Question

in the organization of work (1839), french socialist, politician, and historian louis blanc blamed social problems on economic competition, which he said favors the rich at the expense of the poor and the middle class. english writer john stuart mill quoted the extracts below, in english translation, in mills book socialism in 1879. the organization of work by louis blanc competition is for the people a system of extermination. is the poor man a member of society, or an enemy to it? we ask for an answer. all around him he finds the soil preoccupied. can he cultivate the earth for himself? no; for the right of the first occupant has become a read this sentence from the paragraph on page 3 of passage 2. it is to be hoped they will die quietly of hunger. how does blanc use this sentence to help develop his overall theme? by saying the opposite of what he means, blanc highlights the evils of the current system. by starting with the phrase it is to be hoped, blanc draws attention to future possibilities. by using the word quietly, blanc implies that riots and violence may erupt instead.

Explanation:

Louis Blanc blames social - problems on economic competition favoring the rich. The sentence "It is to be hoped they will die quietly of hunger" is likely sarcastic. He is saying the opposite of what he truly means to highlight the inhumane and evil nature of the current economic - competitive system that leaves the poor in such a dire situation.

Answer:

By saying the opposite of what he means, Blanc highlights the evils of the current system.