An inquiry into the permanent causes of the decline and fall of powerful and wealthy nations

by William Playfair

Of the interior causes of decline, which arise from the produce of the soil becoming unequal to the sustenance of a luxurious people. -- Of monopoly............137

CHAP. VII.

Of the increase of the poor, as general affluence becomes greater. -- Of children left unprovided for. -- Of their division into two classes. -- Those that can labour more or less, and those that can do no labour.................. 156

CHAP. VIII.

Of the tendency of capital and industry to leave a wealthy country, and of the depreciation of money in agricultural and commercial countries............. 161

CHAP. IX.

Conclusion of the interior causes. -- Their co-operation. -- Their general effect on the government and on the people. -- The danger arising from them does not appear till the progress in decline is far advanced......... 166

CHAP. X.

Of the external causes of decline. -- The envy and enmity of other nations. -- Their efforts, both in peace and war, to bring wealthy nations down to their level........ 175

CHAP. XI.