Changes

Sumner by the 1870s was publishing powerful, widely read essays denouncing economic fallacies and political evils and promoting what he deemed sound governmental principles. His essays proved so keen in analysis, flawless in logic, and full of fire that they attracted national attention and are read by conservatives in the 21st century. Their titles grabbed the reader's attention: "The Absurd Attempt to Make the World Over," "That It Is Not Wicked to Be Rich; Nay, Even, That It Is Not Wicked to Be Richer Than One's Neighbor," "Protectionism, the --Ism Which Teaches that Waste Makes Wealth," "Prosperity Strangled by Gold," "The Delusion of the Debtors," "The Conquest of the United States by Spain."  

Sumner by the 1870s was publishing powerful, widely read essays denouncing economic fallacies and political evils and promoting what he deemed sound governmental principles. His essays proved so keen in analysis, flawless in logic, and full of fire that they attracted national attention and are read by conservatives in the 21st century. Their titles grabbed the reader's attention: "The Absurd Attempt to Make the World Over," "That It Is Not Wicked to Be Rich; Nay, Even, That It Is Not Wicked to Be Richer Than One's Neighbor," "Protectionism, the --Ism Which Teaches that Waste Makes Wealth," "Prosperity Strangled by Gold," "The Delusion of the Debtors," "The Conquest of the United States by Spain."  

He treated most of the great issues of the [[Gilded Age]]. His method was to go to the basic issues of equality, rights, duty, and liberty, stripping away traditional and sentimental trappings. Sumner was a leading advocate of a sound monetary system, opposed free silver, [[bimetalism]], and all inflationary expedients. Like most economistgs he favored free trade and denounced high tariffs--as a prosperity measure tariffs were fallacious, and from a moral point of view, pernicious. He did not campaign for politicians, buyt his views most closely resembled the [[Bourbon Democrats]] like Prfesident [[Grover Cleveland]].

He treated most of the great issues of the [[Gilded Age]]. His method was to go to the basic issues of equality, rights, duty, and liberty, stripping away traditional and sentimental trappings. Sumner was a leading advocate of a sound monetary system, opposed free silver, [[Bimetallism]], and all inflationary expedients. Like most economists he favored free trade and denounced high tariffs--as a prosperity measure tariffs were fallacious, and from a moral point of view, pernicious. He did not campaign for politicians, but his views most closely resembled the [[Bourbon Democrats]] like President [[Grover Cleveland]].

Sumner deplored populist attacks on "big business," and said the evolution of monopolistic trusts was a natural and useful advance.  He vigorously opposed any intrusion by the government upon the industrial field, maintaining that state interference could not be scientific, or even intelligent. Again and again he stressed that the remedies would be worse than the disease. His theoretical arguments against socialism were powerful.  

Sumner deplored populist attacks on "big business," and said the evolution of monopolistic trusts was a natural and useful advance.  He vigorously opposed any intrusion by the government upon the industrial field, maintaining that state interference could not be scientific, or even intelligent. Again and again he stressed that the remedies would be worse than the disease. His theoretical arguments against socialism were powerful.  

Sumner was a major leader in [[civil service reform]]. In thelate 1890s he was one of the few major figures who opposed the [[Spanish-American War]].  He was one of many anti-imperialists who opposed the annexation of the Philippines in 1899.  

Sumner was a major leader in [[Civil Service reform]]. In the late 1890s he was one of the few major figures who opposed the [[Spanish-American War]].  He was one of many anti-imperialists who opposed the annexation of the Philippines in 1899.  

Though he is usually classed as an advocate of laissez-faire, it was only to what he called "empiricism," unintelligent experimentation and social panaceas, that he was opposed. That social conditions can be improved he firmly believed, but such improvement can come, he was convinced, only by scientific procedure carried on by thoroughly informed individuals. In a democracy, therefore, the right kind of education is of supreme importance.  

Though he is usually classed as an advocate of laissez-faire, it was only to what he called "empiricism," unintelligent experimentation and social panaceas, that he was opposed. That social conditions can be improved he firmly believed, but such improvement can come, he was convinced, only by scientific procedure carried on by thoroughly informed individuals. In a democracy, therefore, the right kind of education is of supreme importance.