Archive for William Graham Sumner
The Conquest of the United States by Spain
(Editor’s Note: One hundred years ago the United States went to war against Spain in its first full-blown imperialist adventure. As a result of the war, the United States gained control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Cuba. The following year William Graham Sumner [1840–1910], the classical liberal sociologist at Yale University, published a [...]
1Dec1998 | William Graham Sumner | 0 comments | ContinuedA Page on Freedom: Number 3
On Minding One’s Own Business I Have Said that we have an empirical political economy and social science to fit the distortions of our society. The test of empiricism in this matter is the attitude which one takes up toward laissez faire. It no doubt wounds the vanity of a philosopher who is just ready [...]
1Feb1984 | William Graham Sumner | 0 comments | ContinuedThe Forgotten Man
Builders of Utopia always seem to forget to provide for the one who pays.
1Aug1969 | William Graham Sumner | 0 comments | ContinuedProtective Taxes and Wages
Had he written it today instead of in 1883, William Graham Sumner could not have commented more appropriately on the disastrous consequences of union political practices.
1Nov1966 | William Graham Sumner | 0 comments | ContinuedOn Minding Ones Own Business
Our old friend, William Graham Sumner, advises once more that a man’s great duty to society is to mind his own business.
1Nov1964 | William Graham Sumner | 2 comments | ContinuedProtective Taxes And Wages
From an essay in the North American Review, January, 1883. pp. 270-276. The discussion of protectionism in the United States constantly turns upon questions of wages. The question has two forms. The employed argue that protective taxes will make their wages high. The employers argue that protection is necessary for them, because they have to [...]
1Nov1955 | William Graham Sumner | 2 comments | Continued-
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