Читать книгу Economic Development in Denmark Before and During the World War онлайн

16 страница из 31

As has already been stated, the peasants (freeholders and leaseholders) formed the solid core of the population. In 1787 they numbered 74,000 males over twenty years of age. There were also about 22,000 cottars (males over twenty) and between 3,000 and 4,000 'landless men' or farm hands, besides 38,000 male servants and 16,000 labourers over twenty years of age, most of whom worked in the field. In 1911 the peasants (large and small farmers) numbered about 68,000 males over eighteen years of age, besides 86,000 cottars. Thus the latter class increased fourfold, while the number of farmers remained about the same. In addition there was a very large number of farm-hands and servants, of whom the peasants employed about 60,000 over eighteen years of age and the cottars between 6,000 and 7,000, as well as about ​33,000 labourers. Everywhere it is to be noted that the lower classes greatly increased in numbers.

If we glance at the statistics of trade and industry for the last four generations, we note a similar change. In 1911 there were throughout the country about 72,000 male employers over eighteen years of age, about 10,000 office-workers and 138,000 workmen proper. Labour tended to concentrate in the capital of the country, Copenhagen, in a proportion of about five workmen to one employer; in other towns there were approximately three workmen to one employer; in the country, scarcely one. But while the industrial development of Denmark has been slight in comparison with that of other countries, it has, nevertheless, been sufficient to form a gulf between employers and employees. The strong class feeling of earlier periods still exists, but in a new form; its basis is no longer trade rivalry, but the antagonism of capital and labour, which often develops to the point of open conflict.