The Acquisitive Society · Question
How does The Acquisitive Society develop the theme of Critique of the Acquisitive Society?
Answer
The Acquisitive Society by R. H. Tawney develops Critique of the Acquisitive Society across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Tawney argues that modern industrial civilization is built on the pursuit of wealth as an end in itself, divorcing gain from service, which leads to inequality, misdirection of production, and moral decay.
Criticizes the obsession with productivity and wealth as ends in themselves, arguing that moral principles are neglected.
The chapter criticizes a society where economic self-interest is pursued without moral limitation, and where rights are divorced from social purpose.
The chapter directly defines and critiques the 'Acquisitive Society' as one that prioritizes wealth acquisition over social functions and obligations.
Evidence in the book
- Introductory
Criticizes the obsession with productivity and wealth as ends in themselves, arguing that moral principles are neglected.
- Rights and Functions
The chapter criticizes a society where economic self-interest is pursued without moral limitation, and where rights are divorced from social purpose.
- The Acquisitive Society
The chapter directly defines and critiques the 'Acquisitive Society' as one that prioritizes wealth acquisition over social functions and obligations.
- The Nemesis of Industrialism
The chapter directly critiques the acquisitive society, arguing that it reverences wealth possession over function, divorces gain from service, and creates a class of pensioners who contribute nothing.
- Property and Creative Work
The chapter criticizes the doctrine that treats all proprietary rights as equal in sanctity merely because they are identical in name, and condemns property that is merely a claim on wealth produced by another's labor.
- The Functional Society
The text condemns property that yields income without service, such as mineral royalties and urban ground-rents, as wasteful and antisocial.
- Industry as a Profession
The chapter condemns the acquisitive motive in industry, where pecuniary gain is the only criterion, and contrasts it with the professional ideal of service.
- The "Vicious Circle"
The chapter criticizes a society where production is driven by profit and dividends rather than community need, and where a leisure class lives on the labor of others.
