The Social Contract; More Particularly in Relation to Taxation (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 Excerpt: ... when death has asserted its supreme power. With the hour of death rights end. A life interest is the utmost any can possess. A man may have wishes as to what he would like done with his property when he is no more, but why should his wishes be carried out? That a man may be entitled to his own savings is one thing, but that on his death another should take them, to the exclusion of everyone else, is purely conventional. The dead man may have willed it, but why should his will be considered? The dead render no services; they are objects of neither hope nor fear; then why should he be regarded? Simply for the same reason that his rights in his lifetime were regarded; because it benefits his fellows that within certain limitations his wishes should be considered. Making provision for one's widow and children, and the being able to nominate one's successors, are potent factors in promoting that saving so desirable for all (a). So, further, what one does for another one hopes to have done for himself; and as property owners in most countries are in a majority--often those with the least having the keenest sense of their right in it--the disposition to respect the will of the dead is very strong indeed. No doubt the prodigal are always very anxious to divide with the prudent, but in the end the "haves," not the "have nots," have usually proved the stronger. But, looking at the subject philosophically, and remembering the benefit that the institution of property is to all, let us ask what can justly be charged against it on its transmission at death? Certainly a reasonable charge is that for carrying out the wishes of the dead man. Apart from such assistance, it would be useless for him either to have any wishes or to express them. As to the f...