Charles Renouard, “Robbers as Parasites” (1852)

Abstract

Renouard distinguishes between “harmless” parasites and “harmful” parasites. A harmless parasite is someone who does not produce anything themselves but who is freely given goods by someone else, such as an heir or child (from their parents), the recipient of private charity (from the donor), or a member of a mutual aid society (from the previous dues they have paid). A harmful parasite is someone, like a robber, who does not produce anything but lives by forcibly taking property from others; those who get special privileges from the government, by acts of fraud, and compulsory state charity. Renouard fears that a socialist regime will stimulate the “parasitic spirit” and systematize the harmful form of parasitism.