If one fourth of the capital of a country were suddenly…
“If one fourth of the capital of a country were suddenly destroyed, or entirely transferred to a different part of the world, without any other cause occurring of a diminished demand for commodities, this scantiness of capital would certainly occasion great inconvenience to consumers, and great distress among the working classes; but it would be attended with great advantages to the remaining capitalists.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A sudden loss of a quarter of a nation's capital would hurt consumers and workers but benefit the remaining capitalists.
In simple terms: Capital loss hurts many but helps the few.
Key Takeaway
Recognize unequal impacts of economic shocks.
Themes
economics
inequality
capital
distribution
labor
politics
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
economic
political
When to use this quote
- financial crises
- policy debates
- investment decisions
- labor negotiations
Key Concepts
Malthusian theory
wealth concentration
class conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- How does capital concentration affect social stability?
- What policies can mitigate worker distress?
A Different Perspective
Benefits to capitalists may be offset by broader social costs.