FAB IAN

E S SAYS IN S O C IAL I SM

G . B E RN ARD S HAW SYDN E Y O L I VI E R

DN E Y W E B B
SI AN N I E B E S AN T
W I L L I AM C L ARKE GR AHAM WAL L AS
A N D

H UB E RT BL AN D

E D I TE D BY

G . B E RN A RD S H A W

With a new preface for this ed ition by M r. S haw

B O S T O N

T HE B AL L P U B L I S HI N G CO .

191 1
B Y G O
E R GE B E RN A R D S HA W
 C O N TE N TS .

T HE F AB IAN S O C I E TY AND I TS W ORK .

B Y WI L L IAM CL AR KE .

TH E BA S I S OF S O C I AL I S M .

E C ON O M I C B Y G B E R N AR D S HAW
. .

RE N Ttivation and Pop ulation of t h E arth —E conomi

. Th e C ul e c

O ri g i n f t h C ounty F amily
o e E conom i R nt f L and nd A b ility . c e o a .

T nant R i ght
e Th e Ad v nt f t h Prol tarian . Pag I e o e e . e .

V LU M chani m f E x han g — Pri n d U ti lity — E fi

'

A E . e s t o c e. ce a . ec s

Of S up ply L w f In diff r n. T otal nd F inal Uti lity

a o R latio n e e ce . a . e

Of Val t C o t Of P o d uction
ue o s r Pa g 9 . e ,

W G ATh Prol tariat

E S . S al f L ab r eS b i t n e Wa g . e o o . u s s e ce e.

C ap itali m In r a
s f Ri h
~
.
- nd D r a f W alth D ivor
c e se O c es a ec e se o e .
- ce

o f E xch an g Valu f ro m S ocial U tility

e e Pag 1 5 . e .

C O C LU IO Appar nt Di r p an i b tw n Hi tory nd Th sc e c es e ee s a e

—S o iali m —P imi m nd Privat Prop rt y —E onomi

N S N . e

c s ess s a e e c c
or y . .

S o nd n
u f M eliori m
es s o s Pa g 20
. e .

HI S TO R I C B S I D N E Y W E BB L L B B IS T A L W
Y ,
. .
,
A RR E R T A ,

L C TU POL I T I L E O O M Y E RE R O N CA C N
H C ITY L O DO C OLL G AT T E O F N N E E .

TH E D VE L O PM T O E D M O T I I D L An try f EN F TH E E C RA C E A . ce s o

E n gli h S o iali m
s Th Utop ian I ntr d tion O f t h C on p tion
c s . e s. o uc e ce

O f E olu tie
v m Th e L e on f D m o ra yo
w ss Pag e 26 O e c c . .
iv C O N TE N T S .

DI I T G TIO
TH E HS N O LD S Y TH I E Th RAD ecay f N O F T E N E S S. e o

M ed i vali me T h I n d tria l R vol tion

s . T h F r n h R v l tion
e us e u . e e c e o u .

Th Pro gr s f D m ocracy
e es o Pa g 3 1
e e .

T P IO D O A
HE HY I n d i i d ali m
E R Philo op hic R a d i
F N A RC . v u s . - s

c li m
a s nd L i a i T h U ti litarian Analy i
a ss er P a g 35
a re . e s s. e .

TH I T LL C T U L A
E N MO EL R V OLT ; A E S P OL I T I C A L
A ND RA E N D IT

O U TC O M Th e Po t C om m uni t Phi l o p h r C hri t ian S ocia li t

E . e s, s s, os e s, s s s,

an d E volutioni t T h E xt n ion f S tat A tivity

s s. E xi tin g S tat e e s o e c . s e

R g i tration I n p ction
e s
nd Dir ct O rg ani ation
,
s f L ab or —Th
e ,
a e z O . e

R ad ical Pro gramm e P a g 40

. e .

TH N W S Y T H I
E E volution nd t h S ocial O r g ani m
E N L ib
E S S. a e s .

ert y nd E q uality
a S o ial H alth . Pag 50 c e . e .

IN DUS TR IAL W I L L I AM C L AR KE M A
B Y , . .
, C A M I BR D GE .

TH E SU P E RSE SS IO O I D I V D U LI T P O DU T IO
N P N I A S R C N . Th e C ot

tage I nd u try s . Th e M tm e chanical I nv ntion e s. Th e F a tory

c Sys e .

P ag 56 e .

TH G OW TH E H G T I D U T Y Th E xp an ion Of L an
R O F T E RE A N S R . e s

ca h i
s Th W hit S lav ry
re . S tat e I n t rf r nc
e Pag 65
e e . e e e e. e .

TH D V LO PM E T E W O L D C O MM
E T h Triump h
E N O F THE R -
E RC E e

Of F r Trad Th F i ght f N ew M ark t —Th C arri r f t h

.

ee e. e or e s e e s o e

Worl d . Pa g e 7 1 .

TH D IFF TI TIO
E M G A C A PI T L I T
E RE N Th R iA N O F AN A E R N D A S . e se

of C — Op rati n nd t h J oint S to k C o mp any Th R ing nd t h

o e o a e c e a e

Tru t —Th D p oti m f C ap itali t C o m m uni m

.

s .
”
e es Pag 7 6 s o s s . e .

M OR AL B Y S YD N E Y O L I VIE R , D A . .
,
O XF O R D .

O T I O N O M O L I T Y Th C ommon E nd —Th e C n
TH E E V L U F RA . e o

d it i no f F r d om
s o Th I n d ivi d ual nd t h R a
ee Th G ro wth f
. e a e ce . e o

S ocial C on ciou n C onv ntion and L w

s s es s . Pag 93 e a . e .

P OP TY
R MO E R L S Th R a tion f Prop rty Form n
AND RA . e e c o e -
s o

M oral I d a C la eM orality
s. N g ation f t h C on dition
ss f Fr . e O e s o ee

d m o .S ocial D i olution ss P ag 1 04 . e .

TH R I T G E T I O N O S O C I T Y Th O rd ring f t h Pri mary

E -
N E RA F E . e e o e

C on dition T h I d a f t h Poor L awn —S

s. ond ary C ond ition
e e o e ec s.

M orality nd R a on a Th I d a f t h S hoo l e s Page 1 12

. e e o e c . .
 C O N TE N TS . v

TH E O R GA N I Z A T I O N OF S O C I E TY .

PR O E R T P Y UN DE R S OC I AL I S M . BY G RAHAM WAL L AS , M A. .

OX FO R D .

VI I L W LT H
S B E E A . C on su me r s
’
C ap ita1 . Pr o d u ce r s
’
C p a ital .

Pag 1 20 e .

D T E B S AN D SE R V I C E S . D r
ef e re d a nd Anti ci p ate d C o n u mp tion
s .

I nter t es . Pag 1 25 e .

I DE A S . C py i go r ht a nd Pat nt R i ght
e . E duc ati o n. Pag 1 32 e .

IN D U S TR Y UN AN N I E B E S AN T
D E R S O C I AL I S M B Y .

TH O G E RR ra1 —Urb an
AN I T IO
I n t rnational
ZA L O N O F AB R. u . . e .

Pag 1 36 e .

TH DI T I UTIO
E P O D UC T Th I ndivi d ual —Th
S R B N O F TH E R . e . e

M uni i p ality
c T h S tat . Pag 147
e e. e .

S OC I L S F G U D T h S ti mul
A t L ab or —
A Th
E Provi ionAR S . e us o . e s

f I nitiativ
or Th R w ard f E x ll n e. Pag 1 50
e e o ce e ce . e .

T H E T R AN S I TI O N TO S O C I AL DE MO C R AC Y .

TR AN S I TI O N B G B E R N AR D S HAW. Y .

M DI V LI M
E C PI T L I M
E A T h O ld O r d r — M r han
S TO t Ad A A S . e e . e c

v ntu r Pirat S lav Trad r C ap itali t Th O ld Or d r b r t b y t h

e re ,
e, e- e ,
s . e e u s e

N w Gro wth
e C hao . Pag 1 57
s. e .

A HY N ARC ST T I T C Politi al E ono my

TO A H E N E RF E RE N E . c c . e

g h an C on p tion Of t h P rf ct S tat S o ia li m I t Practical D if

’

e ce e e e e. c s : s

fi lt i
cu I m p racti ab i lity f C ata trophic C han g
es . D mocracy t h
c o s e. e e

Anti d ot t B r a cracy Th S tat I nt rf r

e o u e u Pag 1 60 . e e e e es . e .

S T T I T RF
A C
E S TA T O G
N EI TIO Hard Ti m
E RE N E TO E R AN ZA N . es .

R vival f R vol tionary S o ia li m

e O e R m ainin g S t p t t h
u C n c s . e e s o e o

su mmation f D m cracy — M achin ry f S o iali m

o e S ocial Pr
o e o c s es

ur —Urb an R nt —T h N w Taxation — S tat Organization f

.

s e e s. e e e o

L ab or it I n d i p n ab l C o mp l m n t — Th
s s Un mp loy d S ol ti n
e s e e e e e e . u o

of t h C o mp n ation D iffi lt y
e eE conom i R a tio n
s f t h Pro gr cu . c e c s o e es s

Of M unicip al S o iali m M ilitant S ociali m Ab an d on d b t n t D i

c s . s e u o s

honor d e . Pag 1 69 e .
 C ON TE N T S .

T H E OUTL OO K B Y HUB E R T B L AN D .

O D I TIO
TH E C E G LI H P
N TIN T h L in
O F f Pr g r
N S AR E S . e es o o es s .

Th R at e f Pr g r in Th ght nd I n d try C omp ar d with that in

e O o ess ou a us e

P liti
o All g d Di ap p an f t h Whi g
cs . e e s P a g 1 84
e ar ce o e .
e ,

TH S O I L I I G
E POL I T I
C A Politi al M y op ia
Z N O F S ham S oci l C S. c . a

i m
s R d H rri ng —Dr am
e e f P r m atin g t h L ib ral Part
s. e s O e e e e
y
.

Di illu i nm nt Th N w D p artur
s s o e . e e P a g 1 89e e. e ,

TH D UTI E HO U Th Tru L in f C l avag

E S O F TH E R. e e e o e e.
H p nd F ar Th S oli darity f t h Work r
o es a e s. e P a g 1 98 O e e s. e .

IN DE X .
THE FAB IA N S O C I E TY A N D I TS WO R K .
 PR E FAC E T O T HE 1 9 08 E D I TIO N

i ali t move m nt h a bee n co mpl tely tra n

S I N C E 1 88 9 th e S oc s e s e s

form d th rough out E uro p ; and t h es ult Of t h tran form ation

e e e r e s

m ay fa i rly b d crib d as Fabian S ociali m

e es I n th igh t n
e s . e e ee

e ighti whe n S ociali m r vi v d i n E nglan d for t he fi t ti me

es , s e e rs

s i nce t h u pp r ion Of t h Pari C o mm un in 1 87 1 i t wa not

e s es s e s e , s

at fir t reali d th at wh at h ad r ally b n u pp res d for good

s ze e ee s se

a nd all w a t h ro manti c r voluti onary L ib ral i m and R adi

s e e e s

c alis m f 1 848 t whi c h th S o c i al i t h ad attach d th m lv

o , o e s s e e se es

a s a m att r f co r p artly b cau th y w r th m lves

e o u se, e se e e e e se

ro m anti c and r volutionary nd p artly b c au both L i b e ral

e , a e se s

a nd S oci ali t h ad a co m m on Obj ct i n D m ocracy

s s e e .

B e s id thi co mm on Obj ct t h t w h ad a co m mon n

es s e e o co

ce
pti n f m th od in r voluti on
o o e T h y w r b ot h cata tro e . e e e s

phi ts s L ib ralis m h ad conqu r d autocracy and b ure aucracy

. e e e

by th at me th od in E ngland and Franc and th n l ft i nd u t y e, e e s r

t om ak w h at i t could f t h n w pol i ti cal con di ti o n b y t h

e o e e s e

unreg lat d acti on Of co m p ti ti on b tw n i n d i i d ual Bri fly

u e e e ee v s. e ,

t h L ibe ral plan was to cut Off t h K ing h a d nd l av t h ’

e e s e , a e e e

r st t N atur w hi ch was su pp o d to gravitat towa d cono mic

e o e, se e r s e

ha rm o ni e wh en n t r tra in d by tyra nni cal gov rnm nt T h

s o es e e e s. e

S ocialist w e r v ry fa a h ea d f t h L ibe ral i n t h i r app

s e e ia
r o e s e rec

ti on Of the p r pon d rant i m portance f ind u try v n going

e e o s , e e so

fa a t m a i nta in w i th Buckl and M arx th at all oci al in tit

r s o , e , s s u

Ix
X P RE F A C E .

ti ons wh atever w ere im po sed b y e cono mi c cond i ti ons and th at ,

th e re was fund ame ntally only o ne ty ranny : t h e tyranny o f

C a p ital Y t e ve n t h e S ociali s ts h ad s o far form ed t h ei r political
. e

h abits in t he L i b ral s ch ool th at they w e re quite d i s po sed t o b e

e

lieve that i f yo u cut ff t h e he ad of King C a p ital you migh t

O ,

e x p e ct to s ee thi ngs co m e righ t m ore or l e s s p ontan eou ly s s .

N O d ou b t t hi s ge n e ral s tate m e nt s h ews t h e R e voluti onari e s o f

1 848 —7 1 as s i m p l e r th an t h ey a pp e ar o n th e ir o wn re cord s .

Prou d h on w as full o f p ro p o s al s : o n Of th e m t h e m ini m u m wage

e , ,

turns o u t t o b e o f th e ve ry firs t i m p ortance now that Mr and .

M rs S i d n ey We b b h ave p ut th e ca s e fo r it o n an in vi nci ble

.

bas is f i ndu s tri al fact and e cono m ic theo ry L as s alle re ally

O .

kne w s o m e thi ng O f t he nature o f law t h e p racti ce o f Gove rn m e nt

, ,

and t h e m in d o f t h e gove rn i n Marx th ough cer

g clas s e s .
,

tainly a bit of a L i b e ral fatal is t (did h e n o t ay th at force is t h e s

m i d wife of p rogre s w i th out re m in d i ng u s th at force is e qually

s

th e m i d wi fe Of c h ao s a nd c h ao s t h e m id wife Of m arti al la w P
,
) ,

was at all e ve nts no be li e ve r i n L ais s er aire S o ci al is m involves

f -
.

t h e i ntro d uction Of d es ign contrivanc e a nd c ord inati on by

, , o- ,

a nati on cons ci o u sly s eeking its o wn colle cti ve welfare i nto ,

t h e p rese nt in d u s trial s cra m bl e for p ri vate

gain ; and as i t is
cle ar th at this cannot b e a s po ntan eous res ult o f a vi ol e nt
ove rthrow Of t h e exi s ti ng ord er and as t h e S ociali s ts o f 1 8 48—7 1
,

we re not bli nd i t woul d b e i m po ss i ble to s u bs tanti ate a claim

,

for Fab ian E ss ays as th e firs t text book o f S ociali s m i n which

-

catas tro phis m is re p u d i ated as a m e th od o f S o cialis m .

T h e refore w e mu s t not s a t h at t h e R e volu t io ni s ts and Inte r

y
—
nationalis ts Of 1 8 4 8 7 1 be l ie ved i n a d ram ati c ove rt hrow o f th e
ca pi tal is t sys te m in a s ingle convuls i on followed b y th e e stab
,

lis hm ent o f a new h e a ve n a new e art h and a new h u m a ni t

, , y .

T hey w e re vis i onari es no d oubt : all p ol i tical id e ali ts are ; b ut

, s

they we re quite as p racti cal as t h e C onse rvatives and L i be rals

wh o no w belie ve th at t h e triu m ph o f th e i r p arty w i ll s e cure t h e
 PRE F A C E . X1

h a pp in es s and pe ac co u ntry All th e sa me i t w as almo s t

e of th e .
,

imp oss ible to in d uce th e m to s pe ak r think Of th e S o cialist s ta te

o

o f th e future in te r m o f t h e e xis ting h u man m ate ri al for i t

s .

T h ey talked o f C o m m un e s and m ore vagu ely and les s wi lli ngly

, , ,

o f ce ntral d e p art m e nts t o co ordi nate t h e acti vi ti es o f t h e C o m

-

m un e s ; but if y u ve nture d to point o u t th at th e s e a pp are ntly

o

s tran e and ro m antic inve nti o ns w e re s i m p l

g y city corp oration s
und e r t he L ocal Gove rn me nt Board they veh em ently re p u d iated ,

s uc h a con s truction and accu se d you of r e a d in

,
g t h e con d i ti on s
o f t h e p res e nt sy s te m i nto S oci ali s m T h ey h ad all t h e old .

L i b e ral m i s tru t o f gove rnm e nts and bure aucracy and all t h e
s

O ld te n d e nc
y o f bourge o i s re voluti on is ts to i d ol i ze t he worki ng
class T h ey h ad no s us pi ci on Of th e exte nt to w hi ch th e ve ry
.
‘

exi s te nce o f s oci ety d e pe nd s on t h e skilled work o f ad mi ni s tra

t ors and ex pe rts o r h ow m uc h w isd o m and s tre n th o f c h aracte r
,
g
is re qui red for th ei r con t rol by p o p u lar re p res e nta ti ves T h ey .

actually bel i eved th at wh e n th ei r efforts th rough out E uro pe h ad

d em ons trated th e e cono m i cs o f S oci a li s m to t h e p rol e tari ats Of
th e great ca pi tals t h e cry Prol e tarian s of all lan d s : un i te
”
, ,

would b e res p on d ed to ; and th at C a p italis m woul d fall b efore

an I nternati onal Fed erati on o f th e work ing cla s ses o f E urop e ,

not in t he s e n se i n which s o me futur e h is tori an w ill s um m ari ze

two or th ree centuri es (in w h ich s en s e th ey m ay p rove righ t
e nough
) but as an i mm ed iate p rac ti cal plan Of action l ik ely to
,

b e carri ed t hrough i n t we nty y ears by S oci ali s t s oci e ti es h ol d ing

co mpl e tely and d is d ai nfully aloo f fro m ord i nary p oliti cs I n .

s h o rt t h e w e re ro m anti c a m ate urs and as s uch w e re e norm ou sly

y
'
, , , ,

e ncoura ed a nd flatte r ed w h e n Marx and E ngel s i ns i sted on

g
t he s ci e nti fic ch aracte r o f th ei r m oveme nt in contras t to th e
Utopian S oci ali s m o f O we n Fourie r S t S i m o n and th e m en
, , . ,

Of the 1 8 9 0—4 8 ph as e Wh e n t h e eve nts o f 1 8 7 1 i n Pari s tes ted

.

th em p racti cally thei r h o p eless p u blic i nca p aci ty forced th eir

,

Oppon ents to extermi nate them i n t he mos t app alling massacre

X11 PR E F A C E .

of m od ern tim es all th e m ore gh astly becaus e i t was a mass acre

of innoc nts
the e .

Public o pini on in E uro p w r concil d to th m a acr by

'

e as e e e ss e

th u ual p roc
e s f lan d ri ng t h vi ctim
e ss o N w h ad E u ro pe
s e e s. o

be n p oliti cally d ucat d n land r woul d h av b en ne

e e e o s e s e e ces

s a y ; f v n h d it b e n h m anly po ibl th at all th F d al

r or e e a e u ss e e e er s

m own d own wi th m i tra ill u in Pari w r inc ndiari nd e s es s e e e es a

a a in it would till h av b e n qu tio nabl w h e th r in d i

ss ss s, s e e es e e s

crim inat m as acr i th righ t way t d eal wi th i ncend iaries

e s e s e o

and a a in But th r can b e n qu ti on a to wh at m ust

ss ss s. e e o es s

b e don with totally incom p tent gov rnor T he ne thing

e e e s. o

t h t i p oliti cally c rta i n nowad a y s is th at if a b od y Of m n u pset

a s e e

th e xisting gov rn m nt f a m d rn tat w i th out uffici nt

e e e o o e s e s e

knowl d g nd ca p aci ty t conti nu th e n cessary and h on est

e e a o e e

p art f it work and if b i ng unabl t d that work th m

o s , , e e o o e

selv th y will not l t anyon l e d it i th r th ir x termi na

es , e e e e s o e e , e e

tion b co m a m att r f i mm d i at n c i ty It w ill a vail th m

e es e o e e e es s . e

nothi ng th at th y aim high er th an th ir fath r d id ; t h at th eir

e e e s

i nt ntion a good th ir action p rsonally d i int re t d and

e s re , e e s e s e ,

th i r O pp n nt lfi h and v nal routi neer wh w o uld th m lves

e o e s se s e s o e se

b e equally at a lo if th y h ad t cr ate a new ord r in tead f

ss e o e e s o

m r ly p u lling t h w i r
e e f an old n Anyone wh o look at
e es o o e. s

t h p ortra i t of t h m m b r f t h e Pari C o mm un can at ‘

e s e e e s o s e s ee

a glanc th at th y co m p ared v ry favorably i n all th xt rnal

e e e e e e

s ign f a miability and r fin m nt with any gov rn ing b od y th en

s o e e e e

or n w in p ow r i n E uro p
o But th y coul d not m anag th
e e. e e e

b u in th y took u p on th m lv ; and T hi r could M arx

s es s e e se es e s .
’
s

d m on tration th at t h y w r h roe s and m artyr and t h at

e s e e e e s

T hi r and h i all i s w r ra cal d id not h l p i n th l a t

e s s e e e s s e e e s ,

th ough i t wa und ni a bly th a bl st d ocu m nt i n t h co nfl i ct

s e e e e e

o f m oral cla p tra p t h at ob cur d t h -

r al i u abl i nd ed s e e e ss es so e e

as a p i c of lit ratur th at m or th an thirt y y ear aft r it

e e e e, e s e s

piI b li at i n i t truck d own t h M arqui d Gallif t as if i t had

c o s e s e e
 P RE F A C E . xiii
a ppe ared i n th e Temps or D eb ats of th e day before It was
‘

a miabl e of the Fed e ra ls to b e s o m uch l es s ca pa bl e Of exte r

m inating T hi e rs than h e was o f exte r minating th em ; b ut s en
time ntal a miab ili ty is not by i ts elf a quali fica ti o n fo r ad mi n
is tering great m od ern S tates .

N o w t he Fabian S oc i e ty born i n 1 8 8 4 and r eac hing t h e age

, ,

o f dis cre tion i n l es s t ha n t w o y e ars had no m i n d to b e e xt e r

,

minat ed . Ma rtyrd o m was d es cri b ed b y ne O f u s as t he only

o
“

way i n whic h a m an can b e co m e fa m ous wi th out abili ty .

Furt he r w e had no illus i ons as to t h e trea t me n t we s h oul d

,

re ceive if like th e Paris Fed erals we terrifi ed th e p ro pe rt y clas s es

, ,

before they were d is abled b y a long seri es o f minor e ngageme nts .

I n Paris in 1 87 1 ordinary s a ne pe o pl hid th e m s e lves i n th eir

, e

hous es fo r wee ks un d er t he i m p res s ion that t he s tree ts w ere

no t sa fe : th ey d id not ve nture out until t h ey ran a s e riou s

risk O f be i ng s hot at s igh t b y their own p artisans in the orgy Of

m urd er and cru elty t hat followe d t he d is cove ry th at t h e C o m
m un e co u l d figh t only as a rat figh ts in a corn e r H u m an nature .

has no t cha nged s ince the n I n 1 90 6 a Fab ian es s ayis t s tood o ne

.

M ay m orning in the R u e d e R ivoli and fo u nd hi m se lf al m ost t h e

,

only soul in t he wes t e nd of Paris wh o d ared app ear the re T he .

cultured inha b ita nts o f that s el e ct quarte r we re hid i ng i n thei r

h ous es as be fore wi th the ir lard ers full o f h a ms and the ir baths
,

full of live fis h to p rovi sion the m for a si ege T he re w as m u ch .

le ss d an ger of a re volution t ha t d ay th an th er e is of Pri mro s e

Hill becom ing an active volcano at S ix O clock th is eve n ing ; and
’

t h e p ur p os e of t h e Gove rnm e nt and its p arty n e w s p a p e rs in

m anufacturing t h e s care to frigh te n t h e b ourge oi s i e into s u pp ort
ing the m at t he gen e ral el e ction jus t the n be ginn i ng was Obvi ous ,

o ne woul d ha ve t hough t to t h e d i mme t p olitical pe rs pi cacity

, s .

I n t h e e ve ni ng that s a me e s ay is t in t h e Plac e d e la Révolu

s ,

tion s aw a crowd o f s igh tsee rs as se mbl d to wi tn es s th e p ro mis ed

, e

insurrection and t he troo ps and t he poli ce as s e mble d to s ave

,
s ocie ty fro m i t It was very l ike T rafalgar S quare in 1 88 7 w he n
.
,

t h e s a me vi ol e nt farc e w as e nac t ed i n L on d on O cca s i on ally

.

t h e troo p s rod e d own s o m e o f t h e s igh ts ee rs and t h e po li c e arres te d

s o m e Of t h em E nough p e rs on s lo s t t h ei r te m pe r t o m ak e a
.

few fe e b l e attem p ts at ri ot and to s u pp ly arres ts fo r t h e m orn ing

,

pa pe rs N ext d ay S oci ety s aved cam e o u t o f its hid i ng places ;

. , ,

s ol d t h e fis h fro m i ts b at hs and t h e h a ms fro m its lard e rs at a

s acri fic e (t h e w e at h e r be i ng v e ry h o t and t h e h a m s i n qu esti on

able cond i ti on) ; and voted gratefully fo r th e govern me nt th at h ad

frigh tened i t o u t o f its se ns es with an i m agi nary rev oluti on
a nd a ri d i culou s co mplot E ngland laugh ed at th e Paris i ans
”
.

(th oug h p le nty o f E ngli s h Vis itors h ad l eft Pari s t o avo id t he

th re aten ed R e ign o f T e rror) ; yet i n t h e very next m onth o u r
o wn p ro p e rti ed cla s s es in C a i ro te rri fi ed by t h e N ati onalis t
,

m ove me nt i n E gyp t fell i nto a pa roxys m o f coward i ce and

,

cru elty and commi tted t h e D e ns h awa i atroc i ty co m p ared to

, ,

wh ich th e m ass acre Of Gle nco e was a tri fle T h e cred uli ty whic h
.

allows i ts elf to b e p e rs u ad ed b y rei te ration Of th e pi ou s word

Progres s th at we l i ve i n a ge ntl e r age t h an o u r fath e rs and th at ,

t h e wors t e xtre m i ti es o f t e rror and ve nge anc e are l ess t o b e

a pp reh en d ed fro m o u r n ewly e nri ch ed auto m obili s t class es th an

th ey were fro m t h e ari s tocraci es Of t he Ol d e r ord ers is no t a ,

Fa bi an ch aracteri s ti c T he Fa bi an knows th at p ro p erty d oe s

.

not h esi ta te t o s h oot and th at no w as always t h e u ns ucc es sful

, , ,

re voluti on is t m ay ex pe ct calu mny pe rjury cru elty ju d i cial

, , ,

a nd mi l i tary m as sacre wi t h out me rcy A nd t h e Fa bi an d o e s

.

n t i nte n d t o get t h us h an d l ed if he can h el p i t

o I f th e re is t o b e
.

any s h oot i n g h e i nte n d s to b e at th e S tate e nd Of t h e gun

,
A nd .

h e knows t h at i t wi ll tak e him a go o d m any ye ars t o ge t th e re .

S till h e thi nk s h e s ees h is way

, o r rat h e r t h e r es t o f hi s way ;

fo r h e i s alre ad y well o n th e road .

It was i n 1 8 8 5 th at t h e Fa bi a n S oci e ty amid the j ee rs o f the

,

catas tro phi s ts turned its back o n t he barri cad es and m ad e u p

,
 PRE F A C E . XV

its m i nd to turn h eroi c d e feat i nto p ros a i c s ucc ess We se t .

ourse lves two d efi ni te ta sks : firs t t o provid e a p arlia mentary

,

p rogram fo r a Pri me Mi n is ter convert ed to S o ci alis m as Pee l

w as conve rted to Free T rad e ; and se con d to m ak e it as ea s y ,

a nd m atte r o i co u rse for t h e or d i nary r es pe cta b l e E nglis h m a n

- -

t o b e a S oci ali s t as t o b e a L ibe ral o r a C o ns e rvati ve

T h es e task s w e h ave acco m p lis h ed to th e gre at di s gus t o f
,

o u r m ore ro m anti c co mrad es N obo dy no w conc e iv es S ociali s m

.

as a d es tructi ve ins urre cti on e nd ing if s ucc es ful in m ill e nnial

,
s ,

a bs urd iti es M em be rs hi p o f t he Fabian S ociet y th ough it

. ,

involves an exp res s avowal o f S ociali s m excites no m ore co m m ent

,

than m e m be rship o f th e S o cie ty o f Frie nds o r even o f t he C h urch

,

o f E nglan d . I n ci d e ntally L a b or has bee n organized as a s e p a

,

rate poli ti cal i nte rest in th e Hous e o f C o m mon s wi th t h e res ult ,

th at in th e ve ry next Bud ge t i t was confes s ed for th e firs t tim e

that th ere are une arned as well as e arn ed inco mes i n th e country ;
an ad mis s ion w hi ch if no t a s urrend e r O f t he C a pi talis t ci tad el
,

t o S ocial i s m is at all e ve nts l e tti ng d own t h e d rawbri d ge ; fo r

,

S ocia lis m o n its aggr es s ive s id e is and always h as bee n an

, , , ,

attack o n idl en es s T h e resoluti on to m ake an e nd o f p ri vate

.

p ro pe rt y is gathering forc e e ve ry d ay : p eo ple are beginning

to l e arn th e diffe re nce be tw ee n a m an s p ro pe rty i n his wa lki ng
’

s ti ck
,
whi ch is s tri ctly limi ted b y the p ublic con d i ti on th at he
s h all no t u se i t t o b re ak his n e ighb or s h e ad o r extort m on ey
’

wi th m e naces and th ose p ri vate righ t s o f p ro pe rty w hi c h e na ble

,

t h e i d l e to l evy an e norm ous tri bute a m ounting at p res e nt to

,

no l es s th an a ye ar o n th e e arni ngs of t he res t O f

,

the co m m uni ty T he o ld attem p t t o confu se t h e is s u e by a s se rti ng

.

th at th e e xis te nce o f th e fam ily religion m arri age e tc e t c

, , , .
, .
,

a re in extri cably boun d u p wi th th e tole ration o f s en s eles s

s oc i al th e ft no longe r im p os es o n anyon e : afte r a wh ole
ye ar o f unexam pl ed e xploi tati on O f this p arti cular vari e ty
Of o bs cen e Vi tu pe rati on by th e m o s t wid ely read che ap
xv i PR E F A C E .

n ews p a pers in L o nd on no S oci alis t is a p enny th e wors e

,

fo r i t
.

T h e o nly re ally eff e cti ve w e a p on o f t h e p res s aga ins t S oc i alis m

is s il e nce E ve n B i s h o p s cannot ge t rep orted w h e n the y ad vocate
.

S oci ali s m a nd t ear t o p i e c es t h e o ld p re te nc e th at p oliti cal

e cono my , s c i e nc e,and r eli gi on are i n f avor o f o u r e xi s ti ng

i nd us tri al sys tem S oci alis t s peak e rs no w find aud ie nces s o

.
'

rea d ily th at eve n wi th co mp arati vely high ch arges fo r ad m is s ion

, ,

large h alls can b e filled to h e ar th em wi th out res orting t o t he

u s ual ch a nnels o f ad ve rtis eme nt T h ei r s p ee ch es are cram med
.

w i th facts and figu res and irres is tible appe als to t h e d a ily
e xp er i e nc e and m o ney trou b l es Of t h e un fortunat e rat e p ay e rs -

and r e nt p ay ers wh o are t oo h aras s ed by m on ey worri es to

-

care a bo ut offic i al p arty p ol i ti cs ; but no t a word o f the s e

is allow ed to leak th rough to t h e p ub li c th rough th e ordinary
ch annels o f n e ws p a pe r r e p orti ng However t h e cons piracy Of
‘

. ,

s ile nce h as its us es to us We h ave co nverte d th e peo pl e

.

w h o h ave actually h e ard us T h e oth e rs having no n e ws o f

.
,

o u r Ope rati on s h a ve l e ft us un m ol e ste d

, u ntil o u r m ove me nt
h as s e cured i ts grip o f t h e p u bli c N o w th at t he alarm h as
.

at las t be e n given no b od y i t s ee ms is left i n th e cam p

, , ,

o f o u r e n emi e s e xc ep t th e i gnora nt t h e pol i ti cally i m be cil e

, ,

t h e corru p tly inte res ted and t h e re ti nu e o f b rok e n d ru nk e n

, , ,

re ckl ess m ercenaries wh o are always re a dy t o und e rtake a cam

p aign o f s lan d e r agai nst t h e O pp on e nts o f any v ested i nte res t
whi c h h as a bo u ntiful s e cre t s e rvi c e fun d . T his m ay see m a
stro ng thing t o s ay ; b ut it is i m p os s ible no t t o b e s truck by t he
fee b l ene s s and b as ene ss o f t h e o pp os i ti on t o S o ci alis m tod ay
as co m p ared wi th t h e O pp os i ti on o f tw en ty years ago I n t he .

d ays w h e n H e r be rt S p e nc e r s b righ tes t p u pils fro m M rs S i d n ey

’
, .

Webb t o Grant All e n turn ed from him t o t h e S oci ali sm i n w hi ch

,

h e could s ee not hi ng b ut t he co ming slave ry we co uld res pe ct ,

”

him w hi lst co nfuti ng him T od ay we n ei th er res pectl o u r

.
x v fii PR E F A C E .

to a u ni versi ty and co mp le te an ed ucation o f which as a h e red i ,

tary i d ler h e d oes no t i nte nd t o m ak e u s e T o te ll him th at s uch

,
.

s e lf qu e s tio ni ng is a grav e s ym p to m o f Fr ee L o ve and Ath e is m

-

m ay te rri fy him ; b ut it d oe s not convince A nd t h e e volution Of .

S oci alis m fro m th e R ed s pe ctre o n t h e b arri ca d e w i th co mm un i ty ,

o f wi ves (all pe trole us es ) and (b m puls o ry Ath ei s m t o th e

, ,

Fabian S oc ie ty and t he C h ri s ti an S o cial Union cons tituti onal , ,

re sp e ctabl e e ven offici al e m in e nt and ti tled is e very d ay

, , , ,

allaying his d re ad o f it and i ncre as i ng h is s ce p ti ci s m as t o t h e

inevi ta b ility of th e e ve r m ore and m ore d read ed kn o ck o f t he
groun d land lord s age nt and t he rate coll e ctor
’
.

N o w as eve ryon e knows th e cours e o f e voluti on in S oc i al i s m

, , ,

o r anythi ng e ls e d oe s not i nvolve t h e tran s for m ation o f t h e e arlie r

,

form s i nto t he late r T h e e arl i e r form s pe rs i s t s id e b y s i d e wi th

.

t h e lat e r until th ey are e i t h e r d eli b e rately e xte r m inated by t h e m

o r p ut o u t o f counte nance s o co m p l e te ly th at t hey los e t h e h e art

t o ge t bo rn T h i s i w h at h as h a pp e n ed i n th e e voluti on o f
. s

Fa b ian S ocialis m Fab i an S oci alis m h as no t exte rmi nated t he

.

e arl i e r typ es ; a nd th ough it h as p ut th e m s o m uch o u t o f coun

t e nance t h at th ey no longe r bree d freely s till th e re t h ey are s till , ,

p re aching colle cti ng s ub s cri p ti on s and rep ul s ing fro m S oci alis m
, ,

m any worth y citize n s wh o are qu i te p r e p ared to go as far a nd ,

farth e r th an th e Fabi an S oc i e ty O cca s ionally th ey m anage

, .

e v e n t o contes t a Parli a m e ntar

y s e at i n th e na m e o f S ocial i s m ,

a nd t o r e as s ur e t h e C a pi talis t p arti es b
y co m i ng o u t at t h e foot
Of th e p oll w i th fewe r vo te s th an o ne woul d h ave th ough t po s si bl e
fo r any h u m an can d i d ate w e re h e e ve n a fl at e arth m a n in the se
,
- -
,

d a y w h e n e ve ryon e can find a follow i ng Of s o m e s ort

s More .

ofte n h owe ve r th ey s e ttle d own into politically n egligible s e cts

, , ,

with a p lace o f w eekly m ee ti ng in w hi ch they p re ach to o ne

ano t h e r e ve ry w eek exce p t in th e s u mm er m onths w h e n th ey
, _
,
‘

carry t h e red fl ag i nto t he o pe n air and d enounc e s oci e ty as i t

.

p as ses o r loite rs to lis te n N o w far b e it fro m u s to re p u d i ate

.
 PRE FA C E . xix

t h ese co mrad e If a man h as b een b rough t to convi ction o f s in

s.

b y th e C o untess Of Hu n tingd o n s C o nnexi on and s ubs e qu e ntly

’

e n t e rs th e C h urc h a nd be co mes an Arc h bi s h o p he w ill always

,

h ave s ufficie nt tend ern es s fo r th e C onn ex i on to refrai n fro m

atta cki ng i t and to rem em be r th at m any o f its m em be rs are
,

be tter C h ris ti an s and be t ter m en th an t h e m ore world ly wise -

pillars o f th e C h u rch T h e p rincip al lead ers o f th e Fabian

.

m oveme nt are in th e s a me p os ition w i th regard to m any littl e

soc ie ti es locally known as t he S oci alis ts We know th at th eir
.
”

wors h i p o f Marx (of wh os e works th ey are fo r t h e m o s t p art

ignorant and of w h o s e vi ew s th ey are intell e ctually inca p a bl e )
,

and th e i r re p e ti ti on o f s hibbo l e th s about t h e C la ss War and t h e

s oc i ali zation o f all t h e m e an s o f p rod ucti on d is trib uti on and

, ,

e xc h ange h ave no m or e a pp li cati on t o p racti cal p oliti cs th an t h e

C alvinisti c cove nants w hi c h so worri ed C ro mw ell w h e n h e to o , ,

tried t o re conc il e his s ec tari an creed wi th th e p racti cal exige nci es

o f gov e rn me nt and a d m ini s trati on . We know al s o and are ,

co m pell ed o n occas i on to s ay bl u ntly o u t th at th ese littl e se cts

,

are ignorant a nd i nca p abl e i n p ubli c affa i rs ; th at in m any cas es

th eir ass u m p tio n of an extreme po s i tion is an excus e fo r d o i ng

nothing un d e r cove r o f d em an d i ng th e im pos s i bl e ; and th at
th eir ina bility to i ni tia te any p ractical acti on w h e n th ey d o by
ch ance ge t re p resented o n p u bli c bod ies ofte n l ead s to th ei r
s im p ly voting st e a d il
y for o u r o ppo n e nts by way o f p rot e s t
agai ns t wh at th ey con id er th e co m p ro m is i ng o pportuni sm o f t h e
s

Fab ian s T h ere are m o m e nts w h e n th ey be co m e so intol erabl e

.

a nu is ance to th e m ai n b od y o f th e m oveme nt th at we are s orely

te mp ted to ex comm un i ca te th em form ally and warn t h e p ublic
,

th at th ey rep res ent no bod y b ut th ei r s illy s elves But s uch a.

d e claration th ough i t wo u l d b e p erfe ctly tru e as far as p oliti cal

,

a nd a d m i n is trati ve acti on is conce rn ed , would b e mi sl e ad ing

o n th e w h ol e I n E nglan d eve ryon e be gi ns b y b ei ng ab s urd ly
.
,

ignorant o f p ub li c life and i n ep t at p u blic acti on Jus t as the

.
XX PRE F A C E .

C ons erv ative and L ibe ral Parti es a e rec r ui ted at Primrose
r

L e agu e me e tin gs and L ib e ral and R ad ic al d em ons trati o ns at

w h ich h ard ly o ne word o f s e ns e o r truth is utte red b u t at w hi c h ,

n eve rtheless th e novi ce fin d s hims elf in a sym p ath e tic atm os ph e re ,

so e ve n th e Fabian S oci e ty consis ts largely o f S o ci ali s ts wh o

s ow ed t h eir w ild oats i n o ne o r oth e r o f t h e s e l i ttle s e ct s o f I mpo s

s ib ilis ts . T h e refor e w e not only s uffe r th em as gl ad ly as h u m an

nature allows but give th em w h at h el p and counte nance w e can
,

w he n we can d o so wi th out s pe cifically e nd ors i ng the i r b l u nd e rs .

Fo rtunately t h e i mme n s e a d d itions w hi ch h ave bee n m ad e t o

t h e m ac h in e ry o f d e m oc racy in E nglan d in t h e la s t tw e nty ye ars ,

from t he C ounty C o u ncils o f 1 8 88 t o th e ed ucati on auth ori ti es

o f 1 9 0 2 h ave act ed as s c h oo ls o f p ublic life t o t h ous an ds o f m e n
,

o f s m all me an s w h o i n t h e O ld d ays m us t h ave r e m ain ed I m os

p
s ib ilis ts fro m want o f p u bli c e x pe ri e nc e O ne h our o n a re
.

s po ns i b l e co m mi ttee o f a local auth ori ty w hi c h h as t o p rovi d e

fo r s o me p ub lic want and s pe nd s o m e p u b li c m on ey w e re it

‘

but h alf a crown will cure any s e n s ible m an o f I m p os s ibilis m

,

fo r t h e r es t o f his l i fe . A nd s u ch cures a e taking place e ve ry

r

d ay and con ve rti ng futi le e nth u s ias ts i nto u se ful Fa b ia ns

, .

A wo rd as t o t hi s b ook I t is not a new ed i tion o f Fa bi an

.

E s s ays“ T h ey are r e p ri n ted exactly as t h ey a pp e ared i n 1 8 8 9 ,

nothing b ei ng ch a ng ed but the p ri ce N o othe r course was

.

p oss ible Whe n t h e es s ays were wri tte n t h e E s s ayis ts w ere in

. ,

th ei r th irti es : they are now i n th e i r fifti es ex ce p t t he o ne William

“

, ,

C lark e w h o is i n his grave

, . We w e re th e n regard ed as you ng
d e s pe ra d oes w h o h ad s acri ficed th e ir ch anc es i n life b y co m rm t
'

ting th emselves p u bli cly t o S ocialis m z we are now q uo ted a s

‘

illus trations o f th e new th eory th at S ocialis ts like Q uakers , ,

p ros p er i n this world I t is a d ange rous th eory ; fo r S o cialis m

. ,

lik e all rel igi ons and all i s m s can turn w eak h ea ds as w ell as
(

i ns pire and em ploy s tro ng on es ; b ut We ; at all e vents h ave *

,
~

bee n fortu nate enough to h ave h ad o u r cl aim to p u blic atte nti o n

 P RE F A C E . xxi

ad m i tt d in the nin tee n y a w hi ch have ela ps ed ince ur

e e e rs s o

youthful ca p ad Fab i an E ssayist

es e as s.

I t goe wi th out aying th at i n

s p re e nt po si ti on and wi th
s ou r s ,

th xp ri nc w h av gai n d we h ould p rod uce a ve ry d iffe re nt

e e e e e e e e , s

b ook if th work w t b e d on an w
e W h ould n t was te
ere o e e . e s o

our tim in kill ing d ead h or e s h ow ver vigorou ly th ey we re

e s , e s

kicking in 1 88 9 W h ould ce rta i nly b m uch m ore care ful

. e s e

n t t
o giv counte nanc t th noti on th at th n mploy d can
o e e o e e u e e

b e t t
se work to inaugurate S oc i alis m ; th ough i t r ma ins true
o e

th at the p r bl m Of th un m ployed fro m th m m nt wh e n w

o e e e , e o e e

c a t a ba nd on th em callou ly t th ir m i ery
e se o soo th e u s o e s or o r

con i nc f oli hly by b uyi ng th em Off wi th al m will forc

sc e es o s s, e us

to organi z th m p ro vid f e th m and train th em ; b ut th v ry

e , e or e , e e

fir t cond iti on f ucc in this will b e the aband o nm ent o f th e

s o s ess

o ld id a th at t h un m p loy d tailor can b e se t t m ak cloth es

e e e e o e

for t h un m p lo y d bo tm ak r and th unem p loyed bo o tm ak r

e e e o e e e

to m ak b o o t s f e th un mployed ta ilor th re al diffic lty

or e e , e u

b e ing n t a carci ty f cloth

, o and b o ts b ut a
s tu pi d mis o es o , s

d i tribution f th m o n y to b y th m W h ould al o p ro b a bly

s o e e u e . e s s

l y m or
a tr n h um an voliti on and l e s
e s ess o n co no mi c p re ssur s o e e

and hi stori c volution a maki ng fo S oci al is m W h ould

e s r . e s ,

in h ort gi v t h d y p racti ce f u soluti o ns f soc i al p ro b l ems

s , e e r o o r o

in t ad f t h in pirati on and th eo ry f th em But w h ould

s e o e s o . e s

also p rod uc a volum w hi ch th ough i t migh t a ppe al m ore than

e e ,

th p r e nt n to ad mini trati v x pe rts to ba nke r lawy

es e o e s e e , s, ers ,

a nd co nstructi ve tate m n w uld h ave m uch l c harm fo s s e , o es s r

th e young and f th o rdinary ci tizen who i s i n t h es e m atte r

, or e s

an amateu r .

Be s id es the d ifference be tw een the vi ew o f th e yo u ng and the

,

eld e rly i s no t n ecessar ily a difl e re nce b e tw ee n wro ng and righ t .

T h e T ennys o ni an p rocess o f m aking s te ppi ng ston es o f o u r d e ad

s e lv e to high er t hi ngs is pi ous in inte nti on b ut i t so m e ti m es
s ,

lead s do wns ta irs ins tead Of u p Wh en H e rb e rt S p encer in his .

xxii
later d ays exp unged fro m his S ocial S tatics th e i rres is tibl e argu
m e nts fo r L an d N ati onalization b y w h ic h he anti ci p ate d H enry
Ge orge w e could no t adm it th at th e o ld S pe ncer had any righ t
,

to do this Vi ol e nce t o t h e young S pe nce r o r w as l es s b oun d

,

e i t h e r t o co nf ute his p o s i tion o r ad m it it th an if t h e tw o h ad

bee n s tra ngers to o ne anoth er Having h ad this less on w e d o

.
,

no t fee l fr ee t o al t e r e ve n t h ose p a s ages w hi c h no lo nge r re re

s
p
s e nt Our lat es t conclu s i on s . Fortunately I n t h e m ai n we have
,

thing t o wi thd raw nothi ng to regre t no thi ng to a po logize

, ,

fo r and m uch t o b e p rou d o f S O w e l e ave o u r bo o k as it firs t

, .

ca m e into t h e worl d m e rely wri ti ng

, E rro rs E xc e p ted as

so lici tors d o : th at is wi th t h e firm co nvi cti on th at the e rrors if

, ,

th ey exis t at all d o no t gre atly m atter

, .

2 1 st M y, 1 90 8
a .
 TH E F A B IA N S O C I E TY .

BY WIL L IAM CL AR KE ,
M A.
.

N O Vi i t or
s B ritish capital will m ingl e very lon g in th e
to th e
political life of L o ndon be fore h e will h e ar o f t h e Fabian S O
c ie t
y
. F e w r eade r s hav e no t h e ard o f t h e R o m an ge n e ral ,

Q u inc t u s Fabius Maxi mus qu z cu nct a nd o res tit u it r em and

’

, ,

wh o con sequ e ntly r ec e i ved t h e titl e o f C unctator Th at illus .

trions man is t h e patron s aint o f t he soci e ty through whi ch , ,

be ing d ead h e y e t s p eake th

,
.

Th e Fabian S oci e ty propo se s th e n to co nqu e r b y d elay ; t o

carry its progra mmes not by a h a s ty ru s h but through t h e
, ,

s low e r but as it thinks s ur e r m e thod s o f pati e nt di s cu s s ion e x

, , ,

po sition and political action o f tho s e who are abs olu te ly con
,

v ince d in th e ir own m ind s For a conv eni ent m ot to t h e s oci e ty

.

h as tak e n t h e following s en t e nc e For t h e right mo ment y o u :

m u s t wait as Fabiu s did m o s t pati e ntl y wh e n warring again s t

, , ,

Hannibal though man y c en su red h is d e lays ; but wh en t h e ti me

,

co mes you mu s t s trike hard as Fabiu s did or your waiting will , ,

b e in vain and fruitl e s s Thi s doubl e policy th e n Of waiting

”
.
,

and s triking i s t h e ge n e ral id ea of t h e s oci e ty

,
.

What now are th e ai ms o f t h e s oci e ty ? I quote fro m t h e

O fficial p rogramme : “ The Fabian S oci e ty con s i s ts o f S ocial
is t s
. I t th e r efore ai ms at t h e r e organization o f s oci e ty by t h e
e mancipation o f land and indu s trial capital fro m individual

and cla s s o wn ership and th e ves ting o f th em in t h e co mm unity

,

for t h e gen e ral ben e fit I n thi s way only can th e natural and
.

acquire d advantages o f t h e country b e e quitably s hare d by th e

whol e p eopl e T h e s oci e ty accordingly work s for t h e ex t inc
.

tion o f private prop erty in land and o f t h e con sequen t individ ,

ual appropriation in t h e form o f r ent o f t h e p ric e p aid for

, ,

pe rmi s s ion to u se th e e arth as we ll as for t h e advantages O f ,

s up e rior s oil s and s i t e s Th e s oci e ty fu rt h e r work s for t h e

.
, ,

tran sfer t o t h e co mmunity of th e ad m ini s t ration o f s uch indu s

trial capital as can b e manage d socially For owing to t h e .
,
 XV
X I THE F AB I A N S OC I E T Y .

m ono po ly ofans o f production in t h e past ind ustr ial

t h e me ,

in ve ntion s and t he tran sform ation of s urplu s inco me in t o capital

h av e m ainly enrich ed t h e propri e tary class t h e work ers b eing ,

now d ep e ndent o n that cla s s for l e ave t o e arn a living To .

bring thi s con di tio n O f th ing s about t h e progra mme continues , ,

t h e s oci e ty looks t o t h e s pr e ad o f S o ciali s t Op i n i on s and it ,

s ee k s t o pro m o t e t h e s e by t h e g e n e ral di s s e min ation o f knowl

e dg e as t o th e r e lation be tw e e n t h e indi vi d ual and soci e ty in i ts

e cono m ic e thical and p olitical a s p e cts

, , .

T h e s e th e n are t h e fun da me ntal id e a s o f t h e Fabian S oc i e ty

, , .

B efore d es cribing its growth work and p ers onn el le t m e give

, ,

an acco u nt and ex p lanation o f i ts origin Th e effe ctive m ode rn .

S oc iali s t m ovem e nt in E ngland b egan i n 1 8 8 1 In that y e ar a .

confe re nc e was h el d at t h e Wes tm in s te r P alace Hote l i n L o n

don at w hi c h w ere p re s ent t h e ve n e rabl e Francis W N e wman
, .
,

broth er o f t h e la te cardinal ; H el e n T aylor t h e step daugh t e r ,

-

o f Jo h n S tuart Mill ; Mr Hynd m an t h e S ociali s t auth or and

.
,

l e ad er ; s o me men now in P arlia ment oth e rs wh o h a ve be e n ,

th e re and a s mall nu mb e r o f e n e rge tic p e opl e w ell known i n

,

L ondon but no t e qually w e ll known in A m e rica

, Th e s e p er .

s on s and oth e r s for m ed af t e r m uc h di s cu s s ion t h e D e mocratic

, ,

F e de ration a bo dy whi ch at firs t appe are d to b e nothi ng more

,

than a vigorou s R adical pro t es t again s t t h e Iri s h co e rciv e policy

o f t h e Glads ton e C ab in e t th e n in pow e r I m men s e d em o nstr a .

tion s s o me o f t h e bigges t e v e r h eld in L ondon w e re got u p b y

, ,

t h e F ed e ration w h o s e cur e d t h e adh e r e nc e i n thi s cau s e o f

,

s o me of t h e Iri s h m e m b e r s Of P arlia m e nt But gradually th e .

m e r e R adi cali s m dropp ed o u t o f t h e F e d e ration s progra mme ;

’

and und e r t h e s ti m ulating infl u e nce o f Mr H enry G e orge w h o .

,

w as th en i n E ngland who s e book w as b e ing r e ad e v e ryw h e r e

, ,

and who e njoy ed muc h influenc e th e n i n E ngland t h e F ede ra ,

tion pre ach e d t h e doctrin e o f t h e “ lan d for t h e p e opl e But a ”

.

still furth er s tage i n i ts e volution w as to b e re ach ed ; and by

t h e autu mn o f 1 8 83 i t ca m e o u t as a f u ll blow n S ociali s t organ -

i a t io n and publis h ed a littl e p a m p h l e t e nti tl ed

z , S ociali s m
Made P lain whic h h ad a great ru n and wh ich sing u lar as it
, ,

m ay s ee m no w cr e at ed a p e rfe ct con s te rna tion a m ong p e r s on s

,

who s uppo s ed th at S ocialis m w as me r ely a French o r G erm an

e cc e ntr icity d u e t o m il i ta ri s m and prote ctioni s m an d that it
, ,

co uld n eve r r ear its h ead in “ free E ngla nd Mr H e rbe rt . .

S p enc e r a mong oth e rs took alarm and p r edi c ted a

, , coming
xxv i TH E F AB I AN S OC I E T Y .

p orti on of ngli s h pre s s I be liev e th ere I s in every coun

the E .

t y and ag e an abundant crop o f both th e s e cla s s es and as s ur ed l y

r

t h e S ociali s t lik e e v e ry ot h e r m o v em e nt h as h ad its s h ar e o f

, ,

both But t o s upp o s e th at a gr e at mov ement whic h I S s we e p

.

ing E u rop e from end t o e nd wh ic h h as gi ve n birth t o th e ,

larges t s ingl e po l i tical p arty in Ge rmany whic h has gain e d ,

vic torie s innu merabl e in Franc e whic h is m odif yin g th e wh ol e ,

o f E ngl i s h poli tical l if e t o sup po s e th at thi s m ov em e nt is t h e

ou t co me o f th e d elusions o f a few wi ck e d o r foolis h m en is it ,

s e lf th e d e l us io n o i p e opl e wh o are probably th e ms e lve s not

ov er go od o r ov er w is e I n Marx L as s alle Ro d b ertu s Malon

- -
.
, , ,

and oth ers th e S ocialist m ovement h as bee n s e rv e d by so m e o f

,

t h e b e st b rains o f o u r c e ntury ; and i t was no i dl e boa s t o f

L a ss all e th at h e w as e qui p p e d wi th all t h e b e s t c u l tur e o f h is
ti me I know t h e ins ide O f t h e S ocialis t m ov em e nt w ell and
. ,

i t c ertainly nu mb ers a m ong i ts adh eren ts t h e abl es t m en I know .

Th e Fabian S oci e ty contains no t a f ew o f th e s e m en Walter .

C ran e t h e arti s t ; S t o pfo rd Brooke t h e pr eac h e r and man o f

, ,

l e tte rs Grant All en o ne o f t h e mo s t ve rsatile and accompli s h ed

,

m e n living ; Geo rge B e rnar d S h aw o ne o f t h e m o s t b rillian t ,

alb e it w h i ms ical o f mu s ical and dr am ati c critic s ; Mi ss Willard ,

o ne o f A m e r i ca s wo m e n r e for m e rs P rofes s or S h uttl e worth

’

now L on d on S mo s t popular and abl e Broad C hurc h cl e rgyman

’

Mr D G R i tc hie o f O xf or d forem o s t a m ong E ngl i s h p hilo s o

. . .
, ,

p hic th ink e rs Mrs T h eodore Wright o ne O f o u r mo s t p ower

.
,

f ul actr e s s e s ; S e rgiu s S t e pniak n e xt to T olsto i t h e firs t o f ,

living R u s s ians ; Alfred Hay es o ne o f t h e firs t o f o u r younge r ,

po e ts ; D r F u niv al m o s t l e arn e d and active o f O ld E nglis h

. r

sc h olars —th e s e are among its m emb ers

,

.
,

But it is not o f cours e t h e m e re i nclu s i on o f em inent p e opl e

, ,

tha t g i v es a s oci e ty forc e and auth ority It is th e be ing .

grounde d i n knowl ed ge and i dea s ; and h er e t h e s oc i e ty is

s trong . I t was r e cogniz ed fro m t h e first b y it s m emb e rs that
t h e s oc i al probl em cannot b e solv e d by m e r e s e ntim ent t h oug h ,

s e nti me nt mu s t b e a factor i n it s s olut i on T h er e m u s t b e a .

d e al o f hard thin king and s evere s t udy no t altoge th er i n books ,

(m any o f w h ic h o n t h e e cono m ic p robl ems b efor e us are worth ,

l e ss ) but i n s oc i al fac t s I ts cri tic s th ink t h e soc i e ty has e rred

, .
'

o n t h e oth e r s id e and b e co me t oo h ard and e v e n cynical ; but

, ,

I conf es s I th ink t h at be tte r th an ta lking m e r e gu s hing m oral

plati t ude s w h ic h p e o p l e a pplaud and th en forge t all about .
 TH E FA BI A N S O C IE T Y . XX V I !
Th e s oc i ety h as al way s s teadil y k ept before i t th e i dea th at we
are not looking for any mill e nniu m any p e rf ectly blis sf u l ,

e arth ly p aradi s e but that w e are con s ide ring th e muc h more
,

p ro s aic ques tion h ow th e econo m ic in te res ts o f s oci e ty are t o

,

b e s e rv ed h o w t h e e cono m ic arrange m e n ts of s oci e ty are t o b e

,

carri ed o n H enc e it s m embers d e te r m in ed to e quip th e mse lves

.

for t h eir work by h a rd reading and th inking and b y v e ry s ti ff

dis cus s ion o f t h e crucial probl em s in his t or y e cono m ic s and ,

p olitical p h ilo s ophy To thi s end th ey w e re gre atl y aid ed by a

.

u se f ul li ttl e Hi s torical S ocie ty w h ic h was formed in o ne of t h e

,

s uburb s o f L ondon w h e r e e v e ry w ee k an e s s ay was r e ad and

,

co mpl e te ly d is cuss ed I d o no t b e liev e th e r e are any be tte r

.

re ad o r m ore acu te mind s in E ngland than th es e o f t h e young

men w h o for med thi s group and who hav e large ly r em ain e d t h e
nucl eu s o f th e Fabian S oci e ty — and thi s though th e y h a ve
,

th e ir faults like oth e r p e opl e

,
.

