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Full Idea
Can we seriously say, that a poor peasant or artisan has a free choice to leave his country, when he knows no foreign language or manners, and lives, from day to day, by the small wages that he acquires?
Gist of Idea
Poor people lack the knowledge or wealth to move to a different state
Source
David Hume (Of the original contract [1741], p.283)
Book Ref
Hume,David: 'Selected Essays' [OUP 1996], p.167
A Reaction
Of course, in the nineteenth century the Scottish poor did, going to America, which welcomed the poor, and spoke English. Hume's point is the right reply to anyone who says 'If you don't like it, go elsewhere'. Also 'No! Change it!'
21099 | People must have agreed to authority, because they are naturally equal, prior to education [Hume] |
21100 | The idea that society rests on consent or promises undermines obedience [Hume] |
20495 | We no more give 'tacit assent' to the state than a passenger carried on board a ship while asleep [Hume] |
6703 | Poor people lack the knowledge or wealth to move to a different state [Hume] |
21101 | The people would be amazed to learn that government arises from their consent [Hume] |
21102 | We all know that the history of property is founded on injustices [Hume] |
21103 | Moral questions can only be decided by common opinion [Hume] |