Question

passage 2

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 mill’s 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 right of property. can he gather the fruits

on which point would both authors, eggert and blanc, most likely agree?

• monopolies should not be allowed to limit competition.
• rich people will not voluntarily give up their power.
• wealth is a reflection of superior skill and effort.
• competition leads to higher wages for workers.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Blanc blames competition (which monopolies can limit) for social problems, implying he'd agree monopolies shouldn't limit competition. For Eggert (assuming context, though not fully given, but this aligns with anti - monopoly for fair competition logic).
• Option 2: The passage from Blanc doesn't mention rich people giving up power voluntarily, so no support.
• Option 3: Blanc's view is that competition favors the rich at others' expense, so he'd disagree wealth is from skill/effort.
• Option 4: Blanc says competition is "extermination" for the poor, so he'd disagree it leads to higher wages.

Answer:

A. Monopolies should not be allowed to limit competition.