[936] It is remarkable that the majority of the commercial and financial measures introduced in Germany between 1866 and 1875, such as a uniform system of weights and measures, the reform of the monetary system, banks, the tariffs, etc., were directly inspired by the principles of economic Liberalism.
[937] A copy of the text translated into French appeared in the Revue d’Économie politique, 1892. The translation was the work of our regretted colleague Saint-Marc.
[938] In addition to Wagner we might mention Albert Schaeffle, who has shown considerable literary activity, but who is more of a sociologist than an economist. His great work, Bau und Leben des sozialen Körpers (1875-78), contains an organic and biological theory of society, but his best known book is the Quintessenz des Sozialismus.
[939] Wagner’s principal works, which contain an exposition both of the ideas and programme of State Socialism, are Grundlegung (1st ed. 1876), translated into French in 1900 under the title Fondements de l’Économie politique; Finanzwissenschaft; his article Staat in the Handwörterbuch der Staatswissenschaften; and especially two articles entitled Finanzwissenschaft and Staatssozialismus, published in the Zeitschrift für die gesammte Staatswissenschaft, 1887, pp. 37-122, 675-746. One might profitably consult two addresses, the one of March 29, 1895, Sozialismus, Sozialdemokratie, Katheder u. Staatssozialismus, the other of April 21, 1892, Das neue sozialdemokratische Programm.
[940] It is a curious fact that Wagner’s definition of the province and functions of the State is not very different from Smith’s, though differing considerably from Bastiat’s. “As a general rule,” says he, “the State should take charge of those operations which are intended to satisfy the wants of the citizens, but which private enterprise or voluntary associations acting for the community either cannot undertake or cannot perform as well or as cheaply.” (Grundlegung, 3rd ed., 1893, 1st part, p. 916.)
[941] “Liberalism only recognises one task which the State can perform, namely, the production of security.” (Quoted by Schönberg, Handbuch der politischen Oekonomie, 3rd ed., vol. i, p. 61. The quotation is taken from Rentzsch’s dictionary, articles on Freihandel and Handelsfreiheit.)
[942] “Kultur und Wohlfahrtzweck” (Wagner, Grundlegung, p. 885.)
[943] Wagner, Grundlegung, 3rd ed., pp. 811 et seq.; 839 et seq. The State Socialists have a habit of wrongfully using the two expressions “free competition” and “economic liberty” as if they were synonymous terms. See Grundlegung, p. 97.
[944] Dupont-White, L’Individu et l’État, 5th ed., p. 9.
[945] Ibid., p. 267.