At firs t t h e id a w as to h ave a v ery s mall nu mbe r o f mem

e

be rs s carc ely m ore th an could b e gathe red in a good siz ed roo m

,
-

in a private h ou s e T he s e w e re to b e w ell train e d and to b e

.

apo s tl es Gradually h ow eve r t h e soci e ty gr e w and gre w th e

.
, , ,

barri e rs o f e xclus ion we re broke n down and p ers on s o f l es s ,

knowl e dge and e xp e ri enc e w e r e brought in At t h e pres ent .

time I think al mo s t all call ings are r epres ente d in t h e soci e ty .

I find in t h e la s t l is t o f me mb ers lawy e rs arti s ts journalis t s , , , .

doctors work ingmen cl e rgymen teach e rs tr ad e unio n l ead ers

, , , ,
-
,

li te rary p e opl e S h O p ke e p e rs and pe rs ons o f no occupation

,
- .

Th e r e are no m illionnair e s in t h e s oci e ty as th er e are no ,

paup ers but t h e re a e a few quite well to do p eopl e A large

,
r - -
.

proportion are brigh t young men a nd th ere are no t a few bright ,

and acti ve wo men I n divid u al in s tanc es O f t h e s ort o f p e o pl e

.

who b e long and wh at th ey do are be tt er than mere vagu e gen

e ralizat io ns Here are cas es
.

A youn g man employ e d in th e C entral P ost O ffice at a s alary -

o f $ 65 0 a y e ar H e h as m arri ed a v e ry c ha rm in g and abl e girl

.
,

al s o a memb er T hey occupy two o r three rooms in a s ubur ban

.

hou s e Th e young lady h as b ee n el e c te d as a guardian of th e

.

poor t h e onl y wo m an a mong a nu mb e r of me n H er h usband

, .

d evote s n e arly all h is s pare ti m e af te r Offic e h ours to t h e s oc i e ty s -

’

propaganda He h as had a littl e portabl e d e s k and s tand made

.

for hi mse lf and at t h is h e S p eak s in O p en S pac e s o n s tree t

,

corn ers or w h ere ve r h e can ge t an audie nc e His wife acco m .

u
xxv iii TH E F AB I AN S OC I E T Y .

panics him and s ells li teratur e Do no t sup pos e t h at the e a e . s r

a b lata n t young d emago g and a con v e ntional strong mind ed

ue ,
-

woman Both a e ed ucated intelligent O f w ee t d i po ition ;

. r , , s s s

b ut th e S oc ialis t m o veme nt ha taken h old o f th em and give n s

th m so me th ing th ey need e d l ifted the m abo ve t h e region O f

e ,

what Jo h n Morl y calls “ greasy do me ticity and taugh t them

e s ,

that the re S a gre at s fie ing world beyond t h e four walls o f

I u r

h o me to b e h elp ed and worked fo De p end up on it a mo ve r. ,

me nt w h ic h can d o this h as in i t so me p ro m i e o f t h e futur e s .

Or take t h e amu sing cynical remarkabl e Geo rge B ern ard

, ,

S h aw w h os e Ir i s h h u mor and b r i lli ant gif t s h a v e partly h el p ed

, ,

p artly h in d e re d the soci e ty s po p ularity T h is man wi ll rise

,
’
.

fro m an e laborate cr i ti c i sm o f last nigh t s O p era o r R ic h te r co n ’

c e rt h e i s th e m u s ical critic o f t he
( Wor ld ) and af te r a li gh t , ,

p urely v ege tarian meal will go down to s o me far O E club in

,
-

S out h L on d on o r t o so me str ee t cor ne r in E ast L ondon o r t o

,
-
,

s o m e r e cogn i z e d plac e o f mee ting in o ne o f t h e parks and will ,

th e re s p eak t o po or men ab out th ei r e cono mic po s ition and th eir

p ol i tic al duties P eo pl e o f this s or t wh o e njoy book s and
.
,

m us i c and t h e th e atr e and goo d soc i e ty d o no t go down t o ,

dreary S lu ms o r e ven more dr e ary l ecture roo ms to s pe ak o n -

s uc h t h e m e s t o t h e p oor e r class o f workin me n with out s o m e

g
strong i mp elling p ow er and it i s that pow e r th at m otiv e forc e , ,

upon w h ic h I dwell as s h owi ng w hat i s do ing in th e L ondon o f

,

tod ay I am s atis fi ed fro m in quiri e s I h ave mad e th at th ere

.
, ,

i s really noth ing like th is going o n in any oth e r country o f t h e

world ; but it is a co mm onplac e in L o ndon .

Th e original par ent Fabian S oci e ty af t e r it b egan t o e x p an d ,

and e mp loy a pai d s e cr e tary and be co me a r ecog niz ed ins t it u

tion s ugges te d t o p eo p l e e l s ew h e re th at they migh t h av e loc al

,

Fabian S oci e tie s and th e firs t o f th es e w ere formed I n B irming

h am w h e r e s e v e ral o i th e memb er s a ddr e ss ed crowd ed v e ry in
, ,

t ellige nt and v e ry e nth u s ias tic au d i e nc e s in a h all in t h e c e ntr e

Of th at city The re are al s o local Fabian S oci e ties no w in
.

Manc h es t er E d inburgh Bristol L e ed s N e wca s tl e P ly mo u th

, , , , , ,

Wol ve rh ampton Bradf ord York and oth e r E ngli sh town s al t o

, , ,

e t h e r fo rty e ight in nu m be r ; and t h e r e is al s o o ne in Ad elaid e

gou th Aus tralia and anoth er in Bo mbay S o me o f th ese are

-
,

.
,

quit e s mall but ot h ers are i mportant and are beg in ning to
, ,

e x e rc is e a con s id e r ab l e i nflu e nc e i n munici p al politic s and in ,

one O r two p lac e s in P arlia me ntary p olitics a lso Th e soci e ty .

 TH E FA B I AN S OC I E T Y .

has be en repre ented at Int rnational s e L abo r C ongr e s s es in

P ari Bru el Z ii i h and C hicag o
s, ss s, r c .

A nd now what has in t h e main be en th e s ort of work t h e

s oci e ty h as don e ? At firs t th e id e a of its membe rs was rath e r
to d i s c u s s a mong th e ms elv es and teach th ems e lves th an to te ac h
oth e rs T hi s was t h e ini tial or s e lf for m ing s t age Th en ca me
.
-
.

t h e ed ucational s t ag e and t hird t h e po litical or activ e s tage

, , , ,

t h ough e ven in th is its third s tage education is till t h e main

, , s

O bj ec t of th e s ocie ty For t nightly di cus s ion s hav e be en ke pt

. s

up continuous ly s ave for a two m onth s s u mme r re c es s for

,
’

y ears At th es e me mbe rs of t h e s oci e ty read pap e rs or o u t

.
,

s id e rs and notably Op pon e n t s

,
w ere invited Th e lat e C harl es ,
.

B adlau gh ca me t o Oppo s e and was v e ry pro m ptly d e m oli s h e d ;

r ,

w hil e on t h e oth er hand O s car Wild e h as s poken with eloquenc e

, ,

and powe r on t h e r elation of art and S ociali s m Th e s oci e ty .

tri ed to ge t Mr A J B alfour t h e C ons e rv ati ve l ead e r and

. . .
, ,

Mr W H M allo ck as t h e abl es t li te rary O ppon ent of S ocial is m

. . .
, ,

to co me and argu e s e riously but n e ith e r of t h em would do so , .

Mr Hald ene t h e tran slator of S chop en h aue r and cultured ph il

.
,

o s o ph ic m e mb e r of P arlia m ent ca me t o Oppo s e w as h andl ed , ,

rathe r v igorou ly and h as no w be e n large l y convert ed to co llec

s ,

t iv is m .Mr D avid F S chlo s s who m t h e Briti h Gove rnment

. .
, s

r ec en t ly s e nt ove r to t h e Uni ted S tat es to inquir e into labor

matte rs h as s poke n s y mpath e ti cally ; and Mr D oni s thorpe t h e
,
.
,

cl e ve r cynical s up e rficial E ngl is h individuali s t has S po k en and

, , ,

has b ee n me rcil es ly handl ed Th e resul t o f all thi s d ebating

s .

is that t h e Fabian S oci e ty h as now so me of t h e be s t d ebat e r s in

E ngland I t h as al s o s o me of t h e be s t l e ctur e r s for it is in
.
,

l e ctur es that its work h as largely con s i t ed Th e s o ci e ty no w s .

gives s o me thing ove r o ne thou s and l ecture s a y ear all fr e e t h e , ,

l e cturer b e ing all unpaid I nd eed exc e pting t h e s e cre tary s

s .
,
’

Offic e t h e whol e of t h e s oci ety s work is v olun tary unpaid

,
’

work The majority of th es e l e ctures a e giv e n in workm en s

. r
’

club s of which th e re are s o me h un d red s in L ondon alon e I

, .

t ak e at rando m fro m th e 1 8 9 1 li s t of l e ctur es s a m pl e s ubj e cts

Th e S ocialis m of Jo h n R u skin ; Th e E ight Hour s Bill ;
’

R ailwa y R e for m ; L ib e rty E quality Fra t e rnity ; M e thod s of , ,

S ocial E volution ; Ada m t h e fir s t and l as t I nd i vid u ali s t ; Wh y

,

w e want a L abor P arty ; T h e Go s p e l of g e tti ng on ; W h at t h e

Farm L abo rers want ; T he S ocial H ell and its S ourc es ; E x
periments i n Housing th e P eo p l e ; S oc i ali s m and I n d ivi d ual
XXX TH E F AB I AN Y
S OC I E T .

L i be rty ; t h e C h urc h s M es s age to M en of We alth ; Fr ee C o m

’

me nt s o n t h e P o p ulation Q u es tion ; Th e Work er s S har e o f

’

Wealth ; Th e P rogramme o f S ocial D em ocracy ; Joh n L ilburn e

and t h e L evell ers ; Th e C hart is t Mo v em ent ; Th e Religion o f
S ociali s m ; t h e I ndu s tr i al H i s tory o f E ngland ; Go s p e l o f Br ead
and But t e r ; Wor k ingm e n and th e ir D ifficulti es ; C O -O p e rativ e

P ro d uction and S ociali s m ; W e alth and t h e C o mm onwe alth

Th e Fr e nc h R ev olution ; Th e R ight t o L iv e ; Wh at S ocial is ts
P ropos e to D o T w e nty Y e ar s of t h e L abor Mo v em e nt .

Fro m th es e it will b e s ee n w h at e xtensive ground is co vered .

Th e s e l e ctur e s are for t h e m o s t p art d e liv e r e d to workingmen ,

but so me ti m es th e r e are m iddl e cla ss audi enc es , and I h av e
-

h e ard o f Fabian l e cture rs talking to p eopl e in aris tocrati c draw

ing roo ms Fro m t h e firs t t h e soci e ty h as don e so me publis h
- .
,

ing and t he las t l ist gi ve s no fe w er than forty fiv e pamp hl e ts o r

,
-

tracts i s s u ed by t h e s oci e ty Th e first o f th es e “ Wh y are t h e

.
,

Many P oor ? w as a crude o ne but good for rou s in g atte ntion

”
, ,

which is always t h e firs t th ing to b e don e and quite ju s tifying ,

s o me cur i ou s S ociali s t i c vagari e s Th e m o s t v aluabl e of th e s e

.

p amphle ts are Facts for S ociali s ts a r e ally crus hing ans w e r

“
,

to th o s e w h o m Matth e w Arnold calls t h e s elf co mplac ent -

m ol es all ba s ed o n t h e b es t availabl e s tatis tic s ; “ Facts for

”
,

L ondon e rs an appalling gen e ralization o f t h e e cono mic condi

”
,

tion o f L ondon ; “ What to R e ad a mo s t ad m irabl e and im ,

”

partially s e l e cted li s t o f book s for s ocial r eforme r s which m igh t ,

with advan tage b e re printed in A me ri ca ; “ Th e R eform o f t h e

P oor L aw and “ Th e I mpo ss ibiliti es of Anarc h i sm a s earc h ”
,

ing criti c i sm Of th e Anarc h i s t po s ition by G e orge B e rnard

S haw . R em emb e r t hat t h e pr e parati on o f t h e s e h as all b een
v oluntary unp ai d labor and has in v ol ved an i mmens e a mount
, ,

o f toil .

I n 1 8 88 t h e soc i e ty d e t e rmin ed t o give a cour s e O f l e ctu r es

by tho s e O f its memb ers who w e re s uppo s ed to b e b es t fitte d for
t h e purpo se s e tting fort h t h e g e n e ral principl e s of S ociali s m as
,

th e y u nd ers tood th em T h e l ectures w e re e igh t in nu mb e r and

.
,

w e r e d eli ve red to d en s ely pack e d audi enc es m aki ng s uc h an ,

i mpr es s ion th at it w as d e cid ed to publi s h th em in a v olume ;

and in t h e n e xt y e ar th ey app e ar ed und e r t h e titl e of Fabian
,

E s s ay s in S ocial is m A s it i s a ca s e of qu o u m p a s mag na
. r r

f u z I am pre clude d fro m giving my es ti mate O f a volume in

’

whi c h I h ad a s h ar e ; but I may say t h at th is work h as h ad a

 T HE F AB I AN S OC I E T Y . xxxi
very gr eat al s thirty th ou s and C op ies th e largest sal e O f any
e ,

purely ec ono mic work I know o f e xc epting “ P rogres s and

P ov e rty and th at its r es p e c t ful and ev e n cordial w e lco m e
”
,

by t h e E ngli s h pre s s w as a s urp ri se Th e fact s how s tha t t h e

.

p ublic m ind is b eing pre pared for great social changes Th e .

ru ling id ea of th e book is that o f ine vitabl e political and indus

trial e volution — nothing in t h e l ea s t de gr ee mere ly u t opia n
, ,

but an at te mpte d gene ralization o n th e lines o f mod e rn s ci e ntific

ide as Th e publication of thi s book first gave to th e Fabian
.

S ocie ty a national in s te ad o f a mer e ly local r eputation and I

be lie ve t h e book h as now b ee n widely re ad in America and
G erm any whil e it was in troduc ed t o Franc e by t h e R evu e S o
,

c ialis te. S e v e ral cours e s o f l ectur es hav e s inc e b e en giv en by

th e s oc i e ty but non e of t h e m hav e b e e n af te rward s publi s h e d
,
.

Th e thi rd p ha s e o f t h e s oci e ty s acti vi ty is as I h av e s aid in

’
, ,

p ractical politic s Thi s was not undertaken wi th out s ome m is

.

givings O n th e pri ncipl e that you cannot touc h pitc h with out
.

be ing d efiled I conf ess I doubte d w h e th er until th e p e opl e h ad

, ,

be en far more e duca te d in th ese ide as it was wi s e to en te r th e ,

s o me w h at dirty poli ti c al ar e na But t h e in te n se d es ire to b e

.

d oi ng s o me thing t o tran s la t e id e as in t o fac ts to organiz e th e

, ,

p eopl e to h e lp in s haping th e actual progres s ive movement in

,

E ngland and abov e all p e rh ap s t o w e ak e n and d es tr oy t h e

, , ,

individualis t wing o f t h e L ibe ral party th es e and oth e r ,

m otiv es acte d with cum ulati v e forc e es pe cially as memb er s o f ,

th e s oci e ty be gan t o fin d that th e y h ad acquir e d influ e nc e ov e r

little group s of workme n h ere and th er e T he re w e re gr eat .

dangers and difficulti es T h ere was t h e da nge r o f falling into

.

m er e wir e pulling and making O f politi cal d eals a s ubj e ct ”

-
,

abo ut whi ch p e opl e in A me rica know s o muc h th at it is not

n e c es s ary to e nlarge u p on it ; and th en th e re was th e practical
diflicu lty of diff er enc es o f O p inion in t h e soci e ty w h ic h m ight ,

caus e wr eck if political action w ere indulged in I may s ay at .

onc e that th e s e difficulti es r emain and will con ti nu e t o d o S O ,

th ough th ey h ave not led t o dis ru ption ye t T here are inv e t .

e rat e wir e pulle r s in t h e s oc i e ty and th e r e are th o s e wh o fa v or

-
,

an ind epe nd ent labo r party tho se w h o want to p e rmeate the

,

R ad i cal s and gradually gain t h em ov e r ; and th er e are e v e n a

fe w w h o as b e tw e e n t h e t wo pa rti e s pr efe r Tori e s t o R adical s
, ,
.

Th e firs t political c h anc e for t h e Fabian S oci e ty ca me at th e

L on d on coun ty council el e ct i on in 1 88 9 w hen t h e adv anc e d ,
Xxx ll TH E F AB I A N S OC I E T Y .

party in L on d o n p aid th e oci e ty t h e co mpli ment of app O p iat

s r r f

ing it ntir e pa mp hl t “ Th e L ondon P rogramm

s e e , and e,
”

m a king of it t h e P ro gr e i v e p latform o f t h e ca m paign

ss Th . e

P rogr e iv s carri d t h at e le ction and th y carr i d it o n Th e

ss e e ,
e e
“

L ondon P rogra mm e S t ill m or t riking was t h e P rogr e s iv e

. e s s

V icto ry in 1 8 9 2 w h en th e Mo de ra t e
,
C o n e rv ativ party w a or s e s

al mo t annih ilat d at t h poll

s e Th e Fabian S oc i e ty h a sup
e s. s

pli ed L o ndon wit h its p rogramme of r eform s ; and t h e r form e s

we re in t h e di re ction of wh at it i now t h e f ash i o n t o call s

mun i cipal S oc i ali m At th e econd coun ty council e l ction

s . s e ,

s eve ral Fabian s were can d ida tes and four o f th em w ere actually ,

e l e cte d ; w h il e a fifth B e n T ill e tt t h e labor l e ad e r w as aft e r

, , ,

ward s mad e an ald erman T hree memb e rs o f t h e s oci e ty .

pro ved form idabl e though un s ucc e ss ful cand i dates at th e P ar

liamentary e l e ction t wo y e ars ago A con s id e rabl e num be r o f .

memb e r s are o n local municipal council s and s c h ool boa rd s and ,

anoth e r fough t a v ery r emarkabl e P arli amentary fight dur ing

t h e la s t y e ar S o i t i s cl e ar that t h e s oci e ty is largely en evi
.

d ance .

A s t o th e ge n e ral p rogra mme o f work in w hi c h t h e memb e r s

are s uppo s e d m or e o r l e ss to tak e part , I may quot e fro m t h e
print e d advic e giv e n t o memb ers as t o w h at th ey can do .

F i rst o f all , “ t h e n eed o f s tudy is i n s i s ted o n I t is a s sum ed .

th at t h e me mb e r will r e ad all t h e soci et y s public ations ; and h is ’

n ext duty , i t is urge d, s hould b e t o read th e cri tici sms o n th e

oth er s ide, afte r t he mann er o f C ic ero , w h o w as always caref u l
t o g e t up h is O po ne nt s cas e If a memb er cannot r e ad or
“

p
.

study alon e, h e i s re co mm ended to s e t o n foot a lo cal re ading

c i rcl e and appl y to t h e s ecr e tary for l i te ratu re for t h e c ircl e
,
.

N 0 publ i c work s h ould b e d on e un t il th i s s elf e ducation h as -

b e en accom pli s h ed and th e membe r i s really abl e t o sp eak

,

wi t h auth ority and t o deal e ffe ctively with an O p pon e nt Th e .

o pp on e nts o f S ocial is m in E ngland are u s ually p ers on s s ent o u t

b y a bo d y call e d t h e L ibe rty and P rop e rty D efe nc e L e agu e o f ,

whi c h t h e Amer ican m illionnair e Mr As tor now a L ondon ,

.
,

T ory n e w s p a pe r propri e t or is a m em b er T h e s e p e r s on s h a v e
,
.
,

as a rule a remarkabl e capac i ty for m aking fools of th ems elv es

,

n eve rth el e ss i t i s al way s a tactical blund er t o und ere sti mate

,

t h e ab i lity o f your Opp on e nt and Fabian l e ctur e r s are a d vi s ed

,

t o a s s u me th at th e s e L ibe rty and P rop e rty d e f e nd e r s are

acqua int ed w i th eco no mi c s e v e n t h o u g h t h e r e is goo d r eason t o
,
xxxiv T HE F AB I A N S OC IE T Y .

th eUn i ted S ta te s s ee furni sh an obj ect l e s s on to th e

me d to
world as to t h e failur e of m e re r epublicanis m t o s olv e a singl e
o ne o f o u r s ocial qu es tion s A quarte r o f a c entury ago t h e
.

American R e public was t h e guidin g s tar o f advanc ed E nglis h

po li tical thought I t is no t s o now candor comp el s me to s ay
. :

that It is no t me rely a qu es tion of m achine politic s o f politi

.
,

cal corrup t i on of th e o mnipo te nt party bos s though s upin e

,

American s wh o d o nothing t o o verthrow th o se purely political

e vil s s h ould b e r emind e d that E urop e as w ell as Am e rica is in

v ol ve d i n and h as t o pay for thei r cowardic e and indifferenc e .

But o v e r and b eyond th i s i s th e gr e at fact of th e div i si on b e

tw ee n ric h and p oor millionnaires at o ne e nd tramp s at t h e
, ,

oth er a growth o f m onopoli es unparall el ed cri s e s producing

, ,

abj ect po ve rty ju s t as in E ur op e T h es e facts prov e d t o men .

cl e arly th at new institution s w ere o f no u se along with t h e o ld

forms of prop erty ; that a mer e th e ore tic d emocracy u naccom ,

p anied by any s ocial c h ang e s w as a d elu s ion and a s nar e , Th e .

re s ult o f th is is that t h e Old e nth u s ia sm f o r m e re r epublicani sm

h as di e d away and that though tw e nty fiv e y e ars ago th e r e w as
, ,
-

a good s prinkling o f r epublican club s in E ngland th ere is no t a ,

s ingl e o ne o f th em l eft no w .

(2) Th e s econd cau s e I tak e to b e a new s pirit in li te ra t u re .

Th e g e ntee l t h e conv e ntio nal t h e t hin n e r kind o f ro m antic

, ,

literatur e b egan to d ie o u t ; and t h e pow e rful re al is tic s chool

b egan t o attract men s m in ds Th er e was a d es ire t o know
’
.

things as t h ey are t o sound t h e plu mme t in t h e s ea o f s ocial

,

m i s e ry t o h a v e d on e with m ak e b eli ev e and ge t at r e aliti es

,
-
.

Th e R u ss ian wri t e r s w i t h th e ir i nte n se S ociali s tic fe e li ng at

, ,

trac ted gre at numb ers o f r eade rs who s e e med to find in th em ,

s o m e th ing en tir ely ne w and i mme n s ely pow e rfu l I s h ould .

name among ind ividual wri ters who hav e pow e rf ully aid ed t h e
growth I do no t s ay o f S ocial i s m i ts elf but o f t h e feelin g in
, ,

t h e s oil o f w h ic h S ociali s m is e a s ily d e v e lop e d D ick en s V ic t or , ,

Hugo C arl yl e Whitman R u s kin T ol s toi Z ola and Arnold

, , , , ,
.

A curiou s and medl ey li s t you m ay s ay and s o it is ; but I am

, ,

c e rtain th at each o f th e s e gr e at wri t e rs h as contribu t e d a dis

tinct el ement t o t h e e xpan s ion and libe ration o f t h e mind s that
h a v e be en forme d s ay during th e la s t tw enty ye ars For
, ,
.

among all th e s e wri te rs vari e d as th ey are it is th e s ocial fee l

, ,

ing w hich is t h e m o s t pow e rful i m pul s e .

(3) Along w i th t h e newlite rature h as grown a new art feel

 TH E F AB I A N S OC I E T Y .

ing an in te ns e ha tre d of th e sm ug and resp ectabl e and a lo v e

, ,

to b e s urround ed b y attractive obj ects R u skin Morri s and .

, ,

W alte r C ran e hav e s hown why it is that t h e tru e artis t is at

war wi th co mme rciali s m with t h e notion that things a e t o b e , r

prod uced for a profit no matte r what abo mination s you m ay

,

t u rn o u t Th e conc eption that no p e rs on h as any right to in

.

flic t an ugl y Obj e ct of any s or t on t h e world e s p e ciall y fo r t h e ,

s ak e o f making gain out o f it h as tak e n h old o n th e ima ing

g ,

tive mind of t h e y ounge r p eopl e Of our cultivated cla s ses .

(4) I n t h e fo u rth plac e t h e o ld political e cono my is ah ,

s o lu t e ly d e ad in E ngland al though you m ig ht no t p erh ap s ,

g u es s it fro m s o m e of t h e E ngli s h e cono mic wri te rs T h e in .

fl u e nce of G e r man thought in th i s as in oth e r d epartments , ,

h a affe c te d m en m ind T ak e a s e ri e s o f books lik e t h e

’
s s s.

S ocial S ci e nc e S e ri e s publi s h ed by S onn en s ch e in ; half th o s e

,

books a e S ociali s ticr and that would have be en an im poss i

,

b ility tw e nty y e ar s ago Fabian E s s ay s in S ocial is m ”

O f t he .
,

it may b e s aid that t h e publi s h e r as w ell as t h e S oci e ty r e ap ed , ,

large profits fro m it I mentio n s uc h works as th e s e rath e r

.
,

than ro manc es lik e Mor is s “ N ews fro m N owh ere o r r

’ ”
,

Bella my s “ L o oking Backward T h e c h arm o f M orri s s

’ ’
.

s t l e and t h e ing e nui t y o f B ella my s narrativ e woul d b e s u ffi

’

y
ci ent to accoun t for their s ucc e s s ; b u t t h e popu larity o f thes e
oth e r works repre s ents a body o f s erious in te re st in advanc ed
e cono mic s w h ic h may w ell b e con s ide red s tartling whe n t h e
,

o ld hi d e b o u nd pr e j u di ce s o f orthod ox E ngli s h e cono mi c s are

take n into con s ide ration .

(5) L a zss ezf az e individuali s t political ph ilo s op h y is de ad

' ’

r .

In vain do es poor Mr He rbe rt S p e nc e r e nd e avor to s tem th e

.

torren t H is political idea s are alre ady as antiquate d as N oah s

.
’

ark I do not kno w a s i ngl e o ne o f t h e y ounge r men i n E ng

.

land who is infl u e nced b y th e m in t h e sligh te s t d egr ee though ,

o ne h e ars O f o ne occa s ionall

y ju s t as o ne h e ar s o f a fr e ak i n a ,

di me mu seu m For all practical purpo s es philo s ophic Radical

.
,

is m as it was call ed is as e xtinct as t h e dodo

, ,
.

(6) Th e re is anoth e r cau se which cannot b e ignored th ough ,

I s p e ak upon it with s o m e h e s itation as I purpo s el y avoid as , ,

far a po s s ibl e th e d ifficult qu es tion s o f religion and th e d eep e r

s ,

e thic s I m e an that t h e old duali s m with it s cr ee d o f oth e r

.
,

worldlin ess h as gon e by th e board Wh ate v e r men s t h eo re ti

,
.
’

cal vi ews are upon many transc endental matte rs there is a gen ,
xxxvi TH E F AB I A N S O C I E TY .

e ral feeling now that t h e worl d is one and th at ac tual life h e re,

is ju s t as sacr e d no rm al good as it e v e r w as o r e v e r will b e in

, , ,

any h y poth e tical pa s t o r f utur e ; tha t if th e r e is any h e av e n

'

for u s w e hav e t o m ak e it and that s uc h h e av en i s a s ta te o f

,

t h e m ind o f hu m an r e lation s hip s and no t a plac e to b e r e ac h e d

, ,

at a d e finite p e riod o f ti m e P erhap s I m ay quote t h e eloq e nt

. u

word s o f Willi am Morri s in h is “ D r ea m o f John Ball ”

“
F e llow s h ip is h e av en and t h e lack o f fellows hip is h ell
, .

T hi s id ea is I say a pow e rful factor in l e ading t h e m ind s o f

, ,

t h e y o u nger m en t o t h e vi e w s o f whic h I am s p e aki ng But .

m en are not altog e th e r influ e nc e d by th ei r th e or e tical o r e v e n

S p iritual id e a s ; th e y a e al s o m ov e d and s o long as th e y h av e
r ,

m ate rial bodi es t o b e f e d and cloth e d th e y will continu e t o b e

m o v ed by pur e ly s e lf r eg arding and e co no m ic con id e ration s
,
-
s .

L e t u s n e v e r b e d elud e d in to s uppo s ing that altrui s tic fe e lings

alon e will induc e m e n to m ak e gre at s ocial changes ; egoti s tic
con s ide rations will pro mpt th em as w e ll t h e d es ir e o f s e lf ,

pr es ervation working along with t h e d es ire for a be tte r and

m ore ha rm oniou s s ocial ord e r than e xi s ts It is not onl y u po n
.

t h e working cla s s es that capitali s t m onopol y t e ll s it tell s al s o

upon t h e e ducated m iddl e cla s s e s wh o a e no t in t h e m onopoly r .

T h e y find t h e av e nu es o f liv e lihood and pr ef er me n t o ne af te r

anoth er clo s ed to th em and ju s t as education s pr ead s th i s will ,

b eco me more and more t h e ca s e Wh e n a s mall nu mb e r o f

.

pe rs ons i n a larg e co mm unity are h ighly e ducated th ey h av e ,

w h at e cono m i s ts c all a monopol y v alu e ; th ey can ge t a good

pric e for th e ir s ervic es b ecau s e th ey po s s es s s o m e th ing whic h
,

f ew p eopl e h av e . S pr e ad thi s high e r e ducation and t h e m o no p

o l is brok e n down N ow this is roughly what is going o n in
y .
,

s oci e ty ; d e m ocrac y 1 s l e v e lling all up t o a co m m on l e v e l h ow ,

e v e r gradual m ay b e t h e proc e ss ; and con s e qu e n tly high ly

e ducat e d m e n wit h th e ir s p e cial gift s find th e ir rat e s o f re
.

m nerat io n b eco m ing low e r and low e r unl e s s th ey po s se s s

u ,

s o m e rar e gift o f genl s as a S ara Be rnhardt in ac t ing a

u , ,

P ad e r e w s ki 11] pla y ing a S te v e n s on I n s tory t e lling a M a s c agni

,
-
,

as a co m po s e r . T h e s e rar e p eopl e s till co mmand t h e ir m o nop

o ly valu e ; but for t h e r e s t it h as di s ap pe ar e d T hu s e v e n .

m or e tha n t h e work ingm en p erhap s it h as b ee n t h e e ducated

, ,

young m en o f t h e middl e cla s s (and t h e yo ung wo men to o ) ,

w h o h ave b ee n hard e s t hit by t h e m ode rn d e v e lop e nt

m F if t y
y ears ago y ou c ould h ave gath ere d all t h e p r es s wr i t e r s o f L o n
.
 TH E F ABI A N S OC I E T Y . xxxv u

do n i nto a s ingl e mod erate s iz ed roo m T o d ay all told th ey

-
.

nu mb e r n earl y t e n thous and E v erybo dy with a pe n, ink and .

pap e r and any capacity for turning o u t cop y is a journali s t ;

and you s e e at onc e that i t is i mpo s s ibl e for all th es e m en to
e arn a l i ving Th e y don t and can t Th e re a re s cor e s o f
’ ’
.
, .

highly educ ate d p e opl e wh o work eve ry day i n t h e Briti sh

M u se u m for e ight o r nin e h our s a day and e arn l e ss than a
m e chanic i n con s tant occupation I t 1 8 t h e s a m e in all t h e p ro
.

fes ion s O nly fiftee n p e c e nt o f L ondon advocates e v e r ge t

s . r

bri e fs at all ; t h e oth e r e ighty fi e pe c ent ge t nothing I n -

v r .

t h e medi cal prof e s s i o n i t is t h e s a m e The priz es go to about .

fiv e p e c e n t o f t h e profe s s ion ; as for t h e av e rag e m edical

r

m an in t h e L on d on s uburb s t h e rat e s are s o cut th at I am ,

credibly informed b y o ne of th e m wh o s tudi e d at C ambrid ge

and H e idelbe rg and o n wh o s e e ducation h undred s o f pounds
,

w ere s p en t th e fee for atte ndanc e and pre s cription i n his

,

s uburban di s trict h as b ee n brou ght dow n t o tw e n ty fiv e c e n t s -

.

I t will b e se e n that it is not a qu e s tion o f m ak i ng m on ey o r o f

t h e di s gu s t ing progre s s to wards s m ug r e s p e ctability which is ,

known as “ ge tti ng o n —it i s po s itively a qu es tion of a bare

,

living N o w w hil e a working man w h o h as n ev e 1 kn own co m

O
.
,

fort wh o s e fath er h as n e v e r known it b efore h im can often

, ,

s tan d a frigh tful a m ou n t o f pov e rty with out g e tti ng d e s p e rate ,

t h e w e ll bre d y oung man cannot ; and t h e r e s u lt is that t h e

-

ke en es t and mo t dan g e rou s di s con te nt co mes fro m th e educa te d

s

cla s s es who are l eading th e S ociali s t ma sse s all ov e r E urop e

,
.

S o me s up e rfic ial p e opl e th ink t h e r e me dy is t o b e found in in

d u cing young me n o f t h e b e t t e r cla ss e s t o abandon t h e s o call e d -

“
res p e ctabl e occupation s and go in for m anual labor L e t
”
.

th em c e a se b y all mean s to b e res p ectabl e but le t not any

, ,
”
,

o ne lay t h e flatte ring unction to h is s oul that th is und e r e xi st ,

ing econo m ic condition s is any s olution F o r what is t h e

,
.

d i fficulty about m anual labor now ? W hy th at thou s a nd s of ,

tho se alr eady engaged i n it are not wan te d ; it is t h e d iffic u lty

o f t h e un e m plo y ed t h e difficulty of ov e r production
, I n 1 88 6 -
.
,

accord ing to t h e R eport of t h e Wa s hing t on Bur e a u o f S tati s

tic s th e re w e r e at l e a s t o ne and o ne half million o f unem
,
-

plo y ed me n in th e United S tate s ; and thi s s tate o f things h as

be e n al mo s t if not quite parallel e d in 1 8 93 I n L ondon lack of .

e m plo m e nt is chronic and is

y g rowi ng t o s uch h ug e proportion s
,

th at o u r cowardly blind p ublic men dare not gra p pl e with it

, , .
xxxviii TH E FA BI AN S OC I E T Y .

In Au s tralia t h e une mployed h av e b e en wal king th e stree ts o f

M elbourn e by th e thousand How ab s urd th e n it is t o propo s e
.

to add to th e nu mbe rs of work ing men whe n tho se alr e ady in th e

ranks cannot find me ans of living ! Th ere is o ne m e thod ala s , ,

op en t o men as th e re is al way s o ne m e thod op en to tempted

, ,

pov erty s tricke n wo men — t h e m e th od o f what I m ay call in

-
,

t ellec t u al pro s tit u tion and man y th e r e b e that go in at that gat e .

S ick and w eary of t h e p e nury and s truggl e that go with h on es ty ,

young m en o f ability will delib era te ly s e ll th e mse l ve s to t h e

capitali s t wh o h as corn e r ed o u r inte ll ectual as h e h as corn ered
our ma t erial production and will s erv e him for a good livi ng
,
.

Wh at numb ers I hav e known c h oo se thi s p ath and I cannot -

bla me th em for th ey a e forc e d in t o it b y t h e condition s o f

,
r

m od ern l ife .I t is u s e l e s s pr e aching fin e m oral s t o th em ; th e

conditi on s o f l ife mu s t b e adapte d to h u m an natur e as it is for ,

h u m an nature will not you m ay b e qui te s ur e s udd enly tran s

, ,

form i ts elf to s uit t h e condition s T h e s e th en a e t h e e co .

, ,
r

no mic motiv es which co mbin e d with th e moral and intell e ctual

,

m oti v es t o whi c h I h av e pr e vi ou s ly giv en e xpr e s s ion are fo c ,

r

i ng young men of education and goo d br eeding in to th e rank s o f

t h e S oc iali s ts and whic h e s p e cially O p e ra te in t h e ca s e o f a
,

body like t h e Fabian S oci e ty .

R e ad e r s will b e a s king by t h i s t im e w h e t h e r I am no t go ing

t o s e t forth t h e actual political progra mme o r “ platfor m as it
”
,

is calle d in Am e rica of t h e Fabian S oci e ty

, Y es th at is ju s t .
,

what I am going to do A s t h e Fabian S oci e ty h old s th at

.

social tran s form ation mu s t b e gradual unl es s th ere is to b e a ,

ge n e ral s m as h u p it propo s es a s eri es o f reform s for effe cting

-
,

t h e gradual c h ang e of s oci e ty i nto a r eally s oc i al d em ocratic

s ta t e . But th e se r eforms it will b e und erstood are adopte d
, ,

with a di s tinct end in vi ew wh ic h fact makes all t h e di ff e re nc e

,

b e twee n p e opl e of principl e and mere O pportuni s ts w h o hav e no

e nd in V i e w oth e r th an t h e p e r s onal e nd o f li ning th e ir o w n

pocke ts Th e following th en a e th e plank s o f t h e Fabian

.
, ,
r

political platform Adult su ffrage P arliamentary and m un i ci

: ,

pal o ne vo te for e ach m an and e ach wo man o f twenty o ne and

,
-

upward s who a e not in pri s on or in a lunatic as ylu m Th e

r .

s e cond ballot as i n Franc e G e r many and S witz e rlan d , s o that

, ,

who e ve r is el e c ted will have an ab s olu te majority o f th e v otes

poll e d P aym ent of memb e rs b y t h e state and of el ection ex
.

p ens es b y th e district (it must b e r emembered th at at p r e s ent

 TH E F A B I AN S OC I E T Y .

repres entative s a e not paid in E ngland ) Taxation o f n

r . u

e arn e d inco m e s by s uc h m ean s as a land tax h e a vy d e ath d uti es ,

t o go t o m u nicipa liti es and a progr es s iv e inco m e tax Munici

, .

p alizat io n of land and local indu s tri e s s o th at fr e e and honor , .

abl e municipal e mploy ment may b e s ubs titu te d for private

charity wh ich to vary a w e ll known lin e o f S hak e spe are is
, ,
-

twic e curs ed —it curs eth him w h o gives and him who tak es
,

, .

A ll education t o b e at t h e public co s t for all cla s ses includi ng ,

m anual as w e ll as book training N ationalization of all canals

.

and railways s o that th e public highway s may b elong to t h e

,

public as th ey always did un til t h e ne w e a o f s t e a m wh e n

, r ,

th e y go t in t o t h e h an ds o f capitalis ts It is as ridiculou to . s

pay M r Vand erbilt if you h app e n t o wan t to go fro m N e w

.

York to C hicago as it would b e to p ay him if yo u de s ired to

take a walk down Fifth Av enue T he e igh t hour s d ay for .

wage work ers in all gov ernme nt and m niclpal offic es in all
-
u ,

m onopolie s lik e coal min es an d railway s and in all indu s tri e s ,

w h ere t h e work er s want it P ari s h council s for t h e labore rs

.
,

with co mpul s ory po we r to acquire land to build dwelling s to ,

ad m in i s t e r s choo l s and c h ariti es and to e ngage in co O p e rativ e

,
-

farm ing .

S uc h is th e p rogra mme t hrough t h e a d option o f w h ic h t h e

Fabian S oci e ty b eli ev e s that t h e countr y onc e calle d “ me rry
E ngland but t h e gre ate r p o rtion o f which is now dreary and
”
,

s ordid and cur s e d wit h pov e rty m ight again b e r e ally h appy
,

and b e conv e rted into a land o f real and not of s ha m freed o m .

And now a word in conclus ion o n an i mportan t point

, , th e ,

r elation o f t h e i nt ell ectual prol e tariat as it h as b een call ed to , ,

th e m a s s e s o f t h e e ducate d young m e n to t h e bulk o f t h e work

,

ing cla s s es Mo s t o f t h e m emb e rs o f t h e Fabian S oci e ty a e

. r

e ducat e d m id dle cla s s p e opl e thoug h th e r e a e workingm e n

,
-
,
r

conn e cted with it al s o What is to b e t h e re lation o f th e se

.

ed ucate d m iddl e cla s s p e opl e t o t h e s warm in g m ultitud e s o f

-

work er s ? T his is a v i tal s ocial qu es tion th e mo s t vital w e ,

have i mm edi at ely b e for e u s O ne re me mb ers what Matth e w .

Arnold s aid in A me rica that t h e s alvation o f m od e rn s oc i e ty

,

la y in t he han d s o f a r e m nan t I s hould b e inclin e d t o put it

.

rath e r diff e rently and to s ay th at if th e s ocial e volu tion is to

, ,

b e p e ac e ful and rat ional it m u s t b e e ff e cte d by t h e union of a

,

cultivate d re mn ant with t h e ma ss e s of t h e toiling p e opl e .

American O ptimis m may c hafe a t t h e li t tl e word “ if C an .

xl TH E F AB I A N S OC I E T Y .

th e re b e any doubt y ou may ask th at w e s h all go on p ro s p e r

, ,

ou sl
y and p e ac e fully ? I r e ply y e s th e r e is quit e good e nough
, ,

groun d for doubti ng th i s A s Mr P ears on t h e author o f that

. .
,

re markabl e book o n N ational L ife and C h aracte r whic h

,
,
”

h as i m pr es s e d u s in E ngland v e ry d ee ply h as s aid anci e nt , ,

civilization in t h e ti m e s o f t h e An tonin e s s eeme d as firm and

s tro ng as do e s our s nay s trong e r for it h ad in t h e mai n la s te d
, , , , ,

as m any c enturi es as our s h as la s te d d e cad es .

S tout w it m ach n rv and b on

as s ar , e e e e
S m d p i ant nd alive
ee e u ss a .

Had you pr edict ed th e n to a Ro man s enator that t h e spl endid

Gre co R o m an ci ti es would b e giv e n t o t h e fla mes and that t h e
-
,

R o m an S enat e and l egion s would b e tra m pl e d down by i gnorant

h ordes of barbarian s h e would have s m il ed o ffe red y o u anoth e r
, ,

cup of Fal ernian win e and changed t h e s ubj e ct Y e t w e kn ow

, .

this happ en e d ; and I confe s s I can S ee nothi ng in o u r m ush

roo m civilization whi c h w e h ave any p articular right to r egard
as inh e r e ntly m or e e nduring than t h e e laborate and s ta t e ly

organi sm o f R o m an juri s prud enc e But th e re a e no bar . r

b arians ! Y e s th e r e are ; but th e y are no t outs id e u s

, ,

th ey are in o u r m ids t D o you s uppo se that t h e grim victi m of

.

cru shing pov e rty in a L ondon attic o a B e rlin c ellar cares o ne r

pin s h e ad for all t he h e ritage o f t h e world s th ought whic h ap

’ ’

p e al s to th e h ighly e ducated ? How are th e s e huge m a s s e s of

poo r p e opl e to b e w e ld ed in t o a gr e at phalanx to b e induc e d t o ,

s ubordina t e t h eir p a s s ion s t o t h e d e m ands o f r e a s o n to look not ,

m e r e ly at t h e n eed s o f t h e m o m e n t but at tho s e o f ne xt y e ar , ,

to realiz e th at th e world cannot b e r em ade in a day but yet ,

that i t can b e s o r econ s titu te d as t o giv e all Opportuniti e s to

live as h u man b e ings s hould ? S illy p e o pl e are alway s talking
non s en s e about t h e danger o f “ agi t ators I know all about
”
.

agitators I know n early e v ery pro m in e nt agitator in Gr e a t

.

Britain ; and I can s ay confid ently that it is t h e agitators w h o

hav e to h ol d back to res train t h e p eopl e fro m ra s h and ev en
,

m ad action . Th e r ecord o f e v e ry E ngli s h s trik e would s h ow

that th i s was th e ca s e I f all t h e labor l ead e rs and agitators
.

we r e s il e nc ed it would b e t h e v ery worst th ing that could be fall

,

t h e capitali s t cla s s T h e m a ss e s are at pr es en t at t h e v e ry

.
,

b es t an arm y o f priva t e s without o ffice rs Thi s is not th e ir

_

.
,

fault ; i t is the i r mis fortun e T he y h ave no t had t h e training

. ,
ES S A Y S .
 PR E F A C E .

THE es s a s
y in t h i s
v o l u m e w e r e p r epar e d las t y ear as
a c o u rs e o f l e ct u r e s f o r d eli v e r
y b e f o r e m ix e d au di ences
in L o nd o n and t h e p r o vi nces Th ey h av e b e en r ev is e d
.

fo r p u b li cat i o n b u t n o t r ecas t
, Th e m at t e r is p u t no t
. .
,

as an au th o r w o u ld
p u t it t o a s t u d e nt , b u t as a S p e ak e r
w i t h o nl y an h o u r at his d is p os al h as t o pu t it t o an
au di e n ce .C ou nt ry r e ad e rs m ay accep t t h e b o o k as a
s am
p l e o f t h e p r o p ag and a c arr i e d o n b y v o l u nt e e r l e ct
u re rs in t h e w o r km e n s c l u b s and
p o l i t i c al as s o c i at i o ns
’

o f L o nd o n
1
M et r op o l i t an r e ad e rs w i l l h av e t h e ad v an
.

t ag e of m aking t h e ms e l v e s i nd epe nd ent o f t h e p r ess

cr i t i c b
y g et t i ng f ace t o f ace w i t h t h e w r i t e rs s tr i p p i ng ,

t h e v e i l o f p r i nt f r om t h e i r p e rs o nali t y c r o s s —
e x amini n
g ,

c r i t icis i n
g c al l i ng t h e m t o acco u nt am i d s u rro u n di ngs
,

w h i ch i ns p i r e no aw e and b efo r e t h e m os t pat i ent o f

,

au di en ces . F o r any S u nd ay p ap e r w h i ch co nt ai ns a lect

u re li s t w il l s h e w w h e r e s o m e if n o t all o f t h e s e v en
, ,

ess a i s t s m a
y y b e h e ar d f or no t hing ; and o n all s u ch
o c cas i o ns
qu es t i o ns and d i s cu s s i on f o rm p art o f t h e pro
ced u re .

1 I n th e year n n Ap ril 1 889 t h n mb r f l ctur

e di g , ,
e u e o e es de liv r d
e e

r a ian S i ty alon w p ward f 700

b y me m b e s o f t h e F b oc e e as u s o .

xlv
x l vi P R E FAC E .

Th e p r oje ct io n and c o o r d i nat io n o f t h es e lect u res is

-

no t t h e w o r k o f any indi v i d u al . Th e no m i nal e di t o r is

on ly t h e m em b e r t o ld o ff torrang e f or t h e pu b li cat ion
a

of t h e p ap e rs , and s e e t h em t h r o u g h t h e p r es s w it h wh at
v
e e r e d it o r ial c e r em o ny m i
gh t b e neces s ary . E v eryt hi ng
i
t h at is u su all y imp l e d b y t h e au t h o rs h p and e dit ing o f i
a b o ok h as in t hi s b een d o ne b y t h e s e v en e ss ay i s t s ,
cas e

i
ass o c at e d as t he E x e cu t iv e C o u ncil o f t h e F ab ian S o ci
et
y ; an d no t o n e of the e s s ay s co u l d b e wh at it is h ad
t h e w rit e r b ee n a r
g e r t o his s ix c olleag u es and t o
s t an

t h e S o ciet y . B u t t h e r e h as b e e n no s acr ifice o f indi vi d

u alit
y n o at t em p t t o cu t o u t e v e ry phr as e an d O p l nl o n

the re s p o ns ib il it y f o r w h ich w o u l d no t be accep t e d by

e v e ry o ne o f the s ev e n . H ad t h e s ect io ns b e en di ffe r
e nt l y al lo t t e d , t h ey w o u ld h a ve b e en d i ffe r ent ly t re at e d,
t h o u gh t h e net r es u lt w o u ld p r ob ab l y h av e b ee n t h e
s am e . Th e wr i t e rs are all S o cial D em o c r at s , wit h a

co m mo n co n v ict io n
t h e ne ces s t y o f v es t ing t h e o r
of i
g anizat io n o f ind u s t ry and t h e m at e r al o f p r o d u ct o n in i i
a S t at e i i i
d e nt fie d w t h t h e w h o l e pe op l e b y co mplet e
D em o c racy . vi ct i o n is p e cu l i ar t o no ind i
B u t t h at co n

vid u al b i as it is a C apit o l t o wh i ch all ro ad s le ad ; and

at le as t s e v e n o f t h e m are re r es e n t e d in t h es e F ab i an
p
E s s ay s so t h at t h e re ad e r f e ar opp r es s io n h e r e ,
n ee d n o t
an
y m o r e t h an in t h e s o cialize d S t at e o f t h e f u t u r e , b y

t h e as ce nd an cy o f o ne p ar t icu lar cas t o f m i nd .

Th e r e are at p r es ent no au t h o r i t at iv e t e ach e rs of S o;

cialis m . Th e e s s ayis t s m ak e no claim t o b e mo re t h an
co mmu n cat i iv e lear ne rs .

L O N DO N , D ece mb e r ,
1 88 9 .
THE BASIS OF S OC I A L I S M .
2 THE BA S I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

gr e atly t o d es ire th at th es e capric iou s gi fts o f N atur e mi gh t b e

in te rc ep te d by s o me age ncy h aving t h e pow e r and t he good wi ll -

t o di s tribu t e th e m ju s tly accord ing t o t h e labor don e by e ac h i n

t h e colle cti v e s e arch for th e m T hi s d e s ir e is S ociali s m ; and
.
,

as a m e ans t o i ts fulfilm en t S ociali s ts ha v e d e v i s e d co m m un e s

, ,

kingdo ms p rincipaliti es church e s manors and finally w h en all

, , , , ,

th e s e h ad s uccumb ed t o t h e O ld gambling S pir i t t h e S ocial ,

D e mocratic S tate whic h y e t r e m ain s t o b e tri e d
, As again s t .

S ociali s m t h e ga mblin g S p irit urge s man to allow no rival t o

,

co me b e twee n his p ri vate individual p ow ers and S te p m oth e r -

E arth but rath e r t o s e cure so m e acr es of h er and tak e h is

,

chanc e o f ge tting d iam ond s instea d o f cabbag e s Th is i s P ri .

v a te P rop e rty o r Un s ocial is m O u r o wn choic e is s h ewn b y

, .

o u r continual a s piration t o poss e s s p rop e rty o u r co mm on h ail ,

i ng o f it as s acr e d ou r s e tti ng a p art o f t h e word R es p ectabl e

,

for tho s e who h av e attain e d i t o u r a s cription o f pre e m in e nt,

. -

r e ligiou s n es s to co mm and me nts forbidding its v iolation and o u ,

r

id e ntification o f law and ord e r a m ong m en with it s prote ction .

T h e r e for e is i t v i tal to a living kn owl e dg e o f o u r soci e ty th at

P riva te P rop e rty s hould b e kn own in e v e ry s tep o f it s p rogr e s s
fro m its s ourc e in cupidity t o its e nd in confu s ion .

L e t u s i n t h e mann e r o f t h e P olitical E cono mis t trac e t h e

, ,

e ff e cts of s e ttli ng a coun try b y privat e prop e rty with undi s turb e d

law and ord e r Figu re to yours e lf t h e v a s t gr e e n p lain o f a

.

cou n try v irg in t o t h e S pad e awaiting t h e adv en t o f man ,

.

I m agin e th e n t h e arr i val o f t h e fir s t coloni s t t h e original ,

Adam d e v elop ed by c e nturi es o f civilization in to an Ada m

,

S m ith pro s p e cting for an s uitabl e p atc h o f P rivate P rop e rty

,
.

Adam is as P olitical E cono my fundam entally a s s u mes him to

,

b e “ o n t h e m ak e ; th e r efor e h e driv es h is s pad e in to and

”
, ,

s e ts up h is stockad e aroun d t h e mo s t f e rtil e and favorably s itu

,

at ed patch h e can find Wh en h e h as till ed it P olitical E con

.
,

o my in s pir e d to prop h e s y b y t h e s p e ctacl e m e tap h oricall y e xhibi ts ,

Adam s little patch o f cultiva ti on as a pool that w ill y e t ri se

’

and s ubme rge t h e whol e land L e t us no t forge t thi s trop e z i t

.

is t h e k ey to t h e e ve r r e curring p h ra s e “ m argin o f cultivation

”
-
, ,

in wh ich as may now b e p erc e i v ed th e re lurks a littl e nu s u s

, ,

p ect e d po e try A n d truly t h e pool s oon s pr e ad s

. O th e r Ada m s .

co me all on t h e m ak e and th erefore all s ur e to p e e mpt patch es

, ,
r -

as n e ar as m a
y b e to that of t h e fir s t Adam s partly b e cau s e h e
’

has cho s en t h e bes t s ituati o n p artly for th e p l easur e o f his s o

,
 EC O N OM I C . 3

cie t y and conve r s ation and p artly b ecaus e w h e re two men a e

, r

as s e mbl e d t oge the r th e re is a two man pow e r that is far more -

than doubl e o ne m an pow e r b e ing ind e ed in s o me in s tanc e s a

-
,

qui te ne w forc e to tally d e tructive o f t h e idiotic gen e ral hy po

,
s

t hes is that s oci e ty is no m or e than t h e s u m of t h e uni ts which

co mpo s e it Th e e Ada m too brin g th e ir C ain s and Abe ls
. s s, , ,

who do no t murd er o ne anoth e r but me re l y p e e mpt adjac e n t , r -

pa tch es A nd s o t h e pool ri s e s and t h e marg in s pread s m or e

. ,

and mor e r e m ote fro m t h e c e n t r e until t h e pool b e co me s a lak e , ,

and t h e lak e an inland s e a .

RE N T .

But i n th e cours e o f thi s inun da ti o n t h e cap ri c es of N atur e

b egin to Op e ra te T hat s p ecially fe rtil e r egion upo n which
.

Adam pitch ed is s oon e r o r late r all p e e mpted ; and th e re is r -

nothing for t h e new co me r to p re e mpt sav e s oil o f th e s e cond

- -

quality Aga in divi s ion of labor s e ts i n a mong Ada m s n eigh

.
,
’

bors ; and with it of course co mes t h e es tabli s h men t o f a

, ,

mark e t for t h e e xchange of t h e products of th eir divid e d labor .

N w it is no t w e ll t o b e far afi e l d fro m that m ark e t b e cau s e

o ,

dis tanc e fro m it in v olve e xtra co s t for road s b a s ts of burd en

s ,
e
,

time con s u med in travelling th ith er and back again All th i s .

wi ll b e s aved to Ada m a t t h e c entre o f cultivation and in curre d ,

b y t h e ne w— c o m e r at t h e m argin of cultivation L e t u s e s ti m ate .

t h e ann u a l valu e o f Ada m s prod uc e at and t h e annual

’

produc e of t h e ne w co mer s land on th e margin o f cultivation at

-
’

£50 0 a ss u m ing tha t Ada m and t h e ne w co me r a e e quall y in

,
-
r

d u t io s
s r u He re is a cl e ar advan tage o f £5 00 a y ear t o t h e
.

firs t co mer Thi s £5 0 0 is econo mic r e nt I t m atte rs not at

. .

all th at it is m e r ely a difie e nc e of inco m e and no t an ov e rt r ,

pay ment fro m a te nant to a landlord Th e two me n labor .

e qually ; and
y e t o ne g e ts £5 0 0 a y e ar m or e than t h e oth e r
th rough th e s up e rior fe rtility of h 1s land and conve ni e nc e of
its s ituation Th e e xc e s s d u e to th at f ertility is r en t ; and
.

be fore long we shall find it recognize d as s uc h and paid in th e

fas hion with which w e are fa m iliar For wh y sh ould not Ada m .

le t h is patch to t h e ne w co me r at a r e nt of £5 0 0 a y e ar ?
- S inc e
t h e produc e will b e t h e ne w co me r will h av e £5 0 0 l e ft -

for h ims elf or as much as h e could obtain by cultivating a

,

patc h of hi s own at t h e m argin ; and it is pl ea s ante r b es ide t o ,

s,

b e in t h e c e ntr e o f soci e ty t h an o n t h e outs kir ts o f it Th e .

4 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

ne w- come r w ill h i ms elf propo s e th e arrangement ; and Adam

m ay r e tir e as an idl e landlord with a p e rp e tual p e n s ion o f £50 0
rent Th e e xc es s o f fe rtility in Adam s land is th e nc eforth
.
’

r e cogniz ed as r ent and paid as i t is to d ay r egularl y by a , ,

worker t o a dron e A f ew s ampl es o f t h e way in whic h th i s

.

s i m pl e and i n t e llig i bl e tran s action is s tat ed by o u r e cono mi s ts

may now I h O p e b e quo t e d without any dang er of th eir pro v

, ,

ing s o difficul t as th ey ap p ear in th e te x t boo ks fro m wh ic h I -

hav e C opi e d th em .

S tuart M ill s ay s that t h e r ent o f lan d con s i s ts o f t h e e xc es s

1

o f its r e tur n abov e t h e r e turn to t h e wor s t land in cultivation

”
.

Fawc e tt s ay s that “ th e r e nt of land r epres ents t h e p ecun iary

2
.

valu e o f t h e advantages wh ich s uc h land po s s e s s es ov er th e

wors t lan d i n culti vation P rof e s s or Mar s h all 8 s ay s th at
”
.

“
th e r e nt o f a pi e c e o f lan d i s t h e e xc e s s o f its produc e o v e r
t h e prod uc e o f an adjac e nt p i ec e o f land whic h wo uld not b e
cultivate d at all if r e nt w ere paid fo r it P rofe s s or S idgwick
”
.
4

cautiou sly pu ts i t that t h e normal r en t p e acre o f any pi ec e r

! of land] is t h e s urplu s Of t h e valu e o f its produc e over t h e valu e

“

o f t h e ne t produc e p e r acr e o f t h e l e a s t adv antag e ou s land t h at it is

profitabl e to cultivate G en e ral Walke r 5 d e clare s that s p e ci

”
.

fically t h e r e nt of any p i ec e o f la nd is d e t e r m in e d by t h e di ff e r
,

e nc e b e t wee n it s annual y i e l d and th at o f t h e l e a s t product i v e

land act u ally culti vate d for t h e s upply o f th e s a me m arke t it ,

be ing a s s u m e d that t h e quality of th e land as a productive age nt

is in n e ith e r ca s e i mpair e d o r i mpro v e d by s uc h cultivation
”
.
, ,

A ll th ese d e finition s are O ff e r e d b y t h e author s as elaboration s o f

th at g ive n by th eir ma s te r R icardo who s ay s “ Re nt is th at 6
, ,

po rtion of t h e produc e o f t h e e arth which is paid to t h e landlord

for th e u se o f t h e original and ind es tructibl e powers o f t h e s oil .
”

T H E C O UN T Y F A M I L Y .

