savants. Power was to be placed in the hands of the industrial leaders—the savants were simply to advise. “Should we ever have the misfortune to establish a political order in which administration was entrusted to savants we should soon witness the corruption of the scientists, who would readily adopt the vices of the clergy and become astute, despotic quibblers.” (Syst. indust., Œuvres, vol. v, p. 161.)
[459] Syst. indust., Œuvres, vol. vi, p. 96.
[460] F. Engels, Herrn Eugen Dührings Umwälzung der Wissenschaft, 4th ed., p. 277. French translation, Paris, 1911, p. 334. The whole of this chapter in Engels’ book is from the pen of Karl Marx.
[461] French translation under the title L’État socialiste, Paris, 1906.