What does "these" in brackets mean?

We accept and welcome, therefore, as conditions to which we must accommodate ourselves, great inequality of enviroment; the concentration of business, industrial and commercial, in the hands of a few; and the law of competition between 【these】, as being not only beneficial, but essential to the future progress of the race.

Just point out the what the "these" refers to is ok. But it will be great if you can explain what the whole sentence mean.

Question

What does "these" in brackets mean?

We accept and welcome, therefore, as conditions to which we must accommodate ourselves, great inequality of enviroment; the concentration of business, industrial and commercial, in the hands of a few; and the law of competition between 【these】, as being not only beneficial, but essential to the future progress of the race.

Just point out the what the "these" refers to is ok. But it will be great if you can explain what the whole sentence mean.

Answer

...and the law of competition between 【these】...
In this sentence the word "these" has replaced the words "these businesses" in order to avoid repetition.

The whole sentence appears to be an argument in favour of large corporations owned and operated by a few people.

Answers · 1

Still haven’t found your answers?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!