Written by guest columnist Llewelyn Moss
The first part of this column, previously posted on DefCon, described the Pilgrim’s experiment in holding all things in common, from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.
That experiment was a dismal failure.
Governor William Bradford, described the results of the Pilgrim’s experiment with collectivism:
“The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanity of that conceit of Plato’s and other ancients applauded by some of later times; that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God,” said Bradford.
“For this community was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort,” he continued.
Recognizing the failure of the attempt to “hold all things in common”, how was the problem rectified? Did the Pilgrims just continue to plod ahead, hoping that somehow the system in place would right itself?
Note what happened to the efforts and attitudes of the early settlers:
The Pilgrims, a pious and decent people, discovered that even the best of men cannot thrive under socialism’s incentive-crushing system. This experiment with socialism—probably its best chance for success amongst such selfless, righteous people—failed miserably. The Puritans discovered that government cannot deny man’s inherent desire to work hard to provide for his own family and be rewarded when his labor exceeds his neighbor’s.
How did the wise people in the 1600’s turn things around, and what resulted?
Having learned a valuable lesson about human nature, the Pilgrims established a new economic system that encouraged and rewarded personal initiative. Instead of a collectivist labor force, each family was given a plot of land on which to grow their own crops. Soon, each family was pulling its own weight. In fact, the harvest was so bountiful that the Pilgrims were able to trade with local Indians, and the colony prospered.
Governor Bradford reflected on the success of this capitalist approach to private labor:
“They had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been…By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty, and the faces of things were changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God,” said Bradford.
Indeed, their bounty was so great, that they had enough to not only trade among themselves but also with the neighboring Indians in the forest.”
Reflect on the important lesson learned by the Puritans as you read the conclusion of Merideth Turney’s article:
Capitalism, while not perfect, gives man the incentive he needs to work hard for his family and thereby help his entire community—not by force, but out of true generosity. If America fails to learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, we’ll have forgotten the truth of Albert Einstein’s famous aphorism: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Americans should be thankful to these brave souls for not only bringing the concept of religious freedom across the Atlantic, but for surviving America’s first experiment with socialism. The misery they experienced under socialism led to the free-market economy later established by their posterity.
As we approach Thanksgiving, remember the lessons learned 400 hundred years ago. Bounty comes from God, but only if mankind exercises their freedom to work diligently to provide for themselves and their loved ones. The upshot is that the bounty thus realized is great enough to also benefit those who are truly in need.
God bless the hard working American people, and God Bless America.
Happy Thanksgiving.
