The Political Struggle 187 



victims. Nevertheless, in this phase, as in the 

 second phase of the physiological wars, the death 

 of the vanquished is not an end, but a means. 

 Moreover, when the feebler becomes the slave of 

 the stronger, it is a greater advantage to the con- 

 queror to have the slave live, since he benefits 

 from his labour. 



At a more advanced stage of civilization, men 

 perceive that one of the most lucrative functions 

 is that of government. By imposing taxes, the 

 conqueror can obtain the wealth of the producers 

 in a much more complete manner and much more 

 easily than by seizing his property directly. When 

 this observation is made, it is found much more 

 advantageous to take possession of the govern- 

 ment of a conquered territory than to seize the 

 movable and immovable wealth directly. The 

 earlier methods of slavery, pillage, and confisca- 

 tion of land are renounced, and the conquerors 

 are content to avail themselves of the benefits of 

 the government. Thus the economic wars are 

 transformed into political wars, and become what 

 are now known as conquests. 



At a still later stage of social development 

 men make a new observation, namely, that the 

 way other people think has a very great influence 

 upon their destiny. A certain set of ideas, certain 

 religious theories, or political and social doctrines, 

 appear to be more beneficial than others. In 

 order to enjoy the prosperity which these psychic 

 possessions which are judged to be useful could 