L e t us r e turn t o o u r id e al country Ada m is r e tiring fro m .

p rod ucti ve ind us try on £5 0 0 a y ear ; and his n eighbors a e ha s r

1 “
Prin ipl f Political E ono my
c es o V l I I nd x t c chap xvi , o .
, e o .

2
M an al f Po liti al E on my
u o B ook I I chap iii p 1 1 6
c c o . .

B o k I I h p iii
, , ,

f I n d try
“ ”
E n m
co o l cs o u s 3 p 84 o c a . s ec. .

Prin ip l f Politi a l E onomy B k I I c h ap vii p 30 1

, , , ,
4 ”
c es o c c oo . .

B ri f T xt b ook f Politi a l E onomy chap

, , ,
5 “ e e -
o c 2 16 p 1 7 3
c . 1 1 , s ec . .
, ,

6 “ Princip l o f Political E onomy nd Taxation chap

es c p 34 a ,
. 11 . .

(1 8 1 7 )
 E C ON OM I C .
5

i g to i mi ta te h im a fre h te nan t present th ems el ves

t en n s s s . Th e
firs t res ult is t h e b egin ning o f a tradition that th e old e s t fa mi
lies in t h e country enjoy a s up erior p o ition t o t h e r e t and s s ,

that t he main ad vantage o f th e ir s up e rior po si tion is that they

e njoy inco me s without work ing N ev e rth el e s s s inc e th ey s till
.
,

d e pe nd on th e ir t e nan ts labor for th e ir s ubsis t enc e th ey continu e

’

to pay L abor with a capi t al L a c e rta in m e ed of m ou th h onor ;

, ,

and t h e r e s ultant a s s ociation o f pro s p erity with idle n e s and s ,

pra is e with i ndus try practically d es tro ys m orality by s e tting u p

,

th at inco mpatibili ty be t we en conduct and principl e wh ic h is t h e

s e cr e t o f th e ingr aine d c y n i ci s m o f o u r own ti m e and which ,

prod uc es t h e curiou s R icardian ph eno menon of th e man of

busin es s w h o go e s o n S unday to th e church with t h e r egularity
o f t h e v illag e blacks m ith th e r e t o r e nounc e and abjur e b e for e
,

h is God t h e lin e o f conduct whic h h e in tends t o pur s u e w i th all

his migh t d uring t h e following w eek .

According t o o u r h ypoth es i s t h e inlan d s ea of c ultivation

,

h as now S pr e ad in t o t h e wilde rn e s s so far that a t it s m argin

th e r e turn t o a m an s labor for a y e ar is onl y £5 0 0 But as
’
.

th e re is al way s a fl o o d tid e in that s ea cau s ed by t h e i nc es s ant

-
,

incr e a s e of population t h e m argin will not s top th e r e ; it will

,

at la s t e ncroac h upon e very acr e O f cultivabl e land ri s ing t o ,

t h e s now lin e on t h e mountain s and fallin g to t h e coa s t O f t h e

actual s alt wate r se a but always r eac h i ng t he barren e s t plac es
,

la s t of all b ecau s e th e cultivators a e s till as e v er o n t h e

,
r , ,

m ak e and will no t br e ak bad land wh e n b e t te r i s to b e h ad

,
.

But sup p o s e that now at la s t th e uttermo s t b elt o f fr e e land is

, ,

r eache d and that upon it th e yi eld to a man s y e ar s labor is

,
’ ’

only £ 1 0 0 C l early no w th e r ent o f Ada m s p ri me val patch

.
’

h as ri s e n t o £90 0 s inc e th at is t h e e xc es s Of it s p roduc e ov e r

,

what is by thi s ti me all that is to b e h ad r ent fr ee B t Adam . u

h as y i elde d up h is lan d for £5 0 0 a y e ar t o a te nant I t is th is .

te nant accordin gly who now l e ts Ada m s pa tc h for £9 0 0 a ye ar ’

t o t h e ne w co m e r who o f cour s e lo se s nothing b y t h e bargain

, ,

s i nc e i t l e aves h im t h e £ 1 0 0 a y e ar with which h e mu s t b e con

te nt anyhow Accordingly h e labors o n Adam s lan d ; rai ses
.
’

a ye ar fro m i t ; keeps £ 1 0 0 and pays £9 0 0 to Adam s ’

te nant wh o p ays £5 0 0 to Ada m kee ping £40 0 for hims elf

, , ,

and th u s al s o be co ming an i dl e g e ntl e m an th ough w i th a s o me ,

what s mall e r inco me than th e m an o f old er fa mily I t h as in .

,

fac t co me t o this th at th e p ri v a te p ro p e rty in Ada m s la nd is

’
, ,
6 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

divi ded be t ween th r ee men t h e firs t d o ing none o f the w o rk

,

and ge tting half t h e produc e ; th e s econd doing non e o f t h e

work and g e tting t wo fif t h s of t h e produc e ; and t h e third doin g
-

all t h e work and ge tting only one t e nth of th e p od u ce I nc i -

r .

d en tally al s o t h e m orali s t who is s ur e t o h ave be en p rating

,

s o m e wh e r e about private prope rty l eadi ng to th e e ncourage

m ent of indu s try t h e es tabli s h me nt o f a h ealt hy inc e ntiv e and
, ,

t h e di s tribution of w e alth according t o e x e rtion is e xpos e d as a ,

futil e purblin d p ers on s tarti ng a p riori fro m blank ignoranc e

, ,

and proc eeding d eductively to m e re contradiction and patent foll y .

A ll thi s ho we v e r is a m e r e trifl e co mpar ed to t h e s e qu e l

, ,
.

Wh en t h e inland s ea h as ri se n to its co nfin es wh en th ere is

nothing but a s trip o f s and round th e coa s t b e tween th e furrow
and t h e wave — wh e n th e ve ry wav es th ems el ves are cul t i va te d
by fish erfo lk wh en t h e pa s tures and ti mbe r fores ts h av e
touch e d t he s now lin e — w h en in s h or t th e lan d is all private, ,

prop e rty ye t e v ery man is a propri etor th ough i t m ay b e o nly

, ,

o f a te nant righ t H e e njo y s fix it y o f tenur e at w ha t is called

.

a fair r ent ; that is h e far es as w ell as h e coul d o n land w h olly

,

his own . Al l th e r en t is e cono m ic r e nt ; t h e landlord can not

rai s e i t nor t h e t enant lowe r it ; i t is fix e d naturall y by th e
di ffere nc e b e tw ee n t h e f e rtility o f th e land for whi ch it is paid
and that o f t h e wor s t lan d i n t h e coun tr y C o mpar ed with t h e .

worl d as we know i t s uc h a s tate o f thi ngs is freed o m and hap

,

p m es s .
TH E P R O L E TA R I A T .

But at thi s p o i nt th e r e app ears i n t h e lan d a man in a

s trang e plight — o ne w h o wand e r s fro m s now lin e t o s e a coa s t

in s earch of land and find non e that is not th e prop erty o f

,
s

so m e o ne e l s e P rivat e prop e rty ha d forgot t e n thi s m an

. On .

t h e road s h e is a vagrant ; off th e m h e is a tr es pa s s e r ; h e is

t h e fir s t di s inh e ri t e d s o n o f Adam t h e fir s t prol e tarian o ne in , ,

who s e s ee d all th e ge n e ration s o f th e e arth s hall ye t b e bl es t ,

but who is hi ms elf for t h e pre s ent foodl e ss h o m e l es s shi ftl e s s , , ,

s up e rfluou s an d e v e r thi ng th at turn s a m an i nto a tra m p o a r

, y
thrall Y e t h e is s till a man with bra in and m u s cl e abl e t o d e
. ,

vi s e and e x e cu te abl e to deal pui s san tly with land if h e only

,

could ge t acc es s t o it But h ow t o ge t that acc es s ! N e c es s ity

.

is t h e moth e r o f I nv ention I t m ay b e that thi s s e cond Ada m

. ,

th e first f ath er o f th e gr e at p rol e t ar iat h as o ne o f th o s e scarc e ,

 EC ON OM I C . 7
—
b rain wh ich a e no t
s r l e as t of N ature s capric i ou s gifts I f
th e
’
.

t h e f e rtil e fi e ld yi e ld s r e nt wh y not t h e f e rtile brain ?

, H ere is
th e firs t Ad a m s p atc h s t ill y i e l ding it a ye ar to t h e
’
s

labor o f t h e tenant w h o as we h av e s ee n h a to p ay £9 00
, ,
s

away in r ent . How if th e prol e tarian w ere boldly t o bid

a y ear to th at m an for t h e prop erty ? Appare ntly t h e
r es ult would b e t h e s tarv ation of t h e p rol e tarian s inc e he ,

woul d h ave to part wit h all t h e p roduc e But what if t h e .

prol e tarian can contrive — inv e n t — anticipate a ne w want

turn t h e land to s o me hith e rto u nd e am t o f u s e — wres t r r

a y ear fro m t h e soil and site that onl y yi eld e d b e for e ?

I f h e can do thi s h e can p ay t h e full
, r e n t and h av e an ,

inco me o f £5 0 0 l e f t for h i m elf Thi s is h is pro fit t h e r e n t

s .

of h is ability t h e e xc es s o f i ts produc e ov e r that o f ordinary

-

s tupidity . H e r e th en is t h e O p p ortunity o f t h e cunning p rol e

tarian t h e h ero o f that mode rn P lu tarch Mr S a m uel S m il es
, , . .

T ruly as N apol e o n s aid t h e car ee r is Op e n t o t h e tal en ted

, , .

B u t alas ! t h e social qu es ti on i s no mor e a qu es tion of t h e fat e

o f t h e tal e nt ed than o f t h e i diotic I n d u e r epl eni s h m ent o f t h e
.

e ar t h th e r e co me s anot h e r prol e taria n who i s no cl e v e r e r than

oth e r men and can do as m uch but not more than th ey For
, , .

him th e r e is no r ent o f ability H o w th e n is h e to ge t a t enant

.

right ? L e t u s s ee I t is c erta i n that b y th i s ti me not only

.

will t h e new d evic es o f t h e re nte r of abili ty h av e b ee n copi e d

b y p e opl e incapabl e of i nv e nting th e m ; but di vi s ion of labor ,

t h e u s e of t ool s and m on ey and t h e e cono mi es of ci v ilizatio n

,

will have gre atly i ncreas e d m an s pow e r o f e xtract ing w eal t h

’

fro m N ature All thi s incre a s e will b e so m uch gain to t h e

.

holde r of a te nant righ t s inc e h is r ent is a fix e d payment o u t

,

o f t h e produc e of his h olding and t h e balanc e is h i own

, s .

T he re for e an addition to t h e produc e no t for e ee n by t h e land s

lord e nrich e s t h e t enant S o that i t may w ell b e that t h e

.

produc e O f land on t h e m argin O f cultivatio n which as w e h ave , ,

s een fix e s t h e produc e l e ft to t h e cultivator s throu hout t h e
,
g
whol e area may ri se con s ide rably S uppo s e t h e yi eld to hav e
, .

double d ; th e n our old fri ends wh o paid £9 0 0 re nt and k ep t ,

£ 1 0 0 for th e m s e lv e s hav e now th ou h th e
,
g y s till pay £9 0 0
,
r ent , for th emselve s t h e total produc e h aving ri se n to
,

N o w h e re is an opportunity for u r prol e tarian w h o o

1 8 not cl e v e r . H e can v e r y w ll offe r to cultivat e t h e land
e

subj e ct to a p aym ent of for ins tanc e , a y ear l eav ing

, ,
8 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

him elf
s a y ear This will enabl e the last hol de r of t he
£4 0 0 .

t e nant r i gh t to r e tir e as an i dle ge ntl e m an r ec e iv ing a ne t in

co me o f £7 0 0 a y e ar and a gro s s inco me o f , ou t of
whic h h e p ays £9 0 0 a ye ar r ent to a landlord wh o again pay s
t o t h e h e ad landlord £5 0 0 But it is to b e marked that thi s
.
'

£7 0 0 a y e ar ne t is no t e cono mi c r e nt I t is not t h e diff e r e nc e .

be twee n t h e bes t and t h e wors t land I t has no thing t o do .

with t h e margin o f cultivation I t is a payment for t h e privi .

l eg e o f u s ing lan d at all — for acc es s to that w h ic h is now a

clo s e monopoly ; and its a moun t is re gulate d not by wh at t h e ,

pur ch a s e r coul d do for h i ms elf o n land of h is o wn at t h e mar

gi n but s i mply by t h e l andhold e r s e ag e rn e s s t o b e idle o n t h e
’

o ne h and and t h e prol e tarian s nee d o f sub s is t e nc e o n t h e

’
,

oth er In c u rrent e cono mic te rm s t h e pric e is regula te d by

.

s upply an d d e man d A S t h e d e mand for land in t e n s ifi es b y t h e

.

adv ent o f fr e s h p rol e tarian s t h e p ric e go es up ; and t h e bar

'

gains are made more str inge n t T e nant rig h ts i n s te ad o f .

,

be ing grante d i n p erp e tu i ty and s o s ecuring for e v e r t o t h e

,

tenant t h e i ncrea s e d e t o unfor es ee n i m prov em ents in p roduc

u

tion are gran te d o n l e a ses fo r fin i te te r ms a t t h e e xpiratio n o f

, ,

w hic h t h e lan d lord can r e vi s e t h e te rm s o r ej e c t t h e tenant .

Th e p ay m e n ts r is e until t h e original h e a d r e n t s and qui t r e nts

app e ar in s ignificant in co m pari s on with t h e inco m e s r e ap e d by
t h e i n t e rme dia t e t e nan t righ t h old e rs o r middl e m e n S oon e r o r .

la te r t h e p r i c e o f t e nant right will ri s e s o h i g h that t h e actual

cul tiva t or will g e t no more Of t h e produc e tha n s uffic e s h im for
subs is t enc e At tha t point th ere is an e nd o f sub—
. l e tting te nant
righ ts Th e land s abs orption o f t h e prol e ta rians as tena n t s
.
’

p aying more than t h e e cono m ic r e nt s to p s .

And now wha t is t h e n e x t p rol e tarian t o d o ? For all h is

for e runn er s w e h av e foun d a way o f e s cap e : f or him th er e
s e e m s non e T h e board i s at t h e door in s cribed
. O nly s tand t ,

i ng roo m l eft and i t m ight w ell b ear t h e m ore po e tic l egend ,

L a s za t e og nz sp e a n a v o i h en t a t e T hi s m an born a ’
’ '

c r z c r .
,
,

p rol e tari an mus t d ie a prol e tarian and l eav e h is d es t 1 tu t io n as

, ,

an only i nh eritanc e to h is s o n I t is no t y e t cl e ar that the re is.

t en day s l i fe in him ; for w h enc e is h is s ub s i s te nc e t o co m e i f h e

’

cannot ge t at th e land ? Foo d h e mu s t ha v e and clothing ; ,

and both pro mptly T h er e is food in t h e m ark e t and clothi ng

. ,

al s o ; but not for noth in g : h ard m on ey mu s t b e p aid for i t and ,

paid o n t h e na il t o o ; for h e wh o h as no pro pe rty g et s no

10 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

own nee d s b y h is own labor A man w h o m ak e s his o wn tabl e s

.

and chair s h is o wn pok e r and k e ttl e h is o w n br e ad and butt e r

, , ,

and hi s o wn hou s e and clot h e s is jack o f all tra d es and m a s te r

- - -
,

o f non e .H e find s th at h e would ge t o n m uc h fa s te r if h e

s tuck to m aking tabl e s and chair s and e xc ha ng e d th e m wit h t h e
,

s m ith for a p oker and k e ttl e with bakers and dairym en for
,

bre ad and but te r and w i th builders and ta ilors for a h ou se and

,

cloth e s I n doing thi s h e fi nd s tha t h is tabl es and c h airs are

worth s o much —that the y h av e an e xchange valu e as it is
. ,

call e d A s a m att er o f gen e ral conve nie nc e s o me s uitabl e

.
,

co mmo d ity is se t up t o mea s ure th is v alu e W e s e t u p gold .

, ,

which i n thi s particular u s e o f i t is call e d mon e y Th e chair

, .

make r find s how m uch m on e y his c h airs are worth and e x ,

c h ang e s th e m for it T h e blacks m ith find s o u t h o w much

.

m on e y his pok e r s a e worth and e xchanges th e m for i t

r , T hu s .
,

by e mploying m on e y as a go— be twee n ch ai mak ers can ge t , r

pok ers in e xchange for th eir chairs and black smith s c hairs for ,

th e ir poke rs T hi s is t h e me c h anis m o f e xchange ; and onc e

.

t h e valu es of t h e co mm odit i e s a e a s c e rtain ed i t works s i mpl y

r

e nough . But i t is a m e re mec h an is m and do es not fix t h e ,

v al u es or e xplain them A nd th e at t empt t o di s cover what

.

do es fix th em i s b es e t with appar ent contradictions whic h block

up t h e righ t p ath and with s e ductive C oincidenc es whi c h m ake
,

t h e wrong s e e m t h e m or e pro mi s ing .

T h e appar e nt contradictions soon s h e w th em s el v e s It is .

e vid e nt that t h e e xchang e v alu e o f anythi ng d e p e nds o n its

utility s inc e no m ortal e x e rtion can m ak e a u s el e ss t hing e x

,

c hange abl e A nd y e t fres h air and sunl igh t whic h are s o u s e

.
,

ful as t o b e qui te i ndi s p en s abl e h ave no e xc h ange valu e ;

,

wh il s t a m ete ori c s ton e s hot free o f c h arge fro m th e firmam ent

,

I nto t h e back gard e n has a co ns ide rabl e e xc hange v alue

, ,

although i t is an em in ently d i sp en s abl e cur io s i ty W e soon .

find that t h i s s o m eh o w d ep en ds o n t h e fact th at fr es h air is

pl e nty and me te oric s t on e s s carc e I f by any means th e s upply
.

of fres h a i r cou ld b e s teadily d i min i sh ed and th e s upply of ,

m e te ori c ston es by c el es tial cannonad e or oth erwis e s te a dily

, ,

incre ased t h e fresh air would presently ac quir e an e xchange

,

valu e wh ich woul d grad ually r i s e whilst th e e xc h ange v alu e o f

,

m e te oric s ton e s would gradually fall until at la s t f r e s h air ,

woul d b e suppli ed through a m e t e r and c h arged for lik e gas ,

and me t e ori c s ton e s would b e as u nsal e ab l e as o r d inary p ebbl e s .

 EC ON O M I C . 11

Th e e xch ange v alue , fact d ec rea s es w i th t h e supp ly Thi s

in , .

is d u e t o t h e fact that t h e s upply d e cr eases in utility as i t go es

o n be caus e wh e n p e opl e h av e had s o m e o f a co mm od i ty t h e y
, ,

a e partly sati s fi ed
r and do not valu e t h e r e s t s o much The
, .

us efulnes s o f a pound o f bread to a man d e p end s o n w he ther

h e h as alr e ady e a t e n s o me E v e ry m an wan ts a c e rta in n u m
.

b e r o f poun ds o f br e ad p er w ee k no m an want s m uc h mor e

and if m or e is off e r e d h e will n o t giv e m uc h for it —
,

p erh ap s
no t anythi ng O ne u mbr ella is v e ry u s eful a s econd u mbr e lla
.

is a luxury : a thi rd 1 s me r e lu mb e r S i mi larly t h e curator s of

.
,

our mu s e u ms wan t a mod e rate coll e ction o f me te oric s ton es ;

but th ey do no t wan t a cartload api ec e o f th e m N o w t h e e x .

change v alu e is fix ed by t h e util i ty not o f t h e m o s t u s eful but

, ,

of t h e l e a s t u s eful par t of th e s tock Wh y thi s is s o can

.

r ead ily b e mad e obvio u s by an illu s trati on I f t h e s tock of .

u mbr e lla s i n t h e m ark e t w e r e s uffici entl

y larg e to provid e t wo
for e ach u mbre lla carri e r in t h e co mmun ity th en s inc e a s econd , ,

umbre lla is not s o u ef u l as th e firs t t h e doctrinaire cours e

s ,

would b e t o tick e t h alf th e u mbrella s at s ay fifte e n S hill ings

, , ,

and th e oth e r h alf a t e ight and S ix p enc e Unfortunate ly no .

,

man will giv e fif t e e n s h illings for an articl e w h ic h h e can ge t

for e i ght and S ixp enc e ; and wh e n t h e public ca me to b u y th ey ,

wo uld buy u p all t h e e ight and s ixp enn y u mbrella s E ac h pe r .

s o n b e ing t h u s suppli e d with an u mbr ella t h e r e m aind e r o f t h e

,

s t ock though m ark e d fif t e e n s hillin s would b e in t h e po s ition

, g ,

of s e con d u m brella s only worth e igh t and S ixp enc e T hi s is

, .

h ow t h e exchange value o f t h e l ea s t u s eful part of th e s upply

fix es t h e exchan ge valu e of all th e r e s t Te chn icall y i t occurs
.
,

by t h e law of indiffe r e nc e A n d s inc e t h e l e a s t u s eful

.

unit o f t h e s upply is ge n erally th at whic h is la s t p roduc ed it s ,

utility i s call ed t h e final utility of t h e co mmodi ty T h e utility .

of th e firs t o r mo s t u s eful uni t is call e d t h e to tal utility of t h e

co mm odity I f there w e re b t o ne u mbrell a in t h e world t h e
. u ,

e xc h a n e valu e o f its to t al utility wo ul d b e what t h e m o s t d e li

g
ca te p e rs o n would pay for it on a v e ry w e t d ay s oo ne r than go
without it But practicall y thanks to t h e law o f indi ffe re nc e
.
, ,

th e mo s t d e lica t e p e r s on pa y s no m or e than t h e mo s t robu t s

th at is both pay al ik e t h e e xchang e v alu e of t h e utili ty o f t h e

,

la s t umbre lla produc e d — o r o f t h e final utility of t h e wh ol e

s tock of u mbr ella s Th e s e te rm s — law o f in d iffe r enc e total
ut il i ty and final utility —th ough ad mirably e xpress ive and
.
,

,
12 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

inte lligibl e wh en you know beforehan d e xactly w h at th ey mean ,

a e tak e n by t h em
r , l ve failur s in po int o f lucidity and g
se s, e su

ges t iv e ne ss . S o me econ omis ts ,

tran sferring fro m cultiva
utility our o ld m e ta ph or o f t h e
s p re ading po ol call final utility ,

m arg i nal ut ility E i th er will s e r v e o u r pre s e n t pur p o se as

.
,

I do no t inte n d t o u se th e te rms again Th e main p o in t t o be

'

gras p ed is th at h owe ve r u s eful any c ommodi ty may b e it s ex

, ,

change v alue can b e run down t o nothi ng by increa sing t h e

s upply until th e r e i s m or e o f it tha n i s wanted T h e e xc e ss .
,

b e ing u s e l ess and valuel e ss 1 8 t o b e h ad fo r n oth in g ; and no

,

body will pay an ything for a co mm odi ty as long as p l enty o f it

is t o b e h ad fo r noth ing Thi s is wh y air and oth e r ind is
.

pe n s abl e th ings h ave no e xch ange v alue wh il s t s carc e gewgaws ,

f e tch imme n s e pric es .

T h e s e th e n are t h e con d ition s w hi c h confron t m an as a pro

, ,

d u cer and e xchang e r I f h e produc e s a us e l e ss thing h is labor

.
,

w ill b e w h olly in v a in : h e will ge t n othin g for it I f h e p ro .

duc e s a u se ful th ing t h e pric e h e will ge t fo it will depe nd o n

,
r

h ow muc h o f i t th ere is for sal e already I f h e incr ea se s th e .

s upply by pr o ducing mor e t h an is suffici ent t o r e plac e t h e cur

r en t co ns u m mio n h e in evitably low e rs t h e valu e of the w h ol e

, .

I t th e re for e b e h oov es h im to b e wary in choo s i ng h is occupa

tion as w e ll as i nd u s triou s i n pur s uing it H is choic e will
,
.

naturally fall o n t h e production o f tho s e co mmo d iti es who s e

valu e s tands h igh e s t r elativ ely t o th e labor re quir ed t o prod uc e
th em — w h ic h fe t ch t h e h igh e s t pric e i n proportion t o th e ir cost ,

in fact . S uppo s e for e xa mpl e that a m ak e r o f mu s ical ins t ru

, ,

ment s found that it co s t him e xactly as m uch to m ak e a h arp as

to mak e a pianofor te but t h at harp s w e r e goi ng out o f fa sh ion
,

and pianofort es co m ing in S oon th ere w o uld b e more h arps

.

than w e re wante d and fe we r piano forte s : con se qu ently th e

,

value o f h arp s woul d fall and th at o f p ianofort es ri se S inc e

,
.

t h e labor co s t o f bo th would b e t h e s a me h e would i mme diate ly ,

d evote all h is labor to pianoforte making ; and oth e r m anuf ac - ~

t u re rs would d o t h e s a me until t h e incr e a se O f s upply brough t

,

down t h e valu e of pianofor te s t o t h e value o f h arp s P o s sibly .

fa shi on t h en m ight v ee r fro m p i anofortes t o Am erican organ s ,

in whic h ca s e h e would make l es s pianofor te s and m ore A me ri

can organs Wh e n the se t o o h ad incre ased s uffici entl y the
.
, , ,

e x e rtion s o f t h e S al v ation Ar my m ight cr e ate s uch a d em an d

for ta mbo ur ine s as to make t h em worth four ti mes t h e ir co s t o f

 E C O N OM I C . 13

producti on wh ereup on th ere woul d instantly b e a furi ous con

,

c entration of t h e in s trume nt m aking en ergy on th e man uf acture

-

of ta mbourin es ; and thi s conc entration wo ld las t u n til t h e u

s upply had brought down t h e p o fit t o l es s t h an m ight b e

1
r

gain e d b y gratifying t h e public cravi ng for tro mbon e s At la s t .

,

as pianofort e s w e r e c h e ap e ne d until th ey w e r e no mor e p ro fit

abl e than harp s ; th en American organ s until th ey w ere no

mor e profi t abl e th an piano s ; and th e n ta m bourin es unt il th ey
we r e l ev el with A m e rican organs s o e v entuall y tro mbon es will
pay no b e t te r than tambour in es ; and a g en e ral l ev el o f profi t
will b e attain e d i ndicating th e proportion in w h ich t h e ins t ru
,

m ent are wante d by t h e public

s But to ski m o ff e v e n thi s
.

l ev el of profit more of t h e in s tru me nts m ay b e produce d i n t h e

,

a s c ertain e d proportion until th eir pric es fall to th e ir co s ts o f

production wh e n th e re will b e no profit Here t h e p roduction
,
.

will b e d e ci s ivel y ch ecked sinc e a f u rth e r s upply would caus e

,

only a lo ss ; and me n can lo s e mon ey with out t h e troubl e o f ,

producing co mmodi t ies b y th e s i mpl e proc ess of th row i ng i t o u t

,

o f a window .

What occurred with t h e mu s ical i n s truments in th i s illustra

tion occurs in practic e with t h e whol e m a s s o f manufacture d
commoditi e s Tho s e w h ich a e s carc e and th erefor e re latively
. r ,

high in value tempt u s to produc e them un til t h e i ncrea se o f

,

t h e s uppl y r e duc es th e ir valu e to a point at which th e r e is

no more profit to b e made ou t of th e m than o u t o f othe r
co mmo d iti es Th e gen eral l e ve l of p rofit thu s attain ed is
.

furthe r e xploite d until t h e gen eral incr eas e brings down t h e

ric e of all co m modi t i es to th e ir co s t of production t h e equ iv w
p
,

e nt of w h ic h is s o m e ti m e s call e d th e ir norm al valu e A nd .

h ere a glanc e back to our analy s i s of t h e s pread of cultivati on ,

and it s res ult in t h e p h enom enon of ren t s ugge s ts t h e qu es tion

,

What do es t h e co s t of production of a co mmodity m ean ? W e

hav e s ee n that owing to t h e d ifiere nces in fe rtility and ad v an
,

tage o f s itu ation b e twee n o ne pi e c e of land and a noth er co s t o f ,

production vari es fro m di s trict to di s trict be ing h igh es t at t h e ,

margin of cultivatio n But we hav e al s o s een how t he lan dlord

.

s ki ms o fi as e cono mic r e nt all t h e advan tage s

g ain e d by t h e cul
t iv a t o rs of s up erior s oil s and s ites C on s e qu ently t h e addition
.
,

o f t h e landlord s r en t to t h e e x p e n se s of pro d uction b r ings th em

’

1 Profit i h r u d ollo qu ially t d enote t h e exce s of t h e value

s e e se c o s
of an art icl ov r it co t
e e s s .
14 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

u p e v en o n th e be s t land t o th e l eve l o f th os e incurr ed o n th e

wors t C o s t o f prod u ction th en me an s co s t o f p roductio n on
.
, ,

t h e margin o f culti v ation and i s e qual i z ed t o all p roduc e rs

, ,

S inc e wha t t h e y ma
y sav e i n labo r p e r co mm o d ity i s coun te r
balanc ed b y t h e gre ate r ma ss o f co mm od i ti es th e y m us t p roduc e
in ord e r t o b ring i n t h e r e n t It is only b y a thoro u g h gras p o f
.

this l e v elling down action that w e can d e tect t h e tr i ck b y whi c h

-

t h e ordinary e cono m i s t tri es t o ch e at u s i n to acc e pting t h e

p rivate pro p erty sys tem as practically jus t H e firs t sh e ws th at .

e cono mic r e nt do e s no t e nt e r into co s t o f product i o n o n t h e

m argin o f culti v ation T h e n h e s h e w s t h at t h e co s t o f p ro d uc

.

tion o n t h e m argin of cultivation d e te rmi n es t h e p ric e o f a co m

m o d ity T h e r efor e h e argu es fir s t that r en t do es not e nt e r
.
, , ,

into p ric e ; and s e co nd tha t t h e v alu e o f co m moditi es is fix e d

,

by th e ir cost o f production th e i m plication b eing that t h e lan d

,

lord s co s t t h e co mm unity not h ing and t h a t co mm odities e x ,

change in e xact proportion t o t h e labor th e y co s t T his triv ially .

ingenio u s way of b ei ng d isengenu o u s is officially taugh t as p oliti

cal economy in o u r school s t o t his d ay It will b e s e e n at onc e .

th at it i s mere th i mbl e rig S o far fro m co mmoditie s ex ch ang

.

ing o r te nding t o e xchange according to t h e labor e xp ende d in

, ,

th e ir p roduction co mmod iti es produc ed w ell with in t h e m argin

,

o f cult i vation will f e t c h as h ig h a p ric e as co mmoditi e s produc e d

at t h e margin with muc h greate r labor S o far fro m t h e land .

lord co s ting nothing h e co s ts all th e d ifierence b e tw een t h e two

,
.

T hi s h ow e v e r 1 s no t t h e goal o f o u r analy s is o f v alu e

, ,
We .

no w s e e h o w Man s control ov e r t h e v al u e o f co mm o di tie s con

’

s i s t s sol ely in his p ow e r o f r e g u lat ing t h e ir supply I ndivid u al s .

are con s tantly trying t o d e cr e a s e s upply f o r th e i r o w n ad v an

tag e Gigantic con s piraci es h av e be e n e ntered into t o for es tall

.

t h e world s wh e at and cot t on h ar v e s ts so as t o forc e th e ir v alu e

’

to th e h ighe s t po s s i bl e poin t C argo es o f E ast Indian spic es

.

ha v e b ee n d es troy ed by th e D utc h as cargo es o f fish are now

d es troy ed i n t h e T ha mes t o ma intain p r ic es by li miting s u p ply
,
.

All rings tru s ts corn ers co mbination s m onopoli es and t rad e

, , , ,

s e cr e t s hav e t h e sa m e obj e ct P roduction and t h e d ev elo p m e nt

.

o f t h e s ocial ins tinc t s are al ik e h ind e r e d by e ac h man s co n

’

sc io u s ne s s th at t h e m or e h e stints t h e co m m unity th e m or e h e

benefi ts hi mse lf t h e j us tification o f co u rs e b e ing th at wh en

, , ,

e v e ry man h as be n e fi t e d h i ms elf at t h e e xp e n s e o f t h e c o m

muni ty th e co mm unity w i ll b en efit by ev e ry man i n it b e ing

,
 EC O N OM I C . 15

benefited Fro m one thi ng t he co mmun i ty is s afe Th ere will

. .

b e no pe rm an e nt con s piraci e s to reduc e v alu e s by incr e a s ing

s upply . All men will c e as e producing wh e n t h e value of th e ir .

product fall s belo w it s co s t o f production wh e th er in labor o r ,

in labor p lu s re nt N o man wi ll kee p on produc ing bread u ntil

.

i t will fe t ch noth ing lik e t h e s unlight o r until it b eco mes a

, ,

nui s anc e lik e th e ra in in t he s u mme r o f 1 88 8 S o far o u r

,
.
,

m inds are at ea s e as t o t h e e xc es s ive increas e o f co mmo d i ti e s

voluntar ily p rod uc ed by th e labor of man .

WA G E S .

I now ask you to pick up th e dro pp ed subj ect o f t h e s p r ead

of cultivation W e h ad got as far as t h e app e aranc e in t h e
.

m ark e t of a ne w co m modity — o f t h e prol e tarian m an co m p e ll e d

t o liv e by t h e s al e o f hi ms elf ! I n ord e r t o re aliz e at onc e t h e
la ten t horror o f thi s you hav e only to apply o u r inv e s tigation
,

of value wit h its in evitabl e law that onl y by r es tricti ng t h e

,

s upply of a co mm odi ty can it s valu e b e k e p t fro m d e s c e ndi ng

fina lly to z ero The co mmodity which t h e prol e tarian s e ll s is

.

o ne ov e r t h e production of which h e h as practically no control .

H e is hims e lf driv e n to produc e i t by an i rr e s i s tibl e i mpul se .

I t was t h e incr e a s e o f population that s pr ead cultivation and

civilization fro m t h e c entre to t h e snowlin e and at la s t forc ed ,

m en t o s e ll th em se lves to t h e lord s o f t h e s oil : it is t h e s a m e

forc e that continue s t o multiply me n s o that th e ir ex c h ang e
fall s s lowly and s ur ely un til it d isapp ears altoge th e r — u ntil
e v e n black chatt e l s lav e s are r e l e a s e d as no t worth kee pi ng in a

land wh e re me n o f all colors a e to b e h ad fo r nothi ng Th is

r .

is t h e condition o f o u r E ngli s h labo r e r s tod a y th ey are no :

longe r e ven dirt ch eap th ey are v alue l es s and can b e had for
: ,

nothing Th e proof is t h e e xi s te nc e o f t h e u n employ ed wh o

.
,

can find no purcha se rs By t h e law o f i ndiffe re nc e nobo d y

.
,

will buy men at a pri c e wh en he can ob t ain equally s e rvic e abl e

m e n for noth ing What th en is t h e explanation of t h e w ages
.
, ,

giv en to tho se wh o are in e mploy ment and w h o c er tainly d o ,

not work for nothing ? Th e m at t e r is d eplorably s i mpl e S u p .

po se th at hors es m ulti pl ied in E nglan d in s uch quantiti es that

they w er e to b e had for th e a sking lik e kittens co nd emn ed to,

t h e buck e t You would s till h av e t o fe ed your h ors e — fe ed

.

h im and lodge him w ell if you us ed h im as a s mart h unt er

16 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

fe e d h im and l od ge h im wre tch edl y if you u sed h im only as a

drudg e But t h e cost o f k eepi ng would not mean that t h e
.

h ors e had an e xc hange v alu e I f y o u got hi m for nothing in .

t h e fir s t in s tanc e — if no o ne would giv e y o u a nyth ing for h im

w hen you w e re d on e with h im h e would b e worth nothing in , ,

s p i t e o f t h e co s t o f his k e e p T hat is ju s t t h e ca s e o f ev e r y
.

mem b e r o f t h e prol e tariat w h o could b e r e plac ed by o ne o f t h e

un e m ploy e d to day T h e ir wage is not t h e pric e o f th ems elv es ;
- .

for th e y are wor t h nothing it is o nly th e ir kee p F o r bare : .

s ub s i s t e nc e wag e s
y o u can ge t as m uch co mm on labor as y o u
want and do what you pl ea se with it within t h e li m its o f a
,

cri m inal cod e which is s ure to b e in te rpr e te d by a propri e tary

cla ss judge in your favor I f you have to giv e your foot m an a .

b e t te r a llowanc e than y our wr e tch ed h e w e r o f m atch wood i t is ,

fo r t h e s a m e r e a s on that you hav e to giv e your hunt e r b eans

and a cl ean stall inst ead of c h op p ed s traw and a st y 1 .

C A P I TA L I S M .

At thi s stage the acquis i ti o n of labo r b ec omes a mer e ques

ti on o f provende r If a railway is r e quir ed all th at is n ec es s ary
.
,

is t o pro v id e sub s i s t e nc e for a s uffici e nt num b e r o f labo r e rs t o

con s truct it I f for e xamp l e t h e railway requires t h e labor
.
, ,

o f a thous an d m en for fiv e y e ar s th e co s t t o t h e p ropr i e t or s o f ,

t h e s i t e is t h e s ub s i s te nc e o f a thou s an d men for fiv e y e ar s .

This s ub s i s te nc e is te c h nically call e d capi t al I t i s provi d e d f o . r

by t h e p roprie tors not con s uming t h e w h ol e e xc es s ove r wage s

o f t h e p r od uc e of t h e labor o f th e ir ot h e r wag e work e r s but ,

s e tting a s i d e e nough for t h e s ub s i s t e nc e o f t h e railwa y m ak e r s .

I n thi s way capital can clai m to b e t h e r es u l t o f s avi ng o as ,

r,

o ne inge nio s a p ologi s t n e atly put it t h e r e ward o f ab s tin e nc e

u , ,

a gl e am o f h u mor w h ich sti ll enliven s tre atis es o n capital .

Th e s av e r s it n ee d h ardly b e s aid a e t h o s e w h o h av e m or e
'

,
r
,

m on ey th a n th e y want t o s p end : t h e ab s ta ine r s are tho s e w h o

h av e l ess At t h e end of t h e fiv e y ears t h e co mp le ted railway
. ,

1 Wh n e con d ition f arnin g a wag i t h k p in g p f

o ne o f th e s o e e s e ee u o
a c rtain tat ub i t enc w ag m y r ach a fig r t which t h
e s e, s s s e es a e u e o e

t rm m lu d icrou ly inapp rop riat F

e s ee s xamp l a f hi onab l
s e. or e e, as e

hy i i n in
s c aL on d on cannot av t f a y ar ; nd t h p o t f
s e ou o e a e s o

d L i ut nant f I r lan d can o nly b

r e e fil l d b y a m n wh b m g
o e e e a o r s

consid rab l privat e means t o t h e aid of hl s offic

e e salary o f
18 TH E BAS I S or S OC I A L I S M .

you d egrad e th e work er s ro bbi ng th em o f all art isti c enj oy

,

ment and all c h anc e o f r e s p e ct and ad miration fr o m the ir

,

fe llows t h e more you t hrow th em back reckles s o n th e o ne

, , ,
p le a s ure and t h e one h uman t ie l eft to th em — t h e gratification
o f th e ir ins t inct fo r p rod ucing fr e s h su ppli e s o f me n Y o u will .

applau d t h is ins tinct as divin e until at l as t t h e e xc es s iv e sup ply

beco m e s a nui s anc e : th e re co mes a p lagu e o f men ; and y o u
s udd enl y d i s co v e r that t h e instin ct is d iabolic and se t up a cry ,

of ov e r po p ulati on ”
. But your sla ve s are beyond car ing fo r
your cri e s ; th ey b reed like rabbits ; and th e ir po v e rty breed s
filth ugl ines s d ishon es ty dise a s e obs c e nity drunk enn es s and
, , , , , ,

m urd e r . I n th e m id s t o f th e ric h e s whic h th e ir labo r p il es up

for y o u th e i r m i se ry r is es u p to o and s tifl es you Y o u with
,
.

dra w in di s gu s t t o t h e o th er e nd of th e town from th em ; y ou

appo in t s p e c ial carriages o n your ra ilway s and s p e c i al s e a t s in

your churc h e s and th e atr es fo r th em ; you s e t your l ife apart

fro m th e irs by e v ery cla s s barr i e r you can d e v i s e ; and ye t th ey
s war m abou t
yo u s till : your fac e ge ts sta mp e d with your
h abitual loat h ing and sus p icion of t h em ; your e ars get s o filled
with th e language o f th e v il es t o f t h em th at yo u bre ak i nt o i t
w h e n y o u lo s e your s elf control ; th ey poi s on your life as re
-

mo rs ele s s ly as you ha v e sacr ific ed th e ir s h e artl es s ly Y ou .

b egin to b e li ev e inten s ely i n t h e d e vil Th en co me s th e te rror

.

Of th e ir r ev olting t h e drilli ng and arm ing o f bodi es o f th em to

kee p down t h e r es t ; t h e pri s on t h e ho s pital paroxys ms o f
, ,

frantic co ercion followe d by paroxy sm s o f franti c c hari ty

, .

A nd in t h e m ean tim e t he p o p ulatio n co nti nu e s t o i ncre a s e !

,

I LLTH
It is s o me times s ad th at d uring th is grote squ ely hid eous
marc h o f ci vilizati on fro m b ad t o wors e w ealth is incr e asing,

S id e b y s id e wit h m i s e ry S uc h a thing is e t e rnally i m pos s i b l e ;

.

w e alth is st e ad ily d ecreas ing with th e S pre ad

rich es are incre as ing whi c h is quite anoth e r
,

o f t h e e xchang e v alu e s produc e d in t h e country a nnually is

m ounting p e rhap s by l e ap s and bound s But t h e accu m ulation

.

o f rich es and con se qu e ntly o f an e xc es si ve purc h a s ing pow e r

, ,

i n th e h ands o f a cl as s s oon satiates th at cla s s with s ocially

,

u s e fu l weal th and se ts th em o ff e ring a p ric e for luxuri es Th e

,
.

m o ment a p ri c e is t o b e h ad for a luxury i t acq u ir e s e xc h ang e

,
 E C O N OM I C . 19

v alue and labor is employ ed to p rod uc e it A N ew York lady

,
. ,

for ins tanc e h aving a nature o f e xquis ite s en sibility ord ers an
, ,

el egan t ro s e wo od and s ilve r coffin uphol s te r e d in pink s atin , ,

for h e r d e ad dog I t is mad e ; and m e anwhil e a liv e child is

.

p rowling barefoo ted and h unge r s tu n te d in t h e froz en gutte r

-

outs id e T h e e xchange valu e of t h e coffin i s counte d as part

.
-

o f t h e national w e alth ; but a nation whic h canno t afford food

and clothing for i ts child re n cannot b e allow ed to p a s s as
we althy becau s e it h as p rovid ed a p r e tty co ffin for a d e ad d o g .

E xchange valu e i t s e lf in fact h as b e co me b ed e ville d lik e

, ,

e v e ryth ing e l s e and r e pr e s ents no long e r utility but t h e c av

, , , r

ings of l u s t folly vanity gluttony and madn e ss t echnicall y

, , , , ,

de s crib ed by gen t e el e cono mis ts as e ff e ctive d em and .

L uxuri e s are not s ocial w ealth ; t h e mac h in e ry f o r p roducing

t h e m is no t s ocial w e alth ; labor S kill e d only t o manufactur e
th em is not soc i a lly us eful labor ; t h e men wo men and c h ildren , ,

wh o mak e a living b y p roducing th em are no mor e s elf s upport -

ing than t h e idl e ric h for w h o s e a m u s eme nt th e y a e k ept at r

work It is t h e h abit o f counting as w ealth t h e e xch ange values

.

involved in th ese tran s action s that mak es us fancy that th e p oor

are s tarving in t h e mid s t o f pl e nty T h ey are s tarv i ng in t h e
.

mid s t o f pl e nty o f j e w el s v elv e ts lac es e quipag e s and rac e

, , , ,

hors es ; but no t i n t h e m id s t o f p l enty o f food In t h e things .

th at are wante d for th e w e lfare o f t h e p eopl e w e a e abj e ctly r

poor ; and E ngland s social p olicy t o d ay may b e lik e n ed to

’

t h e do me s tic policy o f th o s e adv entur e s s es w h o l eav e th e ir

c hildre n half clo t h ed and h alf fe d i n order t o k e ep a carriage
- -

and d e al with a fas hionabl e dres s mak e r B u t it is quite tru e .

that whil s t w e alth and welf are are d e crea s ing p roductiv e power ,

is incr e asing ; and nothi ng but th e p e rv e r s ion o f this p ow e r t o

t h e pr od uction o f s ocially u s el e ss co mm oditi e s p r e v e nts t h e
apparent w e alth fro m b ecom ing r eal T h e pur cha s ing p owe r .

th at co mmands luxuri e s in th e h ands o f t h e rich would co m ,

man d tru e w e alth in th e h an d s o f all Y e t p rivate p rop e rty .

mu s t sti ll h eap t h e p urc ha s ing p ow e r upo n t h e f e w ric h and

withdraw i t fro m t h e many p oor S o that i n t h e e nd t h e sub
.

jec t of t h e o ne boa s t that priva“te prop e rty can m ak e — t h e

, ,

great accumulation of s o call ed we alth w h ic h i t po in ts so

-
”

prou dly t o as th e r es ult o f its powe r to s courge m en and women

daily t o prolonged and inten s e toil turn s o t to b e a si m ulacru m
, u .

Wi th all its e n ergy its S miles ian “ s elf h elp its merc h ant
,
-
”
,
20 TH E B AS I S O F S OC I A L I S M .

pri nc ely ente rp r i s e i ts fe roc i ou s sw eating and s lave d riving it s

,
-
,

prodigality o f blood s w eat and tears what h as it h e ap ed up

, , ,

ove r and above t h e pittanc e o f its s lav e s ? O nly a mon s trou s

pil e o f fripp ery s o me tain ted cla s s literature and clas s art and
, ,

no t a l i ttl e p o i s on and misc hi e f

T hi th n
s, e , cono mic analys i s whic h convi cts P r ivat e
is t h e e
’

P rop e rty o f b e ing unju s t e v e n fro m t h e b eginning and ut t e rly ,

i mp ossibl e as a final s olution o f e ve n t h e indi v iduali s t a sp e ct

o f t h e p robl em o f adju s ting t h e s har e o f t h e work e r in t h e

di s tribution o f w e alth to t h e labor incurr ed b y h im in i ts

production All attempts y e t m ade t o co ns truct tru e soci e ti e s
.

upon i t h av e fail e d ; t h e n ear es t th ings to s oci eti e s s o achiev e d

h av e b ee n civilization s whic h h av e rot ted i nto c e ntr e s o f vic e
,

and l u xury an d e v e ntually b e e n sw e pt away by u nciviliz e d

,

rac es That o u r o wn civilizatio n i s alre ady in an advanc e d

.

stage o f rottenn ess may b e tak en as s tati s tically p rov ed Tha t .

furthe r d e cay ins tead o f i mprov eme nt m u s t e n s u e if t h e ins tit u

tio n o f p rivate prop erty b e m aintain ed is e co no mically c ertain , .

Fortunatel y private pro p e rty in it s i ntegrity is no t no w p rac

,

t icab le . Althoug h t h e safe ty valve o f e m igratio n h as b e en

-

furiou sly at work during this c entu ry y e t t h e pr es s ure o f pO pu ,

lation h as forc e d u s to b egin t h e r es titution t o t h e p e opl e o f

t h e s u ms tak e n fro m th e m for t h e ground lan d lord s h old e rs o f ,

te nant righ t and cap i t ali s ts b y t h e i mpo si ti on o f an inco m e

, ,

tax and by co m p elling th e m t o e s tabli s h o u t o f th e ir r ev enu e s

,

a national s y s te m o f e ducation b e s id e s im pos ing r es triction s

,

as
y e t only o f t h e forcibl e f ee bl e s ort
— o n th e ir te rribl e p ow e r
-

o f abu s ing t h e wage contrac t T h e s e h ow ev e r are d e alt with

.
, ,

b y M r S idn ey W ebb in t h e his tori c e s s ay w h ic h follows I

. .

s houl d not touc h u p on t h e m at all w e r e it not that e xp e ri e nc e

,

h as lat e ly convinc ed all e cono m i s t s that no e x erci s e in ab s trac t

e cono m ic s h ow e v e r clos ely d e duc e d i s t o b e tru s t e d unl es s it
, ,

can b e e x p e ri me ntally v e rifi e d b y traci ng i ts e xpr es s ion in

his tory It i s tru e that t h e proc ess w hic h I h a v e p res en ted as
.

a d ir e c t d e v elo p m e n t o f privat e p rop e rty b e tw ee n fr ee e x

c h angers h ad to work i ts e lf o u t i n t h e O ld World indir ectly
a nd t ortuous ly through a struggl e with political and r eligiou s
ins t i tutions and sur vivals qui t e an ta g oni s tic t o i t It is tru e .

t h at c u l tivation did not b e gin in W es t e rn E urop e w i t h t h e

s olitary em igrant p e emp ting h is p rivate p rop e rty b u t w i th
r -
,
 EC ON O M I C . 21

th e tribal co mmu n es i n whic h aro se su b s equ ently t h e as s ertion

o f t h e right o f t h e individ u al to privat e judgmen t and pr i vat e

action again t t h e tyr anny o f p ri mitiv e soci e ty It is tru e that

s .

cultivation h as not proc eeded by logical s te p s f ro m goo d lan d

t o l e s s goo d ; fro m l e s s goo d t o bad ; and fro m bad to wor s e
t h e e xploration o f ne w countr i es and ne w r e gion s and t h e d is ,

co ve y o f ne w u s es for o ld pr od uc ts h as oft e n m ad e t h e margin

r ,

of c u lt i vation m ore fruitful th an t h e c en tre and for t h e , ,

m o me nt (whil s t t h e c entr e w as s hifting t o t h e margin ) turn e d ,

th e w h ol e mov em ent o f r e nt and wag es dir e ctly count er to t h e

e cono m ic th e ory N o r i s i t true that taking t h e world as o ne
.
,

co u ntry cultivation h as ye t S pread fro m t h e snowlin e to t h e

,

wate r s edge Th ere is fre e lan d s till for t h e poor e s t E a s t E nd

’
.

matc h box mak e r if s h e could ge t th e r e r eclai m t h e wild e rn e s s

-
,

th ere s p e ak t h e langu age th e re s tand t h e cli mate th e re and

, , ,

b e fe d cloth ed and h ou s ed th e r e whil s t s h e cl e ar e d h er farm ;

, ,

l earn ed h o w to cultivate it ; and wai ted for th e h arv es t E con .

o mis ts h av e be e n m en O s e noug h t o p rov e th at this alte rna

g I u

tive re ally s e cures h er ind ep end enc e ; but I S h all no t wa s te

ti me in d ealing with that P ractically if th e re is no fr ee land
.
,

in E nglan d t h e e cono m ic anal y s i s hold s g oo d o f E ngland in

, ,

spite o f S ib e ria C entral Africa and t h e Wild Wes t A gain

, ,
.
,

it is not i mmediate ly tru e that men a e gov e rn ed in production r

s ol e ly by a d e t e rm ination t o r e aliz e t h e maxi mu m o f e xc h a ng e

valu e T h e i mpul s e to production of te n tak e s s p ecific dire ction

.

in t h e fir s t in s tanc e ; and a man will i n s i s t o n produci ng

pictures o r plays although h e migh t gai n more mon ey by pro
d u cing boots or bonn e ts But h is s p ecific impul se onc e grati
.
,

fie d h e will mak e as muc h m on ey as h e can

, H e will s e ll his .

picture o play for a h undred poun d s rath er than for fifty In

r .

s hort th ough th e r e is no s uc h p e r s on a s t h e c e l e brat e d

“
, e co

no mic man man be ing wilful rath e r th an rational ye t wh en

, ,

th e w ilful man h as had h is way h e will tak e w h at e l s e h e can

ge t ; and s o h e alway s d o es a p p e ar finally if no t p ri m arily as , ,

t h e e cono m ic man O n t h e whol e h i s tory e v e n in t h e O ld

.
, ,

World go es th e way trac ed by t h e e cono mi s t In th e N ew

,
.

World t h e corre spond enc e is e xact Th e Uni t e d S ta te s and .

t h e C oloni e s h a v e b e e n p eopl e d by fugi tiv e s fro m t h e ful l blown -

individuali sm of Wes te rn E urop e p e e m pting pr ivate prop e rty , r -

pre ci s el y as a s s u me d in th is inv es tigation o f t h e conditio ns of

culti vati o n Th e econo mic r elation s o f th es e c u ltiv ators h ave
.
22 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

no t s i nc e p ut on any o f th e old p ol i ti cal dis gu is es Y e t among .

th e m in confirmation of th e v alidity o f o u r analys i s w e see all

, ,

t h e e vi l s o f o u r old ci vili zations growing up ; and though wit h

th em th e e nd is no t ye t still it is fro m th em t o us that t h e
,

gre at r ec ent revi val o f th e cry for nationalization o f t h e land

h as co me arti cula t ed by a man w h o h ad s ee n t h e w h ol e trage dy
,

of private p rop e rty h urri ed th rough its acts with unp rec ed ented
s pe e d in t h e m u s hroo m citi e s o f Am e rica .

O n S ocial i s m th e analy s i s o f t h e econo mI C acti o n o f Ind i

v id u alis m be ars as a di s cov e ry in t h e private a pp ropr i atio n o f
,

land o f t h e sourc e o f tho s e unjus t p ri vil ege s agains t w h ic h

’

S ociali s m i s a imed It is p ractically a d emonstration that

.

p ublic p rop e rty in lan d is th e ba s ic e cono mi c condition o f S o

ci alis m But thi s do e s not in volve at p res ent a li teral re s to a
. r

tion o f t h e land to t h e p eo p l e Th e land i s at p r es ent in t h e

.

hand s o f t h e p eO ple : its pro p rie tors are for t h e mo s t p art

ab s entee s T h e mod ern form o f p rivate p rop e rty is s i mply a
.

l egal clai m to t ak e a sh are o f th e p roduc e o f th e national indu s

try ye ar by ye ar wi th out working for i t It refe rs to no S p ec ial .

part or form of that produc e ; and in proc es s o f con s u mption its

revenu e cannot b e d is tingui s h ed fro m e arnings so th at t h e ,

majority o f p e r s on s accu s to med to call t h e co mm od i ti e s w hi c h

,

form t h e i nco me o f t h e p ropri e tor his pr iva te prop e rty and ,

s ee ing no di ff e r e nc e b e tw ee n th e m and t h e co mm odi ti e s w hi c h

form t h e i nco me of a work er ex t e nd t h e te rm private p rop e rty

,

to t h e work er s s ub s i s t enc e al s o and can only conc e iv e an attack

’

o n pri v a t e prope rty as an att e mpt t o e mpow e r e v e ry b o d y t o

ro b e v e rybod y e ls e all round But t h e income o f a pr ivate

.

propri e tor can b e di s tingui s h ed by t h e fact th at h e o b ta ins it

u ncon d itionally and gratuito u sly by priva t e r igh t again s t t h e

p ublic wea l wh ic h is i nco mp atibl e with t h e e xi s te nc e o f con

,

s u me rs w h o d o no t pr od uc e S ociali s m involves dis continuanc e

.

o f t h e p ay me nt o f th e s e inco me s and ad d ition o f t h e w e al t h so

,

s av e d t o inco mes d e rived from labor As w e h ave s ee n in .

,

co mes d eri ved fro m priva te pro pe rty con s i s t p artly o f e cono mic
re nt ; p artly o f p en s ion s als o call e d r ent obtain ed by t h e sub
, ,

l e tti ng of te nan t righ t s ; and partly o f a form o f r ent call ed

i n te res t obtain ed by s p ec ial adap tation s o f lan d t o prod uction
,

by t h e application o f capi t al all th es e being finally p ai d o u t o f

:

t h e d i ff e r e nc e be tw e e n t h e produc e of t h e work e r s labor and

’

t h e p ric e o f th at lab or s ol d in t h e o p e n mark e t for wag es s alary , ,

 E C ON OM I C . 23

fees , or Th e whol e , e xc e t e cono m c r ent , c an b e

p ro fit s
1
. p i
add ed dir e ctly t o t h e inco m es o f t h e worke rs by s i mply dis con
tin ning its e x action fro m t h em. E cono mic r ent, aris ing as t i
v
do es fro m ariation s o f fe rtili ty o r ad an tages o f s ituation , m u s t v
h
alway s b e e l d as co mm on o r soc al w e alth , and us ed , as t h e i
re ve nu es rais ed b y taxation are now u s ed , for public pur o se s , p
i
a mong wh ch S ociali s m would m ake national ins uranc e and th e
p rovi s ion o f capi tal m atte rs o f t h e firs t importanc e.
Th e e cono m ic probl em o f S ociali s m is thus sol ed ; and t h e v
p i
olit cal qu es tion o f how t h e econo m ic s olution s to b e prac t i i
cally appli ed do es no t co me within t h e s cop e o f thi s e s s ay .

h
But if we a ve go t as far as an n te llectual convictio n t at t h e i h
i
s ourc e o f o u r s ocial m i s e ry s no e te rnal w e ll s pring o f confu s ion -

i
and e v l , but only an artificial sy s tem s u s c e ptibl e o f al mo s t
infin te m odificat on and r e adjus t me nt — nay, o f ractical d e
i i p
m olition and sub s titution at t h e w ill o f Man , t e n a t e rr bl e h i
i
w eight w ll b e lif t ed fro m th e mind s o f all e xc e pt t o s e who are, h
h h v h
w e t e r a owedly t o t ems e lve s o r not, clingin g t o t h e r ese n t p
s ta t e o f th ings fro m ba s e motiv e s W e av e had n thi s c entury . h i
a s te rn s eri e s o f l es s on s o n t h e folly o f be li ev ng anyt ing for i h
h i
no be tte r r ea s on t an t hat t is l e a san t t o be li e e it . It was p v
ih
pl ea s ant to look round w t a cons ciou s n es s o f o s s e s s ing a p
thous an d a y e ar, and say, wit Bro wning s avid , All s love ; h ’
D ’

p
and all s law ” I t was l e a s an t to b eli e ve t at t h e chanc e w e
’
. h
we re too lazy t o take in thi s world woul d co me back to u s in
h
anot e r It w as pl ea s ant t o beli ev e that a b en evol e n t an d was
. h
guiding t h e s t e p s of soci e ty o ve rruling all evil app earanc e s for
v
goo d ; and making po er ty e r e t h e e arn es t o f a great bl es s edh
ne s s and r e war d h e r e af te r I t was l e a s ant t o lo s e t h e s e ns e
. p
o f worl dly ine quality 1 n t h e con t e m plation o f o u r e qual ty b e i
i
fore Go d But ut ilitar an ques tion i ng and sci entific an s we ring
.

i
turn e d all thi s tranqu l Optim i sm into t h e blackes t e s simism p .

