The "lesser" vs "greater" dichotomy is very old. It has been the mainstay of socialists/communists since the 1850s. Socialists believe that "the masses" are essentially retarded toddlers, and only they, the enlightened, are able & willing to "lead" us poor peons. Bastiat clearly lays out this socialist totalitarian attitude.

Of course, this attitude was not invented by socialism; it goes back to feudalism (Divine right of kings/lords etc). Treating people as intelligent, fully functional & responsible human beings is an affront to both feudalism and its modern equivalent. It seems that, after 400 years of enlightenment & liberalism, we're regressing, willingly (for some at least).