Of Seditions and Troubles
by
Francis Bacon
(Summary)
The essay throws light on a political subject.
It also deals with man in his relations to the world and society. It contains
advice for kings and rulers. He says that kings or government should understand
the signs which indicate that an agitation or revolt is brewing in the country.
Defamatory and irresponsible speeches attacking kings or government and
circulation of false news are among such signs. When political quarrels and
discontentment become too open, it is a sign that the authority of the
government has become weaker. A king should realize that, if some of the powerful
persons in the country seem to be edging away from him, there is danger ahead.
The chief pillar of support for a king is the respect which he receives from
the people, especially the important and powerful people. The four pillars of a
government are religion, justice, counsel and treasure. When anyone of them is shaken,
the government should become alert.
There
are two things which generally lead to sedition, one is much poverty and other
is much discontentment. Those who have become impoverished because of certain
actions of the government are sure to become the enemies of the government; and
if such persons are joined by those in poor circumstances from among the lower classes,
the danger to the government becomes great. As for discontentment, there is always
a danger of its developing into an active revolt. It does not matter whether a discontentment
is based on a valid or invalid reason. So, it is necessary that a government
should make sure of the goodwill of the common person. Sedition is mainly
caused or motivated by the changes in laws and customs, breaking of privileges,
greater oppressions, advancement of unworthy individual, shortage of commodities,
demolished soldiers, political groups which have become desperate, and so on.
Bacon
has given some general remedies against seditions. Firstly, king or government
should remove want and poverty from the country. It can be done by promoting
industry and trade, preventing wasteful expenditure, proper cultivation of the
land, and similar measures. The population of a country should not be allowed
to grow beyond certain limits. The limits are to be determined by the capacity
of a country to provide the necessities of life to be increasing numbers. A
country can become prosperous by increasing its agricultural produce,
increasing its industrial output, and expanding its transport. Besides, the
care should be taken to see that money does not accumulate among a few people.
Like manure, money should be spread over the widest possible area. The most
important thing is that usury and monopolies should be curbed. It is essential
that to arouse some kind of hope in discontented persons. The arousing of hope
in the hearts of people is the best remedy against the sedition and the poison
of discontentment. In short, the essay is addressed to kings and governments,
which have hardly any popular interest. The essay is, more or less, a political
sermon. Bacon is seen right here when he says that monarchs or governments
should make sure of the goodwill of the common people.
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