N atur e w as s h e wn to u s as “ re d in toot and cla w : f th e

”
h i
i
guid ing hand w ere nd eed en e ol ent, th en it coul d no t b e o m b v
i
nip o t e nt ; s o that our tru s t n it was brok e n : if i t w e r e o m nipo
te nt, it could not b e b en e vol e nt so that o u r lov e o f it turn ed t o
fe ar and hatred W e ad n e e r ad mitte d t a t t h e oth e r world,
. h v h
h h
w ic w as to co mp e nsate for t h e s orrow s of this , was p e n t o O
1 h x
T is f t h p ro d uct
e ce s s o e of lab or ov r it p ric
e s e is tr at
e e d as a
s in cat gory w ith i m pr i
g le e es s ve e ff t b y Karl M arx
ec ,
wh o c alle d it
“
surp l valus (m h w th) ue e r er .
24 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

h ors es and ap es (th ough w e h ad not o n th at account been any

th m or mercif l to o
e e h or ) ; and now cam S ci nc e t o
u ur ses e e

sh w t h e corn e r o f t h e po inte d ear o f t h h or e o n

e us o wn e s o ur

h ad and pr ent t h e ap e t o us as o blood r lation N o

e s, es ur e .

proof cam e o f t h e e xi t nc e o f th at oth r worl d and th at b enev

s e e

ol nt pow e r t o whic h we h d l eft t h r em dy f t h e atrocio

e a e e o us

wrongs o f t h e p oor ; proof af t r p roo f came that what we c all d e e

N atur e kn w and car ed n m or e about o

e pa ins and pl ea ur e o ur s s

than we know o car e about th e tiny cr ature s we cru h under

r e s

foot as we walk th ough t h fi eld Instead o f at onc e p e eiv

r e s. rc

ing that thi m ant no mor e th an th at N ature wa un m oral and

s e s

indifie ent w e r e la p ed in to a gro

r ,
form f d v il wor h ip and
s ss o e s ,

conc i v d N atur as a r em or l ly mal ignant powe r T his

e e e s e es s .

was no b tt r t han t h e ld O ptimi m and infinit ly gloo mie r

e e o s , e .

It k pt o u r e ye s till h ut t o t h e truth th at th e re i no cruelty

e s s s

and s elfi h n e s o utsid e Man hi m elf ; and th at hi o wn act i v e

s s s s

b n ev ol nc e can comb a t and v anqui h b oth

e e Wh e n t h e s .

S oc ial is t ca m e forwar d as a m elior i t o n t h e e l in e t h o ld s s s, e

school o f p oli tical cono m i t wh o coul d s e e no al te rnati ve t o

e s s,

p r iv a t e prop e rty put forward i n p roof o f t h e po w erl e n o f

, ss es s

be n e vol en t action to arre s t t h e de adly auto m atic prod uction o f

po v erty by t h e i ncre as e o f populati on th e v e ry analys is I h ave ,

ju s t p r e s ented Th e i r conclus ion s e xactl y fitt ed in with t h e

.

ne w id e as It was N a t u r e at i t again t h e s truggl e for e x ist

e nc e —t h e r e mor s el e s s e xtirp ation o f t h e w e ak
.

t h e s ur v i v al
o f t h e fit t e s t —ih s h or t natural s el e cti on at work S o ciali sm
, .

s e e m ed t o o goo d t o b e tru e : i t w as pa s s ed b y as m e r ely t h e o ld

Opti mi sm fooli sh ly running it s h ead aga in s t t h e s ton e wall o f

m od e rn s ci e nc e But S ociali s m no w c hall enges indiv iduali sm
.
,

sc eptic is m p ess i mi sm wors hip o f N ature p e rs onifi e d as a d ev il

, , ,

o n th e i r o w n groun d o f s ci e nc e Th e s ci enc e o f th e production .

and di s tribution o f w e alt h is P olitical E cono my S ociali s m .

app e al s to t ha t s c i enc e and turning o n Individuali sm i ts o wn

, ,

gun s routs i t i n i ncurabl e di s a s ter

, H e nc e forth t h e bitte r .

cynic wh o s till fin d s th e worl d an e ternal and uni mpro v abl e

doghol e wit h t h e placi d pe rs on o f me an s who r e p eats th e
,

famili ar mis quotation “ Th e poor ye s hall h ave alway s with ,

you lo s e th e ir u s ur ped plac e a m o ng t h e cultured and pas s

”
, ,

o ve r t o t h e ranks o f t h e ignoran t t h e sh allow and t h e s up e r , ,

s t it io us A s for t h e r es t o f u s s inc e w e w e r e taugh t to r e v er e

.
,

p ro p ri etary r es pectability in o u r unfortunate chil d h ood and ,

 H I S TO R I C .

BY SI DN E Y WE BB .

TH E DE VE L O PM E N T O F TH E DE M O C R A T I C ID E A L .

IN dis cu s s i ng t h e h i
i s t or c ground w ork o f S oc alis m, t is i i
wort r e me mb ering that no sp e cial clai mis mad e for S ociali sm
h
p
in t h e a s s e rtion that it o s s es s e s a ba s i s n i s tory . Ju s t as i h
e v e ry h
u man b e ing h as an anc e s try , unknow n t o him t oug t h hi
i
may b e ; s o e v e ry d e a , e v e ry incid e nt , e v e ry m ov e men t has n i
t h e pa s t it s o wn long chain o f cau s e s , without whic t could h i
no t hav e b ee n . Forme rly w e w e re glad t o le t t h e d e ad bury
th e ir d e ad : nowadays we turn lovingly t o t h e r e cord s , wh e t e r h
o f p e r s on s o r things and w e b
us y our s e lv e s willin g ly among

origi n s , e ve n without con s cious u t litarian e nd W e are no i .

h
longe r proud o f aving anc e s tors , s inc e e v ery o ne as th em ; h
i
but w e are m ore than e v e r intere s te d n o u r anc es tors , now tha t
i
w e find n th e m t h e frag m en t s w ic h h
co mpo s e o u r e ry s elv es . v
T h e hi s toric anc e s try o f t h e E ngli s h
social organizatio n during
i
t h e pr es e nt c e ntury s tand s w tn e s s to t h e irr es i s tibl e m o mentu m
o f t h e id e as whic h S ociali s m d enot es . T h e r e cord o f t h e cen
h i h b
tury in E ngli s s oc al i s t ory egin s w th t h e trial and op el es s i h
i
failure o f an al mo s t co mpl e t e ndu s trial ndividuali sm, n w ic , i i h h
p
ho we v e r , unr e s train e d rivate own e rs ip o f land and capital h
was acco m pani e d by subj e ctio n t o a olitical oligarc y S o p h .

O p
littl e e l e men t f erman e nc e was the re n this ndividual s t c i i i i
ih p p
ord e r that, w t th e rogre s s o f olitical e mancipation , priva t e
p
own ers hip o f t h e m e ans o f roduction h as e en , I n o ne direction b
o r anoth e r , s ucc ess iv e ly r e gulate d , lim ite d and s up e r s ed e d , until

i t may no w fairly b e clai med t hat t h e S ociali s t philo s op y o f h

t od ay is but t h e con s cious and e xplicit a s s e rtio n of principl e s
i i
o f soc al organ z ation w hi c hh
ave be en already in great art nu p
 HI STO R I C . 27

consciou sly ado p ted Th e econo mic hi story o f th e c e ntury is .

an almo s t continuous record of t h e progres s of S ocialis m .

1

S ociali s m too h as in t h e r ecord of its in t e rnal d e v elop men t

, ,

a his tory of its o wn D own to t h e pre sent g en eration t h e .

,

as p irant af t e r social r ege n e ration naturally v indi ca t e d th e prac

ticab ility of h is id e a s by off e ring an e labo rate pla n with s pe cifi

cation s of a ne w s ocial orde r fro m whi c h all cont em porary e vil s
we re e li minate d Ju s t as P la t o had h is Re public and S ir
.

T ho m a s Mor e h is U t opia s o Baboeuf had hi s C harte r o f E quality , ,

C abe t his I caria S t S im on his I ndu s trial S ys te m and Fouri e r

, .
,

his id e al P halan s te ry R ob e rt O we n s p e nt a fortune in pr es s

.

ing upon an u nb elieving ge n eration h is N ew Moral World ; and

'

e v e n Augu s te C o m t e s up e rior as h e was to m an y o f t h e w e ak,

n e ss es o f his ti me mu s t n eed s ad d a d e tail e d P olity to h is P hi l

,

Os ophy of P o s iti vi sm .

T h e l e ading fe atur e o f all th e s e propo s al s w as what may b e

call ed th e ir statical c h aracte r Th e id e al s oci e ty w as re pre .

s ente d as in p e rfe ctly balanc ed e quilibriu m without n eed or ,

po s ibility o f futu r e organic alt eration S inc e th e ir d ay w e

s .

have l earn ed th at s ocial r e con s truc t ion mu s t no t b e go ne at in

th is fa s hion O wing mainly t o t he eff orts o f C o m t e D arwin
.
,

and H e rb e rt S p enc e r w e can no longe r think o f t h e id e al ,

s oci e ty as an u nc h an ing s tat e Th e s ocial id eal fro m b e i ng

g .
,

s tatic h as b e co m e dyna m ic
,
Th e n e c es s ity o f t h e con s tant .

growth and d evelop ment o f th e s ocial organis m h as b e co me

axio matic N o ph ilo s oph er no w looks for any thi ng but t he
.

gradual e volution of t h e new ord er fro m t h e old wi thout breac h ,

o f cont i nuity o r abru pt chang e of t h e e ntir e s ocial ti s s u e at any

poin t dur ing t h e proc ess Th e ne w b e co me s its elf old ofte n b e fore .
,

i t is consciously r ecogn ized as new ; and his tory s h e ws u s no

e xa mpl e o f th e s ud d en substi tut i on s of Utopian and re v olution

ary ro manc e .

Th oug h S oc i ali s t s h av e l e arnt th i s l es s on b e tt er t h an mo s t 2

1 S eeS ociali m in E n gland

“
(Am ri an E nom ic A o iation
s e c co ss c ,

vo l i p t 2 M y
. v, ar in which a p rtion f thi
,
a ,
ay h b n o o s es s as ee
e mb o d i d e .

2
I m a war that th r
a o m wh up p that
e pr nt
e e are s e o s o se ou r es e
b ur g oi arran g m nt m t b total ly d troy d and th r
o e s e e s b ti us e es e o e s su s

t t d al m t at a b l w
u e os B ut h w v r c f l a r ol ti n mi ght b
o . o e e su ce s s u ev u o e,
it i c rtain that m ank ind annot hang it whol natur ll at nc
s e c c e s e e a o e.
Br ak t h ld h ll c rtai nly ; b t n v r f org t t h f a t that t h n w
e e o s e e u e e e e c e e

(H M Hyn d man Hi torical B a i s

,

f rm m t gro w
”
o s ust f th ld ou o e o . .
,
s s

of S ocia li m
”
1 883 p s , ,
.
28 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

of th ei r Opp o nents t h e co mm on cr i ti ci sm o f S oc ialis m has no t

,

y e t note d t h e c h ang e and s till d eals mainly with t h e O bs ol e te

,

U t opia s o f t h e pre e volutionary age P arodi es o f t h e do mes tic

- .

d e tail s o f an imaginary P h al an s tery and h o mi li e s o n t h e failu r e

,

o f Brook Far m o r I car ia may b e pas s e d ov e r as be late d and ir

,

r el e vant now that S ociali s ts a e only ad v ocating t h e con s cious

,

adoption o f a p rincipl e o f s ocial organization whic h th e world

h as alr e ady found to b e t h e in e vitabl e outco me o f D emocracy
and th e Indu s trial Re v olution For S ocial is m is by this ti me a
.

wav e s urgi ng throughout all E u rop e ; and for want o f a gra s p

o f t h e s e ri es o f appar e n tly unconn e c t e d e v ent s by w h ic h and

with which i t h as b een for two g en e rations rapi dl y co m ing upon

us for want in s hort o f kn owl edge o f it s in te ll e ctual h i s tory
, , ,

w e in E ngland to day s e e o u r political l e ad e r s i n a ge n e ral atti

-

tud e o f a s toni s h m e nt at th e changing fac e o f curre nt politic s ;

both gr e at p arti e s drif ting vagu ely b efore a namel es s u nd ercu r
r ent whic h th ey fail ut te rly t o r ecogniz e o r und e rs tand 1 With .

s o m e d im impr es s ion tha t S ociali s m is o ne o f t h e Utopian

dre ams th ey r em em b e r to h av e h e ard com fortably d i s pos ed o f in

th eir acad e m ic youth as t h e imp o s s ibl e ide al o f Hu manity int o x i -

c at e d Fr e nch m en ,
th e y go th e ir way s thr ough t h e nin e teenth
c e ntury as a country m an blunders th rough C he ap s ide O ne o r .

t w o a e h istory fanci e r s l e arn ed i n curious d e tail s o f th e past

r ,

t h e pr es e n t e lud e s th e s e no l e s s th an t h e oth e rs T h e y are s o .

n ear to t h e individual e ven ts that th ey are blin d t o t h e onward

s w e e p of t h e co lu mn T h e y cannot s e e t h e for es t for t h e tr e es
. .

Hi s t ory not only giv e s t h e clue t o t h e s ign ificanc e o f con e

temporary e v ents ; i t al s o e nabl es u s t o und er s tand th os e who

hav e not yet foun d that clu e W e l earn to cla s s m en and id e as
.

in a k in d o f ge ological ord e r in t im e Th e C o m te d e P ari s

.

g iv es u s e xc ell e nt p roofs that in ab s olut e monarchy li e s t h e

only s afe ty of s ocial ord e r H e is a s urvival : t h e ty p e flouris h e d
.

in t h e s ixtee nth c e ntury ; and t h e S pl e ndi d fo s sils o f th at age

can b e s tudi ed in any hi s toric m u s eu m L ord Bram we ll will .

giv e cogen t r eas on s for t h e b elie f th at ab s olu te fre edo m o f con

tract s ubj ect to t h e trifling e xc e ption o f a dra s tic cri m inal law
, ,

will en s ur e a p erfe ct S ta te H is lord ship is a s urvi val fro m a

.

n e ar e r e poc h : about 1 8 4 0 th i s was as far as s ocial s ci enc e had

got ; and th ere are s till p er s on s w h o h av e l e arnt nothing o f
1
S
ee the arti l n S ociali m in E n gli h P liti
c e o
“
s b y W illiams o cs ,
C lark in t h P lit i l S i n
e, e o ca Q t ly D
c e ce mb r 1 888
u a r er ,
e ce e ,
.
 HI S TOR I C .

late r d ate Wh en I s ee t h e Hipp ari on at S outh Kens ington I

.

do not tak e h is unf a miliar po in ts to b e t ho se o f a hors e o f a

s up e rior kind : I know tha t h e is an obs ol e te and sup e rs ed ed
patte rn fro m which th e h ors e h as d eve lo p e d H isto ric fo s sils
, .

a e m or e dang e rou s
r for the y are l eft at large and are no t e ve n ,

e xclud e d fro m D owning S tr ee t o r W e s tm in s te r But agains t .

t h e str e a m of tend enci es th ey are ul ti m a t e ly pow e rl e s s T hough .

they s o me ti mes ap pe ar vic torious each s ucc ess ive s truggl e takes ,

plac e f u rth er down th e curren t which th ey b e li eve thems elves

to b e r e s i t ing s .

T h e m ain s tr ea m w h ic h h as borne E urop e a n soc i e ty toward s

S o ciali s m during t h e pa s t o ne h undr e d y e ar s is t h e irr e s i s tibl e
progr es s o f De m ocrac y D e Tocqu evill e d rove and hammere d
.

this truth in t o t he reluctant e ars o f th e O ld World t wo g en era

tion s ago ; and we hav e all pre tende d t o carry it about as p art
o f our me ntal f u r ni t u r e e v e r s inc e But like m o s t epigra mmatic .

co mmonplac es i t is not gen e rally re al i z e d ; and D e To cqu e

,

ville s book h a in d u e cours e b eco me a cla s s ic w h ic h e v ery o ne

’
s, ,

quo te s and nobod y re ads Th e progre s s o f D em ocracy is in .

,

fact often imagine d as by S ir Henry Main e t o b e me rely th e

, , ,

s ub titution o f o ne k ind o f political mac h in e ry for anoth e r ; and

s

th ere a e many p oli tical D e mocrats to d ay wh o cannot und e r

r

s tan d why s oc ial o r e cono m ic m at t e r s s houl d b e mix e d up with

politic s at all It was not for this tha t th ey b roke th e p ow e r o f

.

t h e ari s t ocracy : th e y w er e touc h e d no t s o m uch w i th lov e o f t h e

man y as with h atr e d of t h e few ; and as h as b ee n acu te ly s aid 1
,

tho u gh us ually by fooli s h p e rs on s th ey a e R adical s merely r

b ecau s e th ey are no t th em s elves lords But i t will no t long b e .

po s s ibl e for any man to p e rsis t in be li e ving th at t h e political

organization o f s ocie ty can b e co mpl e tely al t e re d without corre
s
po nding c h ange s i n e cono m ic and s ocial r elation s D e Tocqu e .

vill e expres ly pointed o u t that t h e progress o f D em ocracy

s

me ant nothing l e s s than a co m pl e te di s s olution o f t h e n e xu s by

whic h s oci e ty was h e ld toge th er u nde r t h e old r eg ime Th i s .

d is s olution is follo wed by a p eri o d o f anarchic S piritual i s olation

o f t h e in d i vidual fro m his f ellow s and to that e x te n t by a ,

ge n eral d e nial o f th e ve ry ide a o f s oci e ty But man is a social .

ani mal ; and afte r m or e o r l es s inte rval t h er e n e c es s arily co mes

i n t o e xis tenc e a ne w n exus differing s o entirely fro m t h e o ld
,

E1
n B nth am ai d th i f Jam M ill (B ain L if f J M p
ve e s s o es
’
s e o . .
,
.

o f who m it w h ard ly tru as e.

30 TH E BAS I S o r S OC I AL I S M .

fas h ion ed organ i zation th at th e hi s t ori c fo s s il go es abo ut d eny

ing that it is a n e xu s at all o r that any ne w n exu s is po s s ibl e o r
,

de s i rabl e . T o him m o s tly th rough lack o f e cono m ic s t h e p rog

, ,

r e s s of De mocracy is nothing m ore th an t h e d es truction o f o ld

political p ri vil eges ; and n aturally enough few can s ee any
, ,

b eauty in mere dis s olution and d es truction T ho s e few a e t h e

, . r

pur ely political Radi cal s abhorr e d of C o m te and C arly l e : they

a e in s oc i al m at t e rs t h e e m pi ici s t s urvi v al s fro m a
r r
p re s cie n
-

t ific age .
Th e m e r e Uto pi an s o n th e oth er h an d wh o wo ve t h e base
, ,

l es s fabr i c o f th eir vi s ion s of r e construc te d socie ty o n th e ir o wn

p riva te loo ms e qu ally failed as a rul e to co mprehend t h e
, , ,

probl em o f t h e age Th ey w er e i n imagination res u s citate d

.
, ,

Jo s e p h th e S e conds b en e vol ent d es pots who would h av e pour ed

,

t h e o ld world h ad i t only b ee n fluid into t h e ir n e w mould s

, , .

Ag ain s t th e ir crude p lans t h e S tate s man t h e R adical and th e , ,

P olitical E cono m i s t w e r e unite d for th ey t ook no accoun t of

t h e b lin d s ocial forc e s whic h th e y coul d no t control and w h ic h ,

w en t on i n e xorably working o u t s ocial s al v ation in ways u n

susp ecte d by t h e U topian .

I n th e pr es e nt S ociali s t m o v e m e n t th es e two str eam s are

uni te d : advoca t e s o f s oc ial r econ s truction h ave l earnt th e l ess on
o f D e mocracy and know that i t is th roug h t h e S low and grad
,

ual turning o f t h e popular min d t o new princ i pl es th at s ocial

r eorganization b it by bit co m es All s tud ents o f s oci e ty who
.

are abr e a s t o f th e ir t i me S ociali s ts as w e ll as I ndividuali s ts

, ,

r eal i ze th at i mpor ta nt organic change s can only b e (1 ) demo

cratic and thus a cc eptabl e to a m ajority o f t h e pe opl e and
, ,

p repared fo r in th e m ind s o f all (2) gradual and th u s cau si ng ,

no di s location h ow ev e r rapid m ay b e t h e ra t e o f progre s s

, (3 )
not regarded as immoral by t h e m as s o f t h e pe opl e and th us ,

not s ubj e ctively d emoralizing to th em and (4 ) in thi s country

at any rate constitutional and p eac eful S ocialis ts may th er e
,
.

for e b e qu i te at o ne with R ad icals i n th e ir political me th od s .

R a di cal s o n t h e oth e r h and are p erforc e r e alizing th at m é e

, ,
r

political l evelling is in s uffici ent to s av e a S tate fro m anarchy

and d e s p air Both s ection s h ave b een d r ive n to r e cogniz e that
.

t h e root o f t h e diffic ul ty is e cono m ic ; and th er e i s e v e ry day l

f
wide r co ncensu s th a t t h e in evitabl e outco me o f D e ocracy 8 m 1

t h e co ntrol by t h e p e opl e th em s el v es not only o f th e ir O n , w

p olitical organ ization b ut th rough th at also of th e main ln
, , ,
 H I S T OR I C . 31

s t ru of w ealth prod ucti on ; th e gra d ual s ubs tituti o n o f or

me nts
ganized co
Op e ration for th e anarch y of t h e co mpe ti ti ve s truggl e ;
-

and t h e con se quen t recov e ry in t h e o nly po s s ibl e w ay o f w h at

, ,

John S tu ar t M ill cal ls “ t h e enormous s hare which t he pos s essors

‘

of th e ins tru ments of indus try are abl e to take fro m th e pro
duc e 1 Th e e cono mi c s ide of th e d emocra ti c ide al is in fac t
.
”
, ,

S oci alis m i ts e lf .

TH E DI S IN T E G RA TI ON or TH E O L D S Y N TH E S IS .

At t h e middl e of th e las t c entury Wes te rn E urop e was

s t ill organi zed on a sy s te m of w hi ch t h e ba s i s was v irtuall y a

s urviving f e ud ali s m T h e n e xu s b e tw ee n m an and m an w as

.

e ss e ntiall y a r elation of sup eriori ty and inferiority S ocial .

po we r till r es te d e ith e r wi th t h e monarch or with t h e own ers

s ,

o f larg e land ed es tates S o me inroad s h ad alr eady b een mad e

.

in t he p e rfe ct sy mme try o f t he organization notably by th e ,

growth of town s and t e ri

h s e o f t h e s till co m parativ e ly s m all
,

t rading clas s ; but t h e b lk of th e population w as arrange d in

u

an hie rarchi cal seri es o f clas s es linked to o ne anoth er by th e ,

bond of P owe r .

W e a e apt to think of E nglan d as d i ff ering i n th is r es p e ct

r

f ro m C on tin ental E urop e and t o i magin e tha t o u r popular ,

fre ed o m was w o n in 1 68 8 if not in 1 648 or e v en as far back , ,

as Magna C harta its elf But as r egard s t h e pe opl e at

.

th is w as in th e main me rely a diff erenc e in po litical form

, ,
.

I n E ngl an d t h e ari s t ocrati c oligarc h y had pr e vail e d ov e r t h e

monarch in Franc e th e K ing h ad d e fe ate d t h e Frond e For .

t h e ma s s of th e p eo p l e in e ith e r coun try t h e re w as noth ing b u t

obe di e nc e .

E v en in E ngland t h e w h ol e political a d m ini s tration w as

d ivid ed be tw e e n t h e king and t h e gr e at fa mili es ; and not o ne
pe rs on in 5 0 0 po s s ess e d s o much as a vo te A s late ly as 1 8 3 1
‘

o ne hundr ed and fifty p e r s on s r e turn e d a m ajority o f t h e Hou s e

o f C o mm ons (Mol es wor th Hi s tory of t h e Re form B ill p

“ ”
.
, ,

Th e C hurc h onc e a univ e rs al d emocratic organi zation

,

o f in t e rnat i onal frate rnity h ad beco me a mere app anage o f ,

t h e land ed gentry The a d m ini s tration o f ju s tic e and of t h e

.

e x ecutiv e gov e rn m e nt w as e nt ir el
y in th e ir h an ds wh il e P ar ,

1 Principl f Political E conomy la t dition 1 865 p 47 7 (quot

es o ,
s e , ,
.

ing f om F
r g yeu u e ra .
32 THE BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

m
lia en t was fill ed wit t e r l e ad e rs o r no m n ee s h h i
N o av e nu e i .

o f advanc e me nt e xis te d f o r e e n e xc e tionally g f te d s ons o f v p i

p
t h e e opl e ; and t h e ma ss e s found th e m se lv e s orn in t o a o s i b p
tion o f l ifelong depe n d e nc e upon a cla s s o f s up e rior rt . bi h
i
Th e e cono m c org nizatio n was o f a s i m ilar c aracte r . a h
h p
t irds o f th e opulation till ed t h e s oil , and dwel t in lon ely
’

h aml e ts scattered about th e s till spars ely nhabited country i .

T houg h p
o s s e s s ing t h e r e m n ants o f anci e nt co m m unal righ ts ,

th ey w ere pra ctically d e p end en t o n t h e farmers o f t h e pari s , h

who fix e d th e ir wages by a con s tant tacit con s p irac y 1 Th e .

h
farme rs t em s elve s w ere t h e ob e d e nt s erfs o f t h e large ro i p
prie t o rs , t o who m t ey pai d a cu s to mar y r e nt . T oug h h h
nally free to m ov e , bot farm ers and labo ers w e re ractically h r p
fe t tere d t o t h e manor y th e ir ignorance and th e ir po e rty ; 2 b v
and thoug h
t h e lord h ad lo s t t h e cri m in l j uri s di ctio n o f h is a
h
m anorial cour t s , is ow e rs as J u s tic e o f t h e P e ac e formed ap
full e quival e n t. His unr es train ed own e rs i of th e lan d e nabl ed hp
h im t o tak e for h
i ms e lf as r e nt t h e w ol e advan tage o f all ut h b
the v
e ry wor s t o f t h e soils in u s e ; and t h e lin ge ring m anorial

h
rig ts gav e h im toll e en fro m t at wors t. T hroug out th e v h h
country s ide his word was law and is pow e r rr es i s t bl e . It h i i
h
was a worl d w o s e ne xus was m ig t , e cono mic and poli t cal , h i
b
tempe r ed o nly y cus t o m and lack o f s ti mulu s t o c ange . T h e h “

poor w ere no t nec e s s arily wors e o ff in material matters t an h

h
t ey are now ; th e agr cultural labore r, i nd e e d , w as apparently i
b e tte r o fi in 1 7 5 0 t an at any oth e r ti me be tw ee n 1 4 50 and h
i
But t w as a worl d s till mainly m ed i aeval in po litical ,
in econo m i c, and in s ocial re lation s ; a world o f s tatu s and o f
p e rm an ent s ocial in equalit e s not di ffe ring e s s entially fro m th e i
feudali sm o f th e pas t.
Th e s y s t e m h
ad , owe er, already b egu n t o d ecay The h v ‘

i
r s e o f t h e t own s by th e growt o f trad e gradually cre ated new h
c entr e s o f ind ep ende nc e and new cla ss es who brok e t h e bond s
o f in nat e status i
Th e ntrus ion o f t h e m on ey ed city cla ss es and
.

f r d t in a c l b rate d p a age b y Adam S mith W alth f

1 Re e re o e e ss , e o

N ation b o k 1 chap viii

”
s, o ,
. .

N t t m ntion t h r triction i mpo d b y t h law f

2 o o e eS ttl es s se e o e e

m nt (1 3 n d 1 4 C harl
e
”
I I chap
a w hich na l w j u tic
b d t es .
,
. e e o s es

summ arily t n d b ack t h i ill ag y i gratin g lab or

o sen m o s v e a
3 Th i w notic d b y M alth
s as Princip l f Political E conomy
e us,
“
es o ,

P 225 ;
. al o Prof Thorold R o g r H i tory f Agricult r nd
s ee s . e s,
“
s o u e a

Pric S ix C nt ri f W ork nd W a g
” ”
nde s, a e u es o a es.
31 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

p olitical chang Fre nc h

R e volution . Th e f all o f t h e
e was t h e
b
Ba s tille was hail ed y all who h ad b ee n t ouc ed y th e ne w -
h b
h
id e a s. “ How muc t h e greate s t e v e n t t is that e ve r app en ed i h
h
i n t h e world ! and ow m uch th e bes t ! ” wro t e C arl es Jam e s h
Fox 1 It s h e w e d, o r s e emed t o s h e w, t o men t at a genu in e
. h
s oc ali r econ s tructio n was no t only d es irabl e , but o ss ibl e . p
Th e N ational A s s e mbl y , r es p e ctabl e o ld oligarchy as i t was ,
poin te d th e way t o l e gislativ e fi el ds no t e e n y e t co mpl e te ly v
work e d o u t .

Wh e n t h e rul e rs o f E nglan d p e rc ei ved th a t i n Franc e at

l ea s t Hu mpty D u mpty w as actually down t h e e ffe ct at fir s t ,

w as t o tigh t e n t h e e xi s ting organi zation Th e mild e s t agita .

tio n was p ut down with a cru e lly strong h an d Th e Whig .

par ty in th e Hous e o f C o mmons s ank t o half a doz e n mem be rs - -

.

P ric e s w e r e k e pt up and wage s down whil e t h e h e a vi e st ,

po s s ibl e load of t axation w as i mpo s e d o n t h e s u ff e ring p e opl e .

T h e n ca m e t h e P eac e and C as t le e agh s “ White T e rror

” ’
,
r
,

c u l m inat ing i n t h e “ ma s s acre of P e te rloo (1 8 1 9) and L ord

S id m outh s infa m ou s “ S ix Acts But t h e o ld o rde r was
’
.

doo me d Th e s uicid e of C a s tl e r eagh was no t only t h e end o f

.

t h e m an but al s o th e S ign o f t h e collap s e o f t h e s y s t em

,
With .

a s eri e s o f poli ti cal wre nch e s th ere cam e t h e Rep e al o f t h e

Te s t and C orporatio n Acts C atholic E m ancipation
t h e b egin ni ngs o f l e gal and ad mini s trativ e r e for m , and
finally th e gre at R eform Bill of 1 8 32 by which t h e r e ign o f t h e ,

m i ddl e cla s s sup e r s e d e d ari s tocratic rul e But t h e p e opl e w e re .

no m ore e nfr anch is ed than th ey had b een b efore T h e Factory .

h ad b e a te n th e Manor for th e b en efit not o f t h e factory h an d , ,

but o f t h e millown e r D emocracy was at t h e ga te s ; b ut i t

.

w as s till on t h e wrong sid e o f th e m I t s e ntry how e v e r w as.

, ,

only a m at t e r of ti me S inc e 1 8 3 2 E ngli s h political hi s tory is

.

t h e r e cord o f t h e r e luctant e nfranchi s em e nt o f o ne cla ss afte r

anoth e r by me re forc e of t h e te nd enci es o f t h e age N on e o f
,
.

th ese e nfranchi s ed cla ss es h as eve r s inc e rely d e s ir ed t o ad mit

n e w v o t e r s to s h ar e t h e p r i v il e g es and s ub m e rge t h e p ow e r
whic h it h ad won ; but e ac h political p arty in tur n h as b een
drive n to s hoo t N iagara i n ord e r to comp e te with its O ppo ” ~

n e n ts . Th e Wh ig Bill o f 1 8 3 2 enf ranchi s e d th e middl e class -

for P arli ame n t : t h e Munic ipal C orp oration s Ac t o f 1 8 3 5 gave

1 W J . . Le c ky ,
Hi tory
s of t he E g i hteenth Ce nt ry u , v o l. v
, p 453 .
.
 HI S T O R I C . 85

th em th e control o f th e provincial town s Af te r a g en e ra .

tion o f agi tation it was ulti matel y t h e Tory p arty which gave
,

t h e town pe opl e i n 1 8 67 Hous e hol d S u ff rag e

s E l e v e n y e ars .

la te r a C on se rvative majority p a s s ed S i C harl es D ilk e s Act r

’

e nf ranc his ing t h e ten em ent occupie r I n 1 885 t he

L ibe ral s in te nding pe r m an ently t o ruin th e ir oppon en ts gav e
, ,

t h e v ote t o t h e agricultural labor e r ; and la s t y e ar (1 8 8 8 ) i t w as

t h e T ori es not t o b e ou td on e who gav e h im t h e control o f t h e
, ,

local ad m ini tration o f t h e counti e s and plac ed t h e gov e rn m en t

s ,

of L ondo n in t h e hands of a p opularly e l e cte d council N e ith e r .

party can claim muc h credi t for it s r eform bill s e xtorte d as ,

t h e y h av e b e e n no t by beli e f 1 11 D e m ocrac y f ear o f t h e

y b
,
ut b ,

Oppo s ing faction E v e n no w t h e c i ti z e n i s trick e d o u t o f h is

.

vo te by e v e ry po s s ibl e l eg al and ad mini s trative te c hnicality ;

s o that mor e than o ne third of our adult men are u ne nf an
-
r

c h is ed
1
,
tog e th e r with t h e whol e of t h e othe r s e x N eith e r t h e .

C on s e rvativ e party nor t h e s e lf styl e d “ P arty of t h e Ma s s e s -

”

gi ve s proof O f any re al d e s ir e to give t h e v ote to this no t in

con s ide rabl e r e mnant ; but bo t h s ide s pay lip ho mage to D emo -

cracy ; and eve ryon e knows th at it is m e re ly a waiting rac e

be twee n th em as to wh ich S hall b e dr iv en to tak e t h e n e xt
s tep . T h e virtual co mpl e tion of t h e political r e volution is
alre ady in s igh t ; and no more s tr iking t e s ti mon y can b e giv en
o f t h e m o m e ntum of t h e ne w id e a s whic h t h e Fall of t h e B as

till e e fiec t u ally s pread ove r t he world than this d e mocratic

trium ph in E ngland with in l es s than a c e ntury ov e r t h e politi
, ,

cal m edi aevali m of ten c enturi es growth

s .

T h e full s ignificanc e of thi s triu mph is as y e t un s u p e cte d by s

t h e ord inary po litician Th e indu s trial e volution h as l e ft t h e

.

s t ran e r a landles s stran ge r in h is own countr y T h e political

g .

e volution is rapi dly m aking him it s rul e r S a ms on is f e eling .

for his grip on t h e p il lars .

TH E P E R I O D O F AN A R O HY .

Th e r es ult n u s trial r e volution with its dis s olution o f

of th e i d ,

mediaevali s ma m id an imp e tuous r eaction aga in s t t h e bure au

cratic tyranny of th e pas t was t o l eav e all t h e ne w el e me nts o f
,

1 n
T h e u mb e r of r gi t r
e s e ed l ctor at t h d at f t h la t E l ti n
e e s e e o e s ec o

(1 886) w as ou t O f an a d lt ma l p p lati n f ov nin

u e o u o o er e
i in
m ll o s .
86 THE BA S I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

s oci e ty state o f u nres t rained lic en se I ndivi dual liberty

in a .
,

in t h e s en s e o f free do m to priva t e ly appropriate t h e m e an s of

prod uction r e ac he d its maximum at t h e co mm e nc emen t o f t h e
,

c entur y N o s entime ntal r egulation s hind e re d t he f ree em plo y

.

ment o f lan d and ca p i t al t o t h e gr e a t e s t p o s s ibl e p e cuniary ga in

o f t h e p ropr i e tor s h ow ev er many li ves of men wo men and
, ,

childre n w e r e u sed up in t h e proc es s I gnoran t o r u nrefl ec t ing .

capitali s ts s till s p eak of that te ribl e time with e xultation “ I t r

.

was no t fiv e per c ent o r ten pe c e nt s ays o ne “ but thou s and s r

”
, ,

p er c e nt that m ad e t h e fortun es o f L anca s hir e

”
.

Mr He rbe rt S p e nc e r and tho se who ag e ej n his wor s hip o f

. r

Indi vidu ali sm 1 appare ntly d es ire t o bring back t h e l egal po s ition
whic h made po s s ibl e th e “ white s lav e ry o f whic h t h e “ s in s of
l egis lators h ave d epri ve d u s ; b u t no s erious attem p t h as e ve r
b ee n mad e t o ge t r ep e al e d any o ne o f t h e Factory Ac t s .

Wo me n working h alf naked i n t h e coal min es ; you ng childr e n

dragging truck s all day i n th e foul atm o s ph e r e o f t h e und er
ground gall e r ies ; infants bound to t h e loo m for fif tee n hours in
t h e h e a t ed air o f t h e cot t on m ill and k e pt awak e onl y by t h e ,

onlooke r s la s h ; h ours o f labor for all young and o ld li m ite d

’

, ,

only by t h e utm o s t capabiliti es o f phy s ical e nduranc e ; co mpl e te

ab senc e o f t h e s anitary provi s ion s ne c es s ary t o a rapidly grow
i ng population : th es e and oth e r na me l es s iniqui ties w ill b e
found r e cord ed as t h e r es ults of freedo m o f contract and com
ple t e la is s er f a z e in t h e i mp artial page s o f s ucc e s s iv e blue book
'

r -

r eports But th e L ib eral m ill own e rs o f th e d ay aid e d b y

.
2 -
,

s o me o f t h e political e conom i s ts s tubbornly r e s i s te d e v e ry ,

atte mpt t o i n te rfe re with th e ir fre edo m to u s e “ th e ir capi tal

and “ the ir h and s as th ey found mo s t profitabl e and (like
”
,

th ei r succ e ssors to d ay) predic ted of e ach r es tricti on as it

-

1 F w h ow v r
e f M eS p n r f ollow r app ar t r aliz that h
e o r. e ce
’
s e s e o e e e
, ,

p r esu pp o L an d N
ses ationalization th n ary con d ition f an I n as e e ce s s o
li t c m m unity ( S o ial S tatic
”
di id
v ua s o p im ) s ee c s, ass .

2 It i om tim a rt d no waday that t h c rr nt d crip tion f

s s e es sse e s e u e es s o
factory lif nd r t h g im f f r dom f contra t
e u e e re
’

mu he o g ee o c ar e c ex a

g erat de T hi. i n t t h cas s T h horror

o r v al d in
e t h r ort
se.
p f e s e e e e e s o
official nq iri v n xc d tho commonly quot d F a f ull
e u es e e e ee se e . or ac
count f t h l gi lation nd t h f act n whi h it w f oun d d
o e e s ,
a V ne s o c as e ,
s ee o

E n g li h F actory L gi lation Th chi f official r p ort

’ “ ”
Pl ne er s s e s e e e s are
f 1 8 1 5—
.

tho f t h Ho
se o f C o mm on C omm itt
e u se o 6 Hou f L or d
s ee o ,
se o s

C o mm itt n d R oy a l C o mm i ion 1 840 M arx C apital ) ”

1 81 9
e e, ,
a ss ,
.

g i ve s m yan oth r r f r n S e
e a l o F E ng l s
e e e C on d ition f t h
ces . e s . e
’
o e
E ng li h W or k in g C la
”
s s se s .
 HI S T O R I C . 37

arri ved that i t mus t ine vitabl y d es troy th e e xport trad e and
d epriv e th e m of all profit whats o e v er .

But th is acu te o tbreak of individ u ali s m unch e ck ed b y th e

u ,

old res traints and inves te d wi th alm o s t a r elig ious s anction b y

,

a ce rtain s ou ll es s s chool of wri ters w as in e vi tabl e afte r t h e

” 1
, ,

econo mic blund e ring of gov e rn men ts i n t h e e ight e e n t h c e ntury .

P rior to t h e s ci e ntific inv es tigation o f e cono mic laws me n h ad ,

na turally i nte rfe red in s ocial arrange men ts wi th v e ry u nsat is fac

t ory r e s ul ts A p e cially e xtravagant o r a s p e ci ally thrif ty
. s

king d ebase d t h e curr enc y and th e n was s urpri s ed to find t h a t

,

in s pi te of s tringe nt p rohibitions pric es w e nt up and all good

m on ey fl ed t h e country Wi se s tatesm e n to k eep u p wages
.
, ,

e ncourag e d t h e wooll e n m anufactur e s of E ngland b y ruining

tho s e o f Ire land and w e re th en a s toni s h e d t o find E nglis h

,

wage s cut by I ri s h paup e r i mm igration B e n e vol ent parlia .

me n ts at te m p te d to rai s e t h e work e r s inco me by p oor law allo w

’

anc es and th e n fo u nd th a t th ey h ad low e r ed it

, C hri s tian kin gs .

e li m ina te d half t h e s ki ll e d arti s an s fro m t h e ir kingdo m s and ,

th e n found tha t th ey h ad ruin e d th e res t by di s abli ng indu s try .

Gove rn men t ins p ec tors ord ere d h ow th e cloth s ho ld b e woven u ,

wh a t patte rn s S hould b e m ad e and h ow broad t h e pi e c e s hould

,

b e until t h e manufactur e r s in d e s pair cri ed o u t mer e ly to b e le t

,

alon e .

Wh e n t h e e arly e cono mi s ts re aliz ed h ow rad icall y wrong h ad

bee n e ve n th e we ll mean t at tempts to r egula te e cono mic r ela
-

tions by l egi lation and h ow ge n e rally th es e attem pts multi

s ,

plied private monopoli es th ey l ean e d in th e ir deduction s h e avily

,

t oward s co mpl e te individual lib e rty T h e ad mini s tration o f a

.

populous s tate is s uch a v e ry difficul t mat t e r and wh e n don e ,

on fal s e principl e s is s o c er tai n to b e badly d on e th at i t was ,

n atural t o advoca te rath e r no ad m ini s tration at all th a n t h e

in terfe r e nc e of i g norant and int e re s t e d bungl e r s N atur e glori .
,

fied b y t h e wor s hip o f a fa m ou s s chool o f Fr enc h philo s oph e r s

and E n gli s h po e ts and as y e t un su s p e c ted O f t h e countl e s s
,

cri mes of “ th e struggl e for e xi s te nc e app e ared at l ea s t more ,

”

trus tworthy than C as tl e r eagh R eal D em ocrati c ad m in i s tration

.

s e e m ed in t h e ti me o f t h e “ Wh i te T error and eve n und e r

, ,
”

t h e m ild e r W h ig h y pocri s y whic h s ucc ee d ed it h op e l e ss ly re ,

m o te Th e b es t thing t o work and figh t for was appar e ntly

.
, ,

1 Pr f H S F o w ll Uni r ity C oll g L on don p 249 f E ay n

o . . .
( x e ve s e e, ,
. o ss o
ti C laim f L ab or (E dinb urgh C op rativ Printing C om p any
“
s o
”
o-
gg6
: e e ,
1
38 TH E BAS I S O F S OC I A L I S M .

th e red ucti on to i mpo tenc e and n eutral i ty o f all t h e “ P owe rs

that B e T h e ir influ e nc e b e ing for t h e m o m e nt ho s til e t o t h e
”
.

p e opl e i t b ehoov ed t h e p eopl e t o d es troy th e ir i nflu enc e alto

,

ge th e r And s o gr e w up t h e doctrin e of what P rofe s s or Huxl e y

.

h as s ince called “Ad m in i s trativ e N ihilis m I t was t h e apo

’

”
.

t h eo s is of L A ller .
a iss er F a ir e, L a iss er

T houg t h e h e cono m i s ts
av e sinc e h ad to b ear all t h e blame h
h
for w a t n early e v e ry on e no w p e rc e iv e s to hav e b e e n an
i
e cono mi c and soc al m i s tak e , n e ith e r Hu m e nor Ada m S m it h
h
caug t th e la iss er f air e fe v e r to as gre at an e xtent as th e r i
h
Fre nc c o nt emp o ries and mitators Th e E ngli s ndu s trial i . h i
po s ition was no t t h e s ame as that o f Franc e Th e “ mercantil e .

s yste m
”
h
by w ich , as by “ Fair T rad e ” to d ay , for eign trad e -

w as t o b e r e gu lat e d and e ncourag e d according as t te nd e d t o i

cau se t h e s tock o f good s , e sp ecially coin and bullion , to n crea se i
in t h e country , w as t h e sa m e o n bot S id e s o f t h e C hann el h .

But o u r political r evolution ad alre ady b een partl y acco mpli sh ed h

and t h e m or e ob iou s S hackl es o f f e udali s m vad b ee n long s inc e h
s truck o ff N o E ngli s m an w as co mp ell ed t o grind hi s corn
. h
i
at t h e m ll o f t h e lord o f t h e m anor 1 t o giv e u unpaid days p
p
t o lough t h e lord s fi e l d and car t t h e lord s hay ; o r to s p e n d
’ ’

b
his nigh ts in eating t h e wate r s o f t h e lord s mars s o t at t h e ’
h h
g o f t h e frogs m ight not di s turb t h e lord s r e po s e O ur
’
c re akin .

labor du e s h ad lon g b efor e b een co m muted for m on ey pay me nts ;

and th es e h ad b e co m e light owing t o t h e chang e in curr e ncy

valu es O u r appr en tic es hip laws and guild r egulat on s w er e

. i
b e co m ing rapidly inop erati e N o e xatiou s e xci se o r gab ell e v . v
h a mp e r ed o u r m anufactur e s .

Ty ranny t e r e was , e noug h

and t o s par e , and e cono m c h i
h
s poliation ; b u t t e y d id not tak e t h e for m o f p e r s onal n te r i
f e rence s and indigniti e s T h e non nobl e Fr e nc m an was bond ,
.
-
h
i
and h e kn e w t ; t h e middle class E ngli s man to a gre at e xte nt -
h
1 hi tat m nt though g n rally tru f E nglan d i n t ab olut ly
T s s e e e e e o s o s e
n d d an Act f Parliam nt in 1 7 58 (32 G org I I c 61 ) t f r
, ,

so. It ee e o e e e ,
. o ee
t h inh b itant vi llag f M an h t r f rom t h ob li gation t ”
e f th
a s o e e o c es e e o
rin th ir corn g rai n at t h m anorial w at rm i ll (C l iff r d
’

g d ll a nd e a e e s o s
Hi tory f Pri at B ill L gi lati n l i i p
s o v e E n lat e s o ,
”
vo .
,
. ve so e as
1 809 th y h d t ob tain t h co n nt f S i O w al d M o l y t h l r d f
e a o e se o r s s e , e o o
t h manor b for a co mp any co ld b incorp orat d t p rovi d a w at r
e ,
e e u e e o e e

s up ply (I bid p L d w . th or ti lly comp l l d t g rin d it

,
. ee s as e e ca e e o s
corn grain nd malt at t h l rd mi ll d wn t 1 839 nd a tually h d
,
a e o
’
s s o o ,
a c a

th n t p y £ 1 3 000 t xtin gui h thi f ud al d

e o a , (I b d p
o e s s e ue l ,
.
 HI S T OR I C . 39

though t hims elf free : his e cono m ic se rvi tu de th ough i t gall ed ,

hi m w as not cl e arly di s tingui s habl e fro m t he niggard l ine s s of

,

natu r e T he landlord in France w as an obvious tyran t h ere

. :

h e c e rtainly caus ed (by t h e ab s traction o f th e e cono mic r ent) an

artificial barr e nn ess of t he worke rs labo r ; but t h e barr enn es s ’

w as s o o ld an d had bee n s o con s tant that it was not s ee n t o b e

artific ial and was not r es e n ted as s uch N o p e as ant rebe l s
,
.

again t th e blight Accord ingly w e h ave s inc e 1 3 8 1 n ev er h ad

s .
, , ,

in E ngland a burni ng of th e C hat ea u x ; and accordin gly too , , ,

Ada m S mith is no co mpl e te ch ampion o f la i s se f at e though '

r
’

r ,

his gr e at work was e ffe cti v e m ainly in s w ee ping away for e ign
trad e res triction s and reg lation s and in giving viability to
u ,

labor by es tabli shing t he labore r s ge ograp h ical fr ee do m to mov e

’

and to e n te r into t he wag e contrac t wh e n and wh e re h e bes t

could Th e E ngli s h econo mi t s s t e pping illogically sh ort of
. s ,

t h e co mpl e t e fr ee do m pr e ach e d by R ou s s e au and God win and

th e s ci e ntific Anarchi s t s o f to d ay adv ocate d ju s t as m uc h ,

fr eedo m as s uffic ed to make t h e fortun es o f L anca shire

capitalis ts and t o cr eat e t h e m od e rn prol e tariat Th e Utili .

t ar ians are appropriat e ly coupl e d wit h t h e P olitical E cono m is ts

in conn e xion with this phase o f th ought A lthough Adam .

S mith did not b elong to th e ir s chool al mo s t th e whol e work of ,

d e v eloping and popularizing t he ne w sci enc e w as don e b y th em .

I t w as no t until af te r t h e P e ac e wh e n B e nt ha m and Jam es

Mill w e re in fu ll vigor and s oon to b e re inforc ed by Au s tin
, ,

Villi e rs Jo h n S tuart M ill R o e buck G ro te R icardo and

oth e rs — that P olitical E cono my b e came a forc e i n E ngland
, , , , ,

T h e motiv e and e nthu s ia s m for t h e ne w s ci e nc e u ndoubt edly

came fro m t h e Utilitarian e t hic s I f t he sol e ma s ters of man .

were pl e a s ure and pa in t h e knowl edge o f t h e natural law s

,

e xpr e s s ing t h e cour s e o f s ocial action and th u s r egu lating ,

pl ea s ur e and pain be ca me o f v ital importanc e If it is God s

, .
’

will as P al ey and Au s tin a s s er te d that m en sh ould s eek for

, ,

h appin es s than t h e s tudy o f h ow to obtain e cono m ic co mfort

,

be co m es a s acred duty and h as e ve r b ee n s o r egarded b y s uc h

,

rational divin es as M alth u s C hal mers Mauric e K ings ley and

, , , ,

t h e y oung Hig h C hurch part of to d ay C hr is tianity and th e -

y .

cours e of m od e rn th o u ght b egan t o join hand s and we m ay s ee

in Bi sh op B e rk el e y and P al ey t h e foreru n n ers o f s uc h a d evelop
m en t as t h e Guild of S t M atth e w . .
1

1 S eeit organ t h e C h
s ,
h Rf m L on d on 8 D k
u rc e orS tr ee t er. : u e ,
A d l p hi
e .
40 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

ii
Th e Ut l tarian phi h b
lo s op y, e sid e s a d ng n t h e opular za i i i p i
t io n o f ec ono m ic sci e nc e , s trongly nflu e nc e d it s e arly cha rac t e r .i
The te nde ncy t o L aiss er F a ir e nh e rite d fro m t h e coun try and i
ph v
ce ntury o f u e a al and r evolt again s t authority , was fostered
h
by B e nt am’s d e s tructiv e critic s m o f all t h e e n erable relics i v
o f th e p i
ast. What s t h e u s e o f t , h e a s ke d, o f e e ry shred i v
o f social i i
ns t tutio n th e n e xi s ting. W at s th e n e tt re sult of h i
its b eing upo n ndi idual i v h
appin es s ? F ew of t h e la ws and
cu s to ms littl e, ind e e d, o f t h e social organization o f that ti me
i
could stan d th s t es t E nglan d was co e r ed wit rotten s u r
. v h
v iv als fro m bygon e c ircu m s tanc e s ; t h e whol e ad m ini s tration

i
was an ns trume nt for clas s do mination and ara s ite nurtur e ; p
i
t h e progr e s s o f t h e ndustrial r e volution w as rapidly m aki ng
ob sol e te all laws , cu s to ms , prove rb s , maxi ms , and nurs e ry tal es ;
and t h e su d d e n ncr e a s e o fi o pulation was p
affling all e x e cta b p
i
tion s and d s conc e rting all arrang ements . At la s t it ca me t o
b e car el es s ly acc e pted as t h e t e aching bot o f ph lo s ophy and o f h i
e xp e ri e nc e t h a t e v ery m an m us t fight for i m s elf ; an d t h e d evil h
i
tak e t h e h ndmo s t b e cam e t h e acc e p t e d s ocial cr eed o f what
”

i
was s t ll b e li e v e d t o b e a C hri s tian nation . Utilita riani sm b e
came t h e P rote s tanti s m o f S ociology , and “ ow to mak e for h
s e lf and fa m ily t h e be s t of bot h
world s was a s s u me d t o b e t h e
i i
duty, as t c erta nly was t h e aim, o f e ery pract cal E ngl is man . v i h
TH E IN T E LL E C T U A L AN D MO R A L RE V O LT ,
A N D I TS PO LITI
C AL O U TC O M E .

Th e new creed of
“
P h ilo ophi
R ad cali s m d id not a e
s c i h v
m at te rs all it s o w n way I t s d o ctr in e s might sui t m illo wne rs
.

p
and merchant rinc es , and all wh o w e r e abl e to enjoy th e d e
h h
lig t o f th e ir o wn s trengt in t h e attl e o f life B u t t was b . i
e s se ntially a cr ee d o f M u rd s t o n e s and Gradgrind s an d t h e fir s t

i
revolt cam e fro m t h e art s tic s ide . Th e n e s t o f singing birds ”
h
at t h e L ake s would av e non e o f t, th oug D e Qu inc ey work ed i h
o u t it s ab s tract e cono m ic s in a m ann e r still un s urpa s s e d C ol e .

hi b
ridge did s es t to drown it n G e rm an T ran s c end entali s m i .

R ob e rt O w e n and h is follow ing o f e nthu s ia s tic co mm uni s tic

co -Op e rato rs s t e a d fa s tly e ld u h p
a lofti er id e al Th e great ma ss .

v
o f t h e wage e arn e r s n e e r bo w e d t h e kn ee to t h e principl e s upon

hi h
w c t h e current “ White S lave ry w as m aintain ed But t h e .

firs t man wh o re ally mad e a dint in t h e nd d ual s t s el d was i ivi i hi

42 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

s te p po l i tical po w er and pol i tical organization of the count y

th e r

h ave b e n u d for i ndu trial e nd until t d ay th e larg t m

e se s s, o- es e

ploy r f lab r i ne o f t h e m in i ter f t h C rown (t h P o t

e o o s o s s o e e s

m a s te r G en e ral) and al m o s t e ve ry conc e ivabl e trad e is s ome

-
,

wh e re o r oth er carr i ed o n b y p ari s h municipality o r t h e

, , ,

N ational Gov e rn me nt i ts elf with out t h e in te rv e n tion o f any

m id dle man o r capital i s t Th e t h e ori s ts wh o d e nounc e t he taking
.

by t h e co mm u nity i nto its o wn h ands o f t h e organization o f its

o w n labor as a thi ng e cono m ically uncl e an r epugnan t t o t h e ,

s turd
y in di vidual in d e p end e nc e o f E ngli s hme n and as ye t ou t s id e ,

t h e s ph e r e o f p ractical p olitics s eldo m h av e t h e l e a s t s u s picion ,

o f t h e e xte nt t o w h ic h i t h as alr e ady b e e n carri ed B e s id es o ur

1
.

in te rnational re lation s and t h e arm y navy p olic e and th e cour ts , , ,

o f ju s tic e t h e co mm unity no w carr i e s o n for i ts e lf in s o m e part

, ,

o r anot h e r o f th e s e is lan d s t h e p o s t o ffice tel e graph s carriage , r

, ,

o f s m all co mm od iti e s coinage s urv ey s t h e regulation o f t h e, , ,

curr ency and no te i s ue th e provi s ion o f w e igh ts and me a s ures

s , ,

t h e m aki ng s w eeping l i gh t i ng and r e pairing o f s tr ee ts road s

, , , , ,

and bridg es lif e i n s uranc e t h e grant o f annuiti es s hipbuil d ing

, , , ,

s tockbro k ing banking farm i ng and mon ey l e nding

,
I t provid es
, ,
-
.

f o r m any thou s and s o f us fro m b irth to burial— m id w if e ry n urs e ry , ,

ed ucation board and lodging vaccination

,
med ical at te nd anc e , , ,

m edi c ine p ubli c wor s h ip a m u se m e n ts and inte rm e nt

, It fur , ,
.

ni sh es and maintains its o wn mu seu m s p ark s art gall e ri e s , , ,

librari es conc er t halls road s str ee ts bridges mark e ts slaugh te r

,
-
, , , , ,

h ous es fire e ngin es lighthous es pilo ts fe rri es s ur f boats s team

,
-
, , , ,
-
,

tugs life boats c eme t e ri es public b ath s washhou ses pou nd s

,
-
, , , , ,

h arbors pi ers wharve s ho spital s d is p ens ari es gas work s water

, , , , , ,

work s tramway s tel egraph cabl es allotme nts co w me adow s

, , , , ,

a ti ans
r z dwellings s chool s c h urch e s and r eading rooms It
’
, , ,
-
.

carri e s o n and publis h e s i ts o wn r es e arch e s in g e ology me teorol ,

o
gy s tat i s tic s zoology g e o grap h y and e v e n th e ology
, ,
I n our
, ,
.

C oloni es t h e E ngli s h Gov e rn m e nt furth e r allows and e ncourage s

t h e co mmuniti e s t o p ro vid e for th em s elv e s railway s canal s pawn , ,

brok ing th eatres fores try cinc h ona farm s i rrigation l e p e r

, , , , ,

v illage s ca s ino s b athing e s tabli sh m en ts and imm igration and

, , , ,

t o d e al i n b alla s t guano quin in e O piu m s alt and w h at not

, , , , ,
.

E v e ry o ne o f th e s e function s wit h tho s e o f t h e ar m y nav y , , ,

polic e and courts o f jus tic e w ere at o ne time l e ft to private

, ,

1S Th Pro g
ee
“
f S o iali m
e (L on d on Th M o d rn Pr
re s s o 13 c s . : e e es s,

P at rno t r R w E C
e s e Pri O n P nny )
o ,
. . ce e e .
 HI S TO R I C . 43

e n te rp ri se and we re a s ourc e of l eg i ti mate in divi du al in vestment

,

of capital S te p by s te p t h e co mmunity h as abs orbe d th em

.
,

wholly or parti ally ; and t h e are a of private e xploi tation h as

bee n l es sen e d P arallel with thi s progr es s iv e nationalization or
.

m unicipalization of ind us try th e r e h as gon e on t h e el im ination ,

of t h e purely p e rs onal el ement in bus in es s manageme nt Th e .

olde r econo mis t s doub ted wh e th e r anything but ba nking and in

s uranc e could b e carri ed on by joint s tock e nt e rpri s e : now e v ery

conc e ivabl e indus try down t o bakin g and milk se lling is s u c ,

-
,

ce s s fu lly manage d by t h e s alari ed offic e r s of large corporation s

of idl e s hare holde rs M ore than o ne third of t h e wh ol e bus in es s

.
-

of E ngland me as ured by t h e capi t al employ ed is now don e by

, ,
1

jo int s t ock co mp ani es wh o se S h areh o ld ers co u ld b e e xpropria te d

,
'

by th e co mmunity with no more di s location o f t he ind u s tries

carri e d on b y th e m than is cau s ed by t h e daily p urchas e of s hares
o n t h e S t ock E xcha ng e .

