Chapter II: Preface

This short book is the first part of a larger work by M. Georges Renard, the well-known French economic writer. The second part of the original deals with the modern Trade Union movement, and the part here reproduced is complete in itself.

G. D. H. COLE.

_October 1918._

CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION. By G. D. H. Cole ix

CHAPTER I

ORIGIN AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 1

CHAPTER II

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE GUILDS 6

1. Various types.--2. The simple Guild and the complex Guild.--3. The half-democratic Guild.--4. The apprentice.--5. The _compagnon_.--6. Women in the Guilds.--7. The capitalistic Guild.

CHAPTER III

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GUILDS 27

CHAPTER IV

THE AIMS AND METHODS OF THE GUILDS 32

1. Economic aim.--2. Social and moral aim; the fraternity.--3. Political aim. Classification of the Guilds; their internal disputes.

CHAPTER V

THE MERITS AND DEFECTS OF THE GUILD SYSTEM 68

CHAPTER VI

EXTERNAL CAUSES OF DECAY 73

1. Change in economic conditions. The extension of the markets and large-scale production; division of producers into classes; _compagnonnage_.--2. Change in intellectual conditions. The Renaissance. The Reformation.--3. Change in political conditions. The central authority is driven to interfere: (_a_) through political interest; (_b_) through fiscal interest; (_c_) through public interest.

CHAPTER VII

INTERNAL CAUSES OF DECAY 107

1. Division at the heart of the Guilds: (_a_) separation of the members; (_b_) subjection of inferiors to superiors.--2. Division between the Craft Guilds.--3. Vexatious regulations.

CHAPTER VIII

THE DEATH OF THE GUILDS 116

1. Their suppression in the different countries of Europe. They become the victims of: (_a_) "great" commerce and "great" industry; (_b_) the law of the reduction of effort; (_c_) science; (_d_) fashion; (_e_) new economic theories.--2. Action against them in England, France, and other European countries.--3. Survivals, and attempts to restore the Guilds.

AUTHOR'S BIBLIOGRAPHY 137

EDITOR'S BIBLIOGRAPHY 140