This extended connection also offers the means of colonization — sporadic or systematic — to which developed civil society is driven, and through which it procures, in part, for a portion of its population, in a new soil, a return to the family principle, and, in part, for itself, a new demand and field for its industrious labour.
Civil society is driven to found colonies. The increase of population already has this effect by itself; but above all a multitude arises that cannot win the satisfaction of its needs through its own work, once production exceeds the need for consumption. Sporadic colonization occurs especially in Germany. The colonists move to America, to Russia, remain without connection to their fatherland, and thus confer no benefit upon it. The second kind of colonization, wholly different from the first, is systematic colonization. It is brought about by the state, with consciousness and regulation of the proper manner of its execution. This kind of colonization occurred repeatedly among the ancients, and notably among the Greeks, among whom hard labor was not the business of the citizen, whose activity was rather directed toward public affairs. When the population grew to such an extent that hardship could arise in providing for it, the young were then sent out into a new region, one partly specially chosen, partly left to the chance of discovery. In more recent times the colonies have not been granted the same rights as the inhabitants of the mother country, and wars, and finally emancipations, have arisen out of this condition, as the history of the English and Spanish colonies shows. The liberation of the colonies proves itself to be the greatest advantage for the mother state, just as the freeing of slaves proves to be the greatest advantage for the master.
§ 248: Colonies
Society looks for new buyers outside. This wide connection offers one more means: colonies.
Why do people found colonies?
The population grows. And a mass of people arises who cannot live from their work. For people produce more than they can use. These people move away.
What do they gain?
On new soil, they can again live as a family, from their own land. And the old society gains new buyers and a new field for its work.
Two kinds:
The one kind has no plan. Single people move away, for example from Germany to America or Russia. They lose the tie to their homeland. The homeland gains nothing from it.
The other kind follows a plan. The state steers it. The Greeks did it this way. When the population grew too large, they sent young people to a new land.
And the freedom of the colonies?
In recent times, mother countries did not give their colonies the same rights as they had themselves. Wars came from this, and in the end the colonies freed themselves. That happened with the English and Spanish colonies. Their liberation helps the mother country most. Just as freeing the slaves helps the master most.
Summary: Society founds colonies because it has too many people and too many goods. There people find new soil, and the homeland finds new buyers. Free colonies help the mother country most.
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