The World in Chains: Some Aspects of War and Trade — Inside the Classic

From Moral Philosophy to Economic Critique

The first chapter establishes a philosophical foundation, contrasting the “widening sphere of morality” with the persistent “Homo homini lupus” (man is a wolf to man) of international relations. Mavrogordato traces the evolution from tribe against tribe to the city state, then to the “nations of Europe ‘ferae naturae’” (wild beasts). He argues that diplomacy, while convenient, is no substitute for morals, and that war is a moral anachronism. The author’s voice is academic yet pointed, using classical references and logical progression to build his case.

The Machinery of War Profiteering

Chapter III, “Trade During the War,” shifts to economic evidence. Mavrogordato asserts that “war stands to benefit neutral as well as belligerent nations but not to the same extent,” and that “the greater the capital, the greater the war profit.” He includes an appendix of “Some Typical War Profits,” citing a Manchester Guardian article from January 3, 1916, which reports that 720 industrial concerns with a capital of £531,678,701 made profits of £52,881,300 during the first nine months of 1915. The author notes that shipping, iron, coal, steel, and even breweries and gas companies saw increased earnings, while textile and catering firms suffered. This concrete data anchors his argument that war profits are not shared by the nation but confined to employers.

Imperialism as Allotropic Capitalism

In the later chapter, Mavrogordato reframes the debate around German responsibility and the value of German culture, but his central target is imperialism, which he calls “the enemy.” He defines imperialism as “an allotropic form of Capitalism, manifesting itself in the exploitation of fellow-nations instead of in the exploitation of fellow-citizens.” The author calls for “the education of Europe” led by International Socialists, who must fight against both “private” trade and “private” war—the latter being any war not authorized by an international authority. The rhetoric builds to a direct appeal: “Socialists of the World Unite.”

The Author’s Cautious Note and Dedication

Mavrogordato includes a brief “Note” at the start, acknowledging that “there may be some exaggeration in this book.” He states his belief that England and her Allies entered the war “with the noblest intentions,” but that these emotions have been “exploited by the basest forms of Imperialism and Capitalism.” This self-aware qualification, dated January 1, 1917, gives the reader a lens through which to assess the polemic that follows. The book is dedicated “In Memoriam Amicorum” to five named individuals who “ante diem perierunt” (died before their day), grounding the abstract argument in personal loss.

Readers approaching The World in Chains should note that the excerpts provide only the opening, a sample of the economic argument, and the concluding call to action. The full text likely develops the philosophical and historical framework more thoroughly, and the appendix may contain additional data. Mavrogordato’s explicit admission of possible exaggeration invites critical reading, while his dedication to fallen friends reminds us that this is a wartime document, not a detached treatise.

That rainy afternoon, Mavrogordato’s fury at war’s profiteers felt almost unbearable, yet his call for solidarity warmed the room. Later, idly flipping pages, I landed on the stark dates and names in A Concise Chronicle of Events of the Great War — Text and Context. The abstraction became flesh, and I sat there quietly, holding both books together, as the rain kept falling.