57 



CHAPTER I. 



DUTIES OF THE STATE IN REGAUD TO 

 FORESTRY. 



True human happiness can be secured only by social inter- 

 course. The latter, however, imposes restrictions on the 

 individual ; it demands institutions of such a nature that, 

 on the one hand, sufficient latitude is afforded for personal 

 development, activity and individual deeds, and, on the other 

 hand, that an individual may not disturb or destroy the 

 sphere of action of his neighbour. This object can be realised 

 only by institutions which have for their object the furtherance 

 of the common interests, in subordinating the interests of the 

 single individual to the joint interest of the whole community 

 whenever the two clash. 



The logical consequence of such an arrangement is that all 

 men should have an equal chance of personal development, 

 and that all individuals should equally share the fruits of 

 such institutions. This, however, is not in accordance with 

 what actually took place in former times and is still taking 

 place in the world. History shows that might has always 

 been an important factor in all social arrangements ; certain 

 classes of society have always striven to appropriate for them- 

 selves more than their share of social production, and to sub- 

 ordinate other classes to their own will. Frequently, such 

 subordination has been sanctioned by laws. For laws are 

 often made by the more powerful classes. 



With the development of culture and the consequent creation 

 of new conditions, the formerly subordinated classes graduall}^ 

 asserted their rights, and participated more fully in social 

 life, until their demand for equality had to be admitted. 



