On The Principles of Political Economy, and TaxationRicardo, David
General
On The Principles of Political Economy, and Taxation
Ricardo, David
Economics
Notwithstanding, then, that the labourer would be really worse paid, yet
this increase in his wages would necessarily diminish the profits of the
manufacturer; for his goods would sell at no higher price, and yet the
expense of producing them would be increased. This, however, will be
considered in our examination into the principles which regulate
profits.
It appears, then, that the same cause which raises rent, namely, the
increasing difficulty of providing an additional quantity of food with
the same proportional quantity of labour, will also raise wages; and
therefore if money be of an unvarying value, both rent and wages will
have a tendency to rise with the progress of wealth and population.
But there is this essential difference between the rise of rent and the
rise of wages. The rise in the money value of rent is accompanied by an
increased share of the produce; not only is the landlord's money rent
greater, but his corn rent also; he will have more corn, and each
defined measure of that corn will exchange for a greater quantity of all
other goods which have not been raised in value. The fate of the
labourer will be less happy: he will receive more money wages, it is
true, but his corn wages will be reduced; and not only his command of
corn, but his general condition will be deteriorated, by his finding it
more difficult to maintain the market rate of wages above their natural
rate. While the price of corn rises 10 per cent., wages will always rise
less than 10 per cent., but rent will always rise more; the condition of
the labourer will generally decline, and that of the landlord will
always be improved.
When wheat was at 4_l._ per quarter, suppose the labourer's wages to be
24_l._ per annum, or the value of six quarters of wheat, and suppose
half his wages to be expended on wheat, and the other half, or 12_l._,
on other things. He would receive
L24.14. } { L4.4.8. } { 5.83 qrs.
25.10. } when wheat { 4.10. } or the { 5.66 qrs.
26.8. } was at { 4.16. } value of { 5.50 qrs.
27.8.6 } { 5.2.10 } { 5.33 qrs.
He would receive these wages to enable him to live just as well, and no
better, than before; for when corn was at 4_l._ per quarter, he would
expend for three quarters of corn,
at 4_l._ per qr. L12
and on other things 12
--
24
When wheat was 4_l._ 4_s._ 8_d._, three quarters,
which he and his family consumed, would
cost him L12.14
other things not altered in price 12
-----
24.14
When at 4_l._ 10_s._, three quarters of wheat
would cost L13.10
and other things 12
-----
25.10
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