Finally, we come to the proletariat. Here also there is an elimination of individuals not because they are incapable, but because they are superfluous in the present mode of production, as well as of those whom sickness or old age render unfit for labor. Here we must take account of a factor which is of less importance in the other classes, bodily health and strength. While the proletarian has need neither of much knowledge or great intelligence to carry on his trade, he has a powerful weapon for the struggle in his muscular strength and health. Unfavorable conditions have a strong influence upon him, and the one who is weak and ailing must, other things being equal, yield in the present struggle for existence to a competitor who is stronger and in better health. And finally, in this contest also the less active, the less persevering among the workers will have the smaller chance of success, supposing conditions to be equal. So we return to the point from which we set out, the lower proletariat. This class is not composed, then, as has sometimes been claimed, of beings inferior by nature, of persons who are fit for nothing. In the great majority of cases social conditions and not their lack of aptitude, are the exclusive and direct causes of their position. In support of this I will give some figures, which also show the relative importance of the causes compared among themselves. German Empire. ====================================================================+============ Injuries to the person assisted } | 1.04 ,, ,, ,, breadwinner of the family } By | 0.09 Death of ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, } Accident. | 0.36 ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, } Not by | 8.35 Sickness of the person assisted or of one of his family } Accident. | 15.24 Bodily or intellectual infirmities | 8.97 Weakness of old age | 12.32 Large number of children | 1.34 Forced unemployment | 2.23 Alcoholism | 0.88 Laziness | 0.71 Other causes designated | 4.09 ,, ,, not designated | 0.06 “Co-assisted”[287] | 44.32 +------------ | 100.00[288] ====================================================================+============