The Idea of Passive Mankind

by Frédéric Bastiat

　　It cannot be disputed that these classical theories [advanced bythese latter-day teachers, writers, legislators, economists, andphilosophers] held that everything came to the people from a sourceoutside themselves. As another example, take Fenelon [archbishop,author, and instructor to the Duke of Burgundy].

　　He was a witness to the power of Louis XIV. This, plus the factthat he was nurtured in the classical studies and the admiration ofantiquity, naturally caused Fenelon to accept the idea that mankindshould be passive; that the misfortunes and the prosperity -- vicesand virtues -- of people are caused by the external influenceexercised upon them by the law and the legislators. Thus, in hisUtopia of Salentum, he puts men -- with all their interests,faculties, desires, and possessions -- under the absolute discretionof the legislator. Whatever the issue may be, persons do not decideit for themselves; the prince decides for them. The prince isdepicted as the soul of this shapeless mass of people who form thenation. In the prince resides the thought, the foresight, allprogress, and the principle of all organization. Thus allresponsibility rests with him.

　　The whole of the tenth book of Fenelon's Telemachus proves this.I refer the reader to it, and content myself with quoting at randomfrom this celebrated work to which, in every other respect, I am thefirst to pay homage.