Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Editor's Introduction
- ON THE LIMITS OF STATE ACTION
- NOTE ON THIS EDITION AND TRANSLATION
- Contents
- CHAPTER I Introduction
- CHAPTER II Of the individual man, and the highest ends of his existence
- CHAPTER III On the solicitude of the State for the positive welfare of the citizen
- CHAPTER IV Of the solicitude of the State for the negative welfare of the citizen—For his security
- CHAPTER V On the solicitude of the State for security against foreign enemies
- CHAPTER VI On the solicitude of the State for the mutual security of the citizens—Means for attaining this end—Institutions for reforming the mind and character of the citizen—National education
- CHAPTER VII Religion
- CHAPTER VIII Amelioration of morals
- CHAPTER IX The solicitude of the State for security more accurately and positively defined—Further development of the idea of security
- CHAPTER X On the solicitude of the State for security with respect to actions which directly relate to the agent only (Police laws)
- CHAPTER XI On the solicitude of the State for security with respect to such of the citizens' actions as relate directly to others (Civil laws)
- CHAPTER XII On the solicitude of the State for security as manifested in the juridical decision of disputes among the citizens
- CHAPTER XIII On the solicitude for security as manifested in the punishment of transgressions of the State's laws (criminal laws)
- CHAPTER XIV On the care of the State for the welfare of minors, lunatics, and idiots
- CHAPTER XV Measures for the maintenance of the State—Completion of the theory
- CHAPTER XVI Practical application of the theory proposed
- Other works by Wilhelm von Humboldt
- Select Bibliography
- Index
- CAMBRIDGE STUDIES IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF POLITICS
CHAPTER VI - On the solicitude of the State for the mutual security of the citizens—Means for attaining this end—Institutions for reforming the mind and character of the citizen—National education
from ON THE LIMITS OF STATE ACTION
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2015
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Editor's Introduction
- ON THE LIMITS OF STATE ACTION
- NOTE ON THIS EDITION AND TRANSLATION
- Contents
- CHAPTER I Introduction
- CHAPTER II Of the individual man, and the highest ends of his existence
- CHAPTER III On the solicitude of the State for the positive welfare of the citizen
- CHAPTER IV Of the solicitude of the State for the negative welfare of the citizen—For his security
- CHAPTER V On the solicitude of the State for security against foreign enemies
- CHAPTER VI On the solicitude of the State for the mutual security of the citizens—Means for attaining this end—Institutions for reforming the mind and character of the citizen—National education
- CHAPTER VII Religion
- CHAPTER VIII Amelioration of morals
- CHAPTER IX The solicitude of the State for security more accurately and positively defined—Further development of the idea of security
- CHAPTER X On the solicitude of the State for security with respect to actions which directly relate to the agent only (Police laws)
- CHAPTER XI On the solicitude of the State for security with respect to such of the citizens' actions as relate directly to others (Civil laws)
- CHAPTER XII On the solicitude of the State for security as manifested in the juridical decision of disputes among the citizens
- CHAPTER XIII On the solicitude for security as manifested in the punishment of transgressions of the State's laws (criminal laws)
- CHAPTER XIV On the care of the State for the welfare of minors, lunatics, and idiots
- CHAPTER XV Measures for the maintenance of the State—Completion of the theory
- CHAPTER XVI Practical application of the theory proposed
- Other works by Wilhelm von Humboldt
- Select Bibliography
- Index
- CAMBRIDGE STUDIES IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF POLITICS
Summary
I now have to turn to a more profound and explicit investigation into the concern of the State for the mutual security of the citizens. For it does not seem enough merely to commit the care for security to the political power as a general and unconditional duty, but we also need to define the specific limits of its activity in this respect; or, at least, should this general definition be difficult or wholly impossible, to show the reasons for this, and discover the characteristics by which these limits may, in given cases, be recognized.
Even a very limited experience is sufficient to convince us that this interference may be either very limited or very extensive. It can confine itself to correcting actual disorders or it may take precautions for preventing their occurrence, or even adopt the policy of moulding the mind and character of the citizen after the fashion most suitable to its preconceived scheme of social order. Even this extension admits of different degrees. The violation of personal rights, for example, or of the immediate rights of the State, may be investigated and punished, or—by regarding the citizen as accountable to the State for the use of his abilities, and therefore as one who robs it, as it were, of its property when he does anything to weaken or destroy them—a watchful eye may be kept on even those actions which affect none but the agent himself.
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- The Limits of State Action , pp. 49 - 54Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1969