These  divergences  are  most  manifest  in  the  classes  of
governmental  interference  distinguished  as  "  indirectly  indi-
vidualistic," "  paternal,"  and  "  socialistic ; "  but  they  would
stiU  exist  even  if  the  operations  of  government  were  strictly
confined  to  the  "  individualistic  minimum."  Thus,  in  trying
to  define  the  content  of  the  right  of  property,  from  the  point
of  view  of  the  strictest  individualism,  we  have  had  to  recog-
nise a  considerable  margin  of  doubt, — for  instance,  in  the
important  cases  of  property  in  land,  and  property  in  the
results  of  intellectual  labour ;  and  we  have  noted  a  similar
doubtful  margin,  in  considering  the  limits  of  contractual
obligation.  In  the  same  way  many  doubtful  points  of
importance  occur — as  the  last  chapter  has  shown — in
determining  the  distribution  of  the  burden  of  providing
government  with  the  resources  necessary  for  the  performance
of  its  functions.  Considering  these  actual  doubts  and  dis-
agreements, and  taking  further  into  account  the  continual
changes  in  human  relations  and  circumstances  which  may  be
expected  to  accompany  the  development  of  industry  and  of
civilisation  generally,  we  must  expect  that  important  changes
will  occur  from  time  to  time  in  the  legislative  operations  of
government  even  in  the  most  peaceful  and  well-ordered  com-
munities ;  and  that  such  changes  may  materially  affect  the
interests  of  individuals  and  frustrate  expectations  founded  on
the  existing  law.  And  even  without  any  general  alteration,
the  most  effective  attainment  of  the  ends  of  government  in
some  particular  case  may  require — or  appear  to  require —
an  encroachment  on  private  rights.  But  by  such  en-
croachments on   the  legitimate  expectations  of  individuals


I  So  ELEMENTS  OF  POLITICS  chap.
