Chapter XIII 

 THE CONDITIONS OF PROGRESS IN CIVILISATION 



BELONGING as we do to one of the progressive races and not The large 

 often looking beyond Europe and people of European lineage, JJ^humaif 

 we are apt to consider that progress is natural to the human race un- 

 race, and that when a nation stagnates there is something pro res 

 abnormal and almost unaccountable about it. Yet Sir Henry 

 Maine long ago pointed out that only a small minority of the 

 human race make progress, and that if we look at the peoples 

 of India and China where the great mass of the race is found, 

 what strikes us most is the fact that for centuries they have 

 made no advance. Stagnation, not progress is the rule. But 

 some definition of the word progress is necessary. Sir Henry 

 Maine meant by it progress in civilisation, in science, art, 

 morality, social condition, government. And in this sense his 

 contention was undoubtedly true. But we must be careful not 

 to extend the meaning of the word and assume, because we can 

 see no progress, that evolution is at an end among the Chinese. 

 It is probable that among them evolution is bringing about an 

 increase of patient assiduity and an increased capacity for resist- 

 ing disease. In the present discussion the word progress will 

 be used to mean advance in civilisation and then no one will 

 dispute the statement that among the great masses of men there 

 has for centuries been little or none. 



We must, of course, assume the existence of physical vigour Physical 

 as a basis if progress is to be made. In an earlier chapter I have n e f" S a r a 

 shown to what causes tribes and nations owe whatever they have basis of 

 of physical vigour and energy. It is due to conflict either with pro & res 

 other tribes or with hard physical conditions. Among southern 

 nations the advance of civilisation and the establishment of a 



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