The Book of History (Vol. 1 of 18): A History of All Nations from the Earliest Times to the PresentVarious
History
The Book of History (Vol. 1 of 18): A History of All Nations from the Earliest Times to the Present
Various
World history
With fixed residence the forms of communities alter. The group settles
in a certain district, homes are built close to one another, and the
patriarchal organisation gives place to the village, which, with
its definite boundaries, is thenceforth the nucleus of the social
aggregate. Often several village communities have fields and forests in
common, and a common ownership of dams and canals; Nature takes care
that they do not become isolated, but unite together in close contact
for common defence and protection. With agriculture is associated the
working up of raw products. These are fashioned into materials for the
support of life and for enjoyment; furniture for dwellings, clothing,
tools, utensils, and weapons are made. For, however much agriculture
favours a life of peace, so rarely does man live in friendship with
his fellows that agricultural peoples also find it necessary to arm
themselves for war.
At first manufacture is not separated from farming; the agriculturist
himself prepares the natural products, assisted by the members of
his family. Later, it is easily seen that some individuals are
more skilled than others; it is also recognised that skill may be
developed by practice and that employments must be learned. Therefore
it is requisite that special individuals of the community should
prepare themselves for particular activities in the working up of raw
products and pursue these activities in consistency with the needs
of the society--trade or craft. The craftsman at first labours for
the community; in every village the tailor, cobbler, smith, barber,
and schoolmaster is supported by society at large. The craftsman
receives his appointed income--that is, his portion of the common
supply of food; and, in addition, every one for whom he expends his
labour gives him something in compensation, or finds him food while
employed about his house, until, finally, a systematic method of
exchange is established; and with this another advance--an epoch for
civilisation--is arrived at.
[Sidenote: The First Labour Problem]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account