What Social Classes Owe to Each Other

by William Graham Sumner

"What Social Classes Owe to Each Other" by William Graham Sumner is a sociopolitical treatise written in the late 19th century. The work critically examines the interactions and responsibilities between different social classes, specifically addressing the notion of duty among the rich and poor in society. Sumner aims to challenge the prevailing sentiments of his time regarding wealth redistribution and the perceived obligations of the affluent to support the less fortunate. The opening of the text sets the stage for an exploration of the social problems that plague society, particularly the confusion surrounding class definitions and rights. Sumner begins by interrogating who has the right to demand solutions for societal issues, establishing a dichotomy between the prosperous and those less fortunate. He critiques the notion that the wealthy owe their comforts to the labor of the poor, suggesting instead that individuals must take responsibility for their own lives. The introduction foreshadows a discourse on economic principles, individual responsibility, and the potential pitfalls of class-based sentiments and policies, which will be further dissected in the subsequent chapters.