B e s id e s its direc t s up e r s es s ion of pri v at e e nte rpri s e t h e ,

S ta t e no w r egi s t e r s in s p ects and control s n early all t h e indu s

, ,

t rial f u nction s which it h as not y e t ab s orb ed I n addi tion t o .

birth s marriages d eath s and el e c tors t h e S ta te re gi s te r s all

, , , ,

s olici t ors barri s t e r s notari e s

,
pa te n t agen t s broke rs n ew s pa per
, , , ,

propri e t ors playing card m ak ers brewe rs bankers s eamen

,
-
, , , ,

cap tain s mates doctors cab men hawk ers pawnbrok e rs tobac
, , , , , ,

c o nis ts di s t ille rs plate d e al e rs game d e al ers ; all in s ur anc e

, , ,

co mp ani es fri e ndl y s oci e tie s e ndowe d s chool s and ch arities

, , ,

li m ited co mpani e s lands h ou ses d eed s bill s of s al e co mpo s i

, , , , ,

tion s ship s ar ms dogs cab s o mnibus es books play s pam

, , , , , , , ,

phle ts n e ws pap e rs raw cotto n m o v e ments trad emarks and pa

, , , ,

te nts ; lodging hou s es public hou ses r efresh ment h ous e s thea
-
,
-
,
-
,

tres m u s ic halls plac es of worsh i p el emen tary s c h ools and

,
-
, , ,

dancing roo ms .

N o r is t h e r e gi s tration a m er e form Mo s t o f t h e forego ing .

are al s o in s p e cte d and critici s e d as are all railways tra mwa y s , , ,

S hip s ,
m in e factori e s canal boats public convey anc es fis h
s, ,
-
, ,

e ri es s laugh te r hou s e s dairi e s m ilk s h O p s bak e ri e s baby farms

,
-
, , , ,
-
,

gas me t e rs s chool s o f anato my vivi s e ction laboratori es e xp lo

, , ,

s ive works S cotc h h e rring s and co mmon lodging hous es

, ,
-
.

Th e in s p ection is ofte n d e t ail e d and rigidly e nforc ed Th e .

S tate in mo s t of t h e large r indus t rial o p erations p r e s cribe s t h e

1 S ee C p a ital and L an d (F ab ian Tract ,

N o. a
p ge 7 .
44 T HE BAS I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

a e of
g th e worker t h e h ours o f work th e am ount o f a i r ligh t
, , , ,

cubic S p ac e h e at lava to ry accommodation holiday s and m eal

, , ,

ti mes ; w h ere w h e n and h ow wage s s hall b e paid ; how ma

, f

chin e ry s taircas es lif t h ol es m in es and quarri es are t o b e

, ,

fe nc e d and guarded ; h o w and wh e n t h e plant s hall b e cl ean ed ,

re pair ed and worked E v en t h e kind o f package in which

.

s o me articl es s h all b e s old is duly pres crib ed s o that th e ,

individual capitali s t sh all take no advantage of h is po s ition .

O n e v e ry s id e h e is b e ing r egi s te r e d in s p e cted controll e d and

, ,

e v e n t ually sup e r s e d e d by t h e co mm unity ; and in t h e m e a nti m e

h e is co m p ell e d t o c e d e f o r public p ur po s e s an e v er incr ea s ing -

s h ar e o f hi s r e nt and inte r e s t .

E v e n in t h e fi eld s s till abandon ed t o privat e e nte rpris e it s ,

o pe ration s are thu s e very day m ore clo sely li mi ted in ord er ,

that t h e anarc h ic co mp e tition of priva te gr eed whic h at t h e ,

b e ginning o f t h e c entury w as s e t u p as t h e only infallibl e

b ene ficent pr i ncipl e o f social action may not utte rly d es troy ,

t h e S ta t e A l l thi s has b e e n don e by “ p ractical men igno

”
.
,

rant that is t o s ay o f any s ci entific s ociology b eli e ving

, , ,

S ocial is m t o b e t h e m o s t fooli s h o f dr ea m s and ab s olute ly ,

ignoring as the y thought all grandil o qu e nt clai m s for s ocial

, ,

r e con s truction S uc h is t h e irre s i s tibl e s wee p o f s ocial t en

.

d e ncie s that in t h e ir e v e ry act th e y work ed t o bring about

,

t h e v e r y S o cialis m th ey d e s pi s e d ; and to d es troy t h e I n

d iv id u alis t ic faith w h ic h th e y s till profes s ed T h e y build e d .

be t te r tha n th ey kn e w .

I t m u s t b y no m e an s b e s uppo s ed that th es e b e ginnings o f

s o cial r e or ani zation ha v e be e n e ff e cte d o r t h e p rO p o s als for
g ,

th e ir e x te ns ion brought to t h e front W ithout t h e con s ciou s ,

e fforts o f individual r e for m e r s T h e “ Z eitg e ist is pote nt ; ”

.

but it do es not pa s s Acts of P arliament without l e gi sla t ors ,

o r e r e ct m unicipal librari e s without town councillor s T hough .

o u r d e ci s ion s are m ould e d by t h e circu ms tanc e s o f t h e ti m e and ,

t h e en viron ment at l e a s t roughh e w s o e nd s s hap e th e m as ur ,

w e will ; y e t e ach g e n e ration d e cid e s for itself I t s till r es ts .

with t h e individual t o r es i s t o r pro mo t e t h e s ocial ev olution ,

con s ciou sly or uncon s ciou s ly according to his charac te r and

,

infor mation T h e i mportanc e o f co mpl e t e con s ciou s n es s o f t h e

.

s ocial te nd e nci es of t h e age li es in t h e fact that its e xi s te nc e

and com pre h e nsi ven es s ofte n d e te rm in e t h e e xp ediency of our
p articular action : we mo v e with l es s res i s ta nc e with t h e str eam
th an against it .
 HI S TOR I C . 45

Th e gen e ral failure to realiz e th e e xtent to whi ch o u u m r

con s ciou s S ociali s m h as alre ady proc ee d ed — a failur e whi ch

cau ses much ti me and labor to b e wa s te d in ut te r ing and
e laborat ing on pap e r t h e m ost ludicrou s l y unpractical an ti
S ociali s tic d e m on s tration s of t h e i m po s s ibility of m atte rs o f daily
occurre nc e — is d e to t h e fact t h at fe w know any thing of local
u

ad mini s tration out id e th e ir own town I t is th e m unicipaliti es

s .

wh ich h av e don e m o s t t o “ s ocializ e our indus trial life ; and ”

t h e municipal hi t ory of t h e c e ntury is y e t unwritt e n

s A few .

particulars may h e re b e give n as t o thi s progres s ive “ m uni ci

p alizat io n of indu s try M o t o f u s know that t h e local gov e rn
. s

m e n ts h av e a s s u med t h e car e of t h e road s s tr e e ts and bridge s , ,

onc e entirely abandon e d t o individual ente rpri s e as w ell as t h e ,

lighting and cl e an s i ng of all p ublic thoroughf ares and t h e ,

provi s ion of s ew e rs drain s and “ s torm wa te r cours es

,
I t is -
.
”
,

p e rhap s not s o g n e rally known th at no l es s than

,
e

is annuall y e xp e nd e d o n th e s e s e rvic e s in E ngland and Wal es

alon e b e ing about fiv e p e c en t of t h e r ent o f th e country
,
r .

Th e provi s ion of mark e ts fair harbor s pi e r s dock s h o s pital s

,
s, , , , ,

c eme te ri e s and burial ground s is s till s hare d with private capi

-

t alis t s ; but tho s e in public h and s ab s orb n e arly

annually P ark s pl ea ure g round s librari e s mu seu ms bath s
.
,
s , , ,

and wa s hhou e s co t t h e pub lic fund s ov e r ha lf a million s te rling

s s .

All th es e a e h ow e ve r co mparatively uni m portant s e rvic es I t

r , , .

is in t h e provi s ion of ga wate r and tra mway s tha t local

s,

authoritie s organiz e labor on a large s cal e P racticall y half t h e .

ga con s u me r in t h e kingdo m a e s uppli e d b y public gas works

s s r
,

which e xi s t in 1 68 s e parate localiti es with an a nnual e xp en di ture ,

of ov er thre e million s I t n e e d hardly b e adde d that t h e ad

l
.

van tage to t h e public is i mme n e in S pite of t h e enorm ous pric e s ,

paid for t h e work i n many i n s tanc es ; and that t h e furthe r

m unicipalization o f t h e gas i ndu s try is proc e e di ng with gre at
rapidity no fe w er than t welve local authoriti es havin g obtaine d
,

loan s for t h e purpo s e (and o ne for el e ctric lighting) in a s ingl e

— — 5 5 2 6 pp
y e ar (L ocal Gov ern m e nt Boar d R eport 1 8 8 7 8 0 , , ,
.

319 With e qual rapidity is t h e wate r s upply b e co ming

a mat te r of co mm e rcial organization t h e public e xp e n di ture ,

alre ady reaching ne arly a m illion s t e rling annually S ixty fiv e .

-

local authoritie s borro we d mon ey for wate r s upply i n 1 8 8 7 —8 ,

1 Gov rnm nt R turn f 1 887 8

e e e Board f Tra d Jo rnal
or - s ee
“
o e u
”

Jan ary 1 889 pp 76 8

, ,

u . - .
, ,
46 TH E BAS I S oE S OC I AL I S M .

ru r al and urb an di s tricts be ing e qually r eprese n ted (0 — 5550 pp ,

.

3 1 9 —3 T ra mway s and f e rri es are und e rgo ing t he s a m e d e

v elo pm en t About th irty o ne t own s including n early all t h e
.
“ -
,

larg e r pro vincial c e ntres o wn so me or all of th eir o wn t ramways , .

Manch es t e r Bradf ord , Bir mingham O ldh a m S u nd e rland and

, , ,

Gre enock l e a s e th e ir und ertaking s ; but a m o ng t h e munici ,

p alit ies Hudde rs fi eld h as t h e good s e n se to work it s l in e s with

o u t an
y
“
m iddlem an interv ention with e xc ell ent publ i c re
”
,

s al ts . T h e tra m way m il e age b elonging t o local authoriti es h as

incre a s ed fiv e fold s inc e 1 8 7 8 and co mpri s es m ore th an a
-
,

quar t e r of t h e whol e (Hou s e o f C o mmon s R e turn 1 887 —8 N o , , .

Th e la s t i m por t ant work co mpl e ted b y t h e M e tropolitan

Bo ard o f Work s was t h e es tabli s h m ent o f a “ fre e ste am
f e rry o n t h e T h a mes charged upo n t h e rates T his is in
”
.
, ,

s o m e r e s p ec t s t h e m o s t s ign ificant d ev e lop m e nt o f all

,
Th e .

diff ere nc e be tw een a fre e s te am fe rry and a free railway is

obviou sly only o ne o f d e gr ee .

A fe w m or e ca s es are worth m ention ing Gla sgow b uilds and .

m ain t ain s s e v e n public “ co mm on lodgin g hou ses ; L iv e rpool

”

p rovi des s ci enc e l ec t u r es ; Manch e s te r builds and s t ocks an art

gall ery ; Birmingham run s s chool s o f d e s ign ; L ee d s cr e ates
e xte n s i v e cattl e m ark e ts ; and Bradford suppli es wat e r b e low

cost p ric e Th ere are n early o ne hundr ed fre e librari es and

.

r eading roo m s Th e m inor s e rvic es no w p e rform e d by public

.

bodi e s are i nnu me rabl e Th i s “ Municipal S ociali s m h as .

1

b ee n r e nd e r e d p o s s ibl e by t h e cr e ation o f a local d e b t now

r e aching ov e r N e arly is annually
p aid as in t e re st and s inking fund o n t h e d ebt ; and t o thi s
e xte nt t h e p e cun i ary be n e fit o f mu nicipalization is di m ini s h e d .

T h e full advan tages o f t h e public organization o f labor r e

3

m ain b es id e s a con s id e rabl e p ecuniary p rofit ; w h il s t t h e o b

,

1 I t i n t g n rally known that t h C orp oration f L on d n actually

s o e e e o o
carri d n t h b in
e o f fie i n ran f r m 1 68 1 t 1 683 b t w
us es s o re su ce o o ,
u as
co mp ll d t ab an d on it thro gh t h opp o ition f th int r t d in
e e o u e s o ose e es e

p ri at
v n d rtaking wh finally ob t in d a m an d am in t h C rt f
e u e s, o a e u s e ou o
Kin g B n h t r train t h civi com p titor (Walf ord I n uran
’
s e c o es e c e
’
s s ce
C y l p d ia
c o a
e l iii p p 4 46 vo . .

— T hi b y t h w y i j
, ,
2
C 5550 p 436 ,
. . t ab t n y ar r ntal
s, e a ,
s us ou o e e
’
s e .

W p y v ry y ar t t h lan d l r d f p rm i i n t liv in E ngland

e a e e e o e o s or e ss o o e as
m h
uc t h w hol o t tan di n g co t f t h m a gnifi
as e e u nt p ro p rty
s f th s o e ce e o e
lo al gov rning a th oriti
c e u es.
3
S ee Th Gov rnm nt Orga nization f L ab or R p rt b y a C m
“
e e e o ,
e o 0 !

mit t e f t h e F ab ian S oci ty 1 886

e o e ,
.
 H I S T OR I C .

jec t iv e di ffe r entiati o n of cono mic cla s ses (b y th e separation

the e

o f t h e idl e nt ie fro m t h e manag e r or ent ep eneu ) e nor m ou s l y

re r r r r

facilita te s popular co mpreh en s ion of t h e nat u re o f t h e e cono mic

tribu te known as inte res t To th e e x ten t m oreove r that add i
.
, ,

t io nal charg e s are th ro wn upon t h e rate s t h e int e r e s t paid ,

t o t h e capi tali s t is l e vi e d mainl y at t he co s t o f t h e landlord and ,

w e h av e a corr e s ponding nationalization o f s o much of t h e

“

e cono m ic r e nt T h e incr e a s e in t h e local ra t es h as b ee n 3 6 pe r

.

c en t o r n early
,
in e l e v e n y e ar s and is s till grow ,

Th ey now a m oun t t o ov e r tw e nty s ix m illion s s te rling in E ngland -

and Wal es alon e or abo u t 1 7 per c ent o f t h e re ntal of t h e

,

country (C — 555 0 p clxxiv) ,

. .

N o r is th e r e any appar e nt pro s p e ct of a s lack e n ing of th e

pac e o f thi s u ncon s ciou s abandon ment of individuali s m N o .

m m be r o f P arlia m e nt h as s o muc h as introd uc ed a Bill to

e

giv e e ff e ct t o t h e anarchi s t principl e s of Mr H e rb ert S p e nc er s .

’

“ Man
ve s u s t h e S ta t e T h e not di s in te r e s t ed e fforts of t h e
”
r .

L ibe rty and P rop e rty D efe nc e L eagu e fail t o h ind e r e v en

C on se rvativ e P arlia me nt fro m furt h e r S ocial i stic l egi slation .

Mr Glad s t on e rem ark e d t o a fri end in 1 8 8 6 th at t h e Ho me

.

R l e qu e s tion would turn t h e L ib e ral party into a Ra dical

u

party H e migh t h ave s a id th at it would mak e both parti e s

.

S ocial i s tic Free el e mentary and public te chnical ed ucation is

.

no w practically acc e pte d on both s id e s o f t h e Hou s e provid ed ,

that t h e s e call ed “ volun tary s c h ool s the m s elv e s h alf ma in

-
,
”

t ained fro m public fun d s a e not e xtingu i s h e d ,

rMr C hamb er . .

lain and t h e y ounge r C on s ervativ es O pe nly advoca te far r e ac h ing

proj e c t s o f s ocial r e form throug h s ta te and municipal agenc y as ,

a me an s o f ob tain ing popu lar s upport Th e N ational L ibe ral .

F ed erati on a d op ts t h e S pe cial taxation o f u rban ground v alu e s

as t h e main fe atu re i n i ts d o m e s tic progra mm e no tw it h ,

1

standing that th i s propo sal is c h aracte riz e d by old fa s hion e d -

L ibe ral s as s h e e r confi s cation o f so m uch o f t h e landlords

’

prop erty Th e L ondon L ib eral and R adical Union whic h

.
,

h as Mr John Morl e y fo r it s
.
pre s id e nt e v e n pr e po s es th at th e ,

C oun ty C ouncil s hall h av e pow e r to r ebuild t h e L on d on s lu m s

at t h e s ol e ch arge o f t h e ground landlord It is th erefore .
2
, ,

1 S e e R ep r ot of An n al M ti ng at B i min gham S p t mb r
th e u ee r ,
e e e ,

1 888 .

2
S ee e so u r l ti on ad p t d b y t h C n i l t t h in tan f t h
s o e e ou c a e s ce o e
G n ral C mmitt F b r ary 8t h 1 889 (D ily N w
,

x
E ec u ve and ti e e o ee, e u ,
. a e s,
48 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

no t s urp ris ing th at t h e T rad e s Uni on C ongr e ss S h o uld no w

twi ce have d e clared in favor o f “ L and N atio nalization b y ”

large m ajoriti es o r tha t th e bulk o f th e L ondon C oun ty C ounc il

,

s hould b e r e turn ed o n an e s s e ntially S o ciali s tic p latform Th e .

whol e o f t h e i mmedi ately practicabl e d e mands o f t h e m o s t ‘

e xacting S o ciali s t s are ind ee d no w ofte n e m bodi e d in t h e curr e nt , ,

R a di cal progra mm e ; and t h e following e xpo s ition o f it fro m ,

t h e page s o f t h e S t a n ew s pap e r Aug us t 8 1 8 8 8 may s e rve r , , ,

as a s tat emen t o f t h e curr e nt S ociali s t d em an d s f o r furth e r

l egislation 1
.

R V I IO O T XA T I O E S N F A N .

0 bj t — C o mp l t
ec .hiftin g f b rd n from t h work r f what v r
e e s o u e e e s, o e e

grad t t h r cip i nt
e, o f r nt nd int r t with a i w t t h
e e e lti mat s o e a e es , v e o e u e
a nd g ra d ual xtin tion f t h latt r la e c o e e c ss.

M n 1 Ab olition
ea s. f ll cu tom
-
. nd xci d uti x pt o a s s a e se es , e ce
tho n p irit 2 I ncr a f in om tax d iff r ntiating in f a or
se o s s. . e se o c e ,
e e v
o f arn d e again t u n arn d incom
e as nd g rad atin g c m ulati
s ly e e es , a u u ve
by y t m s f ucc
s e iv l v l f ab at m nt 3 qualization nd
o s E ess e e e s o e e . . a
incr a f d ath d uti nd t h
e se o f t h p roc d
e cap ital n t es a e u se o e ee s as ,
o
in omc 4 S hi f tin g f local rat
e. . nd h ou d ty f ro m o cup i r t o es a se u c e o
own r ny contract t t h contrary notw ith tan d in g 5 C om p l ory
e ,
a o e s . . u s
r d mp tion f xi tin g l an d tax nd r i m p o ition n all ground r nt
e e o e s a e s o e s
a nd incr a d valu 6 Ab o lition f f
e se n lic n e f m p loy
es. . o ee s o e s s or e
m nte 7 Ab olition f p olice ourt f
. . o c
-
ee s .

TO Y AC T E x TE N S I O N O F FA C R S .

O bj t — T rai ec univ r al ly t h tan d ard f comfort b y ob tainin g

. o se , e s e s o
nd a maxi m u m w orkin g
,

t h g n ral r co gnition f a m ini mu m wag

e e e e o e a
d a
n 1 E xt n ion f t h g n ral p rovi ion
ea s. -
. f t h e F actory n d
e s o e e e s s o a
Work hop Act ( t h M in R g lation A ct
s s th s ca m y b )
or e es e u s , as e se a e
t all m p loy r
o f lab or
e 2 C o mp ul ory r g i tration
e s f ll m p loy
o . . s e s o a e
ers f m or than thr
o w ork r e3 L arg ly incr a d n mb r f ee e s. . e e se u e o
in p tor nd th t includ wom n nd t b m ainly ho n fr m
s ec s, a e se o e e ,
a o e c se o

t h wa ge arnin g cla 4 I mm diat r d u tion f maxi mum ho r t

e -e ss . . e e e c o u s o

e i ght p d y in ll Gov rnm nt nd m nicip al m p loy m nt in ll

er a a e e a u e e ,
a
min nd in all lic n
es , a d m onop oli uch rail way tram way g e se es s as s, s, as
work wat rwork d oc k h rb or
s, e t ; nd in ny tra d in wh i h
s, s, a s , e c. a a e c - a
m aj ority f t h work r d ir it 5 T h co mp ul ory in rtion f
o e e s es e . . e s se o

9t h F eb ruary ) Prof or S tuart M P h n w intro duc d a B ill m

. ess . . as o e e

o in th a toni hing p rop o al

, ,
b dy g es e s s s s.
1 It i
sint r ting t comp ar thi prog ramm with it p ri m ary in
e es o e s e, s
i t nc n ono mic nd ocial r f orm with t h b ar p oliti al h ra
s s e e o ec a s e e e c c a c

F iv Point s f t h C harti t M anh oo d S ff ra g Vot

,
“ ”
t f th
er o e i e o e s s , v z. , u e, e
b y B allot Ann al Parliam nt Paym nt f M m b r r li ev d f ro m t h
, u e s, e o e e s e e e

p rop rt y q ualification and E q ual E l ectoral Di trict

e , s s.
 THE BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

tion b y p cial p ub li m r 4 Ann ual Parliam nt 5 Paym nt f

s e c e ee . . e s . e o
l t ion xp n
e ec in l d in g p o tag f l ction ad d r
e e s e s, nd p ol lin g
c u s e o e e e s s es a
card 6 Pay m nt f ll ub li r p r ntativ p arliam ntary co nty
e o a c e
m unici p al 7 S on pb al lot
s. . es e es , e ,
u ,

or .8 Ab o lition
.
p ainl xtinction
ec . . or es s e
of t h Houe f L or d se o s .1

T ish is
programme to w h ich a c en t u ry o f in d us t r ial
the
rev oluti on h as brought t h e R adical working man L ike John .

S tuart Mill though l e s s e xplicitly h e h as turn e d fro m m e re

,
2
,

political D e moc racy to a co mp l e te th o u gh uncon s ciou s S o , ,

cialis m .
3

TH E N E W SYN TH E S I S .

It n ee d h ardly b e s aid that t h e s ocial p h ilo s ophy o f t h e ti me

did not r e m ain u nafie c t e d b y t h e p olitical e v olution and t h e
indus trial d e v elop me nt S lo wly s inking in t o men s m ind s all .
’

this whil e w as t h e conc eption o f a new s ocial n e xu s and a ,

ne w end o f s ocial lif e I t was di s cov e r ed (or r e dis co v e red) .

th at a s oci e ty is s o me thin g m ore than an aggr egate o f s o man y

individual un its — that it po s s es s es e xi s te nc e di s tingui habl e s

from t h o se o f any o f its compon ents A p e rfe ct city b e came .

re cognized as s o m e thing mo r e than any nu mb er o f good citi

z e ns — s o me thing t o b e tri ed by oth e r te s ts and w e igh ed in ,

oth e r balanc es th an t h e individual man Th e co mmunity m u s t .

n e c e s s arily aim co ns ciou s ly o r not at it s continuanc e as a

, ,

co mm unity ; its l ife tran s c ends that o f any o f its me mbe rs ;

and t h e inter es ts o f t h e indivi dual uni t m u s t ofte n cla s h with
th o s e of t h e w h ol e T hough t h e s ocial organis m h as i ts elf.

e volv ed fro m t h e unio n o f individual m e n t h e in ,

now cr e a t e d by t h e s ocial organi s m o f which h e form s a part

his lif e is born of t h e large r lif e ; his attribut es a e m ould e d by r

t h e social pr e s s u r e hi s activiti e s in e xtricably i n t e rwov e n wi th ,

oth ers b elong to t h e activity o f t h e w h ole With out th e co n

,
.

1I t n d ha dly b
ee ai d th t ch m f f r lan d p a ant p rop ri
r e s a s e es o ee ,
e s

t
e o rs h ip l a hol d nfranch i m nt find n p lac i n t h m o d rn
,
or e se e se e ,
o e e e

p ro gram m f th S iali t R a di al
e o S ocial D m ocrat
e ocTh y s c ,
or e . e are
s urvival f t h I n d ivi d ali tic R ad i ali m whi h i p a in g away
s o e u s c s c s ss .

C an d i d t k ing a p op ular y m or n d mor avoi d th r a

a es s ee
“
cr
’’
e a e es e e c

t i n y pr p
o ar al o os s.
2
A ut b io g ap hyo p 23 1 2 S
r al o B ook I V f t h Principl
,
’

.
-
ee s . o e es
o f Po liti al E onom y (Po p ular d ition
c c e ,
3F or a for a t f t h d iffi lti w hi h thi p ro gramm will hav t
ec s o e cu es c s e e o

e ncount r it f ll c p nd int ntion b om m or cl arly r aliz d

e as s u s o e a e ec e e e e e ,

s ee t h e i ghth
e ay in th i v lu m b y H ub rt B lan d
e ss s o e, e .
 HI S T O R I C . 51

t inu ance and soun d h e alth o f t h e s ocial organis m no man can ,

no w liv e or thriv e ; and it s p e r s i s te nc e is according ly h is p ara

m oun t e nd His con s cio us m otiv e for action may b e nay
.
, ,

always mus t b e individual to h i mse lf ; but whe re s uc h action

,

prov e s in imical to th e so cial w elfar e it mu s t s oon e r o r late r b e ,

ch ecke d by t h e wh ol e l es t t h e whol e p e rish through t h e error

,

o f it s m e m b e r Th e con di tion s of s ocial h e alth are accord

.

ingly a mat te r for s ci en tific inv es tigation T h e r e is at any .

,

mo m ent o ne partic u lar arrange ment of s ocial r elation s w h ic h

,

involves t h e m ini mum of h u man mi se ry th e n and th ere p o s

s ibl e a mid t h e niggardlin es s o f nature Fifty y e ars ago it
“
.

would have bee n a ss umed that ab s olute fr eedo m in t h e s en s e

of individual or “ manly indep endenc e p lus a cri minal cod e ”
, ,

would spon tan e ous ly result i n s uch an arrangem ent for e ac h

particular nation ; and th e effe c t w as th e p h ilO S O phic apo t h
eo s is o f L a zss e F at e To day e v e ry s tude nt is awar e th at
’ '

r r .
-

no s uch opti m i s tic a ss um ption is warran te d by th e facts o f life 1

.

W e know now that in natural s e l ection at t h e s tage o f d ev elop

me n t w h e r e t h e e xi s t e nc e o f c i viliz ed mankind is at s tak e t h e ,

uni ts s el e cted fro m are not individual s but s oc ie ti es I ts ,

.

action at e arli e r stages th ough analogou s is qu i te di s s i milar

, , .

Am on g th e lowe r ani mal s phy s i cal s tre ngth or agility is th e

favore d quality ; if s o m e h e ave n s ent ge niu s a m ong t h e cuttl e -

fi h d e ve lop e d a d elica te po e tic faculty thi s h igh e xc ell enc e

s ,

would no t d elay h is s uccu mbing to his h u lking neigh bor .

W h e n h igh e r up in t h e s cal e me ntal cunn i ng b e ca me t h e fa

, ,

v o e d attribut e an e xtra bra in convolution

r , l e ading prim itive ,

m an to t h e inv ention o f fire or tool s e n abl ed a co mparativ ely ,

puny s avage to b eco me t h e conque ror and survivor o f h is

fellows .

Brain cul ture accord ingly d ev e lop ed apac e ; but we d o no t

y e t thoroughly r e aliz e that th i s has i ts e lf b e e n s up e r s ed e d as
t h e “ s el e ct ed attribute by social organization Th e culti
,
.

v a te d Ath e nian s S arac e n s and P rov e n al s w e n t down in t h e

, c ,

s tru gl e for e xi s t e nc e b e for e th e ir r e s p e ctiv e co m p e ti t or s wh o

g , ,

individually i nfe rior w e re i n po sses s ion o f a at that ti me

, , ,

m or e v aluabl e s ocial organization T h e Fr e nch nation was .

beate n in t h e last war not be cau s e t h e average Ge rm an w as

,

an inc h and a half talle r t h an t h e av erage French man or ,

S 1
Darwini m nd Politic b y D G R itchi F llow nd T tor
ee s a s, . . e, e a u
o f J u C oll g O xf or d (L on d on S wan S nn h in
es s e e, C : ,
o es e o
52 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

be caus e h e had r e ad fiv e more bo oks but becau s e th e Ge rman ,

s ocial organi s m w as for t h e pur p o s e s of t h e t im e sup e rior in

, , ,

e ffici e nc
y t o t h e Fr e nc h I f w e d es ir e to hand o n t o t h e aft e r
.

world o u r dire ct influ enc e and not m er e ly t h e me mory o f o u r ,

e xc e ll enc e w e m ust tak e e v e n m or e car e t o i m prov e t h e s ocial

,

organi s m o f w hic h we for m part than t o p e rf e ct o u r o w n i ndi ,

vidual d e v elop ments O rath e r t h e p e rfect and fitting d e v e l

. r ,

O p me n t o f e ac h i ndividual is not necc e s s arily t h e ut m o s t and

high es t cultivation o f h is o wn p ers onality but t h e filling in , ,

t h e be s t po s s ibl e w ay o f h is hu m bl e fun c tion in t h e gr e at

,

s ocial m achin e W e m u s t abandon t h e s e lf conc e it of imag

.
-

ining that w e a e ind ep e nd e nt unit s and b e n d o u

r j e alou s ,
r

mi nd s ab s orb ed in th e ir o w n cultivation to thi s s ubj e ction to

, ,

t h e h igh e r e nd t h e C o mm o n W e al
,
Accordingl y con s cious .
,
“
d i r e ct adaptation s te adil y s upplan ts t h e uncon s cious and
”

w as te ful “ indir e ct adaptation o f t h e e arli e r form o f t h e ”

s truggl e f or e xi s t e nc e ; and with e v e r

y advanc e in s ociological
kno wl e dge Man is s een to a s s u me m ore and more not only
, ,

t h e m as te ry o f “ thing s but al s o a con s ciou s control ov e r

,

s ocial d e s t iny i ts e lf .

Thi s ne w s ci e ntific conc e ption o f t h e S ocial O rgan i s m h as ,

put co mpl e te ly o u t o f counte nanc e t h e ch e ri s h e d principl e s o f

t h e P olitical E cono m i s t and t h e Ph ilO S O p h ic R adical W e l eft .

th e m s ailing gaily in t o Anarchy o n t h e s t r ea m of L aiss e F ai s r r .

S in c e th e n t h e tid e h as tur ned Th e publication o f J ohn S tuart .

M ill s
’
“
P olitical E cono m y i n 1 8 48 m ark s conv e ni ently t h e
boundary o f t h e o ld individuali s t E cono mic s E v ery e dition .

o f Mill s b ook b e ca me m or e and m or e S ociali s tic Afte r his

’
.

d eath t h e worl d l e arnt t h e p e rs onal hi s t ory p enn e d by hi s o wn ,

hand o f his d e v elop me nt fro m a mere political d emocrat to a

,
1

convinc e d S o cialis t .

T h e chang e in ton e s inc e th e n h as b ee n s uc h th at o ne co m

p e te n t econo m i t profe s s edly anti S ociali s t publi sh e s r eg re t
s ,
2 -
,

fully to t h e world that all t h e y oung e r men a e now S ociali s ts r ,

as w e ll as many o f t h e o ld e r P rof es s ors It is ind e ed mainly

,
. , ,

fro m th es e th at t h e world h as l e arn t h o w faulty w e r e t h e

earli e r e cono mi c g e n e rali z a tion s and a b ov e all how i nco mp l e t e , ,

Autob iograp hy p p 231 —2

1 . .

F W A
,

R2
ev . ling Princi p al f T aunton I n d p n d nt C oll g in
. . ve ,
o e e e e e,
l afl t Down w ith t h S o iali t Aug t 1 888 S al o Prof r
e e e c s s,
”
us . ee s es s o

H S d gwi k n E conomi S ociali m ” C nt mp y R i w

,
“
. e c o c s ,
o e ora r ev e ,

N ov m b r 1 8 86
e e ,
.
54 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

re gula t ed co ord i natio n a mo ng t h e un i ts of e ac h organis m for

-
,

blind anarchic co mp e tition Thirty y ear s ago H e rb ert S p enc er .

d em on s tra t e d t h e inco mpatibility o f full priva te prop erty in

land with t h e m od ern d emocratic S tate ; and al m o s t e v e ry 1 !

e cono m i s t no w p r e ach e s t h e s a m e doctr in e Th e R adical is .

rapidly arriving fro m p ractical e xp e ri enc e at s i milar conclu

, ,

s ion s ; and t h e ste ady incre a se o f t h e gov ern m en t r egulation

of priva te e nte rpri s e t h e growth o f m unicipal ad m i ni tration
, s ,

and th e rapi d s hifti ng o f t h e b urd e n o f taxation dire ctly to

r ent and i nte re s t m ark i n tr ebl e lin es t h e s tate sman s u nco n
,
’

sciou s abandon ment o f t h e o ld I ndividuali sm and our i es is , rr

tibl e glid in to coll e ctivi s t S ociali s m

e .

I t was i n e v itabl e that t h e D em ocrac y s hould l e arn th i s

l es s on Wit h t h e ma s s es painfully con s ciou s o f t h e failure of
.

Individual is m t o cre ate a d e c e nt s ocial l ife for four fif t h s o f t h e -

p eO ple it m ight h av e b e e n for e s ee n that Individuali s m could

2
,

not s urvive th e ir ad v e nt t o political pow e r I f private prop e rty .

in lan d and capital n ec es s arily k eeps t h e many workers p e rm a

ne nt ly poor (thr o u g h n o fault o f th e ir o wn ) i n ord e r t o m ak e ,

t h e f e w i dl e r s ric h (fro m no m e rit o f th e ir o w n) private ,

prop e rty in lan d and capital will in evitably go t h e way o f t h e

fe udali s m w h ic h i t s u pe rs ed ed Th e e cono mic analys i s con .

firms t h e roug h gen eralization o f t h e s u ffe ring p e opl e The .

h is t ory o f indus trial e volution p oints to t h e same r e s ult ; and

for t w o g en eration s t h e world s chi e f e th ical teach e rs h ave b ee n ’

urging t h e s ame l es s on N o wond e r t h e h eav en s o f I ndividu .

alis m are rolli n g up b e for e o u r e y e s lik e a s croll ; and e v e n t h e

Bi s hop s b eli e v e and trembl e .

8

I t is o f cour s e po s s ibl e as S ir H e nry Main e and oth e r s

, , ,

h av e s ugges ted that t h e whol e e xp eri enc e of t h e c en tu y is a

, r

m i s tak e and that political pow e r will onc e m or e swi ng back

,

i nto t h e h and s o f a m onarch o r an ari s to cratic oligarch y I t .

is i nde ed want o f faith in D e m ocrac y which hold s back m o s t

, ,

e duca t e d s y m pa thi s e r s with S ociali s m fro m frankly acc e pting

it s p rinc i pl e s Wh at t h e e cono mic s ide o f s uc h politic al

.

1 S o ial S tati tic

c p im s s, a ss .

2 See Prof or L on L vi l tt r t t h Tim 1 3t h Au g t 1 886

es s e e e
’
s e e o e es , us

F r d ri Harri on
, ,

a nd M r. e e p h at t h I n du trial R m un rati n
c s
’
s s e ec e s e e o

C onf r nc h ld in Jan ary 1 8 85 (R p ort p

e e e e u e .

bj t
, ,
3
See R p ort f t h L am b th E p i c p al C onf r nc
e o e 1 888 e s o e e e, su ec ,

S o iali m al o t h p roc din g f t h C ntral C o nf r n f D i

”
c s : s e ee s o e e e e ce o o
ce s an C oun il J n 1 889 (p ap r n S ociali m b y C non F u )
c s, u e, e o s a rs e .
 HI S T O R I C . 55

ata vi s m woul d b e i t is no t eas y to forecas t Th e mac hine

.

indu stry and s t ea m po we r could hardly b e di s mi s s ed with t he

caucus and th e ballot box S o long howeve r as D emocracy
- .
, ,

in political ad minis tration continu e s to b e th e do minant prin

ciple S ocial is m m ay b e quite s af ely pr e dic t e d as i ts e cono mic
,

obve rs e in sp i te of th o s e fre aks or abe rration s o f D e mocracy

,

wh ich h av e already h ere and th ere thrown up a s hor t lived

m onarc h y o r a ro mantic di ctato rs h ip E v e ry incr e a s e in t h e
.

political pow er o f t h e prol e tariat will mo s t s ur el y b e u s ed by

the m for th e ir e cono mic and social prote c ti on I n E ngland at
.
,

any ra t e t h e h i s tor y o f t h e c ent u ry s e r v e s at onc e as t h e ir

,

gu id e and th eir j u s tificati on .

 I ND US TR I A L .

BY WI L L I A M CL AR KE ,
M .A .

M Y o bj ect i n th e following p ap er i s t o pr e s ent a b ri ef narra

tiv e of t h e e cono mic h is t ory o f t h e la s t c e ntury o r c entury and
a half Fro m this I wi sh to draw a moral T hat m oral is
. .

that th e re h as be e n and is proc eeding an e cono mic e volution ,

practically inde p e nd ent o f o u individual d e s ires o r prejudic es ;

r

an e volution w h ic h h as change d for u s t h e whol e s ocial probl em

by changing t h e condition s of mat e rial production and which ,

i so
p f a t o e ff e ct s a r ev olution in o u r mod e rn lif e T o l earn
c .

cl e arly w h at that r e volution is and to pr e par e ours el v es for

,

taking advan tage o f i t in d u e cours e thi s I tak e to b e br i efly

what is me ant b y S ocialis m T h e ignoran t public r epres en te d
.
,

by le t u s s ay t h e av e rage bi s hop o me mb e r o f P arliament

, ,
r ,

h e ars of t h e S ocial R evolution and i n s tantly think s o f s tree t

riot s noyades wit h a o up d eta t a l ot h o f Augu s t follow e d
, ,
c
’ ’
: ,

p erhap s b y its N eme s i s in an 1 8 th Brum air e But th ese are .

not t h e S ocial Re volution T hat gr eat change is proc eedi ng

.

s ile ntly e v e ry day . E ac h ne w lin e o f ra ilwa y whic h op e n s up

t h e trackl e s s d e s e rt e v e ry n e w m achi ne w hi ch s upplant s h and
,

labor e ach fres h co mbination for med b y ca p ital is ts e v e ry ne w

, ,

labor organization e v ery change in pric es e ach new inv e ntion

, ,
— all th e s e forc e and m any m or e are actually working out a
s

s ocial r e volution b e for e our e y es : for th e y a e c h anging funda r

m e ntally t h e e cono m ic basi s o f life T h e r e m ay pos s ibl y

.

co me s o m e o ne s upre me m o ment o f ti me in wh ich a gre a t

dra matic incid ent will r ev e al to m en t h e s i gnificanc e o f t h e
C hang e s which hav e le d up to it and o f w h ich it is m e r ely t h e
,

fi nal e xpre s s ion And future hi s torian s m ay write o f that

.

as Th e R e volution ju s t a s h i s t o rian s now write o f t h e fall of t h e

Ba s till e or t h e e x e cution of L oui s XV I as though th es e e v en ts

, ,

con s titu ted t h e Fr enc h R ev olution instead o f b eing t h e fin al

,
58 TH E B A SIS o n S OC I A L I S M .

o ne woul d no t h av e found th e large mo d ern s h o e factory w i th -

,

it s b e wild e ring vari e ty o f m ac h in e s e ac h o ne with a hu m an ,

m achin e by it s s id e For s ho e making th en was a pur e h andi

.

craft r equiri ng skill judg ment and s o me me as ur e o f arti s tic

, ,
-

s en s e . E ach s h o emak e r w o rk e d in h is o wn little h ous e bought ,

h is o wn m a te r i al fro m t h e l ea th e r m e rc ha n t and fa s h ion e d ,

e v e ry part of t h e s ho e with his o w n hand aided by a f e w ,

s i mpl e and in e xp e n s iv e tools H e b eli ev ed th er e was “ n oth ing

.

like l eath er and h ad not ye t l e arn ed t h e art o f putting o n

,

ch eap s ol es no t mad e o f l e ath er to c h eap b oots which i n a

, , , ,

m onth s ti me will b e al m o s t worn o u t V e ry lik e ly t h e S ho e

’
.
,

m ake r had no v o t e ; but h e w as n ev e r liabl e t o b e lock ed o u t

b y h is e m ploy e r o r t o b e oblig e d to go o n strik e aga i n s t a
,

r ed ction o f wag es with h is boy in pri s on for s ati sfying h ung e r

u ,

at t h e e xp ens e of t h e ne ighboring bak er o r h is girl o n t h e ,

s tr ee t s to pay for h e r ne w dr es s S uch was t h e s i m pl e indu s

.

triali s m of our gr eat gr e at grandfath e rs But t h e ir m od e o f

- -
.

life was d es tin e d to change All progr es s says Mr H e rbe r t.

, .

S p e nc e r is d iff e r en tiation ; and t h i s for m idabl e fac t or b egan

,

to app e ar in th e qui e t S l eepy E nglis h country About 1 7 60

, ,
.

a large S hare o f calico printing was tran s fe rr e d fro m L ondon

-

to L anca s hire w h ere labo r was th e n ch eap e r T h e re was a

, .

con se qu e nt fall in pric es and an incre as ed d eman d for calico es

,

o f lin en warp and cotton w e ft T h e n t h e Manch e s te r d e al e r s

.
,

in s te ad of buy ing fu s tian s and calico e s fro m t h e w e ave r b egan ,

to furni s h h im with t h e m a te rial s for h is cloth and t o p ay ,

h im a fix e d pric e p er pi e c e for t h e work w h e n e x e cu t ed So .

t h e Manc h e s t e r d e al e r b e ca me w h at t h e Fr e nc h call an en t e r

p eneu ; and t h e tran s for m ation o f t h e i nd e p e nd e nt w e a v e r

r r

into a w age r ec eiv er b egan Th e iron law o f wag es and th e

.

un e mplo y ed qu e s tion al s o b e gan t o loo m d im ly up For as .

t h e w e av e r ca m e to h ir e h i m s elf to t h e d e al e r s o t h e w e av e r ,

le t out part o f h i s work ; and it fr e qu ently h app e n ed th a t t h e

s u m whic h t h e m a s t e r w e av e r r e c e iv e d f o m h is e m ploy e r was r

l ess th an w h at h e found him s elf co m p ell ed t o pay to tho s e

who m h e e mploy ed i n s p i nn ing “ H e dur s t no t h ow e ve r .
, ,

co mpla in say s Mr Watts in h is articl e o n cotton (E ncy

”
, .

0 10
p oe d ia Bri tannica ) muc h l e s s abat e t h e s p inn e r s p ric e
’

, ,

l es t h is loo ms S h ould b e un employ ed T h e quan tity o f yarn

”
.

prod uc ibl e un d e r thi s S i mpl e Sys t em b y t h e aid o f t h e o ne

thread w h eel was very s mall T h e w h ol e did no t e xc eed in .
 IN DU S TR I AL . 59

quanti ty wh at S p indl e s of our p r es ent mac hine ry can

yi eld A s o ne man can now s up e rintend

. s p indl es it ,

will b e s een t h at tw enty five men with machin e ry can prod uc e

-

as much as t h e whol e population o f o ld L anca s hir e I n 1 7 50 .

t h e fir s t i mportant inve n tion in t h e cotton indu s try was mad e

in th e s hap e o f t h e fly s huttle inven te d b y K ay e O f Bur y I n
-
,
.

1 7 60 i mpro v e me n ts w e r e m ad e in t h e carding proc es s In .

1 7 67 t h e s pinning j enny was inv e nt e d b y Hargr e a v e s and thi s

-
,

was at l ength brought t o work as m any as e ighty s pindl es .

T h e inge nious Hargr e av es had a mpl e Op po rtunity for practical

s tudy of th e un employ e d qu e s tion ; for t h e S pinn e rs s o m e
“ ”
,

of who m w er e forc e d in t o i dlen es s by t h e ne w inven tion broke ,

into h is hou e and d estroy ed h is machi n e S hortly afte r th e re

s .
,

was a gen e ral ri s ing ov e r indus trial L anca s hire : t h e poor

hand workers w h o s e proph e tic s oul s w ere e vid ently dre ami ng
-
,

on th ings to co me s couring t h e country and br e ak ing in p i e c es

,

e v e r y ca rding and s pinni ng m achin e th e y could find .

P rogre ss by di ff e re ntiation how ev e r h ee d e d not t h e s e co nd

, ,

s ight of L anca s hir e work e r I n 1 7 69 Arkwright contriv e d

s. ,

t h e s pinning fra me and O b t ain ed h is p at e nt for s pin ning with

,

roll e rs I n 1 7 7 5 C ro mp ton O f Bol ton inv en te d t h e m ule j en ny

.
, , ,
-
,

e nabling warp s of t h e fin es t qua lity to b e S pun I n 1 7 9 2 fur th e r .

,

i mpro vem en ts in thi s machin e w e re mad e b y P ollard O f Man ,

ch es te r and K elly of Glas gow I n 1 7 8 5 s t e a m w as fir s t ap

, ,
.
,

p li ed to t he S pin n ing O f cotton i n N ottingh amshire I n 1 7 8 4 .

t h e R ev E C artwright o f K en t in v e nt e d pow e r loo m w eaving

. .
, ,
-
,

and co m pl e te d and pat e nt e d h is inv e ntion i n August 1 7 87 ,

.

H e re th en with in a p e ri od O f abou t forty ye ars was a s eri es

, , ,

o f m e chanical inv e ntion s which had t h e e ff e ct o f ab olute l y s

changing t h e m e thod of production and enorm ou sly incr ea s ing ,

t h e output ; of dividing t h e labor o f producing w h ich h ad ,

form e rly b ee n effe c te d by a s i ngl e fa mily within t h e wall s

of a s in gl e roo m b e tween s cores and h undr ed s o f p e opl e
, ,

e ach of who m only und e r t ook a s ingl e proc e s s in a co m pl e x

Op e ration ; O f m a ss ing t oge th e r h undred s O f thou s and s O f p e opl e

und e r ne w condition s o f bringing a h e re tofore i solate d di s trict
i nto inti ma te r elation s with di s t ant fore ign land s and o f s epa :

rating t h e work O f S pinning or w e aving fro m t h e own e rs hip

o f t h e i n s t ru me nt s by who s e aid t h e work w as don e Th e i . h

de p ende nt w e ave r w as gon e ; o rath e r h e w as s ubj ec te d li ke

r ,

an a moeba t o a proc es s of fi s s ion b u t with thi s difierence : that

, ,
60 TH E BAS I S O F SOC I AL I S M .

w h er eas t h e amoeba produc es by fis s i on O th er s i milar amoeb ae ‘

t h e w e a v e r was diff e re ntia te d i n t o a p e r s on call e d an e mploy e r

and anoth e r call e d an em ploy é o r “ hand Multiply thi s .

“
h and by t h ou s ands and we ge t t h e mill o r factory div id ed
, ,

in t o de partme nts e ac h with it s S p e cial d e tail of work e ach d e

, ,

ta il fitting into all t h e r es t e ac h mac h in e taking up t h e work

,

wh e re t h e las t mac h in e l eft it and eac h contributing it s share

,

to t h e jo int product Multiply th e emp loy e r ; add enormou sl y

.

t o t h e aggr ega t e o f h is capital ; r e m ov e t h e barri e r o f natio nal

frontie rs fro m h is Op e ratio ns ; r eli ev e h im o f t h e duty o f p er
s onal s up e rvi s ion ; and w e
ge t t h e join t s tock capitalis t
-
.

P aus e a m o me nt t o con s id e r t h e fa m ou s world e v e nts w h ich -

made S O muc h noi s e w h il e the se indu s trial proce s s es w e r e goi ng

on . Th e conqu e s t o f C an ad a t h e v ictori e s o f C li ve in In dia
, ,

t h e S e ve n Y e ars War t h e s ucc e s s ful r e v olt o f t h e A m e rican

’
,

coloni es t h e D e claration o f Ind e p e nd e nc e and formation o f t h e

,

Am erican C on s titution th e d e ed s of Fr e d eric t h e Gre at P itt s

, ,
’

acc es s ion to powe r Washi ngton s el e ction to t h e P r e s i d ency

,
’

t h e Fall Of t h e Ba s till e t h e d e ath o f Mirab e au t h e fall o f t h e

, ,

O ld Fr e nch monarchy t h e N ational C on v e ntion

,
all th ese gr eat
e v e nts whic h s h ook t h e worl d w e r e cont e mporary with t h e in

d u s t rial r e volution in E ngland ; and t h at r e volution w as in

p ro mi s e and potency m or e i mpor tant than th em all .

I will glanc e at t h e d e v e lop m e nt o f anoth e r gr e at i ndu s try ,

th at O f iron I n form er ti m es iron was large l y work ed in t h e

.

s out h of E ngland notably in S u s s e x in a di s trict n o w p ur e ly

, ,

agricultural By t h e m iddl e O f t h e 1 8 th c e n tury i m portan t iron

.
,

i ndus tri es h ad b eg u n to clus te r roun d C oalbrookd al e ; and h ere

m any o f t h e indu s trial chang e s i n t h e worki ng Of iron w e r e fir s t
in tro d uc ed Fro m 1 7 66 to 1 7 8 4 improv emen ts w e re m ade in t h e
.

m od e o f working m all e abl e iron and Of tran s fe rring ca s t into

wrough t i ron Th e puddling forge w as inv ented in 1 7 8 4 ; and
.

i t gav e an i mmen s e i m p e tus to t h e manuf actur e I n 1 8 2 8 t h e .

u se o f t h e hot blast w as s ub s titut e d for cold air i n 1 8 4 2 N as

myt h i nv en t e d t h e s te a m ha mm e r ; and i n 1 8 5 6 t h e B e s s em e r
-

proc es s O f making ste e l was pate nted S ubs e qu en tly w e hav e .

t h e S i e m e n s r eg e n e rativ e furnac e and gas produc e r t h e u s e O f ,

m ac h in e ry in li e u o f h and labor for p u d dling t h e ca s ting o f s te e l

,

unde r g re at pres s ur e and t h e i m prov ements in t h e B es sem e r

,

proc es s A s a r e s ult o f th es e inve ntion s t h e i ncr e a s e in t h e

.

p roduc ti on o f s teel dur ing t h e la t f ew y ears e sp ecially i n t h e

s ,
62 THE BA S I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

industr ies can till b f oun d in town and country Th at i s S O

s e .
,
n o doubt ; and i t i s not unlik ly that for a long ti me t o come e

m an y m all trade s m y xi t nd so me m y e v e n flouri h

s a But
e s , a a s .

t h e countri i n which mall indu tri e flouri h mo t a preci s ely

es S s s s s re

tho in whic h th ere i l a t mach in in d u try and wh e re on

se s e s e s , c

s e qu e ntly capitali m i s l e a t d v lop e d In no co untry say

s s e e .
, s

K ropotkin a e th ere s o many s m all p rod uc e r as in R us ia

,
r s s .

E xactl y and in n country i th r e S O littl e mac h in e ry o

: o uch s e r s

a n i n ffic i n t railway y t m i n proportion t o pop lation and

e e s s e u re

s ourc O n t h oth r h and in no coun try i m ac hi n e ry

es . e e , s so

e xt en i vely u e d a in t h Unit d S ta te and i t i preci ely th at

s s s e e s s s

country whic h con tain t h e f w t m all ind tri e in proportion

s e es s us s

to p opulation and r e s ourc es Many O f t h e s m all indu s tri es to o.

, ,

a s K ropotkin ad m its ar e carri e d on by p e r s on s wh o h av e b e e n

,

di s plac e d by m achi n es and w h o h av e t h u s b e en thro w n un e m

,

p loy ed o n t h e labor m ark e t ; o r w h o hav e drifte d into large towns ,

e s p e cially i n t o L ondon b ecaus e i n t h e country th e re was no

,

work for th em At be s t t h e gr e at major i ty o f th es e p e o p l e e arn

.

but a s canty and precarious liv ing and j udging fro m t h e nu m ,

b er o f h awk e rs and v endors w h o wand e r about s uburban s tr e e ts

and road s wit h out s elling a ny th ing o ne would i m agi ne t h at ,

great nu mbe rs can s carc ely m ak e any living at all .

Furth ermore wh e n K ropotkin r ef e rs to t h e s w eate r s victi ms

,
’

and to t h e p e opl e i n country plac es w h o m ake o n a s mall s cal e

cloth es o r furniture whi ch th ey di s pos e o f to t h e d eal ers in large
towns and so forth le t it b e r e memb er ed that S O lo ng as h u man
, ,

labor is ch eap e r than m achin e ry it will b e utiliz e d by capitali s ts

i n th i s way Th e capitali s t u s es o r do e s not u s e mac h in ery
.

accord ing as i t pay s o r d oe s not pay ; and if h e can draw t o an

u nli mi ted e xtent o n t h e m argin o f un employ ed labor payi ng a ,

b are sub s i s t enc e wage h e will do S O as th e e vid enc e giv en b efore

, ,

t h e Hou se o f L ords C o mm itt ee o n S w e ating s h ew s Whil e .

admi tting th e n th at a good m any s m all indu s tri es e xi s t and th at ,

s o m e will conti nu e to e xi s t for an ind e fini t e ti m e I do n o t t hi nk ,

that s uc h facts m ak e again s t t h e gen e ral propo s ition that t h e

te nd ency is to larg e production by m achin e ry involvi ng t h e ,

group ing o f men and t h e m as s ing o f capital with all t h e e cono mic ,

and social con se qu enc es th e reby i nvolv ed , .

E v e n agricultur e that o ne occupation in w h ic h O ld fa s h ion ed

,
-

indi vi duali s m m ight b e s up po s e d s af e is b e ing s ubj e cted to ,

ca p itali s m Th e h uge far m s o f D akota and C aliforn i a co ntain

.
,
s
 IN DU S T R I AL . 63

ing ingl e fi l d o f w h e at mil e long a e largely own ed by joint

s e s s ,
r

stock cor poration and cul tiva ted e xcl iv ely by mac h inery I t
s us .

w th asdi plac ement of hum an labo r by mac h in ry o n th e e

e s e s

farm a w ell a t h cri e in min ing O p e ration whic h he lpe d to

s s s e s s s

bring about t h e ph eno menon o f an un employ ed clas s in t he

rich es t r egion of th e world and led M H enry G e orge to write , r.

h is “ P rogr e s s and P ov e rty Th e s e h uge far m s co mbin ed.

,

with th e whe at corn e rs i n N e w York and C h icago and t h e

g r eat railway corporation s o f A m erica h av e play e d h avoc with ,

m any o f t h e s mall far m er s o f t h e M is s i s s ippi V all ey as t h e ,

s tati s tic s r es p e cting mor t gage d far m s will S how A nd w h e n it .

is r e me m b e r e d that t h e Am e rican farm e r will b e m or e and mor e

oblige d to mee t t h e growing co mp e tition o f th e wh eat o f India ,

produc ed by t h e c h e ap es t labor in th e world h is p ros p ect do es ,

not app e ar to b e v e ry brigh t .

I n ord e r to p erc e iv e cl e arly t h e imm ens e de v elop ment o f ma

c h in e indus try and th e con s equ ent di s plac ement o f labor o ne ,

m u s t r e s ort t o figur e s m e r e rh e t oric b e ing o f no avail

,
The .

following figur e s are cite d fro m th e Uni ted S tate s be cau s e ,

Am erican p ublic s tatis tic s are so muc h be tte r than British ,

be in g both more co mpl e te and mor e acc es sibl e Th e facts are .

taken fro m t h e firs t Annual R e port o f t h e United S tate s C o m

m i s s ion e r O f L abor S t ati s tic s i n Wa s hingto n for 1 8 8 6 Th e .

C o m mi ss ion e r inquiring i n t o t h e i ndu s trial cri s i s find s that h i s

, ,

ma inly d e to t h e i mmen s e d e v e lop men t o f mach in e indu s try

u

under t h e join t s tock sys te m ; and h e takes u p v ariou s trad es

-

o ne af t e r anoth e r t o S h ow h o w labor h as b e e n di s plac ed b y

m ac h in ery I n t h e ti mb e r bu s in e ss h e s ay s tw e lv e labor e r s
.
, ,

with a Bucke r machin e will dres s stave s Th e s a me .

numbe r of men b y hand labor would h av e dre s s e d in t h e s ame time

on ly I n t h e m an uf actur e o f pap e r a m achin e no w u s ed
for dr y ing and cutting run by four men and s ix girls w ill do t h e
, ,

work formerly don e by 1 0 0 p ers on s and do it much be tter In ,

.

th e manuf actur e of wall pap e r th e b e s t e vid enc e p uts t h e dis

-

plac ement in th e proportion of a h undred to o ne I n a pho s .

phate min e in S outh C arolina ten me n acco mpli sh with m a

chin e ry wh at 1 00 men h andl e with out it in th e s ame ti me Th ere .

h as be e n a di s plac eme nt of 5 0 p e r c e nt in t h e m anufactur e o f

ru bbe r boots and S ho e s I n S outh C arolina pot tery t h e product
.

i te n times gr e ate r by m ac hi n e proc e ss e s than by m u s cular

s

la bo r I n th e manufactur e of s aws e x p er ienc ed men co ns ider

.
,
64 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

th at th ere h as been a di sp lac ement o f th ree men ou t o f five .

