136 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



The following paper was read by W. A. Douglas, B.A., on 

 " The Antagonism of Social Forces." 



When Adam Smith pointed out what a vast advantage accrues to 

 mankind from the division of labour, he first gave a clear indication 

 of the grand harmonies existing in society. Other writers have 

 followed in the same direction, and with much beauty and eloquence 

 have pointed out what an inestimable blessing society is to itself. 

 This department of economics has received very ample treatment. 

 Indeed, so much has the attention of writers been fixed on these 

 harmonies that a very large majority teach either explicitly or by 

 implication that harmony prevails throughout all our social organi- 

 zation, for they make no mention of antagonisms. 



Some writers, indeed, go so far as to deny that there are antagon- 

 isms, and the few who have noticed and pointed out their existence 

 have done so in a manner much more brief and meagre than their 

 importance deserves. 



In his celebrated illustration of the pin-makers, Smith showed that 

 by the sub-division of labour the product was increased between two 

 and three hundred-fold. In the same way the nail-makers' product 

 is also increased. When, therefore, the pin-maker exchanges with 

 the nail-maker each gives more and each receives moi e, each enriches 

 and each is enriched — the benefit is mutual. This is harmonious 

 trade — toil for toil, burden for burden, service for service, reward 

 for reward, enrichment for enrichment. 



I shall endeavour to show (first) that there exists another kind of 

 trade, not harmonious — mutually eni'iching, but antagonistic — enrich- 

 ing one by the impoverishment of another ; and (second) that this 

 antagonistic trade is one of the most important factors in determin- 

 ing the condition of the bulk of humanity. 



To prove the existence of such antagonism I ask attention to the 

 following question : 



In what length of time could society, by the utmost exertion of 

 industry and frugality, accumulate sufficient supplies to maintain all 

 succeeding generations free from toil ? Obviously never. Each sea- 

 son brings its share of toil, and each year we consume the bulk of 

 the product. Wonderful as have been the applications of steam and 

 electricity, we have no indication that humanity will ever be 

 exempted from toil. The physical law is inexorable : " By the sweat 



