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Mises Economics Blog

The Forgotten Man

February 23, 2007 7:49 AM by Mises.org Updates | Other posts by Mises.org Updates | Comments (4)

Any one who wants to truly understand the sociology of production must go and search for what William Graham Sumner called the Forgotten Man. He will be found to be worthy, industrious, independent, and self-supporting. He is not, technically, "poor" or "weak"; he minds his own business, and makes no complaint. Consequently the philanthropists never think of him, and trample on him. The industrious and sober workman, who is mulcted of a percentage of his day's wages to pay the policeman, is the one who bears the penalty. But he is the Forgotten Man. He passes by and is never noticed, because he has behaved himself, fulfilled his contracts, and asked for nothing. FULL ARTICLE

Comments (4)

  • Francisco Torres

  • What a concise, extremely readable and beautifully cogent essay. The language and the exposition of the ideas would not be out of place today. Thank you for posting it.

  • Published: February 23, 2007 9:23 AM

  • Marco da Vinha

  • Not necessarily about the article, but is that a Rene Magritte painting? If so, which one?

  • Published: February 23, 2007 10:53 AM

  • BK Marcus

  • Marco da Vinha, there are two Magritte paintings for today's piece. On the front page -- the mirror image -- is "Portrait of Edward James" (1937). James was the leading patron of surreal art in the 1930s.

    The image in the article is a modifed version of Magritte's "The Pilgrim" (1966).

  • Published: February 23, 2007 11:04 AM

  • Marco da Vinha

  • Much obliged. Now as for the article, I enjoyed it, though I admit that there's a wee bit too much social darwinism in it even for my tastes. But it gets to the point, clear and simple, nonetheless.

  • Published: February 23, 2007 8:54 PM

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