I n t h e w eaving o f S ilk t h e di s pl ac emen t h as b ee n 9 5 p er c e nt ,

and in t h e windi ng o f s ilk 9 0 p er c ent A large s oap m anufact

‘

uring conc ern carefu lly e s timates t h e di splac ement o f labor in

it s work s at 5 0 pe r c e nt .I n m aking win e in C alif ornia a cru s h
ing m ac hine has been in t roduc ed with wh ich o ne man can crus h
and s t em 8 0 ton s o f grap es in a day r e pres enting an am oun t o f
,

work formerly requiring e ight men I n woollen good s mod ern

.

m ac h in e ry h as r educ e d m u s c ular labo r 3 3 p er c e nt in t h e card

ing d e p artment 50 p er c e nt in t h e S pinn ing and 25 p er c ent in
, ,

t h e w e aving . I n s o me ki nds o f s pinning o ne hun d r e d t o o ne re

pre s e n ts t h e dis plac ement I n t h e w h ol e United S ta te s in 1 88 6
.

t h e m achin e ry was e qual t o hor se pow e r I f me n only .

h ad bee n employ ed it would h ave r e quire d

, to turn
o u t t h e actual t o t al product t h e r e al nu mb e r w as fo u r m illions .

To d o t h e work acco mpli s h e d in 1 88 6 in t h e Uni ted S ta t e s by

pow e r machin ery and on t h e ra ilways would have re quir ed men
r epres e nting a population o f Th e actual p o p u la
tion o f t h e Unite d S tate s in 1 88 6 was so me thing und e r
or a littl e m ore th an o ne third -
.

C o mm e nting o n th es e v e ry r em arkabl e s tatis ti cs t h e L abo r ,

C o mmi s s ion e r say s :

“
Th e appar e nt e vil s r esulting fro m t h e
introduction o f m ac h ine ry and t h e con s e qu ent s ubd ivi s ion of
labo r h av e t o a large e x tent o f cours e be e n O ffse t by adv an
, ,

tage s gain ed ; but it mu s t stand as a po s i tive s ta t e me nt whic h ,

cannot b e s ucc es s fully controv e r te d th at th is wond e rf ul in tro

,

duction and e xte n s ion o f po we r machine ry is o ne o f t he prime

cau s es if not t h e pri me cau s e o f th e nov el indu s trial condition
, ,

i n w h ich t h e manufacturing nation s find th ems elve s O ne o f .

”

t h e r e sul t s o f t h e nov e l industrial con d ition in Am erica in

“

1 8 8 5 was an un e m ploy ed cla s s variou s ly es ti mate d at fro m o ne

,

to two m illion s of men t h e condition o f many o f w h o m as

,

tra mp s furni sh e d s ubj e cts fo r s o me v ery s orry j e sts t o t h e

,

A me rican pr e s s S uc h facts as are h e re s ugges ted wi ll s h ow

.
,

h ow a new country may s oon b e reduc ed t o a condition wh ich

aggre gated capital on t h e o ne hand and un e mploy ed labor o n
t h e oth e r r e nd e r littl e b e t t e r than that o f an o ld E urope an
,

S ta t e with its c entur i e s of m i s e ry and oppr e s s ion And inci .

d entally th ey al s o S h ow that suc h a no s trum as emigration if ,

inte n ded no t as a palliativ e but as a s olution is S i mply ,

quack e ry The i nferenc e woul d s eem to b e irr es is tible Just

. .
66 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

price of yarn N 1 00 in 1 7 8 6
o. 3 8 s : in 1 7 93 was . i t was
r duc
e e d t o 1 5s 1 d , in 1 8 03 t o 8 s , 4d , in 1 87 6 t o 23 6d
. . . . .

d cr s d co t in ac h ca fol ow d
T h e e ea e s e se l e on e cono y in pro
m
duction i lf p n nt
,
ts e d e e de on i cr a i f r ntiation in
n e s ed d f e e ma
ch ry th t
ine a in t urn i vol v ing larg r
n e and larg r cap i tal and
e ,

t at aga n n c ssitating aggr gation

h i e e e and t h e crus hi g
n o t
u of
sm all conc r s w hic h co d
e n ul no t co an
mm d m ac h n ry
i e or se ll at
a profit ln co mpe titi on with it .

S p ecula tin g o n t h e po s s ibility o f f or eign co mp e t i tio n d e

s troying t h e indu s trial supr e macy o f L a nca s hi r e Mr Watts , .

wri tes in th e E ncyclo p aedia Britan nica “ I t may p erh ap s b e :

suffici ent to r ecall to ou r r e ad ers t h e sm all part o f t h e co s t o f

th e co m modity w hi c h now b e longs t o t h e labo r o f t h e hand and ,

t h e daily diminution whic h is taking plac e e v en o f th at p art ,

by t h e introduction o f new mechanical s ubs titute s Mr .

” 1
.

Watts wro t e as a e xp ert ; and t h e infe renc e o ne is co mp ell ed t o

draw fro m h is dictum is th at conc entration o f capital and
growth of monop ol y must continu e to d ev elop and that t h e
“
une m ploy ed probl em mu s t forc e its e lf o n L anca s h ire O ne
”
.

w h o is not an e xp e rt w ill o nly v e nture to cr i tici s e w i th gr e at

‘

d iffid ence Mr W at t s s O pt im i s tic ton e ; but it is w e ll to point

’
.

o u t that in I ndia capi t ali s ts can co mm and t h e ch e ap e st labor in

t h e world — labo r too at pr e s e nt e ntire ly u n r e gu late d by law

,
.

T h e cot t on o f I ndia and al s o o f A s iatic R u s s ia is s pun and

, ,

wo ve n n e ar t o w h e r e it is grown and wh er e it can e a s ily com

,

m and th e gr e at As iatic m ark e t O ne is no t s urp ri s ed t o find

.

th erefore th at t h e Bo mbay cotton mill s are alr eady giving cau se

for so me anxi e ty in L anca sh ire ; and th e re s eems no rational
ground for s upp o s ing th at t h at anxi e ty w ill d ecrea se ; in whi c h
cas e th e incr ea s i ng co m p e tition would s eem to invol v e in L an
c as hire e ith e r 1 mm e ns e d ev e lo p me nt o f m ac h in er y o r r e ductio n

in wag e s in orde r to c h e a p e n t h e co s t o f pro du ction E ith e r .

al te rnati ve forc es t h e social probl em forward .

I no w pass on t o con s id e r t h e s ocial probl em as it has

actually be en forc ed o n th e attention of t h e Briti sh Gov ern
m e nt throug h t h e ne w i ndu s trial conditions .

T h e unr e s train e d pow e r of capi tali s m v e ry s p e edily r e duc e d

a large p art o f E nglan d to a d eplorabl e cond i tion Th e M rs . .

Je llybys of t h e philanth rO pic world we re bu sy mi ni s tering to t h e

1 E 11 0 . B rit ,
ar t . C otton .
 IN DU S TR I AL . 67

wants of B oriob oo la G h a b y me an s o f t racts and blank e ts ,

n e i th e r of which w e re of th e s lightes t u se to t h o se fo r wh o m
t h e y w e r e inte nd ed But B o iob oo la Gha was an e arth ly
. r

parad is e co mpared with civ iliz e d E ngland T he re was no t a .

s ava e in t h e i s lands of t h e P ac ific who w as not b e tte r fed

g ,

h app I er h e alth i e r and m or e conte n te d t h an th e m ajority of t h e

, ,

work ers in t h e indus tr i al parts of E ngland C hildr en it w as .

,

dis covered we re tran sfe rred in la rge nu mbers to t h e north

, ,

wh ere th ey w e re h ouse d in p ent u p buildings adjoining th e -

fac t ori es and k e pt to lon g hour s o f labor Th e work w as

,
.

carri ed o n day and nigh t without in te rm is s ion s o th at th e b ed s

we re s aid n ev e r t o be co me cold ina smuc h as o ne ba tc h of ,

chi ldre n r es t e d w h il e anoth e r ba tch w ent to t h e loo ms onl y ,

half t h e requi s i te nu mb e r of b ed s being p rovided for all .

E pid e mic fe v e r s w e r e r ife in con s e qu enc e M edical in s p e c t or s .

reporte d th e rapid s pre ad of malf ormation of th e bo nes c u rva ,

tu r e of t h e s pin e h eart di s e a s es ruptur e s tunted growth

, , , ,

asth ma and premature O ld age a mong children and y oung p er

,

s on s :t h e s aid c h ildre n and young p e r s on s b e ing work e d by

manufactu e r s without any kind of r es tra int
r Manufacturing .

profits in L anca shire we re b eing at t h e s ame ti me r e ckon ed at

hundre ds and eve n tho u s and s p e c e nt T h e mo s t te rribl e con r .

dition o f th ings e xi s te d in th e min es w h er e child re n o f bo th ,

s e x e s work e d tog e th e r h alf naked of ten for s ixte e n h ours a

, ,

d ay. I n t h e fe tid pa ss ag es c hildr e n of s e v en S ix and e v en

, , ,

fo u r y e ar s of age w e re fou nd at work Wo men w ere

,
.

e mploy ed u nde rgroun d m any o f th e m e v e n w h il e pre gnant at

, ,

t h e m o s t ex hau s ting labor Afte r a c hild w as bo rn it s moth e r

.
,

was at work again in l e ss than a w eek in an atmo s ph e r e ,

c h arged wi th s lph uric acid I n s o me plac e s wo me n s tood all

u .

day kn ee d ee p in wate r and s ubj ect t o an in ten se h eat O ne

-
.

wo man w he n e xa min ed avow ed that sh e w as we t th rough all

d ay long and had drawn coal carts till h e r S kin ca me o fi
,
.

Wo me n and young c h ildr en O f s ix y ears o ld dre w coal along

t h e pa ss age s of t h e min e s crawl ing on all four s with a girdl e
,

pas s ing ro u nd th e ir wai s ts h arn es se d by a c h ain be tw een th e ir

,

l egs t o t h e cart A s u b co mmi s s ion er in S cotlan d r eporte d

.
-

that h e found a lit t l e gir l s ix y ears of age carry ing h alf a

, ,

cw t.
, and making r egula rl y fourteen long journey s a day Th e .

h eight a s c end ed and t h e dis tanc e along t h e road e xc e ed ed in

e ach jo u rn e y t he h e ig h t o f S t P aul s C ath edral I h a ve
“ ’ ”
. .
 68 TH E B AS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

repea tedly work ed s aid o ne girl sevente en y e ars o f age “ for

, ,

tw enty four h ours

- Th e f e rocity o f th e m en w as wor s e th an
.

th at o f w ild b e a s ts and c hi l d ren w ere ofte n ma imed and so me

times k ill ed with i mpuni ty D runke nn es s was na t urally gen eral
. .

S hort liv e s and brutal o nes w e r e t h e rule Th e men it was .

,

s aid
“
d ie o ff lik e rotte n S h ee p ; and e ac h ge n eration is c o m
,

mouly e xtinct s oon af t e r fif ty S uc h w as a larg e part o f indu s

”
.

trial E nglan d u nd er th e un res train e d ru l e o f t h e capitali s t .

T h e r e can b e no doubt that far gr e ater mi s e ry pr ev ail e d than

i n t h e S outh e rn S tates during th e era o f S lav ery Th e s lav e .

w as p rop e rty Oft en v aluabl e prop e rty and it did not pay his
own er to ill tre at h im to s uch a d egre e as to r e nd er h im u s el es s
-

as a w e alth produc e r But if t h e “ fre e E ngli s h m an w e r e ”

-
.

injur e d o r kill ed th ousands co uld b e h ad to fill hi s plac e for

,

nothing .

Had thi s s tate o f thing s continu ed w e S h ould hav e re turn e d

t o a s ta t e o f natur e with a v e ng eanc e O f man th us d epicte d .

w e may say wit h T e nnyson

Dragon f t h p rim s o e e,
T hat tar ach oth r in th ir lim
e e e e s e,
W r m llow m i m t h d w ith h im
e e e us c a c
’
.

It was e vi dent that c apitali s t m onopoly must b e r estrain ed ,

reluctant as E ngli s h s tat esm e n brough t up u nde r t h e c o m

m e cial s ys tem w er e t o inte rf e r e
r Th e z en it h o f la iss e f ai e . r r

w as at t h e clo s e o f t h e la s t c e ntury ; but a gre at fabric O ft e n

looks m o s t i m po s ing s hortly b efore it begin s to collaps e Th e .

fi rs t pi e c e o f labor l egi s la t ion w as t h e Moral s and Health Act

o f 1 8 0 2 wh i c h int e rfe r e d wit h t h e acco mm odation pro v id ed t o
,

childre n by t h e employ er s to which r ef e renc e has be en made ,

.

T h e C ot t on Mill s Act w as pas s e d in 1 8 1 9 partly owing to t h e ,

e x e rtions o f R o b e rt O w e n I t li mite d t h e age at which childre n

.

might work in factori es ; and it li m ite d t h e tim e o f th e ir labor

t o s e v enty two h ours p e w e e k
-
S e v e nty t wo hour s for a child
r .
-

o f nin e wh o oug h t t o hav e b ee n play ing in t h e gr ee n fi e ld s !

A n d e v e n th at w as a v a s t i m pro v e m e nt on t h e pr e viou s s tate

o f t hing s S aturday labo r was n e xt s horte n e d b y an Act pa ss e d
l

b y t h e R adical politician S i John C am Hobhou s e in 1 8 2 5

!

,
r ,
.

Workme n R a di cal s T orie s and P hilanthropi s ts th e n join ed i n

, ,

an agitation und er Mr R ic h ard O a s tl e r a C on s e rvativ e m emb e r

.
,

o f P arl ia ment t o s ecure a T en Hours B ill Hobh ous e tried b y ’

.
,
 70 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

.
ley b rough t otic e of P arliament t h e condition of youn g
t o the n
p e opl e e m plo yed in min e s ; and through h is activity was p as s ed
t h e fir s t Mining Act pro hi biting u n d e rground work b
, y wo m e n
an d by b o s u n d e r t en P e e l th e n p a s s ed a cons olidating
y .
,

Factory A c t i n 1 8 44 L ord As hl e y p op o s ed to re s trict t o te n

, . r

p er d ay th e working h our s for youn g pe r s ons but P ee l de fe a t ed

t h e p rO p o s al b y thr e ate ning t o r e s ign if it w e r e carr i ed By .

t h e Ac t o f 1 8 4 4 t h e labor o f childr en was li m it e d to s ix and a

h alf h o ur s pe r d ay ; and th e y h ad t o att e n d s c h ool thr ee h our s
d aily during th e firs t fiv e days o f t h e w eek Th e n e xt y e ar . .
,

1 8 4 5 L or d A shl e y s ecur e d t h e passag e o f a B ill forb idding

,

night work to wo m en In 1 8 4 7 Mr Fi eld e n intro duc ed a Bill

. .

li mi t ing t h e ti me o f labor for all wo m e n and you ng p erson s to

e l e v e n h ours
p er day and af te r May 1 8 4 8 t o t e n hour s
, P e el
, , .

and t h e facto ry own e rs oppo s e d ; but th e Bill was c arri ed Th e .

Act o f 1 8 5 0 fur th er r e duc e d t h e l egal working day for wo me n

and yo u ng p e rso ns ; and an Act o f 1 8 53 prohibite d t h e e m ploy
m ent o f childr e n b efor e 6 A M o afte r 6 P M . In 1 8 60 bl e ach
. r . .

and dy e ing works w e r e subj e cte d t o t h e factory laws .

Furth r l egi s lation o n thi s branc h o f i ndu s try took plac e i n 1 8 7 0

e .

A Min es A c t was p a s s ed in 1 8 60 and mad e m or e s tr ing e nt ,

i n 1 8 62 with r efe renc e t o s afe ty and v entilat ion Acts with .

r efe r enc e t o t h e lac e indu s try w e r e p a s s e d in th e y e ars 1 8 61 —64 ,

t o bakehou s e s in 1 8 63 ch im n e y S w e e ping and p ott e ry work s in

,
-

1 8 64 Th e Work s hop s R e gulat i on A c t r e lating to s m all trad es

.
,

and han di craf ts was p a s s e d in 1 8 67 an d a co nsolidating Fac

, ,

tory and Works hop s Act i n 1 8 7 1 The Act now in f orc e is .

t h e Fac to ry and Work s h op s Act 1 8 7 8 modifi ed in r e s p e ct o f , ,

c e r t ain i ndus tri es by th e Act o f 1 8 8 3 Furth er Ac t s r e lative .

t o t h e re gulation s o f m i nes w e r e pa s s ed i n 1 8 7 2 and 1 8 8 7 .

Thi s bri e f and i m p e rf e ct surv e y o f t h e l e gi s lation w h i c h h as

d e s tro y e d t h e r egzme of lais s er f a i e is s fli cien t for my purpo se
’ ’

r u

t o pro v e (I ) T hat with p riva te prop e rty in t h e ne c es s ary in

:

s t u me n t s o f p r
r o d u ction indi vidual lib e rty as un d e r s t ood b y t h e
,

e igh t e e n th c e ntury r e for m e r s mu s t b e mor e and m or e r e s trict ed ,

of e tha t i n o u r e xi s t ing econo m i c con diti on in dividuali s m is

. .
, ,

impo s s ibl e and ab s urd (2) Th at e v e n h o s til e o r indifierent

.

po litic i an s h ave b e en co mp e ll e d t o r e cogn i z e th i s (3 ) That .

unre s train ed capitalis m t end s as s ur e ly t o cru elty and O pp es r

s ion as did f e udali s m o chattel S la very (4 ) Th a t t h e r e me dy

r .

h as been as a m atte r of fact o f a S ocial is tic c haracte r inv olv

'

, , ,
 IN DU S T R I A L . 71

ing coll ec tive c h e cking of i ndi vidual gr e ed and t h e paring o f

S lic es O R t h e p rofi ts o f capital in t h e in te r e s ts of t h e working

co mmuni ty Th ese four propo s ition s can scarc ely b e con

.

te s ted .

Th e i mmen s e d ev elop me n t o f E ngl i s h ind u try und e r t h e s

conditi on s pre vious ly s e t forth w as d e i n gr e at d egr ee t o t h e u

fact that E ngland h ad s e cur ed an i mmen s e for e ig n mark e t in

whic h s h e had for a lo ng ti me no form idabl e rival Mo s t o f .

t h e war s in w hi ch E ngland w as e ngag e d during t h e e igh t e e nt h

c e ntury a e qui te unint elligibl e un til it i s unde rs t ood that th ey
r

w e re co mme rcial wars inte nd e d to s e cure co mme rcial s uprem acy

for E ngland Th e ov e rthrow o f th e S tua r t m onarchy w as
.

dire ctly a s s ociate d wit h t h e ri e to s uprem e p ow e r o f t h e rich

s

m iddl e cla ss e s p ecially t h e L ondon me rchan ts

,
T h e r e volution .

o f 1 688 m ark s t h e d e fini te ad v e nt t o p olitical p ow e r o f t his

cla s s whi c h found th e Wh ig party t h e gre at instrum e nt for e f

,

f ec t ing it s d e s ign s Th e contra s t be tw e e n t h e o ld T ory s quir e

.

who s t ood for C hurc h and King and th e ne w co mmercial m agna te

,
‘

wh o s t ood by t h e Wh ig s and t h e Hou s e o f Hanov e r is w e ll ,

draw n by S ir Wal t e r S cott in “ Ro b R o y T h e Bank s O f .

E ngland and S cotlan d and t h e N ational D e bt are a m o ng t h e

bles s ings conferre d o n th e i r d es c endants b y t h e ne w me rcantil e
r l e rs Th ey al s o be gan t h e e a o f corru ption in politics which
u . r

is al wa y s conn e c t e d clo s ely with p r e do m inanc e o f capitali s ts in

t h e S tate as we s e e in Franc e t h e Unite d S t ate s and t h e
, ,

Britis h C olon i es “ Th e d es ire o f t h e mon ey ed cla s s e s say s

.
,
”

Mr L e cky 1 to acquire political pow e r at t h e exp en se o f t h e

.
,

countr y g e ntl eme n w as t h e fir s t and o ne of t h e chi e f caus es o f

th at politi cal co rru ptio n whic h s oon ov e rs pre ad t h e whol e
s s te m of parl ia me ntar
y go v e rnm e nt Wh a t r e main ed o f t h e
”
y .

o ld ari s tocracy of t e n found i t con v e ni e nt t o for m alli anc e s with

t h e ne w plutocracy ; and i t w as thi s co mbination wh i ch gov e rn e d

E ngland during t h e e igh t ee n t h c e ntur y and which S p e cially d e ,

t e rm ine d h e for e ign polic y

r T hat policy w a s dir e c t e d towards
.

th e s e curing o f for e ig n mark e t s and t h e e x te n s ion O f E ngli h s

trade N apoleon s s n ee r at t h e “ natio n o f S hopk ee p er s was

.
’ ”

n o t u nd es e rv e d Th e conqu es t o r C anada t h e conq u e s t o f

. ,

I ndia und e r C liv e and Warr e n Ha s ti ngs t h e latte r an ag e nt

o f a gr e at capi t ali t bod
y who illu tra t e d w ell in h is Indi a n
s ,
s

1 Hi tory
s of the E g i ht ee n th C nt e u ry ,
”
1, 202 .
72 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

caree r t h e me th ods o f h is cla s s th e C olonial pol i cy th e b as e ,

d es truction o f I ri s h manuf actur e s in t h e in teres t o f E ngli s h

capitali s ts w e r e all p art o f th e s ame sc h eme Th e p olicy was
, .

s ucc e s s fully con s u mm a t ed in t h e war wag e d b y P itt agai ns t t h e

Frenc h R e v olution T hat rev olution was i ts elf brought about

.

m ainly b y p ov e rty N o t o nly w as t h e Frenc h pe asantry b eg

.

gar ed ; b ut s o me o f t h e new m ach ine ry w h ic h h ad bee n b rought

fr o m E nglan d had thrown many pe rsons o u t o f work I t was .

m ainly une m ploy e d work m en wh o s t orm e d and captur ed t h e

Bas till e l Th e c h i ef counte rbla s t t o t h e Re v olution w as pre
.

pared by P itt W h at we re h is motiv es ? Th e Au s trian and

.

P ru s s ian m on arc h s t h e e migra nt nobl es t h e i mb e cil e E ngl is h

, ,

king and th e T ory E ngli s h bi s h op s may p e rhap s h av e s eriou sly

be li eve d t h at E ngland was figh t ing fo r altar and t h ron e But .

P itt w as und e r no s uc h d e lus i on Whi l e h e d er iv ed from h is

.

illus trious fath e r a r e al p rid e in E ngland h is div initi e s w e r e ,

rath e r t h e l edg e r and th e cas h box He was no b igot : e v e n -

.

w hile an unde rgradu a te at C a mbridge h e was a clo s e stu d ent o f

Adam S m ith ; h e started in p ublic l if e as a reforme r and his ,

re fu s al t o b o w t o th e i gnorant p r e ju di c e s o f G e org e I I I co s t

hi m offic e i n 1 8 0 1 It h as be e n abundan tly prov e d th at at first

.

h e f e lt no v iol e nt anti p at h y t o t h e Re v olution A long p e riod .

e lap s ed be for e h e w as brough t t o join t h e m onarchical allianc e .

B u t h e was e s s e ntially t h e gr e at capital i s t s t ate sman t h e p oliti ,

cal succ es s or o f Walpol e t h e political pr ede c e s s or o f P e el H e

, .

s aw that Fr e nc h conqu e s t m ight thr e a t e n s e riou s ly t h e E ngli s h

s o cial fa b ric and that if E ngland s c hi e f rival w e r e s truck do wn

’

, ,

t h e E ngli s h co mm e rcial class m ig h t gain control O f

co mm e rc e T o s e cur e tha t e nd h e s ki lfully w eld ed toge th er all
.

t h e m on ey ed in te r es ts t h e contrac t ors lan dlords financi e rs and

, , ,

S hopk e e p e r s ; and h e tri e d t o p e r s uad e t h e S i m pl e r p ortion o f

t h e country t h a t h e was figh ting for t h e s acred cau s e o f r e ligi on

an d m orality T hos e wh o r esi s t e d him h e flung in to pri s on o r
.

tran s porte d be yond t h e s e as Wh e n t h e long war was brough t

.

t o an e nd t h e working cla ss e s w e re in a wr e tc h ed condition ;

,
-

alth ough i n th o s e day s al so th ere were S op hi s tical p oliti c ian s

who tri ed t o prov e that n eve r had t h e p e opl e s o mu c h re a s on
t o b e con te nt ed Wh en in 1 8 23 t h e L anca s hir e w e ave rs
.
, ,

petitio ned Parlia ment t o look into th e ir griev anc es an h onor ,

1
S ee th vi d n
e e nt ih d in V
e ce c o l I f Ma M or
e S t ph n
o . Hi o r. se e e
’
s
“
s
t ry f t h F r n h R evol ti n
o o e e c u o
”
.
74 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

whi c h th ey mu s t n e c es s arily h ave d eri ved t h e c h i ef b e n efit ,

w h il e th e e ntire ri s k and s acr ific e w er e thro w n upo n oth e rs .

But i t is no l es s tru e that th er e i s s carc ely a manufacture i n

E nglan d which h as not b ee n d e fe nd e d in t h e S pirit o f t h e nar
ro we s t and m o s t j e alou s m onopoly ; and t h e growing a s e e n

d ancy o f t h e co m m e rcial cla s s e s aft e r t h e R e volution is nowh er e

m ore appar e nt than 1 n t h e m ultipli ed r e s trictions o f th e E nglis h
C o mm e rcial C od e 1
”
.

C h e ap raw mate rial h av i ng b e e n s ecur ed by t h e E ngl i s h m anu

factur e r thr ough a s e ri es o f enactments e x te nding o ve r a gene ra
tion ; and machin e ry hav ing b een s o d ev e lo pe d as t o e normou sly
increas e pr o duction E nglan d s en t h er te xtil e and m e tal pro duc ts
,

all ov e r t h e world ; and h e r manuf acture rs s uppor ted e xactly th at

policy whic h e nabl ed th em t o s e cure mark e ts for th eir goods o r
raw p ro d uc e t o work up i n th eir m ills C ob deni s m was in t h e .

a s c endan t ; and t h e S ta t e was m ore and more r e gard ed fro m t h e

commercial point o f vi e w T h e s o called Manch e s te r s c h ool ”
.
-

w as in t h e main a p e ac e party b e cau s e war w e ak e n s th at co nfi

,

d ence o n w h ic h co mme rc e is ba s ed B u t th i s attac hm ent to .

pe ac e principl e s d id not p re v e nt C o bd e n h i m s e lf fro m d e clar ing

for a pow e rful navy as an in s trument o f co mm ercial i n s uranc e .

N o r did i t pr e v e n t Manc h e s t e r fro m s upporting P alm er t o n s

’
s

nefario u s C hin e s e p olicy in 1 8 57 o r t h e e qually nefariou s a

, g
re ss io n i n E g pt in 1 8 8 2 : both b e ing r e gard ed as h e lpfu l to
g y
Manch es te r trad e I n b eh alf o f thi s e xt ens ion o f E nglis h trad e
.

t o ne w m ark e ts war h as be e n m ad e o n C h ina E gy pt the , ,

S oudan Bur mah and Thib e t

, ,
G e rm any follo ws E ngland wi t h
.

cautiou s tre ad A d v en t u eI S lik e E min S tanl ey and B artelo t t

. r , ,

are e m ploy e d t o Op en up Africa to t h e gentl e influ enc es o f

“

civilization b y t h e agenc y of ru m and r e volv e r u nd e r t h e pre tenc e ,

o f putting down t h e s la v e trad e Franc e not to b e b ehind ex

.
, ,

p lo its T onquin in t h e int er e s ts o f P ari s S p eculator s An un .

s cru pulou s gov e rn m e nt in I taly atte m pts to d iv e rt t h e at t e ntion

o f t h e countr
y fro m do m es tic r efor m s to e xp e dition s in Af rica in
t h e in t e r e s t s of m on e y ed p e opl e in E urop e P e rhap s t h e gr e at .

e t m ov e is
s
y e t t o co m e : t h e m ov e o n t h e va s t mark e t o f C hina .

For thi s E ngland A me rica Franc e and G e rmany will co m p e te

, , ,
.

Te ntativ e s t e p s are alr e ady be ing tak e n B y h er abs orption o f

.

Burma h and h er Op e ration s i n T hib e t E ngland is app roac hing ,

1 Hi s tory of th e E g i ht enth C ent ry iv

e u , ,
450.
 IN D U S TR I AL . 75

n e arer t o C h ina By h er acqui ition o f T o nqu i n Franc e h as

. s ,

bee n brought int o actual contact with C hina Am e rica will .

probabl y b y a judiciou s r eduction of h e r t arifl co mp e te with

, ,

E n gland all ov e r t h e P acific and will s e nd h e r good s fro m th e

,

Atlantic ports throu gh th e P anama o r N icaragua C a nal o f th e

n e ar future I n S hort th e m achi nery for the whol es al e e xploita
.
,

tion o f A s ia and Africa is in rapid p rogr es s T h e whol e globe .

will soon b e th e private prop e rty of t h e capitali s t cla s s .

T h e appropriation of t h e plan e t h as be e n pow e rfully a i d e d by

t h e d e v e lop m en ts of tran s port and co m m un ication in our ti me :
indee d i t would have b e e n im po s s ibl e without th em Th e me re
,
.

application o f machin e ry t o production could not h av e produc ed

t h e econo mic r es ul ts of t o — d ay b u t f o r t h e s hrinkag e o f t h e globe
cau se d by railways and tel egraph s F o r i t is through th es e in .

v e n t io ns t h a t t h e capitali t cla s s h as b e co me co s m opolitan h as

s ,

brok e n up o ld habi t d es troye d local as s ociation s s par e d nothing

s, ,

e ith e r be autiful or v en e rabl e wh e r e profit was conc e rn e d I t h as .

a s i milated th e condition s of life in variou s land s and h as brought

s ,

about a gen eral u niform ity whic h accoun ts for muc h of th e ennu i
f el t in mod e rn li fe .

As E ngland was t h e firs t coun try to d evelo p m achin e indus

try s o was S h e t h e firs t to d ev elop railways and t o form a
,

po werful s tea m m ercantil e marin e T hroug h t h e lat te r agency .

S h e h as now in h e r hand s about s ixt

y four p e r c e n t o f t h e carry
-

ing trad e o f t h e world Within s ixty y e ars about

. m il es
of railway h ave been built throughout th e glob e Atlantic and .

P acific a e uni te d by s e v e ral l in e s o f s tee l ; whil e t h e lo co mo

r

tiv e h as pe n e trate d r emote region s o f Africa inhabited b y bar

barous tri b e s and wa s tes of c e ntral A ia wh e re it confronts t h e
, s

r elic s o f t h e d ead and buri e d civilization s T hi s i m men se p ow er .

,

t h e gr e ate s t i n t h e mod e rn worl d is m a inly in t h e h a nd s of mo

,

no p o lis t cor po ration s a m ong who m th e r e is t h e sa m e n e c e s s ary

,

tend ency t o aggregation only far mor e mark e d as is found in

, ,

productive indus tri es Th e firs t s mall lin es built to co nn e ct

.

town s not far Off h ave be e n add ed to oth e rs bit by bit ; as from
t h e original S tockton and D arlington R ailwa
y l e ss than tw enty ,

m il e s long w e g e t t h e gr e at and w e al t hy N orth E a s t e rn R ail

,

w ay of to d ay -
I n Am e rica a s ingl e corporation control s as
.

muc h as 7 0 0 0 m il e s of rail : and t h e end of t h e c e n tury will

,

pe rhap s s e e t h e gre at S ibe rian P acific in actual e xis t enc e A s .

in railway s s o in s tea m v es s els Hug e fl ee ts like t h e C unard

, . ,
76 TH E B A S IS OE S OC I A L I S M .

th e O rient th e M es sage ri es Mariti mes are owned by cosmo p ol i

, ,
~

tan capi t al and su s ta in t h e traffic and co mm erc e not o f a country

, , ,

no t e v e n o f a contin e nt but o f t h e whol e world

, S uch is t h e .

i mme n s e r ev olution in t h e m e th ods o f d istribution e ffected in

ou r ti m e b y t h e O p e ration o f capitali s m .

W e m us t no w con s i d e r what t h e te r m cap i t al is t is co mi ng ”

t o s ignify Had t h e t e r m b e en u sed h alf a c e ntury ago it would

.

hav e connoted a cla s s uns crupulous pe rh aps in t h e m a i n with

, ,

low ai ms li ttl e cultur e and l ess fine sy m path y o r i m agination

, , .

I t was ne v e rth el e s s a socially u se ful cla s s whic h at that ti m e ,

p erfor m e d re al s e rvic e It is a l e ading t h o u gh t in mod e rn ph il

.

O s ophy that i n i ts proc ess o f de v elop ment e ach in s titution t en ds

t o canc e l i t s e lf I ts s p e cial function is born o u t o f s ocial nece s
.

s iti e s : its progr e s s i s d e t e r m in e d by attractions o r r e pul s ion s

which ari s e i n soci e ty p roducing a c e rtai n effe ct w h ic h t ends to

,

n egate t h e original function T hu s e arly socie ty a m ong t h e

.

Ar y an p e op l es o f E urop e d evelops a l e ad e r in war o r council

who gro ws by proc e s s es w hi c h i n E ngland e g can b e cl e arly
, ,
. .
,

trac e d in t o a king wi th g e nuin e function s a l e ade r o f th e pe opl e

, ,

in war like William I o r a powe rful civil rule r and s tates m an

,

like Henry I Th e fact th at such m en w e re brutal o r wicked is

.

o f littl e account : t h e i m portant fact about th e m is th at in a ,

barbaro u s chaotic soci e ty th ey pe rform ed s o me indisp en s abl e

s e rvic e s .But t he ve ry putting forth o f t h e kingly powe r arou s es
an tagoni sm ; th e n p roduc es armed r e s i s tanc e by a co mbin ed
group and finally l eads to o ve rthrow eith er by t h e d es truction
o f t h e king o r b y d e privi ng h im o f all r e al pow e r and r educing

h im t o a m e r e orna me ntal pupp e t T h e v e ry p ow e r originally

.

b eli ev ed t o b e b eneficent be co mes tyrannical it n ee ds t o b e :

c h e cked m ore and more until finally it practically c ea s es to e x i st

, ,

and t h e curio u s paradox is s ee n o f a monarc h wh o do es no t r ule .

His t ory prov es abundantly th at men do no t ri s e and o verth row

wicked and corrupt ru lers mer el y be cau s e th ey are wicked and
corrupt I t is part o f t h e te rribl e irony o f h i s tory that a L ouis
.

X V di e s in h is b e d w h il e a Willia m t h e S il ent o r a L incol n

,

fall s a victi m t o t h e a s sa ss in W h at men do no t long tol erate

.

is e ith e r obs tructiv en e s s o r u s el e s s n e ss .

N o w if w e apply t h e s e id e a s t o th e e volution of t h e cap itali s t

, ,

wh at is i t we s ee ? Th e capitali s t w as originally an ent ep eneu r r r ,

a m anage r w h o worke d hard at h is bu s in es s and who re c e ived ,

wh at e conomis ts h ave call ed th e “ wages o f su pe ri ntend ence ” .

78 TH E BA S I S O F S OC I A L I S M .

th em I n t h e majority o f ca s es t h e y mu s t submit S uc h is a
. .

not unfair picture o f t h e re lation o f capitali s t to work man to

d ay t h e form e r h av ing be co m e an idl e di vi d end r e c e iv e r Th e -
.

dictu m of orth o d ox p olitical econo my ut t ered by so co mpe ten t ,

an auth or i ty as t h e late P rofes s or C airn es run s ,

I t i i mp ort nt n m oral n l
s than n ono mic ground t in
a o o ess o ec s, o
i t up on thi that n p ub li b n fit f ny k in d ari f rom t h xi t
,

s s s, o c e e o a s es e e s
en f an i d l rich cla T h w alth acc m lat d b y th ir anc t r
ce o e ss. e e u u e e es o s
an d oth r n th i b half wh r it i
e s o mp loy d
e r cap ital n d o b t
e , e e s e e as ,
o u
l
h p t
e su tain in
o sd u try ; bst w hat th y con u m in l xury nd id l
s u e s e u a e
~

n essi n t cap it l
s nd h lp t
o tain nothin g b t th ir wn np fit
a ,
a e s o su s u e o u ro
ab l li e B y ll m an th y m t hav th ir r nt
v es . a nd int r
e t it
s e us e e e s a e es as
i writt n in t h b on d ; b t l t th m tak
,

s e e th ir prop r p lac d ron

u e e e e e e as es
in t h hiv gorging at a f eas t t o whi h th y h av contrib t d
e e, c e e u e
nothing .
” 1

Th e fact th at t h e mo dern capi tal i s t may b e no t only u sel es s but

po s itively Ob s tructiv e was w ell i llu s tra te d at a m ee ti ng o f t h e
S har e hold e r s o f t h e L ondon and S outh W e ste rn R ailway o n 7 t h

F ebruary la s t Thr ee S har eh old e rs urge d a re ducti on in thi rd

.

cla ss far es Th e c h airman point e d o u t t h e ob v iou s fact that

.

suc h a r e duction would probably low e r t h e divid end and a sked ,

t h e m e e ting if that w as what th e y wi s h e d H e w as o f cour s e .

, ,

answ e r e d by a c h oru s o f N 0 no and all talk o f re duction ,

o f far e s w as a t an e nd H e r e is a plai n s a mpl e (hundr ed s .

m ight be quote d) o f t h e e v i d e nt in te r e s t s o f t h e p ublic b e ing

s acrific e d t o t h o s e o f t h e capitali s t .

That join t s tock capi tali s m is e xtending rapidly e v e ryon e

-

kn ows In th e Un i ted S tates according to M Bryc e th e

.
,
r.
,

w e alth o f joint s t ock corporation s is e s tim ated at O ne fourth o f

- -

t h e to t al v alu e o f all p rop e rty I n E ngland ev e ry kind of

”
.

bu s in es s fro m b re we ri es bank s and cotton mills d own to auto

, , ,
-

m atic sw ee tm e at mac hin es is falling i n to t h e hands o f t h e joint ,

s tock capitali s t and m u s t continu e t o do s o

,
T w e nty y e ar s ago .

wh o woul d h av e suppo s ed th at a br e w ery lik e th at o f Guinn ess

o r s uc h a banking firm as Gly n M ill s and C O would b e co me ,
.

a join t s t ock company? Y e t we know it is s o tod ay C api

- .

t alis m is b eco ming i mp e r s onal and co s mopolitan A nd t h e .

co mbination s contro llin g production b eco m e large r and f ew e r .

E aring s a e g e tting h old o f t h e S outh Af rican dia mon d fi e lds :

’
r

1 S om L a di n g Princi p l
e o f Poli tica l E cono m y
e p 32 es ,
. .

2 Th e Am erican C omm on w alth iii not n p 421 e , , e o . .

 IN D US TR I A L . 79

A fe w co mp anies co ntrol th e wh ol e anth rac i te coal produc e of

P e nn s y lvania E ach o ne o f u s i quite “ fr ee co m p e te ”
. to s

with th es e gigantic co mbination s as th e P rincipality o f Monaco ,

is “ fr ee to go to war with Franc e s houl d t h e latte r threate n

”

he r inte res ts T h e me r e form s of fr ee do m r e m ain ; but

.

m ono poly r end e rs th em nugatory Th e m od e rn S tate having

.
,

parte d with t h e raw mat e rial o f t h e globe canno t s ecur e fre e ,

d o m of co mp e tition t o it s citiz en s and y e t i t was o n t h e ba s i s of

fre e co mp e tition that capitali sm ro se T hus w e s e e that capi .

t alis m h as canc ell e d its original pr incipl e — is i ts e l f n egating

its own e xi s te nc e B e fore con s id e ring its lates t form s atte n
.
,

tion m ay h ere b e convenientl y dire c ted to t h e C o O p e rativ e -

m ove me nt w h ic h is on o ne s id e at any rate clo s e ly alli e d to

, , ,

t h e joint s t ock d e v elop ment

-
.

T he C o— op e rati ve m ove ment h ad in E nglan d a S oc i ali s tic

origi n : for its fo u nd e r was R ob e rt O we n A s Mr S eligm an . .

s a s v e ry truly in t h e P o lit ica l S cience Qu a t er ly : O w e n w as

“ r
y
t h e found e r of t h e C o O p e rativ e m ov em ent in E ngland a fact
-
,

o fte n ignor e d by tho se who glibl y u s e t h e word to d ay with an

u t te r failure to dis c e rn its tru e s ignificanc e And O w en h im .
”

s elf avo wed that h is

g rand ulti mate obj e ct w as co mmun ity in
“

land with whic h h e hop ed would b e co mbin e d unr es trained

”
,
“

c o O p e ration o n t h e part of all for e v e ry purpo e o f h m an

-
, s u

lif e . I t is t h us i mpor t ant t o a s s ocia t e c o op e ration with R o b -

e t O we n — c la u m et v ene a bile n o m n — b e cau s e th e r e a r e

r r r e

m any p e rs on s who s uppo s e th at co op e ration b e gan with t h e -

R ochdal e P ion e e r s in 1 8 44 Wh at t h e R ochdal e mov em e n t

.

re all y did was to co mme nc e th e proc es s of jo int s to ck S hop

k e e pi ng a v e ry difiere nt th ing fro m that whic h O wen h ad in
,

V le W .

A powe rful i mp e tus was gi ve n t o c o O p e ratio n b y th e C h ri s -

tian S ociali s t mov eme nt und e r M auric e and K ing l e y O f all s .

narrow conc e ite d h ypro crit ical anarchic and ath e i s tic s ch emes
, , ,

o f t h e Univ e r s e s aid K ing s l e y Th e C obd e n and Bri g h t o ne

” “
, ,

is e xactly t h e wor s t T h e orthodox e cono m ic conclu s ion s o f

”
.

t h e day far ed b adly at K ing s l e y s ha nd s “

T h e m an who t e ll s
’
.

us , s aid h e
” “
th at w e ought to inv es tigate N ature s i m ply t o
, ,

S it pati e ntly und e r h e and le t h e r fr ee z e and ruin and s tarve

r, , , ,

and s tink us to d eath is a goo s e w h e th er h e call s hi ms e lf a

, ,

ch emi s t or a political econo m is t T h e e C h ri s tian S ociali t

”
. s s

l ead e rs felt d eeply t h e angu is h and p o v erty o f t h e work ers and

80 TH E BA S I S OE S OC I A L ISM .

th e se lfi s h apathy o f t h e ric h “ M a mm on s ay s K ing sl ey .

, ,

s hr i ek s b e n e vol e ntly wh e n e v e r a drunk e n s oldi e r is flo g e d ;

“
g
b ut h e tr im s h is pal e tot and adorn s h is l egs with t h e fl es h o f
me n and t h e S kin s o f wo me n with d e gradation p es til e nc e , , ,

h e ath en d o m and de s pair and th e n chuc kl es co mplac ently ov e r

,

h is tailor s bills H y pocrite l s tra ining at a gnat and s wallow

’
.

ing a camel All th i s is v ery admirabl e ; but ch e ap cloth e s

”
.

a e not mad e sol e ly o

r chie fly for Mamm on but for t h e m as s es
r , ,

who are poor p e o p l e I t is par t o f t h e s ad iron y o f t h e s itu

.

ation th at t h e gre at majority a e oblig ed to acc ept t h e alte rna r

tive o f ch eap clot h e s o r non e at all A nd as th e E ngli s h .

cli m a te and t h e Briti s h matron co mbin e to e x e rci s e an ab s olute

v e to ov e r t h e latte r for m O f prehi s toric s i m plicity it follow s ,

that o ne p ortio n o f th e working cla ss es m u s t i n orde r to b e -

,

cloth e d conniv e a t t h e s w e ating o f anoth e r portion

,
.

T h e C h is t ia n S o cia lis t whic h w as t h e organ o f Mauric e

r ,

and K ing s l e y be tray e d gr e at S i m plicity as to t h e r e al n atur e of

,

th e e cono m ic p robl e m I t n egl e ct e d O w e n s princ ipl e o f co m

’
.

m unity i n land and s uppo se d tha t b y working tog e th e r and

”
,

s e lling articl e s o f good quality at a fair pric e pov e rty could b e

e l im inate d w h il e , y e t e v e ry work e r in t h e co mm unity w as p ay

ing h is tribut e of e cono m ic r e n t to t h e own er s o f t h e in s t u r

m e nts o f product i on T hu s t h e m ov e me nt h ad no e cono m ic

.

b a s i s ; and wh e n t h e m oral id eali m h ad d e parte d fro m it no s ,

wonde r that i t d eg en e rate d into m er e “ divvy hunti ng and

join t s to ck S hop k e eping Th e e cono m ic advan tages o f jo int
- -
.

stock S hop— k e eping a e th u s su mm e d up by Mr R ob e r t

r .

S o m e rs in t h e “ E ncyclop ae dia Britannica (A r t “ C o op e ra

”
- s
,
“
W h ol es o me co mm odit ie s r e ady m on ey p a ym ents a ,
-
,

divid en d o f fro m fiv e to t en p e r c e nt o n S hare capital and a ,

bo nu s to no n m emb ers o n th e a m ount o f th e ir purcha s es

-
As .
”

join t s tock S h op k ee ping c o Op e ration i s a u se ful and c h e ap

- -
,
-

m e t h o d o f di s tribution w h ic h h as doubtl es s b e n e fit e d a co m
,

s id erab le nu m b e r o f p e r s on s ; b ut t h e notion that i t c an solv e

t h e e cono m ic p robl e m b e for e s oci e ty is “ c h i m erical as D r

”
.
,

J K Ingram tell s u s i s t h e O pinion o f mod e rn e cono mi s ts

. .
l
.

T h i s i nd ee d m ig h t only b e e xp ect e d fro m t h e fact t h at 9 61 out

, ,

of e v e ry p ers ons in E ngland d ie wi thout furni t u re ,

inv es tme n ts o r eff e cts worth

, E cono m ically con s ider ed ,

1 ncy lop di B ritanni a A t Political E conomy

E c ae a c r ,
”
.

M ulh al l Dictionary f S tati tic

2 “
: o s s.
82 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

ou ts e t is foun d ultim a tely if unc h e ck ed to b e wasteful and

, , ,

ruinou s I t e n t ail s gre at e xp e n s e in adverti s ing ; i t n ec es s i t ate s

.

t h e e m plo y m e nt o f m uch unpr o ductiv e labor ; it te nd s to t h e

inde finite low e ring of pric es ; it produc es gluts and cris e s and ,

re nde r s bu s in es s Op eration s h azardous and p r ecariou s To es .

cap e th es e con s e qu enc es t h e co mp e ting pe rs on s o r firm s agre e

,

t o for m a clo s e co mbination to k e ep up p ric es t o aug me nt ,

profits t o el iminate u s e l ess labor t o di m ini h ri s k and to

, ,
s
,

control t h e output This is a “ ring which is thu s a fe d era

.
”
,

tion o f co mpani es T h e be st e xa m pl es o f “ rings

. and
pool s are t o b e found in Ame rica wh e re capitali sm is more ,

unr es train e d and ho ld e in it s op e rati on s than in E urop e ; and

r

al s o w h e r e n e arly all t h e active inte ll ect is attrac te d t o t h os e

co mme rcial purs uits th at do mi na t e A merican lif e .

Th e individuali s t d e vo te e s o f la is s e f a i e u se d t o te ac h u s r r

that wh e n r es triction s w ere remov ed fre e co mp e tition would ,

s e t t l e e v e rything P ric e s would go do wm and fill t h e “ con

'

.
,

s u me r
”
with joy un s p e akabl e ; t h e fitte s t would s urviv e ; and
as for t h e r e s t i t w as not v ery cl e ar what would b e co me o f
the m and it re ally di dn t m at te r N o doubt t h e “ con s u m e r
,
’
.

has gre atly b enefit e d b y t h e i ncrea se i n prod uction and t h e fall

'

in pric es ; but wh e re is “ free co mp e tition now ? Al mo s t t h e

only p e rs ons s till co mp e ting fr ee ly are t h e s m all S hO p k eep e r s -
,

tre mbling o n t h e v e rge o f ins ol vency and t h e working m en ,

-
,

co mp e ting with o ne anoth e r for p erm i s s ion t o liv e by work .

C o mbination is ab s orbing co mme rc e H ere are a fe w ins tanc es

.

o f t h e for m ation o f rings .

A s t eel rail co mbination was so me y e ars ago forme d among

pr eviou sly comp e ting firms in A me rica Thi s co mbination .

di s cov er ed tha t t o o man y rail s w e r e b e ing m ad e and that pri c e s

w e re b e i ng c t Accordingly o ne o f t h e m ill s in t h e co mbina
u .

ti on — t h e V ulcan m i ll o f S t L oui s — was clo s e d and s tood

,

.
,

s m ok e l e s s for y e ar s : it s o wn e r s me anwhil e r e c e ivi ng a s ub s idy

of a y ear fro m t h e oth e r m ills in t h e co mbination for

not m aking ra ils T hat is h o w t h e o wn e r s o f t h e Vulcan m ill
.

e arn ed th e ir wages o f s up e rint end enc e ” I t is n eedl es s to

“
.

add that no p aym ent was m ade t o t h e m en for n ot working :

th ey w ere t h rown o n t h e s tr ee ts to me dita te on t h e righ t t o
“
liberty and t h e purs uit o f h app ines s s e c u re d to th em by t h e ,
”

De claration of I ndep end enc e .

Or, again take t h e ca s e o f t h e anthraci te coal lands o f

,
 IN D U S TR I AL . 83

P e nn s ylvania , occ u yi ng an ar e a of so me p acre s , and

h e ld by t h e Re ading C oal and I ron C o mpany , t h e L ehig h
V all e y R ailroad , t h e elawar e , L ackawan na and W e s t e rn D
R ailroad , t h e D
elawar e and Hud s on R ailroad , t h e P e nn s ylvania

R ailroad , t h e P e nn s ylvania C oal C o m pan y, and s ma ll e r fir ms

p
and cor oration s tributary to th es e T h e rich own e rs , po pu .

larly known as t h e coal baron s ,” agree to fix abs olu tely t he

whol es al e pric e o f coal , always s ecur ing an mmen s e ri s e ju s t i
b e for e t h e winte r s e t s in T here is no suc thing known o r . h
po ss ibl e as free trad e o r e n co m e t t ion in t he ant racite coal Op p i h
produc e o f A merica .

C o mbination s in t h e Uni ted S ta te s av e e e n m ad e b y t h e h b

Wes te rn mill ers , t h e N ew York c emen , Bo s ton fis h d e al ers , i
manufactur er s o f s e w e r-pi e , co p e r min e r s , mak e rs O f la m p s , p p
potte ry glas s h oop iron s hot rive ts candy s tarch s ugar
, ,
-
, , , , , ,

pres e rv ed fruits gluco s e chairs vapor s tove s lime rubb e r

, , , , , ,

s cr e w s c h ain s h arv es ting machin e ry pin s s alt h ardwar e typ e

, , , , , , ,

bras s tubing silk and wir e In th es e trad es fre edo m of produc

,
.

tio n and sal e h as be e n for a ti me partially or wholly d es tro y e d .

T h e Ame rican bu s in ess m an is v e ry angry wh e n boycotting is

res or te d to by work me n ; but h e is quite r e ady to bo y cott oth ers
wh en hi s inte res ts l e ad t h at w ay Th e s ta m p ed tinware m ake rs .

in 1 8 8 2 for med a ring and e xp ell ed m emb e rs who sol d at lowe r

,

pri c es th an t h e fix ed rates and r e fu s ed to allow anyon e i n t h e ,

pool to sell to th e offe nd e rs S o m e of t h e p re viou s fac ts a e . r

tak e n fro m an articl e by Mr H enry D L loyd who h as in ve s ti .

,
1

gate d capitali s t co m bin ation s with muc h knowl edge and in s ight .

Fro m t h e sa me articl e I quote t h e followi ng

O n t h l t f Ap ril 1 882 w h n t h r t f
e e o w r l t in t h r k e e es o us e e os e ec
l g it y f A ll F ool D y f orty n ta k m a n fa tur r f o nd t
, ,
’
e ss a o s a -
o e c u c e s u ou
that th r w r t many ta k nd form d t h C ntra l M an facturin g
,

e e e e oo c s, a e e e u

C o m p any f B o ton w ith

o d o llar cap ital
s T h ta k m ill in s . e c -
s
d ay in t h w k Wh n thi m
,

th m b ination ran ab out thr

e co ee s e ee . e s co
b inati n a f w w k
o g il nc d a Pi tt b u g ri al b y b y in g h im t
e ee s a o S e e s r v u ou ,

th y d id n t r m t h ma hin ry Th d ad chi mn y nd id l m
e o e ov e e c e . e e e s a e a
c hin wi ll d i c urag n w m n f r m tartin g an th r fa tory can
es s o e e e o s o e c ,
or
b n t r i n th m if th y
e ru o u n t t b ed i cou a g d n ny oth r w y
e are o o e s r e I a e a .

Th e fir t f r its f t h ta k p oo l w r
u s o n incr a f p ri
e t t wi c
c e e a e se o ce s o e
what th y h d b n e a ee .

Again I quote M L loy d r.

T h m n w h m ak
e e h oud nd fiin h av form d a lo
o e ou r s r s a co s e e c se

L or d
1 “ f I nd try N th A m
s o nR w J n
us 1 88 4 . or er i ca e vi e ,
u e, .
84 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

corporation known t h N ational B urial C a A o iation nd h l d as e

‘
se ss c
’
a e
th ir ann al nv ntion in C hi ag o la t y ar T h ir a tion t k p p
,

e u co e c s e . e c o ee u

p ric nd k p d wn t h n m b r f coffin w
es a ee cr t l t mortality
o e u e o s as se e es
hould b d i courag d
,

s e s e .

Fro m co ffin s to crack ers is a s hort ste p in th e study o f cap i

t alis t me t h ods :

Th W t rn C rack r B ak r A ociation m t in C h icag in F b

’
e es e e e s ss e o, e
ru ar y t con i d r among oth r thi ng t h r p r h n ib l y t m f
,
o s e e s
‘
e e e e s e s s e o
c tting p ric (i t h r p r h n ib l y t m f f r com p tition whi h
u es . e ., e e e e s e s s e o ee e c
cap itali t in b uy in g lab or t l l i
s s alvation) Th y fir t h d a e us s ou r s . e s a
b an q u t Af t r th ir m rri m nt n d di v r i n t h r v ll r tru t ‘ ’
e . e e e e a e s o e e e e s, e o
Ad am S mith d ri p ti n t n d t ’
n id r
s m ontrivan t
es c o ur e o co s e
‘
so e c ce o
—
,

rai p rise Th p ric li t w r p rf ct d

ce s .
’
ai d t h n w p ap r
‘
e e s s e e e e e
’
s e e s e re
nd th n th y a d j o rn d
,

p ort ;
”
a e e u e .

In 1 87 5 b roke
a s ev ere co mp e tition a mong t h e fi e in
ou t r

su r anc e co m pa ni es upon t h e collap s e of a pr e viou s pool ; and

,

t h e co m p e tition co s t th em in N e w York C ity alon e

i n s eve n y ears C on s equ ently in 1 8 8 2 th ey m ade a ne w
.

co mbination w h ic h covered th e w h ol e country and which Mr , .

L loyd d e clar es to b e w e althy coh e s iv e and pow e rful Th ough , ,

.

th e re is no pool or ring I am cr e dibl y inform e d that th e r e is ,

a co mmon und e rs tanding am ong th e fire in s uranc e co m pani es

of L ondon O ne of t h e mo s t note d o f co mbination s h as been
.

t h e gr e at C opp e r S y ndica t e whic h attract e d world wid e att e n -

tion e arly i n 1 8 88 I t w as forme d b y s o m e Fr ench s p e culators

.

in O ctobe r 1 8 8 7 and during t h e e ighte e n mon th s o f it s e xi s t

, ,

e nc e m aintain e d copp e r at a pur e l

, y arbitrary p ric e i n all t h e
m ark e t s o f t h e world At its he ad was M E ugen e S e cre tan . .
,

m anaging d ir ector O f t h e S oci é t é d e s M é taux t h e world s

’

larges t buy e r o f and d e al e r in manufacture d copp e r Th e , ,

.

s ndica t e s ag e nt s bough t all t h e copp e r that w as vi s ibl e and

’

y
for s al e t h e r e s ult o f th e ir S p eculation b eing that t h e pric e o f
,

copp e r i n t h e L ondon m ark e t ro s e fro m l ess than £40 to ov e r

£8 0 a t o n and t h e pric e o f L ak e S up e rior C opp e r in A m e rica
,

ro s e fro m 1 0 } c e nts t 0 1 7 2 c ent s p e r pound M S e cr e tan

2
‘

. .

inform e d a L ondon journal th at his d es ign s w e r e pur el y philan

t h o p ic
r
“
O r only purpo s e
. s aid h e
“
uis th at e v e ry mi ne r , , ,

d e al e r and m anufacture r s houl d h av e fair r e mun e ration for h is

work T hanks t o M S e cr e t an s p h ilanthropy copp e r tin
” ’
. . ,
, ,

l ead and s p elte r ro s e e norm ou s ly in pric e ; s eve ral trad es w e re

m or e or l e s s paral y s e d ; and in Franc e larg e nu mb er s o f work :
86 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

to Ameri ca to l e arn what t h e s o call ed “ tru s t 1 s Th e full es t -

.

information on t h e s ubj e ct O f tru s ts is con tain ed in a r e port o f

a C o mm it te e o f t h e N ew York S tate L egi s latur e w h ic h was ,

appointe d to i nves tigate t h e new co mb ination T h e follow ing

,

tru s ts w e r e inquire d into S ugar,m ilk rubbe r cott on s e ed o il , ,

-
,

e nv elop e e l e vator oil cloth S t andard o il butch e rs glas s and ’

-
, , , , , ,

furnitur e A tru s t is d efin e d by t h e C o mmittee as a co mbination

.

t o d es troy co m p e tition and t o r e s train trad e throug h t h e s tock

h olders th er e in co mbining with oth e r co poratio n s o r s tockhold er s r

to form a join t stock co mpany o f corporation s in e ff e c t reno u nc

-
,

ing t h e p ow ers o f such s e ve ral corporation s and p lac ing all ,

pow e rs i n t h e hand s of tru s tees Th e g e n e ral p urpo s e s and

.
”

e ff e cts ar e s tat e d to b e t o control t h e s upply o f co mm oditi e s

“

and n ec e s s iti es t o d es troy co mp e tition ; to r e gulate t h e quali ty

and to k e e p th e co s t to th e con s u m e r at pric es far be yon d th e ir
fair and e quitabl e value I t is unn e c es s ary to d eal with all th es e
.

tru s ts which po s s ess c e rtain f e atures i n co mm on I will s el e ct

,
.

o ne o r two particularl y t h e gr e at S tan d ard O il T ru s t and t h e

,

C otton s ee d O il T ru s t
-
.

