common sense to find in
princedom the source of German society, instead of seeing the source
of princedom in German society, is susceptible of an easy explanation.

It sees truly enough at first glance, and its first glance is always
keenest, that the German princes maintain and consolidate the old
German social condition, upon which their existence stands or falls,
and forcibly react against the dissolving elements. It likewise sees,
on the other hand, the dissolving elements striving with the princely
power. All the healthy five senses testify at once that princedom is
the foundation of the old society, its gradations, its prejudices, and
its antagonisms.

Regarded more closely, however, this phenomenon only contradicts the
rough and ready opinion for which it furnished the innocent occasion.

The powerful reactionary role which princedom assumed only proves that
in the pores of the old society a new society has evolved, which feels
the political husk--the appropriate covering of the old society--to be
an unnatural fetter which it must burst. The more immature these new
elements are, the more conservative appears to be even the most
vigorous reaction of the old political power. The reaction of
princedom, instead of proving that it makes the old society, rather
proves that it is at the end of its tether so soon as the material
conditions of the old society are obsolete. Its reaction is at the
same time the reaction of the old society, which is still the
official society.

If the material conditions of life of society have so far developed
that the transformation of their official political shape has become a
vital necessity for it, the entire physiognomy of the old political
power undergoes a transformation. Thus absolute monarchy now aims at
decentralization, instead of at centralization, wherein consists its
proper civilizing activity.

Itself the product of the defeat of the feudal orders, and even taking
the most active part in their destruction, it tries now to retain at
least the semblance of feudal distinctions. Formerly favouring
commerce and industry and also the rise of the burgher class, as being
necessary conditions both of the national power and of its own
brilliance, absolute monarchy now puts all kinds of obstacles in the
way of commerce and industry, which have become more and more
dangerous weapons in the hands of a powerful bourgeoisie. From the
town, which fostered its rise, it casts an anxiou