ABSTRACT
Collectivism plays a peculiar part in the scientific theory of national economy. Constructive thinkers of the romantic-rationalistic period regarded collectivism as an original condition of the human race. Where it existed it was believed that original or natural conditions were to be found, and the return to nature and to such natural conditions appeared an ideal to be aimed at. Political idealists, who are apt to disregard actual facts, past or present, and try to induce men to believe what they want to be, not what really was or is, have made use of this romantic- rationalistic trend of constructive thought for their own purposes. Objective science, however, is charged with the task of pursuing the actual facts. This is by no means so simple as would appear from superficial and hasty generalizations.