Th e S tandard O il T ru s t is probably t h e larg e s t s ingl e bu s in e ss

m ono p oly in t h e world t h e valu e o f all it s includ e d in te re s ts
,

b e ing e s ti m ate d accordi ng t o t h e e vid enc e s ub m itted at

, ,

I n t h e r e port it is d es crib e d as “ o n e o f t h e m o s t
activ e and po ss ibl y t h e m o s t formidabl e moni ed p ow er o n this
contin e nt I t s influ e nc e r e ach es in t o e ve ry S tate and is f elt in
.
,

r emote v illag es and t h e products o f it s r e fin eri es s e ek a m ark e t

in al mo s t e v e ry s e aport o n t h e glob e ” Th e g e rm o f thi s huge .

m onopol y w as a s m all p e trol e u m r e fin e ry ne ar C l e v e land bought ,

by o ne R ock e f e ll e r a book ke ep e r in a s tor e and a fri e nd O f his

,
-
, ,

a por te r with borrow ed mon ey R ock ef ell e r formed an acqu ain

;

.
,

tanc e with a rich whi s k ey di s till e r who advanc e d m on ey and ,

p t h is son in law F lagle r i n to t h e bu s in es s T h i s pe r s on s

’
u - -
.

doctrin es are thu s d e s cribed “

H e s a ys that th e r e is no da mn ed
s e nti me nt about bu s in e s s that h e knows no fri e nd s hip in trad e ;
and that if h e g e ts his bu s in es s rival in a hol e h e m ean s t o kee p
h im th e r e S uc h a m an is e m in e ntl y fitte d t o b e t h e found e r
”
.

of a m onopoly : h e is a h e ro o f s e lf h elp ; fo r h e h elp s h i ms elf -

t o any t h ing h e can lay h is hand s o n

~
A s e cond r e fin ery w as .

e s tabli s h e d in O hio and a war e hou s e op e n e d in N e w York

,
Th e .

conc ern gr e w and was incorporate d as t h e S tandard O il C o m

,

pany It is c h arged with h aving s e cured s p ecial l egis lation by

.
 IN D US T R I A L . 87

jud i c ious expend iture i n t h e lobbi es of t h e O hio and P e nnsyl

vania L egi s latures By e n te ring in t o arrange me n ts with t h e
.

trunk railway lin es i t s e cur ed s p ecial rates for tran s it N e w

, .

refin e ri es w e re e s tablis h e d and ne w Oil land s in P enn sylvania

acquire d ; t h e capital w as increa s ed ; and an e normou s y e arl y
bus in e s s w as don e Afte r a tim e t h e co mpany controll e d e v ery
.

av enu e of tran s portation ; managed all t h e large s t r e fin e ri es I n

t h e land and w as abl e t o S hut o ff e v e ry co mp e titor fro m e i th e r
,

rec e iving s uppli es o r S hipping its products N e w co mp anie s .

,

n o m in all y di t inct but all u nd e r t h e con trol o f t h e s a m e m e n

s , ,

we re incorpora te d in N e w J e rs ey O hio We s t V irg ini a and , ,

oth e r S tates Th e monopoly e l e c te d o ne o f its chi ef s tockhold e rs

.

in t o t h e Uni te d S ta t s S ena t e it is s aid through brib e ry in t h e

e , ,

O hio L eg i latur e ov e r which b ody i t c e rtainly acquir ed s trong

s

hold Th es e tactic s w e re known as coal oil politic s

. All t h e .
”

dirty work was o f cours e don e thro gh ag e nts t h e dire ctors

, ,
u ,

pre te nding p e rfe ct innoc enc e I n 1 8 8 2 t h e S tandard O il .

C o mpani e s w e r e con s olidate d I n t h e S t a ndard O il T ru s t Th e .

1

s t ockhold e r s s urr e nd e r e d th e ir s tock to t h e trus t ee s nin e in ,

nu mb e r cr e ate d under t h e agreem ent and re c e ived c e rtifica te s

, ,

in t h e plac e th e r e of t h e r e pr es entativ e s o f t h e tru s t and t h e

,

s tockhold e r s i n t h e r e fin e ri e m aking a joint v aluation of t h e s

e r

finerie s and t h e c e rtificat e s b e ing is s u e d t o that a m ount

,
Thu s .

t h e s e parate conc e rn s w e r e m e rg e d i n o ne gigantic bu s in es s ,

controll e d by nin e men (own ing a m ajority of t h e s tock ) having ,

a m onopoly o f n early all t h e o il lands in A me rica controlling ,

l egi s lative vo tes form ing a s olid allianc e with t h e railway and
,

S hipping int e r es ts and d e te r mining to a gallon how m uch oil

,

s hall b e produc e d and r e fin e d and to a fraction o f a c e n t what ,

s hall b e it s pric e I n 1 8 8 7 th e r e w as a ca s h divid e nd of 1 0 p e

. r

c ent de clared b es id es a s tock divid e nd of 2 0 p e r c e nt o n t he

.
,
.

ce rtificate s o f four y e ar s aggregation In addition to t h e e nor ’

.

m ou s s tock th e y h old t h e tru s te e s r e c e iv e an annual s alary

,

Of What a e th e e cono mic r esults o f thi co mbination

r s

I t h as not rai s e d pric e s as t h e tru t s w e r e charge d by t h e co m

,
s

m it te e with doing O n t h e contrary th e r e h as b e e n a s t e ad y

.

decr e a e in pric e during t h e d e cad e 1 8 7 7 —1 8 8 7 Th e co nsu mp

s

tion o f oil h as al s o e nor mou sly incr e a s ed T h e working and .

p ro d ucing exp en s es h av e be e n gre atly low e r e d by t h e di s m i s s al of

1 R ep ort of Se nat e C ommitt e e, p 419

. .
88 THE BA S I S OE S OC I A L I S M .

ne e d esl s labor and v a s t i mpro vements i n mach in e ry ; t h e p ip e

l in es controll e d by t h e tru s t h aving di s plac ed te a ms o f
hors es and m en i n h andling t h e o il T h s o f th is tru s t . u

w e may say t h at t h o u gh t h e me ans u s ed t o e s tabli s h i t w e r e

‘

m orally doubtful o r e v e n h ad t h e p olitical r e s u l ts d i s a s trou s t h e

, ,

e cono m ic r es ults h a v e b e e n b e n e ficial e xc e pt i n t h e m at t e r o f ,

h elping t o form an un em ploy ed cla ss th rough t h e dis m i s s al o f

ne e dl e s s labor con s e qu e nt o n t h e d e v e lop m e n t o f m ach in e ry .

Th e C otton s e e d O il T ru s t was organiz ed two o r thr e e y e ar s

-

ago in t h e S tat e o f Arkan s a s Upward s o f s ev enty di ffer en t 1

.

co m pani es h ad b e e n co mp e ting with e ach oth e r and cons e qu en tly

s u ff e ring h e avy lo s s es T h e ir m ill s b e ing co m parativ e ly s m all
.

and e quipp e d wit h i m p e rf e ct machin e ry th e y w e r e glad to co m ,

bin e and tho s e th at did no t w e re forc e d to clo se T h e s e v enty .

corporation s t h e v a s t m ajority o f t h e memb e rs o f wh ich had

,

agr e e d to t h e co mbination s urr e nd ere d th e ir s tock to a body o f

,

tru s te es and r e c e iv ed in r e turn $ 1 0 0 c e rtificate s T h e variou . s

m ill s s e nd a m onthly r e port to t h e tru s t and if t h e o ffic e r s in a

gi ve n m ill do not s e ll at t h e t erm s im po s ed th ey are di s mis s ed ,

b y t h e trus t T h e obj e ct o f t h e tru s t w as d e clar e d by a witnes s

.
2

to b e t o preve nt bankrup t cy t o i m pro v e m e th od s t o find , ,

mark e ts t o d e ve lop t h e e nte rpri s e and t o mak e m on ey

, Th e .

e cono mic r es u l t h as be e n di s plac eme nt o f labor by t h e mac h i ne ry

a nd gr e at e cono m y in production I ncid entally it ca m e o u t that .

m uch cotton s ee d oil w as s old to t h e Fr enc h and I talian buy e r s

-
,

who m ix it with a littl e olive o il and e xport it back to Ame rica

and t o E ngland wh e re a co nfid ing public purc h a se s it as p ur e
,

T u s can oliv e o il an int e r e s tin g illustration o f in te rnational

-

trade morality .

An e xamination of t h e milk and b utc h er s tru st ough t to b e ’

a r e v elation t o tho s e w h o i m agin e t h at trad e is “ fr e e and

”
,

th at co mp e tition rules O n April 2 9 th 1 8 8 5 t h e di rector s o f

.
, ,

t h e M ilk E xc h ang e me t in N e w York and unani m ou s ly r es olv e d

Th at n t h fir t d y f M y n xt
o e s nd until oth rwi
a o ord r d t h
a e a e se e e e
m ark t p n c f mil k p ro d uc d f rom m ad ow h y nd o n d c r al b
, ,

e e o e e a a s u e e s e
25 4 cent p q uart nd that p ro d d f rom b r w r grain nd g lu o
s er a u ce e e s
’
s a c se
quart
,

a nd corn tarch r f u
s b 2 c nt p e se e e s er
”3
.

A r epr e s e ntativ e o f t h e S h eep and L a mb Butc h e rs M utual

!

R p ort f S nat C omm itt

1 e p 2 33 t
o e
q e ee , .
,
e se .

R p ort p 2 44
2
e , . .

R p ort f S nat C ommitt e p 305

3
e o e e e ,
. .
90 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

w hi c h th r e ate n it are i ne vi tabl e growths o f an e volutionary

proc es s W e are th erefore brought t o cons id er t h e qu es tion
.

w h e th e r th e ring syndi cate o r tru s t e ith er can o ought t o b e

, , r

d es troy ed T h e s e co mbination s can b e s h own to b e t h e mo s t

.

e cono m ical and e ffici ent m e thod s o f organizi ng production and

e xc h an g e .T h e y ch ec k wa s te e nco u rag e m achin ery di sm i ss

.
, ,

u s el e s s labo r fac ili tate tran sp ort s t e ady pric e s and rai s e
, , ,

p o fit s
r — L e th ey be s t eff ect t h e obj ect s o f trad e fro m t h e
,

capi tali s t s poin t o f V i e w N o w t h e Oppon e nts o f S ociali sm

’
.
,

sa
y that without thi s e nt e rp r i s ing ca p itali s t w e cannot liv e .

H e “ provid es e mploy m e nt th ey s ay Well if w e n eed h im

”
,
.
, ,

w e m u s t Obviou s ly p ay h is pric e If h e h as a n at u ral mo nopoly

.

o f a function indis p e n s abl e t o soc i al progr es s s oc i e ty m u s t con ,

c ed e t h e t erms h e i mpo s es Th es e te rms are bri e fly large co m

.

b inat io ns o f capi t ali s t own e r s hip I n th i s way h e can b e s t

.

organiz e bu s in es s ; if w e do not choo se to le t h im do it in thi s

way h e will not do it for us at all Fro m h is point o f vi e w
,
.

that is a fair po s ition to take up and i t plac es t h e I ndi v idualis t

oppon en t o f tru s t s in an awkward di l emma For h e mus t .

e ith e r s ub m it t o tru s t s o r giv e up capita lis t s in whic h latt e r ,

ca s e h e be com es a S ociali s t Th e an s w e r o f S ociali sm t o t h e

.

capitali s t is that s oci e ty can do without h im ju s t as s oci e ty ,

now do es without t h e slav e own e r o r fe udal lord both o f who m

-
,

w e re form e rl y r egard e d as ne c es s ary t o th e w ell b eing and ev en -

t h e v e ry e xi s t e nc e o f s oci e ty I n organizing it s o wn bu si nes s

.

for i ts elf s o cie ty can e mploy at w h a t e v er rate o f r em une rati on

, ,

may b e n e ed e d to call forth t h e ir pow e r s th o s e capitali s t s who ,

a e s k i ll e d organi ze r s and ad min i s trator s

r But tho s e wh o a e . r

m e r e divid end r e c e iv e r s will no long e r b e p e r m itte d t o l e vy a

-

contribution o n labor but mu s t e arn th e ir livi ng by u s eful in

,

d s t y as oth e r and b e tte r p e opl e h av e t o d o

u r .

I t m ay b e s aid th at S oci e ty is not y e t rip e f o r th i s tra ns

f or mation nor is i t
,
Th e forms o f t h e d e m ocratic S tat e a e
.
r

not y e t p e rfe ct ed no r h as t h e e cono m ic e volution y e t proc eed e d

,

gen e rally far enough e v e n in E ngland no t to S p e ak o f t h e l es s

, ,

advanc ed E ur op e an countri es M uch y e t r em ain s t o b e don e.

th rough both t h e e ducation of th e intell e ct and th e d ev elop ment

o f a nobl e r public S pirit But o n t h e oth e r h and we s e em to b e
.

rapidly approaching s uch an imp ass e that s o me v e ry large and

d e fini t e e xtens ion o f coll e ctive authority m u s t b e mad e T hi s .

would s eem to inv ol ve o n o ne s id e general red uction of t h e

 IN D U S TR I AL . 91

h ours lab or and o n t h e oth e r an attemp t to ab s orb b y t h e

of ,

co mmunity a portion of thos e social v alu e s whic h i t cr eates .

I n r e fe r e nc e t o gro u nd valu e s it may b e an ticipate d t h at local

d e mocratic authorities will s ecur e th e m for t h e b e n e fit o f t h e
p eopl e by any means w h ic h m ay b e fo u nd e xp edi en t .

A s r egard s t h e gr e at co mbination s of capital S tate action ,

m ay tak e o ne of th r e e cour s es I t m ay prohibit and di s s olv e

.

them ; it may tax and control th em ; o r it may ab s orb and

ad mini s te r th em I n e ith e r ca se t h e S ociali t th e ory is ip s o f a ct
. s o

ad mitte d for each is a confes ion that it is w e ll to e x e rci s e a

, s

collective control ove r i ndus trial capital If t h e firs t o f th ese .

cours e is take n a dis tinctly r e trogres iv e policy is d efinitely

s s

adop ted a policy of alarm at w h at Mr C l e v elan d call e d t h e

,
.

“
co mm n is m of capital a policy o f r eve rs ion t o th e chaos o f
u
”
,

fre e co mpe tition and o f c e ss ion o f t h e undoubte d b en efits

”
,

which co mbination h as s e cured S uch a policy wo uld s ignify

.

t h e forcibl e pr e ve ntion of acqui s ition o f prop e rty t h e v e ry thi ng ,

deares t to th e I ndividuali s t If t h e p ow e rs o f acqui s ition no w

.
,

e vid e ntl y d e p e nd nt on co mbination are t o b e r e trict ed

e ,
what s ,

b eco mes of t he “ inc e ntive to i ndu s try th e “ r eward o f ab s ti ,

”

n e nc e and all t he r e s t of t h e worn o u t phra s e s whi c h h av e so

”
,

of te n don e d uty in t h e plac e of argum ent ? I f t h e s y nd ica te o r

t h e tru s t r e pr es en ts t h e l egiti m at e outco m e o f capi tali s m — ii i t

is n e c e s s ary to g iv e ord e r t o trad e and to p r e v e n t t h e r u inou s
wa s te o f unres t ric ted co mp e tition h ow ab s urd i t is for t h e S tate
,

to s ay to t h e capi talis t : Y o u s h all carry your privil eg es o f

acqui s ition ju s t up to th e point w h er e co m p e tition is lik ely t o
ruin yo u ; but th e re you S hall s top I mme dia te ly y o u and your
.

fri e nd s co mbin e to prev ent wa s te t o r egulate production and

,

di s t ibution to apply ne w me thods o f manufactur e w e s hall

r , ,

abs olu te l y pre ve nt you or r e s tra in you by v e xatious r egula

tion s T o whic h t h e capitalist may b e s up po s e d t o r e ply
”
.

“
I cannot fulfil my function in soci e ty at th i s s e riou s r is k I .

s h all n e ve r k no w s e curit n ev e r b e ev e n mode rately s ure o f

y
reaping that r eward to w h ich I am ad mit te dly e ntitl ed I f .

you inte nd t o fe tte r my action in thi s way afte r h aving pro

cla imed me free to o wn th e raw mate rial o u t of which w e alth
is made — if you co m p e l m e to stop at a pur e ly arbitrary line I ,

m u s t inf o rm you that I am not goin g t o und e rtak e bu s in e s s on

s uch te r ms Would no t t h e capitali s t s ay s o me thing lik e th is
”
.

and fro m hi s point of vie w would h e not b e right ?

I f it w e r e in s tantly pos s ibl e to d o so we s h oul d tak e t h e ,
92 T HE BAS I S OE S OC I AL I S M .

cap i tal i s t at hi s word ; ap p ropr iate th e n e c e s s ary i nstru ments o f

production ; and mak e th em co mm on p rop e rty t he v alu es th ey ,

cr e ate accruing t o t h e co mmunity But t h e h uman rac e

'

ge n erally contri ve s t o e x h au s t e v ery d evic e whi c h s tupidity can

s ugg e s t b efor e t h e righ t lin e o f action i s ulti m at e l
y tak e n I .

think t h e r e fore that s o me p robab l y in effici e nt m e thod of taxation

and public control ov e r co m bination s will as a m atte r o f fact , ,

b e adopte d S uc h l e gi s lation will i m m en s e ly r e s trict individual

.

libe rty in c e rtain dire ction s will p roduc e muc h friction and may
, ,

po s s ibly h a mp e r production un til by a long s e ri e s o f ex p e i r

m ents me n s hall di s cov e r what is t h e mo s t r e a s onabl e way o f

acquir ing for t h e co m m unity as a whol e t h e w e alth whic h i t
produc e s B u t in any ca s e individuali sm or anything w h ate v er
.

in t h e nature o f laiss er f aire go e s by t h e board .

And no w finally what is t h e imme diate polic y for rational

, ,

s tud e nts o f e cono m ic s an d g e nuin e s ocial r e for m e r s to adopt ?

T h e ir motto m u s t b e N lla v s t igia r et o s u m

,
u T o all quack
e r r .

propo s al s th ey m u s t O ff e r a steady re s i s t anc e Th e s e propo s al s .

will tak e t h e form o f attem pts to bring back s o me e cono mic

con d ition o u t o f w hic h s oci e ty h as e m erged O ne quack will .

d e s i r e t o r e viv e t h e o ld Briti s h y e o m anry ; anoth e r w i ll talk

n on s e n s e abou t “ Fair T rad e a third will O ffer t o t h e ru s tic
“ thr
e e acr e s and a c o w w h il e a fourth will s e e s alvation in
ge tting rid o f p ri moge niture and e n tail and “ p lanting pro s ”

p ero u s labor e rs o n t h e s oil as thoug h t h e labore rs grew th e re

like tree s T hos e who und e rs tand t h e e cono m ic cri s i s may b e
.

r e a d y and e age r to s upport any r eform h ow ev e r s m all whic h , ,

is a g enuin e s t e p forward : b ut th e y cannot s upport any effort

t o call b ack t h e pa s t T h ey m ay h elp to build a ne w b ridge
.

acro s s t h e gulf that s ep ara t e s u s fro m t h e C o Op e rativ e C o m - ~

m o nwe alth ; but th ey can n e v e r r e pair t h e o ld brok e n down -

s tructur e w hi c h l e ad s back to I ndividuali s m I n s te ad th e r e .

,

fore o f atte mpting to undo t h e work whic h capitali s ts are

,

unconsciou s ly doing for t h e p eopl e t h e r eal r e forme r will ,

rath er pr epare t h e pe opl e e ducate d and organiz e d as a tru e

,

industrial d e mocracy to tak e up t h e th read s wh e n th e y fall

,

fro m th e w e ak h ands of a u s el es s po s s es s ing cla s s By thi s .

me an s will t h e cla s s s truggl e with it s gr eed h at e and wa s te , , , ,

b e e n d e d and t h e l if e h inte d at by Wh itman i n h is

, S ong of
t h e E xpo s ition b e at t ain e d
Practical p ac ful lif t h p pl lif t h P p l th m l e ’

L ift d i llum in d b at h d in p a —elat

,
e e e, e eo e s e, e eo e e se v s,
e , e , e c in p a e ce e, se ur e e ce .
”
94 TH E B AS I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

and as nec es sary conditions o f p rogr es s conduciv e t o t h e s u r ,

v iv al of w h at th e y a e pl e as e d to call t h e
r fitte s t typ es O f l ife .

S uch critic s see dang e r to progr e s in any at t e mp t t o e nrols

intellig enc e and adaptiv en es s into con s cious co mbination

again s t s tarvatio n and m i s e ry to e xtingui s h b y conc e r te d e ffort
,

s urvival s o f t h e accid e nts o f pri m itiv e barbari s m again s t which

as i ndividual s w e a e alway s s trug gling

r T hi s aim o f S ociali s m
.
,

accordingly do es not wholly co mm e nd its e lf t o t h e ir m oral

,

judgment to th e ir Opinion o f what is g o od in t h e wid e s t s e n s e

, ,

although th ey may willingly ad m it th at t h e aim p o s s e ss es a cer

tai n el em ent of sh orts ighted goo d i nte ntion O th e r p e r s on s .
,

i nflu enc e d by religiou s conc e ption s O lde r than th at o f progr es s ,

and r egarding m orality l e s s as d e te rm in ed by r ef erenc e to that

e nd than as a conc e rn o f t h e i ndividual a c e rtain s ta t e o f t h e ,

s oul o f e ach m an are i nclin e d to v i e w t h e m at e r i al e v il s w hi c h

,

S ociali s t s d e s ir e t o ge t rid o f a s a ne c e s s ary s chooling and

,

di s cip lin e with ou t whic h i ndividual morality would d e cay .

A g ai ns t th e s e doctrin es S ociali s ts woul d m aintain that t h e

ord e ring of o u r national life and o f t h e r elation s b e tw e e n
,

i ndividual s and s ocial group s thro ghout t h e world i n accord u

anc e wi t h t h e principl es o f S ociali s m is t h e effe ctual and i ndis

,

p en s abl e proc e s s for e n s urin g to t h e ma s s o f mankin d t h e

advantag e s of prog r ess alr e ady e ff ecte d and it s co ntinu ed and
ord erly d ev elop m e nt and for t h e r eali s ati on i n i ndividual s
, ,

and t h e S tate of t h e high es t m orality as ye t i magin e d by u s

, .

It may b e w ell at thi s point to anticipate a chall enge t o

d efin e what is me ant b y t h e word “ Morality and to bri efl y ”
,

e xplain t h e po s ition whic h will b e a s s u m e d and t h e m e thod ,

which will b e follow e d th roughout t h e s ucc eeding O b s ervation s .

I t m u s t b e r e me mb e r ed that t h e s ubj e c t of thi s e s s ay is “ Th e

Moral As p ect of t h e Ba s i s o f S ociali s m and no t “ The ,

S ociali t V i e w o f t h e Ba s i s of Moral s
s W e m ay t h er efor e.
”

con sci entiou sly s tee r cl e ar o f th e whirlpool of age long con o

t ove s y as to what th at ba s i s i m e r ely noting as w e pa s s that

r r s,

any m e taphy s ic of E th i c s b e ing n e c es s arily univ e rs al th er e ,

is in th i s s e n s e no s p e cial e th ic o r m orality o f S ociali s m By .

s uch cautious proc e dur e w e sacri fic e indeed th e fa s cinating

a mbition to e x h ibit by i mpres s iv e dial ectic pageant o f d eduction
,

fro m firs t principl es t h e foun d ation o f formal S ociali sm in th e

,

I d e a that infor m s t h e univ e r s e But w e al s o avoid t h e ce r

.

tainty of losing at th e v ery outs e t O f o u r attempte d d e m on

,
 M OR A L . 95

s trat io n, co mpan y o f all b u t that minori ty who m igh t

th e
a ss ent t o o r f nda m ental propo sition s A fu rth e r acrific e
u u . s

w e s hall m ak e in d es c e nding to t h e un pr e t e ntio u s m e thod

,
s

of e mpirici m ; for w e th e r eby r e nounc e t h e righ t o f app eal to

s

that th e ologic habit of m in d co mm on to S ociali s ts with oth e r

pious p e rs on s Mr H e nry G e orge e ducated und e r t h e
. .
,

A m e rican C on s titution m ay s hare th e fam iliarity o f its fra m

,

e s wi t h t h e int e ntion s o f t h e C r e ator an d t h e natural ri g hts of

r

M an . H e m ay prov e as did Mr H e rbe r t S p e nc e r in h is ge n

,
.

e o s y outh that privat e prop e rty in lan d i s inco mpatibl e with

r u ,

t h e f u nda me n tal rig h t o f e ach individual to liv e and to own

t h e product of h is labor But po s iti ve e thical s ci e nc e knows
.

noth ing of natural and fun da me ntal rights : i t kno ws noth ing
o f individual lib e rt y nothing o f e quality nothing o f und er
, ,

l y ing unity Y e t h e re aga in o u r lo s s h as s o me r edr es s ; for a

.

bri ef s u rve y will as s ure u s that various s chool s of m oral p h il

O s ophy diff e ring in th e ir c h aracte ri s tic fir t principl es are con
,
s ,

v e rging in t h e jus tification o f S ociali s m ; and th at t h e practical

judg me nts o f conte mporary mankin d as t o what s ort of con
duct is “ m oral and what conditions mak e for t h e incre as e o f
,
”

“
co mmon m orality are in practic e large ly co in ciden t T h ey
,
.

O ff r at l e as t a body of provi s ional O pinion o r prejudic e to

e , , , ,

which w e can app e al in pre s e nting S ocialism for critici s m of

its m orality T h e tribun al is by no m e ans infallibl e : s till t h e
.
,

co mm on conte m porary s e n s e o f h u manity m ay coun t for

s o m e th ing .B u t in approaching t h e critici s m o f S ocialis m
fro m t h e po int o f vi e w of e thic s w e are bound t o go a littl e ,

deep e r than this Whil e acc epting t h e ph eno mena of curre nt

.

O pinion o n m orality as part o f our ma te rial we mus t follo w ,

t h e e xplorations o f e thical S p e culation in to t h e cau s e s and h i s

tory of th e de velop me nt o f tho s e Op inions B y e xamining t h e .

gen e s i s o f conviction s that th is or th at kin d of action is good

o r bad m oral o r i mm oral w e s hall b e h e lp e d t o form a judg
, ,

ment a s to w hi c h app e ars lik ely t o p e r s i s t and b e s tr e ngth e n ed ,

and whic h t o b e mod ifi ed w eak en ed o r forgott e n I f t h e , ,

.

clai m o f S ociali s m res t s o n judgments o f th e lat te r cla ss w e ,

m ay know th at i t is a morib und bantling if th ey pr e po nd e rate

a mong t h e O b s tacl e s to its credit we m ay prophe s y enco u rag ,

ingly of i t ; if i t i s s upporte d b y th o s e judgm en ts w h o s e

pe rsi s tenc e s eems e s s ential to t h e s urviv l o f t h e individual a

and of s oc i e ty we may b e as s ur ed o f its r eal is atio n in t he

,

futu re .
 96 THE BAS I S OE S OC I AL I S M .

S ociali s m app ear s as t h e O ff s pring of Individ uali sm, as t h e

outco me of individualis t s truggl e , and as th e n e c es sary condi
tion for t h e approac h to th e individual is t id eal Th e O ppo
”

s it io n co m m only a s su med in contra s ting th e t w o is an accid e nt

of the now habitual confus ion be tween pe rs onality and pe rson
alty be twe en a m an s l ife and t h e abundanc e o f things th at h e
,
’

has S ocialis m is merely I ndiv id ualis m rationaliz ed organiz ed

.
, ,

cloth ed and in its righ t mind S ociali s m is taki ng for m in

,
.

advanc e d soci e ti es and t h e s ocial r ev olution mu s t b e brought

t o it s form al acco mpli shm ent th rough t h e co ns ciou s action of
innu merabl e i ndividual s s eeking an av enu e to rational and
pl e as ant e xi s t e nc e for th ems e l v e s and fo tho s e who s e happin es s r

and fre e do m th e y d es ire as th ey do th e ir o w n All con s ciou s .

action all con s cious m odification o f conditions is in spired b y

, ,

t h e d es ir e o f s uc h p e rs onal r eli ef s ati s faction o r e xpr e s s ion , , ,

b y t h e at t e mpt t o e s cap e fro m so m e phy s ical o r int ell e ctual

di s tr e ss S ubj e ctiv e v olition pa s s ion it is sa s H eg e l
“ ”
y , , ,
“
that s e ts m en in activity : men will net interes t th em se lv es
for any thing unl ess th ey fin d th ei r individuality gratified by it s
at tainm e nt T his co mmon end th i s d es ir e o f p er s o nal r eli ef
“

.
, ,

o r s ati s fact i on w e s e e th roughout r e co rd ed o r i ndicat e d h i s tory

,

i m p e llin g e ve ry li ving cr eature o n t h e e arth ; m erging its elf ,

as w e trac e it backward s in t h e m er e appar en t will to liv e of

,

organi s m s not r e cogniz e d as con sciou s and in t h e ind es tructibl e ,

e n e rgy o f t h e inorganic Th e fi e ld o f activity thus conc e iv e d

.

pres ents a p anora m a o f s o me wh at large e xte n t ; but a v e ry

s m all divi s ion o f i t is all th at w e S h all hav e t o do with F or .

m orality w h at ev e r b e it s natur e and ba s i s c e r t ainly do es no t

, ,

b eco m e r e cognizabl e t o u s w e cannot attribu te t h e quality o f

,

rig h tn es s o r wrongn e s s until th e form ation o f s oci e ty h as be gu n

, ,

until indiv idu als are in con s ciou s r elation with individual s oth e r
than th ems elv e s .

I f w e could i magine an ind i v i d ual ab s olut ely i s olate d and ,

h ay i ng no r elation at all with oth e r s enti ent be i ngs w e could ,

not say th at it was m oral o r i mmoral for h im t o eat drink , ,

s l ee p br e ath e was h hi m s elf

, ,
take e x erc is e cough s n ee z e and
, , , ,

t h e lik e ju s t as m uc h o r as littl e w h e n o r w h e r e h e f e lt incl in ed

, ,
.

His conduct in th ese activiti e s m u s t app e ar t o u s ab s olut ely

indifierent W e may h av e s o me v agu e r e fl ecte d s up p o s ition s
.

as t o w h at is n e c es s ary for t h e dignity and d e v e lop me nt o f t h e

m an s “ s e lf
’
as we mi gh t call it ; but th is is a matte r abo ut
”
,
98 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

be that th e ir influenc e h as pass ed o u t o f con s c i ou s nes s ; and

th ey a e ob ey e d auto m atically o r ins tincti vely withou t any
r

e fl e x io n as t o th e ir m oral a s p e c t ari s ing i n t h e age n t s m ind

’
r .

I t i s for e xa mpl e s o n e c e s s ary for t h e e xi s t e nc e o f soci e ty that

, ,

t h e citiz e n S hould ab s tain fro m s laughte ring at larg e such s e lf ,

re train t is s o e vide ntly re a s onabl e its no n Ob se rvanc e so con

s ,
-

t a y t o co mm on s e n s e that wh e n w e find a m urd e r d on e for

r r ,

m e r e d es ir e o f blood s h ed and und e r t h e i mpul s e o f no o th e r

pa s s ion whats o ev e r w e do not think o f t h e m urd e r er as im
,

m oral but rath e r as i n s an e judging t h e m an wh o would d es tro y

, ,

t h e lif e o f s oci e ty a s coron e r s juri es by th e ir h abitu al v e rdict

’

up on s uicid es pronounc e o f t h e m an who d e troy s h is o w n s .

Mo s t O f t h e habits o f activity and avoidanc e n ec es s ary for ,

th e me r e ph y s ical e xi s t e nc e o f t h e individual a s m oral action s

and ab s te ntio ns are n e c es s ary f o r t h e e xi s t e nc e o f s oci e ty h av e ,

long ago b eco m e auto m ati c and a e sunk s o far as co mm on

,
r ,

Op i ni on is conc ern ed p e rm ane ntly o u t o f t h e p urvi e w o f moral

.

critic i sm All t h e i nvoluntary functions o f t h e h u man body

.

whic h con d uc e t o i ts nutrition and main t e nanc e i n h e alth have

b een gradually acquire d i n t h e cours e o f ag e s as t h e condition s ,

n e c es sary for t h e e xpr e s s ion o f t h e m e re a ni m al will t o live t h e

larg es t and fr e e s t life p e r m itte d b y t h e p hy ical e nviron m e nt s .

And as t h e bodily for m and function s o f t h e typ i c al individual

of e ach S p e ci es have accru e d and b eco me e s tabli s h e d as t h e
indi s p e n s abl e m e chanic o f t h e m ere d e te rmination to e xi s t so ,

t h e for m and in titution o f soci e ty and t h e r e lation s and mutual

s ,

b ehavior o f i ts individual s hav e b ee n adju s te d and es tabli sh ed

,

as t h e e qually indi s p e n s abl e condition s for t h e e xpr es s ion o f

t h e d e te r m ination to e xi s t m or e full y for t h e e nlarg e m e nt o f ,

fre edo m and O pportu nity for t h e gratification o f tho s e pa s s ion s

and a s piration s t h e di s play of tho s e e n e rgi es and activitie s
,

which characte riz e t h e m ore co mpl e x for m s of lif e as i t p a ss e s

fro m t h e inorganic and v ege tative t o t h e con s ciou s and s e lf
con s ciou s s tage s o f it s e volution .

T he pri m itiv e for m s o f hu ma n s oci e ty w e m u s t i nf e r to h av e

grown up and s urvive d s i mply b ecau s e th ey incre a s e d t h e
e ffici e ncy of m an a s a f e edi n
g and a fig h ting ani m al ju s t as did ,

tho s e o f t h e wolf t h e be ave r and t h e ant S oci e ty h as now

, ,
.

grown to b e for m an t h e indi s p en s abl e guarant e e not only O f

nutrition and prot e ction but of t h e Opportunity to i m agin e and
,

attain a th ou s and v ari e ti es o f mor e r efin e d s ati s faction S o far .

 M OR AL . 99

as man h as att ai ned freedo m to d o and b e as h e d es i re s h e h as ,

atta in e d it only through th e e volution of s oci e ty Wh e n a s o .

cie t
y p e ri s h es as s oci e ti e s organically w e ak a mong s tro nge r
,

co mp e titors have don e and will do t h e individ u al p eris h es with ,

it or is forc d backward s with i mpa ir e d fre ed o m until a fr e s h

,
e

s ocial i nt e gration r e n e w s and e x t e nd s his p ow e r s o f s e lf d e v e l0

p
~

me n t S oci e ti e a h as b
. s e e n
s,point d
e o t by S idn ey Webb on u

page 5 1 mu s t s afe guard th e ir e xis tenc e tod ay for t h e v e ry sa me

,

re a s on s for wh ich s oci e ty h as for med its elf I t has grown up .

for t h e conve ni enc e o f individual s for th e i r d efenc e and r eli ef ,

u nd e r t h e pr e ure of all t hat w as no t th e ms e lves o f N atur e

ss

as w e call it — b ea s ts and co mp e ting m en to giv e a littl e

,

, ,

breathing S pac e a littl e e lbow roo m a mi d t h e s torm and s tres s

, ,

o f pri m ae v al e xi t e nc e ; and fro m th a t b eginnin g

s it h as be en
unfold e d and elabora t ed e ac h s te p of progr e s eff ected for th e
,
s

conve ni enc e of active individual s until t h e individual o f to day ,

is born as a l e af upon a m igh ty tr ee o r a coral in s e ct in a ,

s ponge h i m elf to live h is individual l ife and in living it to

,
s ,

m odify t h e s ocial organi s m in whic h h e h as h is b e i ng .

R e vi e wing t h e d e v elop m e nt in s oci e ty o f t h e con d ition s for

t h e s atis faction o f t h e individual will to liv e and to liv e in t h e ,

b e t way conc e ivabl e w e s e e in t h e progress o f m oral id e a s th e

s ,

progr e s s o f di cove ry of t h e m o s t re as onabl e man ne r of ord ering

s

t h e life o f t h e individual and t h e form of s ocial in s titution s

und e r t h e con te m porary e nviron me nt I t h as alr eady b ee n .

poin ted o u t that s o me kind s o f an ti s ocial action are s o u m -

r ea s onabl e s o obvio u s ly pre judicial to t h e attainmen t of t h e

,

co mmon e nd o f co ns cious individ u al th at we brand th em n s, u

h es itatingly as in s an e I n s tanc e s s ugge s te d w e re extreme pe r

.

s onal uncl e anlin e s s or di s s ipation and e xtr e m e c u e lty or blood , r

thirs tine s s The rea s on why oth e r anti s ocial o r indire ctly
.
-

s uicidal kin d s o f action are not y e t cla s s ed as m adn ess th ough ,

the re is a s te ady te nd e ncy toward s s o tr eatin g th e m is plai nly ,

that s o me activiti e s o f t h e in divid ual though h urtful to oth e r ,

citiz en s ju s t as t h e activi ty o f a pack of wolv es o r a predatory

trib e is hurtf l to adjac ent s oci e ties a e co mm only ai m e d at
u ,
r

grat ify ing i m puls es and p a s s i on s whic h a e no t y e t grown so r

rare as blood th irs t are no t y e t re co gniz ed as irr ational or

-
,

valuel es s or e ven are acknowl ed ged to b e in th e ir p rop e r s cop e

,

h arml e s des irabl e or n ec es s ary

s, , .

I t is an e s tablish ed s ocial con ve ntion (in E ngland) that it is

1 00 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

i mmoral to ste al o r to d e fraud O nly in v e ry e xtre me ca s e s do .

w e account th e s e p ur s uits as e vi d e nc es of m ania for though ln

ju s tic e and di s hon es ty a e inco mpatibl e with t h e h e alth of s oci e ty
r
,

and thu s actually unrea s onabl e and indirectly s uicidal t h e ,

d e ires w hi ch pro m pt men t o th em are only at wors t e x agge a

s r

tion s o f t h e d es ir e for w ealth o r s ub s i s te nc e whic h e ve ryon e e , r

cogniz es as a n e c es s ary condi tion of t h e mere continuanc e of lif e .

N ay w h e r e t h e alte rnativ e is d e ath for lack o f s ub s i s t enc e m any

, ,

con s id e r that n eith e r are i mm oral At t h e oth e r e xtrem e wh e n .

,

t h e i n s tinc t pro m pts aggr es s ion i n d e fianc e o f t h e con s ciou s

r ea s on and without a ssignabl e purpo s e o f gain wh e n Je an Val ,

j ean rob s t h e littl e S avo y ard o r a nobl e e arl pocke ts t h e s ugar

,

tong s w e s p eak o f m e n tal ab e rration o r o f kl epto m ania

,
.

T h e cas e o f s elf d e fenc e is s i m ilar

-
Q uarr e l s o me nes s and .

viol enc e a e d es tructiv e o f social e xi s tenc e o r at b es t i mp e d e its

r ,

high e r elaboration But r e adin es s o f r es entmen t and quickn es s

.

of fis t w e re for ag e s and ages n e c es s iti es for i ndividual s urvival

and for ages and age s m or e th eir kindr ed s ocial qualiti es o r s pirit
and valor we re n e c es s ary for s ocial s urvi val and accordingly ,

ranked as vi rtu es T h e in s truction t o turn t h e oth e r c h eek to

.

th e s m i t e r is e v e n no w p erh ap s an e xagg e ration o f t h e pr e c e pt

, ,

commendabl e t o S ociali s ts wh e n charg ed by t h e L o ndon polic e

t o s uff e r on e s s e lf t o b e kill e d without r e a s on is cl e arly and u nm is
’

takably i mmoral A s t h e w es te rn worl d advanc es o u t o f war

.
‘

fare into i ndus try more and m ore o f what was onc e m ilitary
,

virtue be co mes i mmorality i n t h e indivi dual ; u ntil an habit al u

fe rocity wh i c h m ight onc e h av e qualifi ed its subj ect for chi ef t ain
s h ip may nowa d ays con s ign him to p e nal s e rv i tud e o r B e dla m .

Th e for egoing illu s trations hav e b e e n tr e at ed for t h e pr e s e nt ,

pur po se w i th refe renc e o nly to t h e eff ect o f t h e b ehavior o f t h e

,

individual u po n s oci e ty I t is i nd e ed c e rtain that anti s ocial

.
-

action do es no t as a rul e eff ect p e rmane nt sati s faction for t h e

, ,

individual (i s ola ted in s tanc es o f th e typ e o f S h ell ey s C ount

,
’

C e nci notwith s tan d i ng )

, b ut ind ep end e ntly o f th i s t h e action s
, ,

and prop en s iti es o f th e individual h av e alwa ys it app e ar s b een , ,

judg ed by h is f ellow s moral or immoral chi efly accord ing to th e ir

s uppo s e d e ffe c t s upon s oci e ty Th e obj ec t of e v e ry living cre a
.

ture be ing t o d o as h e pl ea s es if w h at h e pl e a s es t o do inco m

,

m od e s oth e r p e opl e th ey will tak e mea s ur es t o r e s tra in him fro m

doing it T hi s th ey s trive t o efiec t by m e ans o f laws and con
.

v ent io nal co d e s o f mo ral i ty t h e m a in d iffe r e nc e b e tw e en t h e t wo

,
1 02 TH E BAS I S O E S OC I AL I S M .

s us c ep tibi l i ty o f cultivation and e xten s ion Th e i ndi vidual in .

s oc i e ty do es that which is pl e asant t o h is fri e nd s and ab s tains ,

fro m doing that w h ich is unpl ea s ant no t b e cau se h e lik es to b e

,

thought a good fellow o r e xp ec ts b en efits in r e turn b ut s imply

, ,

becau se i t gi ves him i mmed iat e pl e a s ure s o to act He is sen .

s it iv e t o that w h ic h h ur ts th e m not b e cau s e h e f e ar s th at h is

,

o wn d e f e nc e s ar e w e ak e n e d by t h e ir injur
y b ut be caus e th ey ,

have actually b e co m e part of h i ms elf b y t h e e xten sion o f h is

con s ciou s n es s ov e r th em T hi s s ocial in s tinct thi s di s po s ition
.
,

t o b e n e vol ent s y m path y app e ar s al mo s t as in e xtingui s habl e as

,

t h e p e r s o nal d es ir e o f l if e in innu m e rabl e in s t anc es it h as

:

prov ed far s tronge r .

T h e r e cognition by e ac h individual o f h is d ep e nd e nc e o n
s oci e ty o r s e n s itiven e ss to h is o wn inte res t and h is a ffectio n
'

towards s oci e ty o r s en s i t iv en e ss to its in ter es t : th e s e t wo fac es

o f t h e s a m e fact r e pr e s e nt an intricat e ti s s u e of s ocial consc i ou s

n es s e xtremely s e n s it ive to all kind s of anti s ocial o i mmoral -

, r ,

action Th e moral e ducation o f th e individual appe a s form ally

. r

as t h e p roc es s o f l e arning by s h ee r e xten sion o f knowl edge and

,

e xp eri enc e and nothing e l s e h o w h e m ay har m oni s e and follow

, ,

o u t h is o w n d e s ir e s in th e s e two a s p e ct s and th e ir co m bination s .

H e h as t o l e arn how t o p ro v id e for t h e ne e ds o f his bodily l i f e

in a mann e r t hat will not i n te rf e r e wi th t h e fr ee do m o f oth e rs t o
do th e s a me L aws and conv e ntion s o f m orality guide him at
.

firs t in this r es p e ct ; but t h e man cannot b e s aid t o b e fr ee un til

h e acts m orall y b e cau s e for es e e ing that o n th e s ati s faction o f
,

th e s e pri mary n e e d s ne w d e s ir es will e me rge w h o s e sati s facti on

will give h im a m ore e xqui s i te con te ntment h e p e rc eiv es th at it ,

is r e a s onabl e s o t o act Th e e xi s te nc e and s t abil i ty o f s o c ie ty

.

ar e t h e i ndi s p e n s abl e guaran te e for t h e g e n e ral s ati s faction o f

t h e pri m ary d es ir es of individual s th e r e for e it is u nr e a s onabl e to

,

w e ake n s oci e ty by i mm oral action but m uch m ore are t h e ex

is t e nc e and h e alth o f s oc i e ty in di s p en s abl e condition s f o r t h e
comm on birth and s atis faction o f t h e s e condary d es ires t h e ,

d e s ir es which h ave cre a te d all th at is mo s t valuabl e i n civilis a

tion and w hic h find th eir s ati sfaction i n art i n culture i n h uman , ,

in te rcours e in lo ve Th e moral e ducation o f th e ind iv idual is

,
.

t h e l es s on not th at d e s i re is e vil and th at h e can only attain h i s

, ,

fr eed o m by c ea s ing to d esire for thi s is d e ath o r d e s ertion and

, , ,

t h e ar m y of t h e living pr es s es o n t o full e r lif e ; but t h at t h e

’

wi der full er sati sfaction is built u po n t he s i mpl e r and co mmon

, ,
 M OR AL . 1 08

morality a con d i ti on of its p os s i b ili ty ; th at th er e are ce rtain

manners and me th od s in whic h , if h e goe s about t o s av e hi s life ,
h e m o s t infallibl y wi ll lo s e it and that lo v e , t h e social in s tinct,
and s ci enc e , whi ch is ordered lm o wled ge, are h is only reliabl e
tu t ors in practical morality .

But man in s ocie ty not only lives hi s individual l ife : h e also

mod ifi es t h e for m of s ocial in s titution s in t h e dire ction indi
ca t e d by r e a s on — in s uch a m ann e r , that is , as it se e ms to his

u nd e r s tanding will r e nd e r th e m m or e effici e nt for s e curing fr e e

d o m for that life of h is And ju s t as c ertain forms of indi

. s

vidual activity in th e ir pa ss age in to and through t h e fi eld of

,

po s itiv e critici s m app ear firs t as indifferent b ecau se th ey s eem

, ,

t o conc e rn t h e individual only t h e n as m oral or i mmoral b e , ,

cau s e re cogniz e d as aff ecting s oci e ty la te r as S i mply rational ,

or in s an e morality h aving h e re formally attain e d it s id ent ifica

,

tion with reas on and i mmorality with foll y and at las t be co me ,

habitual in s tinc t ive a nd uncon sciou s ; s o ins titution s origi

, , ,

nating in m odes appare ntl y acciden tal co me to b e re cogniz ed ,

as u s e ful and valuabl e addition s to t h e m ac h in e ry of e xi s t e nc e ,

a e buttr es s e d with all t h e authority and s anction of r e ligion

r ,

and fin ally pa ss into unqu es tion e d acc eptanc e by th e co mmon

s en se of m e n I n ti m e s o m e funda m ental change in t h e con
.

dit io ns of t h e life of individual s is introduc e d b y cau s e s

s i m ilarl
y unfo es e e n : t h e for m of t h e old in s titution c e a s e s to
r

s ub s e rv e t h e co m mon e nd it be gin s to cra m p t h e freedo m of

:

t h e m ajority who no long e r r equire it s s upport

,
Meanwhil e it .

h as e s tabli s h e d a m inor i ty o t e n s ibl y controlling it for t h e co m

, s

m o n w e al in a po s ition to ad m ini s t e r it in t h e s ol e i n te r e s t of
,

th e ir cla s T h es e as th e ir e xi s tenc e app e ars d ep e nd ent on

s .
,

th e ir s o ad min is te ring it cannot b e un taught t h e habit e xc ept

,

b y s uch modification of th e in s titution as will r end e r it again

i mpo s ibl e for any cla ss to have a sp ecial int eres t in its conte m
s

p o a y for m
r r .

T hi s proc e ss is s o fa miliar in h i s tory that it would b e a wa s t e

of ti me h er e to illu s trate it by tracing it in t h e growth of mon
archi es ari s tocraci es pries thood s chatt el slav ery feudal bon
, , , ,

dage repres ntative gov e rn me n t o r oth e rs of its innu merabl e

, e ,

man ife s tation s T h e in s titution of priva te pro pe rty in c e rta in

.

thin gs is in man y r e pe cts s o re a sonabl e and conv e ni ent for t h e

s

majori ty of mankind and w as s o conspicuou sly advantage ous

,

for tho s e s tronge r indi vidual s und e r w h o se l e aders hip t he

1 04 TH E BAS I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

beg inning stribal civil i sations w er e develo ped th at ve ry

of ,

e arly in th e ir h i s tory i t r e c e iv e d t h e s anction o f moral c o nv e n

tion religion and law I t was obviou s ly n e c es s ary for t h e

, , .

e s tabli s hm e nt o f ind u s t rial s oci e ty that e ac h m an S h o u ld own

fl

t h e product o f his labor and t h e tool s n e c e s s ary f o r h im t o

labor eff ec tually But th e I ndu s t rial R ev olution d es crib ed
.

in t h e th ird p ap er of this s eri es h as entirely changed t h e con

d it io ns und e r w h ic h m en prod uc e w e alth and t h e c h aracte r ,

o f t h e tool s with w hi ch th e y work wh il e t h e s anction s o f law ,

and con v entional m orali ty still cling to all th at h as b e e n

i mpor te d und er t h e O ld d efinition O f property I f t h e id e a s o .

con s t antly app eal e d t o in ju s tification of prop erty law is to b e

r e ali s ed ; if t h e fruits o f e ach m an s labor are t o b e guaran ’ 1

t e e d to him and h e is t o o w n t h e in s tru me n t s wit h whic h h e

work s ; if t h e laws o f pro pe rty are no t to es tabli s h a para
s it ic clas s taking tribut e fro m t h e labor of oth e r s in t h e for m s

o f R e nt and I nte r e s t th e n w e m ust m odify our ad m ini s tration

,

o f prop e rty W e mu s t ad m it that as t h e agricultural labore r

.

cannot individually o wn t h e farm h e work s on and it s s t ock ,

as t h e factory hand cannot individually own t h e m il l land and ,

in du s trial capital are things in whic h pri vate prop e rty is imp o s
s ibl e e xc e pt o n condition of a s m all m inority owning all s uc h
,

prop e rty and th e gre at m ajority non e at all .

S oc i ali s ts con t e nd that thi s s y s t em o f privat e p rop e rty in

land and capital is activ ely d e s tructiv e o f t h e condition s in
whic h alon e t h e comm on m orality n e c es s ary for happy s ocial
l ife is po s s ibl e With out any d em and upon t h e faith o f th o s e
.

pe rs on s who d eny t h e capacity o f a v erage hum an nature for

t h e t e mp e ranc e and kindlin e ss ind is p e n s abl e for t h e s ucc es s o f
a tru e co op erative co mmo nw ealth th ey a ss e rt th at th i s m od
-
,

e rn d ev elop me nt of t h e prop e rty s y s te m (a d e v e lop me n t o f t h e

la s t few g en e ration s onl y and unpre c ed e nte d in t h e hi s tory o f

,

t h e world ) is m ore and m or e forcing t h e indi v idual into anti

,

so cial di s po s ition and action and th e reby d es troying t h e pro m ,

is e o f fr ee and full e x i s t enc e which only t h e h e alth and ,

progr es s i ve d ev e lop ment o f t h e s ocial organi sm can giv e h im .

I t h as b e co m e p lainly re aso nab le tha t wh e n th i s is t h e e ffe ct of

o u r prop e rty s y s t e m w e s hould m odify our in s titution s in t h e
l

1 T t h int lli g nt S ociali t thi p hra

o e e e h f co r n m anin g
s s se as, o u s e, o e .

B t a g ain t t h n n S ociali t wh
u s e o mp loy it it m y b l g itimat ly
-
s o e s ,
a e e e
u sed, ad cap tand u m
1 06 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I AL I S M .

n ec essary for t he s urvival and s tr e ngth e n ing of s oci e ti es o f

e qual and fr e e indi viduals d e pe nd e nt for th e ir s ub s is te nc e upon

t h e e x e rci s e of e ach on e s abiliti e s and upon hi s fitn e ss for

’

c o op e ration with h is f e llow s

- But wh ere a cla s s o r s oci e ty
.

e xi s t s not d e p e n d e nt upon its o w n indu s try but f ee ding lik e a

, ,

para s ite upon anothe r s oci e ty or clas s ; wh e n t he indivi dual s of

s uch a para s itic soci e ty in n o way d e pe nd for t h eir l iv e lihood

or th e ir freedo m u pon their fitn es s for co Ope ration o ne with -

anoth e r upo n t he m selv es o r upon any p ers onal r elation wi th

,

t h e cla s s that f e e d s t h e m ; t h e n t h e ob s e rvation o f t h e moral

conve ntion s of industri al and co O p erativ e s oci e ti e s is in man y
-

r es p e cts qui te unn ec ess ary for t h e cont inuance o f t h e l ife of

t h e para s itic soci e ty o r for t h e,
pl e a sant e xi s t enc e o f t h e
indivi d ual s co mpo s ing it All that is n e c es s ary is that
.

t h e e s t abli s h ed law s and conv e ntion s s h ould continu e to b e

O b s e rv e d by t h e indu s t rial cla s s ( “ it is r e qui r e d in s tew a d s r

th at a man b e found and as th e e x i s tenc e o f t h e

prop e rti e d cla s s in modern s oci e ti es d o es d ep e nd ulti mately ,

upon t h e ob s ervanc e by th e bulk of th e p e opl e o f thi s co nv e n

t io nal morality t h e prop e rti e d cla s s prof es s es publicl y t o v en
,

e ra t e and ob s e rve conv e n tion s w hich in it s private practic e it

, , ,

h as long ad mitte d t o b e ob s ol e t e T hi s co m plication is a

.

p ere nnial sourc e o f cant To thi s we o w e t h e s p e ctacl e of

.

S ir Willia m Harcourt a d vocat in g t otal ab s tin enc e o f Mr : ,

Arthur Balfour co mmending C h ri s tianity ; to thi s t h e con

t inu al i nculcation o f in d u s try and thrift by i dl e and e x t rav a
gant pe opl e wi th m any anoth e r ed ifying variation o n t h e
,

th em e o f S atan s r e proval o f s in T em p eranc e C h ri s tian

’
.
,

m orality indu s try and e cono my are o f co ns id e rabl e s ocial

, ,

util ity ; but for t h e memb ers o f a prop er t ied c la ss th ey a e r

not n e c es s i t ated by th e con d itions o f its e xi s tenc e and cons e ,

qu entl y in s uch cla s s es are n e ith er o bs e rved no r co mmo nly

m ad e t h e s ubj e ct o f moral critic i s m .

C on s id e r t h e ca s e of indu s try alon e — o f t h e m oral habit of

e arning on e s s ub s i s te nc e by u se ful activ i ty A s suming s u s te
’
.

nanc e t o b e guaranteed th ere is no obviou s and pr es s ing s ocial

,

n e c es s ity for s uc h e x e rtion N o doubt t h e paradis e of t h e

.

m aid o f all work

- - -
wh e re s h e m ean s to do n othing for e v e r and
e v e r — is t h e para d i s e o f an und e v e lop e d in t e llig e nc e A s oci e ty .

r eli e v e d of th e function O f providing its o wn mate rial s u s tenanc e

need no t r e lap s e in t o
general torp or t h oug h t h e r e s ult is v e ry,
 M OR AL . 1 07

co mm only th at an ind ividual s o c ircums tanc ed relaps es into

us el essn es s I t w ill b e v a in to preach to s uc h an individual
.

th at h e will find h is fu ll est s ati sfaction in h on es t t o il h e will :

S imply laugh in yo u r fac e and go out partrid g e s hooting hunt

, ,

ing or yachting or to M on t e C arlo or t h e R ocky Mountain s

, , ,

fin d ing in s uc h an e x e rci s e of his capaciti es t h e k ee n e s t i mag in

abl e enjoym ent for mon th s in s ucc e s ion H e may fe el no in s .

clinat io n at all t o work for t h e b e n e fit of t h e p e opl e w h o s e

work is s upporting h im all that h e like t h e re s t of u s re quire s

: , ,

is t o find s o m e m e an s of pa s s ing h is time in an agre e abl e o r

e xcitin g m ann e r . Accordingl y in that s ectio n o f our nation
,

which s p eaks of i ts e lf as “ s oci e ty be i ng inde ed a s oci e ty

,

s e parat ed b y e cono mic para s iti s m fro m t h e co mm on m a s s w e ,

find that th e characte ri s tic activity is t h e provi s ion of agree

abl e and e xci ting me thod s of pa s s ing ti me Th i s be ing t h e .

end of fa s hionabl e so ci e ty its c o d e of m orality is naturally

,

qui t e difiere nt fro m t h e cod e suitabl e for indus trial s oci e ti es .

T ruth fuln e s s is pr e ach e d in th es e as a cardinal virtue L ying .

is of cour s e co m mon e nough in all cla s s e s and is g e n erally im ,

m oral ; but in t h e fa s hionabl e world it is not onl y a p e rfe ctl y

l egiti ma te mean s of avoiding an und e s ire d vi s itor or al mo s t any ,

oth e r unpl e a s ant exp e ri e nc e it is a po s itive n e c es s ity O f con

:

v e n t io n al poli te n e s s and good m ann e r s I t is r e all y harml es s

.

h ere al mo s t a virtue To re turn to t h e virtu e of indus try though

,
. :

t h e conv entional m orality of t h e p e opl e n e c es s ary for t h e life

,

o f t h e nation p e r m e at es with it s vibration s thi s para s itic s oci e ty

,

wh ich it e nfold s ; and th ough t h e unfailing cont entment which

a really inte lligent man find s in s o cial activity k eep s a good
m an y of t h e prop erti e d cla s s us efull y occupi e d t h e actual public ,

Opinion of that cla s s is ab s o lu te l y in accordanc e with th e con

d it io ns of t h e ir l ife . Th e cl e rk in a Gov e rn me nt offic e is con
gratulated by middl e cla s s acquain tanc es on his luck in obta in
-

ing a b erth wh e re h e n ee d do no m ore work th an h e choo se s ;

and it is habitu all y a s s u m e d that h e will choo s e lik e t h e Traf al ,

g ar S quar e foun t ai ns to play fro m t e n t o four with an inte rval

, ,

for l nch That may or may not b e an ad e quate acco u nt O f

u .

his activiti es th e ign i fican t thing is th at s uch an a s s u mption

s

S h ould not b e con s id e r ed in s ulting But how indignantl y will

.

t h e v e ry s a m e acquain t anc e s d e nounc e t h e idl e n e s s and nu

trus tworth in es s of a Briti h working man s u s p e ct ed in t he
s ,

s ervic e of a p r ivate master of inte rp reting h is ti me work as

,
1 08 TH E BAS I S OE S OC I AL I S M .

mo s t s e rv an ts o f th e public are good h u mo redly ass u med w i th ,

.

o u t hint of di s a p pro v al to inte rpr e t th e ir s !

