Philanthropic Tyranny

by Frédéric Bastiat

　　While society is struggling toward liberty, these famous men whoput themselves at its head are filled with the spirit of theseventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They think only of subjectingmankind to the philanthropic tyranny of their own social inventions.Like Rousseau, they desire to force mankind docilely to bear thisyoke of the public welfare that they have dreamed up in their ownimaginations.

　　This was especially true in 1789. No sooner was the old regimedestroyed than society was subjected to still other artificialarrangements, always starting from the same point: the omnipotence ofthe law.

　　Listen to the ideas of a few of the writers and politicians duringthat period:

　　 SAINT-JUST: "The legislator commands the future. It is forhim to will the good of mankind. It is for him to make men what hewills them to be."

　　 ROBESPIERRE: "The function of government is to direct thephysical and moral powers of the nation toward the end for which thecommonwealth has come into being."

　　 BILLAUD-VARENNES: "A people who are to be returned toliberty must be formed anew. A strong force and vigorous action arenecessary to destroy old prejudices, to change old customs, to correctdepraved affections, to restrict superfluous wants, and to destroyingrained vices.... Citizens, the inexible austerity of Lycurguscreated the firm foundation of the Spartan republic. The weak andtrusting character of Solon plunged Athens into slavery. Thisparallel embraces the whole science of government."

　　 LE PELLETIER: "Considering the extent of human degradation,I am convinced that it is necessary to effect a total regenerationand, if I may so express myself, of creating a new people."