42 Causes of its Success 



be directly observed at work in the German 

 nation. 



It is not surprising that victory should have 

 contributed greatly to the success of the philosophy 

 of force in Germany, but it seems paradoxical that 

 the war of 1870 should have increased the popu- 

 larity of "social Darwinism" also in France! 

 It would seem that this country, having been 

 defeated and subjected to a flagrant violation 

 of its rights, ought to have found force hateful 

 and justice admirable, but nevertheless it did not 

 so happen. How can this apparent contradiction 

 be explained ? Novikov has unravelled the com- 

 plicated causes as follows : 



After the defeat of 1870 French public opinion 

 might have followed either of two different direc- 

 tions. The French could have said: "We have 

 suffered a hateful injustice; it is necessary there- 

 fore to do everything in our power to insure that 

 such international deeds as this may never be 

 repeated. We must attempt to suppress in- 

 justice; in other words we must work for an in- 

 ternational union. Might is wrong; Right alone 

 is beautiful. Down with Force; long live the 

 Law!" 



But another conclusion was also possible : " The 

 military power of Prussia has inflicted upon us 

 the deepest humiliation and the most cruel tor- 

 ment. If force had been upon our side it is we 

 who would have tasted the sweets of triumph, and 

 the Prussians who would have drained the dregs 



