Unto This Last

I read one of the essays in this book ("Roots of Honor"). In this essay, John Ruskin calls into question the theory of political economy, which asserts that people should get as much out of their workers for as little pay and energy as possible. Instead, Ruskin suggests (with respect to the manufacturing field) that masters treat their workers with kindness, that wages and employment be constant, and that “merchants” take part in their business selflessly.