,

T h i s obs ol e s c e nc e of el e m e ntary s ocial m oral i ty is most

notic eabl e in wo me n d ep e ndent upon incom e s fro m p rop erty .

T h e y are d oubly r e m o ve d fro m t h e p ri mary con di tion s o f lif e ;

th ey are l es s lik el y than th e ir men folk t o b e engag ed i n any
work o f p erc eptibl e s ocial utility outs id e o f th e ir o wn h o mes ;
and th e ir i ntell ectual e ducation b e ing ge n e rally far more im
p e rfe ct it is only natural that th e1 r id ea s o f m orality s ho u ld b e
,

still m ore inti m a te ly adap ted to t h e condition s o f the ir cla s s ,

and l e s s t o t h e g e n e ral cond i tion s o f h u m an s oci e t y Th e a nge l s .

o f h e a v e n w e hav e alway s
, und e rs tood a e e x empt from t h e ,
r

apparatu s o f diges tion and are cloth e d as fr eely as t h e lili es o f

,

t h e fi e ld I n any soci e ty wh e r e all co mm on n e ed s are s o

.

s uppli e d it would b e i mm oral s ur e ly b e cau s e a wa s t e o f ti me

, , ,

to work as for a liv ing N ow t h e unive rs al id eal o f capitali sm

.

is th at m an b eing cr e ate d a littl e low e r th an t h e angel s sh ould

, ,

rai s e h i mself t o th e ir l evel in thi s r es p e ct by t h e acqui s ition o f

p rop e rty a proc es s pl ea s antly d es cribe d as attai ning a com
, .

p e t e nce o r ind e p e nd e nc e t h at is to s ay t h e right to b e d e p end ent

,

and inco mp e te n t Th e r es ult o f th i s h as b ee n a pr ejudic e

.
,

w h ic h onl y within quite re c e nt y e ars h as b egun to b e s eriou s ly

s hak en that it is h u m iliat ing
, e v e n di s grac e fu l
,
fo r a lady to ,

have to e arn h er own li vi ng at all for a gentleman t o practis e ,

a handicraf t for m on e y for a nobl eman to go in to trade a

,
:

pre judic e for which in a cla s s s oci e ty th e re was m uch ju s t ifi

, ,

catio n but w h ic h is obviou sly a fragme nt o f cla s s morality

,

dire ctl y antagoni s tic to t h e co mmon s ocial morality which

r ec ogni s e s all u s e ful i ndu s try as prai s e worthy I t is no w yi e ld .

ing to e cono mic pr essure and to t h e s ti mulu s o f th e d es ir e to

g e t ric h L a dies are b e i ng dr iv en and in S pit e o f Mr Walte r
.
,
.

B e s ant s prote s tation s will continu e t o b e driven into mo s t

’
, ,

o f t h e f e ma le handicraft s though s o me are s till outs id e t h e

,

pal e O f re s p e ctability R anchi ng in A m erica though no t ye t

.
,

d ro v e ing and butch e ring in E ngland is s ui t abl e occ u pation

r ,

for t h e ari s t ocracy Th e “ dir e cti ng of com pani e s and t h e

.

patronizing o f nitroge nou s V oluntee r C olon els a e l egiti mate r

m od e s o f e xploitin g of a titl e Th e pr e judic e agains t u s e ful

.

e m ploy m e nt s is balanc e d for d e c e ncy s s ak e by a h y pocritic al

’

laudation o f u se l e s s on es Th e fiction s o d e ar t o t h e P ri mro se

.

D a me th at t h e ric h are th e e mploy ers o f t h e p o or t h e idl ers

, ,
 10 TH E BAS I S OE S OC I AL I S M .

c h ang ing c h aract e r o f th e b a s i s o f cla s s d i s tincti ons Th e gr eat .

p e r man e nt di s tinction o f s e x and t h e social r e lation s b e tw ee n

,

m an and wo m an w h ic h h av e aris e n th e r e out in t h e p e riod of

civili s ation fro m whic h t h e world is now e m erging h av e ,

r e s u l ted no t only i n t h e e s tabli s h m en t o f di s tinct cod es o f

chastity fo r t h e s e x es but al s o i n innu me rabl e prejudic es
,

against th e participation o f o ne s e x o r t h e oth e r i n activiti es

having noth ing whate v e r t o do with phys iological dis tinction .

Th e y ha v e e v e n s ucc e e d e d in producing through in e quality o f

,

fr ee do m and e ducation w ell mark e d di ff e r enc e s in m ental

,

h abit whi c h S h ow th emsel v es continually whe n me n and wo m e n

,

are co nf ront ed w i th t h e sa m e qu es tion s o f truthfuln es s honor , ,

o r logic It is h ardly n e c es s ary to ob s e rve that mo s t o f th ese

.

diffe renc e s are di s tinctly trac e abl e to t h e in s titution o f private

pro p e rty and t o its conc entration in t h e h and s o f t h e m al e as
,

t h e s trong e r i ndi vi dual in a co m p e titiv e s oci e t y Th e cla s s.

m oraliti e s o f s oci e ti e s w h os e ord e r s h av e b e e n ba s ed im medi

ately o n s tatu s o r ca s te h av e form e d t h e subj e c t o f an e xt e n s iv e
lite rature Th e t racing of all s uch di s tinctio ns to th e ir root in
.

e cono m ic c ircu m s tanc e s is s carc e l y l e s s i n t e r e s ti ng than t he

i nv e stigation o f t h e s a m e foundation for s e x morality But .

e v e n t h e in te rpr e te rs o f t h e C hur c h C ate c h i sm h av e abandon ed

t h e app e al t o s tatus as t h e ba s i s o f d uty t h e i d e a of h er e ditary

ari s tocracy is d ea d and cla s s di s tinction s and th e ir appurtenan t
e thic s ar e now foun d e d dir e ctly and obviou s ly on prop e rty .

W e h a v e glanc ed at s o me effe cts of our pr es ent prop e rty s ys

t e m w h ic h work continually for t h e d e s truction O f t h e tra dition s
o f s ocial m o ali t y I n t h e ca p it ali s t cla s s
r T h e funda me ntal id e a
.

of th at sy s tem th at man can liv e without working as t h e angel s

, ,

o f h e av e n is
(fortuna t e ly ) s elf contradictory in thi s r e s p e ct that
,
-
,

in h u m an s oci e ty no cla s s can s o liv e e xc e pt by t h e doubl e labor

o f anoth e r cla s s o r cla s s e s T h e would b e ang e lic s oci e t y o n
.
-

e art h m u t e ith e r own chatt el s lav es o r b e a m ilitary cast e tak i ng

s ,

tribute or a para s itical and e xploiting cla s s e xtracting r en t and

,

i nt er e s t b y t h e O p eration Of t h e indu s trial s y s tem analy s ed in t h e

pre c e ding pap ers S uc h a cla ss and s uch a s y s tem are as w e
. ,

a e all b e co m in
r
g awar e m or e v irul e ntly r e volutionar y in th e ir
,

O p e ration and m or e c e rta in to bring about th e ir own d e s truction

,

than e ith e r chatte l s lav e ry o r fe udali s m O f th e s e th r e e pha se s

.

o f h u m an inju s tic e that of wag e s lav e r y w i ll s ur e ly t h e s hor t

es t . B u t me anw h il e t h e pro p e rti ed cla s a s s u m es to r ep r es en t
s
 M OR A L . 111

civil i s ati on ; it s appro ve d morality i pre ac h ed and tau gh t ins

ch u rch and s chool s ; it deba s e s o u public Opinion and it di re ctly

r

poi s on s all that h o s t of workers who are at pr e s en t hang e r o u s-

o f t h e r i ch wh e th e r as m e nial s e rvan ts or as mi ni s te ring t o th e ir

,

e s p e cial a mu s e m e nts and e xtravaganc e T h e r e is no s uc h s nob

.

as a fa s h ionabl e dr e s s mak e r ; and th er e is no cla s s o f t h e p rol e

tar i at s o d ehu manis ed as t h e cla s s of do me s tic s e rvants .

N o w if th e s e r es ults are eff ec t ed in t h e cla s s w h o s e liv el ih ood

is a s s ur ed and who s e e ducation and cultur e ha ve giv e n it a hold
,

on t h e high e r i nduc e ments to m orality if w e h ere find m orality

s trangl e d at t h e root and s tarving w h at s h all w e find wh e n w e
,

turn to t h e m a sse s whos e livelihood is no t a s s ured th e m ? O u r

Gre ek p erh ap s woul d s ay th at i t was i mpo ss ibl e for th em to

, ,

practis e v irtue ju s t as P lato in h is “ R epublic sugges ted th at

,

only t h e p h ilo s ophic cla s s could b e re ally m oral S inc e s lav es and ,

t h e prol e tariat could not r e c e iv e t h e i nte ll e ctual e ducation ne c

e s ary to tra in t h e r e a s on
s T h e gr e at bulk of t h e wage e arn ing
.

clas s in mode rn civili se d countri e s is s o far a s s ured of its liv eli

hood that it re main s th oroughly pe rme a te d wit h co mmon s ocial
m orality . I t is fro m h abit and pre fe re nc e ge n e rally indu s triou s
, ,

a nd kindly thu s e x hibiting t h e t wo m o s t i mportant qualificatio ns

,

for s ocial life I t r e main s to a great e xtent hon e s t th o u gh

.
,

co mp e tition and capitali s m a e directly antagoni s tic to h on es ty

r .

Th e d e calogu e of co mm e rcial morality h as it s o w n pe culiar in t e r

p re ta tio n of s t e aling m urd e r fa ls e witn e s s and cov e t i ng ; and
, ,

y e t t h e m os t un s crup ulou s wr e ck e r in t h e C ity will b e outrag e d

in h is fines t fe elings b y t h e cla s s morality of th e plu mb e r who , ,

call ed in to bring t h e gas t o re as on takes th e O pportunity to,

di s organi s e t h e wate r s uppl y and intr od uc e a du s te r into t h e

-

drain Th e e mploy e r 1 8 agha s t at t h e 1 ncrease o f i dl en ess and

.

bad workman s hip unde r a sy s t em in which t h e good work man

k now s th at t o work h is b e s t will no t only not b e wort h h is w h il e
but w ill l ead t o th e e xaction of h e avi er ta sk s fro m h is fellows .

But i t is not in t he m a ss of th e prol e tariat that t h e action of

our prop erty sys t e m in d es t ro y ing e l emen tary morality is mo st
co nspicuous I t is in th o se who m it e xclud es e v en fro m th e
.

prol etariat prop e r that thi s e xtr eme res ult is cl ear es t Th e .

charac te ri s tic Op e ration of t h e mod e rn indu s trial e cono my is con

t inu ally and r ep e a te dly to thru s t out individuals or bodi e s of t h e
worke rs fro m th e ir s e ttl em en t in t h e s ocial orga ni m t o ej e ct s ,

as it w er e th e coral ins e ct fro m th e c e ll in w hi c h h e is d ev e lo p

,
11 2 TH E BA S I S OF S OC I A L I S M .

ing . Th e cap i tali s t farming system e xp el s t h e agri cu ltu ral

labo re r fro m t h e v illag e t h e m ac h in e e xp el s th e craftsman fro m
t h e ranks o f s kill e d labor ; t h e p e rp e tual co mp e titio n and con
s oli d atio n o f capital i n ev e ry trade alte rna t e ly d e s tro ys e mploy

m ent in tha t trad e and di s organi s es oth e r s O v e rproduction in

.

o ne y e ar l e av e s th ou s and s o f work e r s wag el e ss in t h e n e xt Th e .

rank s o f uns kill ed labor th e army o f t h e un employ e d are day by

, ,

d ay r e cr u i t e d in th e s e fa sh ions A n inv e t e rate s ocial habit an al

.
,

m ost ind es tr uctibl e pati e nc e a t e nacious ide n tification o f h is

,

o wn d e s ir e with th e d es ir e o f t h o s e w h o m h e lo v e s i n m o s t cas es,

pres erv e th e worke r fro m acc e pting th e s e nte nc e o f e xclu s ion

fro m s oci e ty If h e is abl e bodi e d in te llige n t and fortunate h e
.
-
, ,

w ill s t ruggl e with h ard tim es till h e find s fres h occupation a mong
s trang e s urround ing s but wo e t o h im if h e b e w e akly o r old , ,

o r unpractical . In s uch a ca s e h e will al m o s t infallibly b e co me

a p aup er or an outcas t o ne O f th at r es iduu m of unskill ed un em
, ,

ploy e d unprofitabl e and hop el es s h u m an b e ings w h ic h in all

,

grea t citi es f es t e rs abo ut t h e ba se of th e s ocial p y rami d A nd .

h is childre n w ill be co m e t h e str e e t Arabs and t h e corn e r boy s -

and t h e c h il d w h or e s and t h e s n eak thie v e s w h o

- -
wh en th ey ,

co me of age acc e p t t h e ir p o s ition as outs id e o f social life and

,

r es u me t h e e xis t enc e o f t h e wild b e a s ts that fath e re d man — t h e

purel y pred ato ry and unsoc i al activity o f h arry ing th e ir n e ighbors
f o r th e ir o wn s upport . B e for e s oci e ty was m orality was not :
,

tho s e w h o h av e no p art nor lot in t h e e n ds for w h ic h s oci e ty

e xi s t s will adapt th e ir m orality t o su i t t h e ir outca s t s tat e : th e r e

w ill ind ee d b e h onor a mong thiev es just as ther e will he cant

,

and ins inc e rity among t h e para s itic ric h b ut t h e youth wh o h as

been nurture d be twe e n t h e r e form a t ory and th e s lu m h as littl e
c h anc e o f finding a footh old if h e would in t h e r es tl es s whirl
, ,

o f m od e rn indu s t ry and s till l e s s o f r e taining pe rm an ently suc h

,

foothol d as h e may m anage t o find .

Wh e n t h e condition s o f s ocial l ife are suc h th at t h e ind i vi d

ual may b e e xclude d thr ough no u nfit nes s o f h is o wn for cO O p e ra -

tion o r m ay b e born without a c h anc e of acqu iring fitn es s fo r it

, ,

w e are brought fac e to fac e w i th t h e con di tion s o f pri m itiv e ages .

And if y ou forc e h im back upon t h e el em ental in s tincts o ne o f ,

t wo thing s will ha pp e n . E ith e r if t h e individual is w e ak through

,

ph y s ical d e te rioration o r incapacity to co mb in e with h is fellow

ou t ca st s h e will b e cru s h e d and kill e d b y s oci e ty and pu t r efy
,

abo u t its h oly p lac es o r if h e h as indo mitabl e lif e and vigor

, ,
114 TH E BA S I S OF S O C I AL I S M .

o lu t ionary conc e ption th at God w as incarnated in Man ex ,

p lod ing t h e h id e ous s up er s tition t h at t h e i mag ination o f t h e

thoughts o f man s h e art was only to do e vil continually and
’

s ub s tituting t h e fa i th in t h e p e rf e ctibility o f e ac h individual s oul

by its br illi ant and po w erful gen e rali s ation s th at God m u s t b e

L o v e b ecau s e t h e r e is n oth ing be t t e r and that m an is fr e ed fro m
, ,

t he law by t h e inward gui danc e o f grac e h as don e m or e fo r social ,

m orality than any oth e r r eligion o f t h e world .

P ro t e s tant I ndividuali s m in E ngland s h at t e red t h e C ath olic

C h u rch ; found ed t h e mo d ern land s y s te m upon its confi s cate d
e s ta te s ; d es troy e d t h e medi aev al m ac hin e ry O f charity and
e ducation ; and in r eligion r e habili tated t h e d evil and t h e ,

d octr i n e s of original sin and t h e damnabl e dange r o f r e ason

and goo d work s .

O u t o f t h e wr eckag e of t h e C at h olic C hur c h and a mid t h e ,

di s s olution o f t h e P rot e s ta nt r eligion th e re s ucc es s iv ely

,

e me rge d at an i n te rval of s o me th r e e hun dre d y e ars t h e two

, ,

great s oc i ali s tic in s titution s of t h e P oor L aw and t h e P e opl e s ’

S ch do ls A s t h e pr e t e nc e o f a foundation of C hri s tian obli

'

gatio n with e r e d fro m out o f t h e P oor L aw till it h as co me to ,

b e outs pok e nl y rec ogni s e d a s nothing but a s ocial s afe ty v alv e -

,

t h e i nd iv iduali s t and co m m ercial ad m ini s tration o f this rudi

m en t ary s ociali s t ic m achin e ry d e priv ed it of it s e ffici ency e v en
in thi s e l e me ntary function H e to who m t h e workh ou se
.

m ean s t h e br e ak u p o f h is ho m e and h is own cond e m nation to

,

a drudge ry in s ulting be cau s e u se l es s and wa s teful wo u ld as li ef ,

tak e h is e xclus ion fro m s oci e ty in anoth e r and a l e s s d egradi ng

way e ith e r b y de ath o r by reluc tant e nrol ment in t h e “ re
, ,

s id u u m and s o it h as co me to pa s s that outside of th e ir u s e

as ho s pital s for t h e ag ed and infir m t h e poor hou s e s are princi
,
-

pally employ e d as t h e club—hou s es and h otel s of t h e gr e at frate r

n it y of habitual tra mp s and cadg ers and not till h e h as s unk t o
‘

th i s l ev e l do es th e s truggling prol e t arian s ee k “ work th e re .

S oc iali s ts woul d r e aliz e t h e id e a o f t h e P oor L aw re garding ,

th at s oci e ty a d e adly S i ck in wh ic h t h e individual cannot find

s

s ub s i s t e nc e b
y i ndu s try in t h e onl y w ay in which it can b e
,

r e ali s e d : na mely by t h e organi s ation of production and t h e

,

res u mption O f it s n e c es s ary in s tru me nts I t is no t s o great a .

m at te r in th e ir ey es that t h e p e rp e tual toll O f r e nt and in te r

e s t d e pr iv e s t h e work e r s o f t h e w e alt h whic h th e ir activi ti e s

pro d uc e ; nor i s i t t he actual pres sure of th is h eavy tribute

 M OR A L . 115

that woul d fo rc e on t h e S ocial R e voluti on if th e s ys te m only ,

l eft m en t he a s s uranc e of t h e co mforts of ta me b e a s ts I t is .

t h e con s ta nt di s qui e t and u nc e rtainty t h e incr e as ing fr e qu e ncy

,

of indu s trial cri s e s tha t a e th e re volutionary preach e rs of o u r

,
r

a e
g and it is t h e di sapp e aranc e at t he ba s e and at th e s u mmi t
O f s oci e ty o f t h e conditions of s ocial morality th at rous e s ,

tho s e who s e me r e m a te rial in te res ts re ma in una ff e c te d .

But though it is no t envy or r es e n tm e nt at thi s tribute t h at

mo s tly m ov e s u s to o u r warfar e thi s trib u te w e mu s t c e rtainly
,

re sum e if t h e i d e al o f t h e s chool is to effe ct it s s ocial p u rpo s e .

For th e id e al o f t h e s chool i mpli e s i n t h e firs t plac e l e i s ure to

, ,

l earn that is to say t h e re l ea s e of childre n fro m all no ne d u

,

c at io nal labor until mind and phy s iqu e h av e h ad a fa i r s tart

and tra ining and t h e abolition o f co mpul ion o n t h e adult to

,
s

work any m ore th an t h e s ocially n e c es s ary s tint Th e actual .

e xp enditur e on public e ducation m us t al s o b e con s ide rably

in cre a sed at any ra te un til parents are m ore gen e rally in a
,

po s ition to in s truc t th e ir own children But as s oon as t h e .

mind h as b ee n train e d to appr e cia t e t h e in e xhau s tibl e in te re s t

and b e auty of t h e world and t o di s tingui sh good literature
,

fro m bad t h e r e m aind e r o f education gran te d l e i s ur e is a

, , ,

co m parativ el y in e xp en s iv e m atte r L i te rature is b e co me dir t

.

c h eap ; and all t h e oth e r e ducational arts can b e co mmunall y

e njo y e d . Th e s chool s o f t h e adul t a e t h e journal and th er

library s ocial inte rcours e fr esh air cl e an and be autiful citi es

, , , ,

t h e jo y of t h e fi e lds t h e mu s e u m t h e a t gall e ry t h e l e ctur e

, ,
r -
,

h all t h e dra ma and th e O p e ra ; and only wh en th es e s chool s

, ,

a e fr ee and acc e s s ibl e to all w ill t h e r ep roach of prol e tarian

r

coars en es s b e don e away .

Y e t t h e m o s t i m portant influ enc e in t h e eparr m g o f s oc i al r

m orality m ay p e rhap s b e look e d for not s o muc h fro m t h e

dire ct action of th e s e el e ments of th e high e r e ducation as ,

fro m tho se v e ry s ociali s t forms of prop e rty and indu s try ,

which w e b eli e ve to b e t h e prim ary condition for allowi ng such

h igh e r e ducatio n to a ff e ct t h e majorit y at all N othi ng s o w ell .

train s th e individual to id entif y h is lif e with t h e life of s o ci e ty

as t h e id e n t ification of t h e co ndition s of h is m at e rial s u s t e

nanc e with tho s e of h is f e llows in s hort as indu s trial co Op e ra

, ,
-

tion N o t for m any c e nturi es h as th e re b e en s uch co mpul s ion

.

as now for t h e individual to acknowl e dg e a s ocial e thic For .

no w for t h e firs t tit h e s inc e t h e dis s ol u tion o f t h e e arly tribal

,
co mmunis ms and o ver areas a h undr ed time s w ider t han
,

th eirs th e individual work er earn s his liv ing f ulfils h is mo s t

, ,

e l e m e n tary d e s ir e n o t by di r e ct pe r s onal production but by an

, ,

intrica te co op e ration in whic h t h e eff e ct and valu e o f h is per

-

s onal e ffort are al m o s t indi s tingui s habl e T h e apolo gy f o r indi

.

v id u alis t a pp ro p riation is e xplod e d by t h e log i c o f t h e fact s o f

co mmuni s t p roducti on no m an can pre tend t o cla im t h e fru its

:

o f his o wn labor ; f o r h is whol e ability and opportun ity fo r

working are plainly a va s t i nh eritanc e and contribution o f

w h ic h h e is but a transi ent and accid e ntal b en eficiary and
s te wa rd ; and his pow e r of turn ing th em to his o w n account
d ep e nds e n tirely upon t h e d es ir es and n eed s o f oth e r p e opl e
for his s ervic es Th e factory sy s tem t h e m ach ine i ndu s try
.
, ,

t h e world co mm erc e h av e abolis h e d ind i vidu ali s t prod uction ;

,

and t h e co mpl e tion o f th e co O p e rative form toward s wh ic h t he

-

tran s ition s tage o f individuali s t capit allsm i s h urry ing u s will ,

r ende r a conf orm ity with s ocial e th ics a unive rs al c on d ition o f

,

tol erabl e e x is te nc e f o r t h e i ndiv idual .

T hi s e xp e ctation is alr e ady ju s tifi ed b y t h e ph e no mena o f

contemp orary O p inion Th e m oral i de a s a pp ropriate to S oc i al
.

is m are p e rme ating t h e whol e o f m od e rn s oci e ty T h ey are .

cl early r e cogni s abl e no t onl y i n th e p rol e tariat but al s o in th e ,

incre a s ing p hilanthropic activi ty of memb e rs o f t h e prop erti ed

cla s s who w h il e d enouncing S ociali sm as a dang e rou s ex ag
, ,

ge at io n o f what is n e c e s s ary f o r s ocial h e alth work h on es tly

r ,

e nough for all ev i a t ory r eforms w h ich conv erge irr e s i s tibly
towards it Th e form p e rh ap s do es no t outru n th e s p irit
.
, , ,

any m ore th an th e S pirit anticipates t h e form ; and it m ay

h av e b e en s u ffic i e nt in this pap e r to h av e s h own s o me grounds
for t h e conviction th at S ociali s t morality l ik e that O f all pre ,

c e ding s y s tems is only that m orality whic h th e con d ition s o f

,

h uman e xi s te nc e h a v e made nec es s ary ; th at i t is o nly t h e

e xpr es s ion o f th e e t e rnal pas s ion O f lif e s e e king it s sati s faction

through t h e s triving o f e ach individ ual f o r th e frees t and fu ll

e s t activ i t y ; t h at S ociali s m is but a s tag e in t h e un e ndin g p ro

gre s s io n o u t o f t h e w e akn es s and t h e i gnoran c e in w hi c h

‘

soc i e ty and t h e in d ividual alike are born to ward s t h e s tr ength ,

and t h e e nlight en m en t in whic h t h ey can s e e and c h oo s e th e ir

o w n way forward fro m t h e c h ao s w h e r e m orality is no t to

-w

t h e con s ciou s n e s s whic h s e e s th at morality is r e a s on ; and t o

h av e m ade s o m e attempt t o ju s tify t h e clai m that t h e cardinal
virtue o f S oc ial is m is noth ing e ls e than C o mmon S en se .
 PRO PE R TY UN D E R S O C I A L I S M .

BY GRAHAM WAL L AS .

I N th e arly day s of S ociali sm no o ne who was no t r eady

e

with a co mpl e te d e s cription o f S oci e ty as it ough t to b e dare d ,

co me forward to e xplain any point in t h e th e ory E ac h l e ad er .

had h is o wn me thod of organi ing prop erty education do mes tic

s , ,

l ife and t h e production o f w e alth E ach was qui t e s ure tha t

,
.

m ankind had only to fashion th em s e lv e s afte r hi s mod e l in

ord e r like t h e princ e and princ e s in t h e fairy s tory t o live
,
s ,

happily ev e r afte r E ve ry y e ar would th e n b e lik e t h e y ear

.

b efore ; and no m or e h i s tory nee d b e written E v e n no w a .

th ink er h e re and the re like Gro nlund o r B eb el s k e tch e s in t h e

Old S pirit an ideal co mmonw ealth ; th ough h e do e s s o with an
apology for att e m pting to for eca s t t h e un kn owabl e But .

S ociali s ts gen e rally hav e b e co me if not wi s e r th an th e ir s piritual

,

fathe rs at l eas t l ess w illin g to u s e th eir i magination Th e

,
.

g rowing recognit lo n d u e in part t o D arwin o f cau s ation in t h e

, ,

d e velop me nt o f individual s and s oci e ti es ; t h e strug gl e s and

disap pointmen ts o f half a c e n tury o f agita tion ; t h e s te ady
introduction of S ociali s tic in s titution s by men wh o re j ect
S ociali s t id e a s all incl in e u s to giv e u p any e xp e ctation o f a
,

final and p e rfe ct r efor m W e are mor e apt to r egard t h e s low

.

and of te n un con s cious progres s o f t h e T i me s p irit as t h e o nly

ade quate cau s e o f s ocial progre s and to at tempt rath e r to
s ,

di cove r and proclai m w h at t h e futur e mu st b e than to form an

s
,

organis ation o f men d e term ine d to m ak e t h e futur e what it

s hould b e .

But t h e new conc eption of S ociali sm h as i ts d anger s as w ell

as t h e O ld Fifty y ears ago S ociali s ts w e re te m pte d t o
.

e xagg e rate t h e i nflu e nc e of t h e id e al to e xp e ct e v e ryth ing fro m

,

a sudd e n i m po s s ibl e chang e of all men s h e art ’

N owaday s s.

we a e t e mpte d t o u nd e
r alu e t h e id e al — to forg e t that e v e n
ra v
1 20 TH E OR GAN I ZATI O N OE S OC I E T Y .

th e T ime s pirit its elf is only t h e su m o f i ndividual strivings and

a s piration s and that again and agai n in his to ry changes which
,

m ight ha v e b e e n d e lay e d for c e nturi e s o r might n e v e r h av e ,

co m e at all h ave b e e n brought about by t h e p ers i s t ent pr each

,

ing of so me new and h igh er life t h e o ffs pring not o f circum ,

s tanc e but o f hop e A n d of all t h e s ubj e cts upon w h ic h me n

.

r e quir e to b e brough t t o a right mind and a cl e ar und e r s tand

ing th ere is S oc iali s ts th ink non e more v ital tod ay th an
, , ,

P rop e rty .

T h e wor d P ro p e rty h as b ee n u s ed i n n e arly as m any s e ns es

as t h e word L aw T h e b e s t d e finition I h av e m e t with is John
.

Au s tin s any righ t which giv es to t h e e ntitl e d party s uch a

’ “

pow e r o r lib e rty o f us i ng o r di s posing o f t h e s ubj ect as

”1
is m e re ly li m it e d g e n e rally by t h e right s o f all oth e r p e r s o ns .

T hi s appli e s only to privat e prop e rty It w i ll b e conv e ni ent i n .

di s cu s s ing t h e variou s clai ms of t h e S tate t h e municipality , ,

and t h e i ndivi d ual to u s e t h e word i n a wide r s e n se t o d eno te

,

no t o nly t h e pow e r o r lib erty o f t h e individual but al s o t h e ,

“
rights o f all oth e r p e r s on s In thi s s e n s e I shall sp e ak o f
.

t h e prop e rty o f t h e S ta t e o r m unicipality I s h all al s o draw a .

di s tinction e cono m ic p erhap s rath e r than l egal b e tw e e n prop

, ,

e t
r
y i n th ings o r t h e e xclu s iv e right o f acc e s s t o d e fin ed
,

m ate rial obj e cts prop erty i n d e bts and futur e s e r v ic e s and
, ,

p rop e rty i n id e a s (copyright and paten t right) .

T h e m ate rial thing s in whic h v aluabl e p ro p e rty right s can

e x i s t may b e roughly di v id e d into m e an s o f production
,
and
m e a ns o f con s u m ption A mong th o se low es t trib es o f savages
.

who fee d o n fruit and i n s ec ts and build th em se lves at nigh t a ,

rough sh elte r with bough s o f trees th e re is littl e di s tinction

‘

b e twe en t h e acts o f production and consum ption But in a .

populou s and civili sed country v ery few e v en o f t h e s i m pl es t

wants o f m en a e s ati s fi ed dir e ctly b y nature N e arly e v e ry
r .

co mmodity w h ic h m an con s u me s is produc ed and r en ew e d by

t h e d e lib e rat e application of h u m an indu s try to m at e rial Obj e cts .

Th e g e n e ral s tock o f m ate rial s on which s uch indu s tr y work s is

“
L an d
”
. Any mate rial s which h av e b ee n s eparate d fro m t h e
gen e ral stock o r hav e b e e n already con s id e rably m odifi e d b y
indu s try a e call ed capital if t he y a e e ith e r to b e u s ed t o aid
, r r

p roduction o r a e s till to b e worke d o n b efor e th ey are con

r

1 L ec tur e s on J ri p r
u s u de n ce . L e ct r
u e XL VI I I .
1 22 TH E OR GAN I ZATI ON O E S OC I E T Y .

the w ill of t h e majority are of ten not re cogn i s ed as p l e as ures

at all .

A s long as th i s i s s o pr i va t e prop e rty and e v en priva t e

,

i n d ustry mu s t e xi s t alo ng with public prope rty and public

prod uct ion F o r in s tanc e e ac h fa m ily now in s i s ts o n h aving a
.
,

s e para t e ho me and o n cooking e v e ry day a s e parate s e ri e s O f

,

m e al s in a s e parat e ki t c h en Wa s te and d i sco mf ort are t h e

.

in evitabl e r es ult ; but f am ilies a t pre s ent p ref er wa s t e and

‘

di sco mf o rt to that abundanc e w h ic h can only b e b ough t by

organi s ation and publicity A gai n E nglis h famili e s con s titute
.
,

at pre s ent i s olated co mm uni s tic group s m ore o r l e s s d e s poticall y

,

go v ern ed O u r growing s en se o f t h e in d ividual r es ponsib ility

.

and ind i vidual rights o f wiv e s and c h ildr e n s e ems alre ady t o b e
l es s ening both t h e isolation o f th e s e group s and th e ir in t e rnal
co h erency but th is t e nd e nc y m u s t go v e ry m uc h furth er b efore
soci e ty can ab s orb th e fa m ily life o t h e indu s tri es o f t h e h o me
,
r

b e m anag ed s ocially . T hus a s s ociate d pro d uctio n O f all t h e

,

m e an s o f family life may b e d e v e lop e d to a v e ry h ig h d egre e

b efor e w e c e a s e to f e el th at an E ngli sh m an s h o me S hould b e ’

his castl e with fr e e e ntranc e and fr ee e gr e s s alik e forbidd en

,
.

I t i s tru e that t h e ground on whi c h h ou s es are b uilt could

i mmediately be co me t h e prop erty o f t h e co mmunity and wh e n
o ne r e m e m be rs h ow m o s t p e opl e in E ngland a e now lodg ed r ,

i t is obvious that th ey would gladly i nh abit comf ort abl e h ous es

built and o wn e d by t h e S t a t e But th ey c e rta inly would at
.

pre s ent in s ist o n having th e ir o wn crock e ry and chair s book s ,

and pictures and o n r ec eiv ing a c ertain p op o rtion o f t h e v alu e

,
r

th ey produc e in t h e form o f a y e arly o r w eekly i nco me t o b e

s p e nt o r sav e d as t h e y p l e a s ed N o w wha te v e r t h ing s o f th i s
.

kin d w e allow a man t o po s s e s s w e m ust allow h im to e xc h ange

, ,

s inc e e xc h ang e n e v e r tak e s plac e unl e s s both parti e s b e li e v e

themse l v es t o b en efit b y it Furth e r b e qu es t m u s t b e allow ed

.
, ,

sinc e any but a mode ra te p rob ate d uty o r pe rs onalty would ,

unle ss sup por ted by a s trong and s earc h ing public Op inion ,

c ertainly b e e vaded Mor e o ve r if we de s ire th e p e rs onal

.
,

inde p endenc e of wo men and children th en t he ir prop e rty as , ,

f ar as w e allow prop e rty at all must for a long t ime t o co me he

,

mo s t car ef u ll y g uarded .

T h e r e would r e m a i n t h e r e for e t o b e own ed by th e c o m

mu n ity t h e land in th e w i d e s t s ens e o f t h e wor d and t h e ,

mat er ials of th o s e form s o f p ro d uct i on dis tr ib ut i on and co n, ,

 P R O PE R TY UN DE R S OC I AL I S M . 1 23

s umpti on wh i c h can conveni ently b e carri ed on b y a s soc i a

,

tion s large r than t h e fa m ily group He re th e main p robl em is .

to fix in eac h ca se t h e are a of own e rs hip I n t h e cas e o f t he .

principal m e an s of co mmunication and of s o me forms o f

ind u s t ry it h as b e en prove d that t h e large r t h e are a con troll ed
, ,

t h e gr e ate r is t h e e ffici e nc y of m a nag e m ent ; s o that t h e po s tal

and railway s y t e m s and probabl s
y th e mate rial s o f s o me o f t h e
,

larg e r indu s tri e s would b e own ed b y t h e E nglis h nation until

,

that di tant dat e wh e n th ey might pa s s to t h e United S tates or

s

t h e Briti s h E m pir e o t h e F e d e ral R e public o f E urop e

,
r .

L and is p e rh a p s gen e rally b e tt e r h e ld by s mall e r s ocial unit s .

Th e r e n t of a town o r an agricultural di s trict d e p end s onl y

partly 0 1 tho se natural advantages whic h can b e e a s ily e s ti
1

m at e d onc e for all by an i mp e rial co m m i ss ion e r Th e d iff e r .

e nc e in t h e rat e abl e valu e o f Warwick and o f Bir m ingha m is

d e not o muc h t o t h e s it es o f t h e two town s as to t h e diff er

u ,
s ,

enc e in t h e indus try and c h aracte r of th e ir i nhabitan t s If .

t h e Birm ingha m m e n pr e fe r o n t h e av e rage inte n se e x e rtion

, ,

re s ulting in gre at mat e rial w ealth to t h e S i mpl er and qui e te r

,

life liv e d at Warwick i t is obviou s ly as unju s t to allow t h e

,

W ar wick m en to s har e e qually in t h e Birm ingh a m ground

rent s as it would b e to in s i s t o n o ne s tandard o f co mfort
,

be ing maintain e d in P ari s and in Brittan y .

At t h e s a m e ti me tho s e forms of natural w e alt h whi c h are

,

t h e n e c e s s iti e s of th e whol e nation and t h e m onopoli e s o f ce r

ta in d is trict min es for in s tanc e o r h arbors o r s ourc es o f

s, , ,

wat e r s uppl y mu s t b e “ nationali se d

-
, T h e s alt and coal .

rin gs of to d ay would b e e qually po s s ibl e and e quall y inco n

-

v en ie n t und e r a sy s t e m whic h m ad e t h e m ining population s

ab s olute joint own e rs of t h e min es E v en wh er e t h e land was .

absolute ly own e d by local bod i es th o s e bodi e s would s till h ave

,

to contribute to t h e national e xch e qu e r s o me proportio n o f

th eir inco m e T h e actual s iz e o f t h e unit s would in e ach ca se
.

b e fix ed b y conv eni e nc e ; and it is v e r y lik el y that t h e d e v elop

m e nt of t h e C ounty Gov e rn me nt Act and of t h e parochial and
m unicipal s ys t e m will s oon provid e u s with uni ts o f gov e rn
s

m e nt w h ic h could e a s il y b e tur n ed into unit s of ow ne rs h ip .

Th e s avings of co m muni t i e s — if I m ay u s e t h e word co m : ‘

m unity to e xpr e ss a ny S ocial D e m ocratic u nit fro m t h e pari s h

to t h e nation would probably take much t h e sa me form that
-

t h e acc u m ulation of ca p ital tak e s nowaday s : that is to s ay ,

1 24 TH E OR GAN I ZATI O N OF S OC I E T Y .

th ey would con s i s t partly o f m ill s m ac h in ery ra ilway s , , ,

s chool s and t h e o t h e r s p e ciali s ed m ate rial s o f futur e indu s try

, ,

and par t ly of a s t ock o f co mm od iti e s s uch as food clothi ng , ,

and mon ey by whi c h workers might b e s u p por te d w hil e p er

,

forming work no t i mm ed ia t ely r em une rativ e Th e sav ings o f .

individuals wo uld con s i s t partly of consumabl e comm odi ti e s o r of

t h e m e an s of s uc h in du s try as had not be e n s ociali s ed and ,

partly of d e fe rre d p ay fo r s e rvic es r end er ed to th e co mmu nity ,

s uch pay t aki ng t h e for m o f a p e n s ion d u e at a c e rtain age or o f ,

a s u m of co m moditi es o r mon ey pay abl e o n d eman d .

Vol u ntary a s s ociation s o f all kind s wh e th e r joint s tock co m

,
-

p anies r e lig i ou s corporation s or co mmuni s tic group s would I n

, , ,

t h e e y e s of t h e S ocial D e m ocratic S tat e con s i s t s i m ply o f s o ,

many i ndi v idual s po s s e s s ing th o s e righ ts o f prop erty w h ic h are

allo we d to indi vi du al s T h ey might p e rform man y v e ry u s eful
.

function s in t h e fut u r e as in t h e pa s t ; but t h e hi s tory of t h e

city co mpani es o f t h e N e w R ive r co mp any t h e R o c h dal e P io
, ,

n e e s or t h e C h u rc h of E ngland s how s t h e da ng e r o f granting

r ,

p e rp e tual prop e rty rights t o any as s ociation no t co e xte n sive -

wit h t h e co mm unity although s u c h as s ociation may e xi s t for

,

profe s s edly ph ilant h O pic obj ects E v e n in t h e ca s e of uni ve r

r .

s iti es w h e re t h e s y s te m
,
o f ind e p e nd e nt prop e rty owning cor -

p o rat io ns h as b e e n found to work b e st t h e righ ts o f t h e S ta te,

s hould b e d e l egat e d and not s urr e n d e r e d .

O n thi s p oint t h e e cono m ic po s ition of m od e rn S ocial D em o

c rats d ifie s wid e ly fro m t h e t ans figu red joint s t o ckis m o f t h e
r r

pres ent co op e rative movemen t o r fro m t h e obj e ct of t h e e arli e r

-

S ocialis ts for w h o s e p ur po s e s co mpl e te co mm unity w as alwa y s

,

m or e i mpor tant than co m pl e te i nclu s i v en es s E v e n S ociali s t .

writ e rs of tod ay do no t al ways s e e that t h e group i ng o f t h e

citiz en s for t h e purpo se o f prop erty h olding m u s t b e e ith e r o n
t h e join t s t ock ba s i s o r o n t h e t e rritorial ba s i s
-
Gronlund in .
,

s pit e of contradictory matt e r i n oth e r part s o f his “ C o op er -

ati ve C o mmon we alth s till d e clare s th at eac h grou p o f wor

”
,

k ers will h ave t h e pow e r o f di s tri but ing am ong th em sel ves t h e
wh ol e e xc h ange v alue o f th ei r work w hi c h e ith er me an s tha t
”
,

th ey will as long as th e y are working b e t h e ab s olute join t

, ,

own e rs O f t h e mate rial s whic h t h e y u se o r means noth i ng at ,

all N o w t h e propo s al th at any v oluntary as s oc i ation o f citi

.

z en s s h ould hold ab s olut e and p erp e tual prop e rty rights in th e

m eans of p r od u ction s eems to b e no t a s tep towar d s S o c i al
,
1 26 TH E OR GAN I ZATI ON OF S OC IE T Y .

Acts e tc c erta in contrac t s are ill egal under all c i rcu ms tanc es
,
.
, .

With t h e growt h o f S ociali sm th i s te nd ency would b e quick ,

e ned . T h e law would look wit h e xtr e me j ealously u p on any

agre ement by wh i ch o ne party wo ld b e r educ e d e v e n for a u

ti me to a condition of s lavery or t h e oth e r enabl ed t o li ve ,

e v e n f o r a ti m e without p e rfor m i ng any u s e ful s oc i al functio n .

And s inc e it h as be en cl e arly re cogni s e d that a c e rtain acc e s s

t o t h e m e an s o f indu s try is a fir s t condition o f pe rs onal fr ee
d o m t h e law would r efu s e to r e cogni s e any agr e e m ent to d ebar
,

a m an fr o m s uc h acc ess o r d e priv e h im o f t h e r es ults o f it

, .

N o o ne would n ee d t o g e t into d ebt in ord e r to provid e h im se lf

with t h e op p ortunity of work nor would anyone b e allow e d to ,

giv e u p t h e opportunity of work in ord e r to ob tain a loan .

T hi s by making it m or e difficult for cr e di t or s t o r e co v e r d e b ts

, ,

would al so mak e it m ore difficult for wo u ld b e d eb tors t o obta in -

credit Th e pres ent ho mes te a d law would in fact b e e x te nd e d

.
, ,

t o includ e e v erything which t h e S tat e though t n e c e s s ary f o r a

co mpl e te life But as long as private indu s try and e xc h ange
.

go o n t o s uc h an e xt e nt as t o m ak e a privat e co mm ercial s y s
t e m con v e ni e nt s o long will pro m i s es to pay circulat e and if
, , ,

n ec es s ary b e l egally e nforc ed und e r t h e co nditions ab ove

,

m ark ed o u t .

T o wha te v e r e x te n t priva te p rop e rty is p ermi t ted t o th at ,

s a m e e xte n t t h e priva te taking o f R e nt and I n te r e s t mu s t b e

al s o p e rmitt e d I f you allow a s elfi h m an t o o wn a picture

. s

by R a ph a el h e will lock it u p in h is o wn room unl es s you le t

,

h im charg e so me thing for t h e privil eg e of loo k ing at it S uc h .

a charge is at onc e I n te r es t I f w e wi sh all R ap h a el s pictures

.
’

t o b e fr ee ly acc e s ibl e t o e v e ryon e w e m u s t pr e v ent m en no t

s ,

m e r e ly fro m e x h ibit ing th em for p a yme nt but fro m owning ,

th em .

T h i s argum en t ap p li e s to oth e r thi ng s b es id e s R aph a e l s

’

pictures I f we allow a man to own a printing pre s s o r a

.
,

plo u gh or a s e t of bookbi nd er s tool s or a l e a s e o f a hou s e o r

,
’
,

far m we m u s t allow him s o to employ h is po s se ss ion that h e

,

m ay with out injuring h is n eighbor ge t fro m it t h e g re ate s t

, ,

p o s s ibl e advan tage O th erwi se s eei ng th at t h e co mmunity is

.
,

n o t r e s pon s ibl e for it s int ellig ent u s e any i nt e rf e r enc e o n t h e,

part of t h e co mmunity m ay w ell r e s ul t in no intelligent u s e

b e ing mad e o f it at all ; in which e v e nt all pr ivate l y own ed
material s o f i ndu s try no t actually b e ing u s e d by th e ir own er s
 P R O P E R T Y UN D E R S OC I AL I S M . 1 27

wo u ld b e as entirely wa s te d as if th e y w e re t h e s ubj ects of a

chanc e ry sui t I t is e as y t o s ee that t h e D uk e o f Bedford is
.

robbi ng t h e co mm uni ty o f th e rent of C oven t Gard en I t is .

not s o e as y to s ee that th e own e rs of th e vacant land ad jo i ning

S h afte s bury Av e nu e h av e b ee n robbing t h e co mm unit y for
s o me y ear s past of t h e r e nt w h ich oug h t to hav e b ee n mad e out

of t h e s ites which th ey hav e l eft d es olate I kn ow that it h as .

be e n s o me ti me s s aid by S oc iali s ts “ L e t u s allow t h e manu

:

fac t ure r t o keep h is m ill and t h e D uke of Argyl e to k eep h is

land as lo ng as th ey do no t u s e th em for e xploitation b y l e tting
,

th e m out to oth e rs o n condition of r ec e iv ing a part O f th e w e alth

cre a te d by tho s e o th e rs T h e n w e a e told t h e m anufactur e r
”
.
,
r ,

or D u k e will s oon di s co ve r that h e mu s t work hard for a living .

S u c h s e nti me nts are s eldo m ill r e c e iv e d by m en in t h e h u m or

t o s e e d u kes and capitalis t s e arning as p ainfully as m ay b e, ,

the ir d ail y br ead Unluckily th e re are no un appropriated

.
,

acr e s and fac t ory s ite s in E ngland s u ffici e ntly advantag e ou s to

b e us e d as e ffici e n t s ub s titu t e s for tho s e upon w h ich privat e

prop e rty h as fas te n ed ; and th e co mm un ity would b e wi s e if it
paid t h e D u ke of Argyle and Mr C hambe rlain an y th ing s hort
.

o f t h e f u ll e cono mi c r e nt o f th e ir prop e rti es rath e r than go

f u rth er and fare wors e Th ere fore if w e r efu se d e ith er to allow

.
,

thes e ge ntl emen to le t th eir p rop erty to tho s e who would u se it ,

o r h e s itate d to tak e i t and u s e it for our s e lv e s w e s h ould b e ,

actu ally wa s ting labor Th e progres s ive s ociali s ation o f land

.

and ca p i tal m u s t proc ee d b y d ir e ct tran s fe r e nc e o f th e m to t h e

co mmu nity th ough taxation o f r ent and i nteres t and public
r

orga ni s ation of labor with t h e capital s o obtain ed ; not s ol el y

by a s eri es of res tri ction s upon th e ir u s e i n private e xploita
ti o n S uc h concurrent pri vate e xploitation h ow ev e r u nre
.
,

s t rict ed ,
could not in any cas e bring back t h e o ld evil s of
capitali s m ; for any change in th e h abits o f t h e p e o p l e or in t h e
m e tho d s of i ndu s try which mad e a s s ociate d product i o n of any
co mmodity on a large s cal e conv eni e nt and profitabl e would ,

res u lt at onc e in t h e taking o ve r o f that indu s try by t h e S tate

e xactly as t h e s ame condition s no w in A me r i ca r es ult at onc e
in t h e for mation o f a ring .

I t is be cau s e fu ll owne r sh ip i s n e c es s ary t o th e m o s t int elli

gen t and e fiect ive u s e o f any mate rial s th at no me re sy s tem o f,

t axation of R e nt and I nt e r e s t e v e n wh en so dra s ti c as M r

,
.

He nry George s sc heme of univers al S tate abs en tee lan d lord

’
1 28 TH E OR GAN I Z ATI ON OE S O C IE T Y .

p
is m , is lik ely to e xi s t e xc e t as a tran s ition stag e towar ds S oc al i
D em ocrac y . h
I nd e e d t h e anarchi s t id e a w ich allow s t h e S ta t e
r
to e c e iv e R ent and I nter es t , but forbid s it to em ploy labor, is
obviou sly i mpracticabl e Unl e ss w e are willing t o pay e ve ry
.

h h
citiz e n in hard ca s a s ar e of t h e S t ate Re nt of t he futur e, it,
like th e tax es o f to-d ay , mu s t b e wholly inv es ted in pa yme nt s
f o r work don e . I t wo u ld alwa y s b e a v ery s e riou s difficulty
h
for a S ociali s t l egi s latur e to de cide ow far co mm unities s ho uld
b e allow e d t o incur d e bt s or pay int e r es t S ociali s m onc e .

e s tabli s h e d , t h e chi e f dang e r t o it s s tability would b e ju s t at

'

thi s point W e all know t h e in e pt attack on S ociali sm which

.

i
co mes fro m a d ebat ng-s oci e ty orator who con side rs t h e s ubj ect
for th e firs t ti me, o r fro m t he cul t ur e d p e rs on wh o h as be e n
brought up o n t h e S atu r d ay R ev iew H e te ll s u s t at f . h i
i
prop e rty w e r e e qually d iv d e d to morrow , th ere would b e for
-

t h e n e xt t e n y e ar s forty m e n o u t of e v e ry hund r e d working e x

t re mely hard , and t h e oth e r s ixty lazy Af te r t at ti me, th e
. h
s ixt
y would h v h
a e to work ard and k e ep th e forty , wh o would
i
th e n b e as lazy as t h e s xty w ere efore I t is ery e as y to b . v
e xplain that w e do no t wan t to divide all prop e rty equall y ;
but it is no t s o ea s y t o guard again s t any r es ult o f that ten
d e ncy in h u man natur e o n w h ic h t h e argu m e nt is ground ed .

M e n di ff e r s o wid ely in th e ir co m parativ e appr e ciati on o f pr es

e n t and f uture pl e a s ur e s that wh er e v e r life can b e s upport ed
,

b y four h our s work a day t h e r e will alway s b e s o me men

’
,

anxio u s t o work e ight h ours in ord er t o s ecur e future b en e fits

for th em selv es o r th e ir c h ildren and oth e rs anxious t o avo id
,

th e ir four h ours work for t h e pr es e nt by pl edgin g th ems elves

’

o r th e ir c hi ldr e n to any d e gr ee of futur e privation A s lo ng .

as t h i s is s o co mm uniti es as w ell as i n di viduals will b e t empted

,

t o avail th e ms e lv es o f t h e fr e e l y off e r e d s ervic e s o f t h e e x

c e t io nall
p y e n e rg e tic and far s ighte d an d t o incur a co mm on
,

d ebt und er t h e e xcu s e that th e y a e S pre ading t h e paym e nt of

r

s uch s e r vi c e s o v e r all t h o s e b e n e fit e d b
y th e m T h e m unicipali .

ti es Board s o f Work s S ch ool Board s e t c O f E ngland hav e

, , ,
.
,

alre ady cre ate d e norm ou s local d eb t s ; and unl es s m en grow

wi s e r in t h e n e xt f ew m onth s t h e ne w C ounty C ouncils will
probably add t o t h e b u rd en A s w e s it and think i t m ay s ee m
'
.
,

e a s y to pr e v e n t any s uch troubl e in t h e futur e by a la w for

b idding co mm uniti e s t o incur d ebts unde r any circum s tanc e s .

But in th e cas e of a c entral and s up r eme go vern ment suc h a

1 30 TH E O R GA N I ZATI ON OE S OC I E T Y .

inco me s will b earn ed by men l ead ing bu sy and u s ef u l l ive s

e
,

but oft en k eenly anxious t o s ecur e l e i s ure and co mfort fo r their

old age and aggran di s eme nt for th e ir fa mily I h a v e alr e ady .

sugg es te d th at s o me of t h e e arning s of a man employ ed by t h e

co mmun i ty m igh t b e l eft f o r a ti me in t h e co mmon tr easury to
accu mulate witho ut i nter e st N o w i t would s ui t bo th th es e
.
,

m e n and t h e laz ie r o f th e ir con te mporari e s t h at t h e r e ward o f

th ei r s e rvic es s h oul d b e fix ed at a V ery h igh rate and b e l eft t o ,

t h e n e xt g e n e ration for p ay ment ; w hil e t h e n e xt g e n e ration

m igh t p r e fe r a s mall p e rm an e nt c h arge to any at t empt to pay
Off t h e capi tal su m I t is ofte n hinte d that o ne way to obvia te
.

thi s would b e for e ac h gen e ration to cultiv ate a h ealthy indiffer

e nc e t o t h e d e b t s incurr e d o n it s b e h alf by it s for e fath e r s But .

t h e citiz e n s of ea ch ne w g e n e rat i on atta in citiz e n s hip no t in -

large bodi e s at long interval s but in s m all nu mbe rs ev ery w eek

,
.

O ne h as only to warn sa nguin e l e nd e rs th at v eil ed r epudiations

may al way s b e eff e c ted in s uc h e m erg e nci e s by a judiciou s
application of t h e Inco me Tax and to hop e th at th e progr e ss ,

o f ed ucation und e r S ocial i s m would t e n d to produc e and pre

s e r v e o u s uc h m att e r s a c ertain g en e ral minimum of co mmon

s e ns e . If thi s m ini mum is s uffici ent to control t h e c e ntral
gove rn me nt t h e d ebts of local bodi es can b e e a si ly and sternly
r e stricte d .

P rop e rty in s e rvi c e s me ans o f cour s e pro p erty in futur e

s e r v ic e s T h e w e alth whi c h pa s t s e rv ic es m ay h av e p roduc ed
.

can b e e xchanged or own ed but th e s e rv ic es th em se lv es cannot .

N o w all s ys te m s o f law whi c h w e know h av e allow e d pr i vate

p ers on s to contract with e ach oth e r for th e futur e p erfor manc e
o f c e rtain s e r vi c es and ha v e puni s h e d o r allow e d to b e p u n i s h e d
, , ,

t h e bre ac h of s uc h contracts H ere as in t h e ca s e of d ebts o u r

.
,

growing re s p e ct for p ers onal lib e rty h as m ade th e law look

j e alou s ly o n all on e rou s agreements mad e e ith e r by th e citiz en
hi mse lf or for h im b y oth e rs I n fact as P rofes s or S idgwick.
,

points out I n E ngland h ardly any e ngag e m e nt to r e nd e r p er

:

s onal s e r vi c e gi v e s t h e pr o mi s e e a l e gal clai m t o m o r e than

p ecun i ary d a mages to put it oth e rwi s e al mo s t all s uch con ,

tracts if unfulfill ed turn in to m er e d ebts of mon e y s o far as th e ir

, ,

1 Hap p ily th e ord inary anxi ti e e s as t o th efat f chil d r n l ft with

e o e e
i lly w ak lin g w o m n unli k ly t
,

ou rop rty
t p es ec a attract h o u s

l p
e , e s or e e
b an d m y b
s, a e et out f ac ount in o c s p eculation conc rnin g ociali d
s e s se
comm niti u es .
 P R O P E R TY UN D E R S OC I AL I S M . 1 31

legal forc e goe s Th e m arriage contract for ms t h e principal

” 1
.

e xc e ption to thi s rule ; b u t e v e n in thi s ca s e th e r e s e e m s to b e a

te nd ency in mo s t E uro p e an coun tri es to r e lax t h e rigidity of th e

law .

O n th e oth er h an d t h e dir ec t cla ims of t h e S tate t o t h e s ervic es

of its citiz en s s h e w at pres e nt no s ign s o f di minis hing C o mpu l .

s ory military s e rvic e and co mpul s ory att e ndanc e at s chool alr e ady

tak e up a not incon s ide rabl e s har e o f t h e life of e v e ry m al e in

habi tant of Franc e and G er man y S o far in E ngland t h e co m
.

pul s ion of grown m e n to s e rv e i n a ny capacity h as b e e n con

d e m ned for a c e ntury pa s t b e cau s e it is con s id e re d wa s te ful and
,

oppre ss ive as co mpar ed with t h e free contrac t sys te m of t h e Op e n

m ark e t . Mo s t E ngli s h S ociali s ts s eem incl in e d to b eli eve that
all work for t h e S tate s h ould b e v oluntarily e ngage d and paid
for o u t of t h e produc e o f co mmon indus try .

I n con s id e ring how far t h e S tate h as a clai m upon t h e s e rvi c es

o f its m e m b e r s w e co m e u pon t h e m uch large r qu e s tion
,
Ho w
fa r ar e w e working for S ociali s m and how far for C o mm uni s m ?
Und e r pur e S ocial is m to u s e t h e word in its narrowes t s en s e
, ,

t h e S tat e would Off e r no advantag e at all t o any citiz e n e xc ept

at a pric e s u ffici ent to pay all t h e exp en s e s o f producing it I n .

th i s s en s e th e P o s t O ffic e for e xampl e is no w a pur ely S ocial isti c

, ,

ins titution . Und e r s uch condi tions t h e S t a te wo uld hav e no

clai m at all on t h e s e rvic es of it s me mb ers and co mpuls ion to
work would b e produc ed by t h e fact that if a man cho s e not to
work h e wo u ld b e in dan g e r of s tarvation Und er p u r e C o m .

mu nis m on t h e oth e r hand as d e fin e d b y L oui s Blanc s d i ctum

’

, ,
“
Fro m ev e ry man according to his powe rs : t o eve ry man ao
cording t o his wants t h e S ta te wo u ld s atis fy with out s tin t and
,
”

without pric e all t h e r ea sonable wants of any citiz en O u r .

pr esent dri nking foun tain s a e e xampl es of t h e nu me rous ca se s

r

of pur e co mm un is m whic h s urround u s But s inc e nothing can .

b e m ad e without labor t h e co mm oditi es provid e d b y t h e S tat e

,

mu s t b e produc ed by t h e se rvic e s volun tar y or forc ed o f t h e

, ,

citiz ens Und e r pure co mmu ni s m if any co mpul s ion to work

.
,

w e re n e eded it would h av e to b e di re ct S o me com mu ni s tic

, .

in s titution s w e mu s t hav e ; and as a matte r o f fact th e re is an

incr e a sing nu mbe r of th em alr e ady in E ngland I nd eed if th e .
,

w h ol e or any part of that R en t Fund wh ich is d u e to t h e di ff e r

e nc e b e tw ee n t h e be s t and wor s t m ate rial s of indus try in u s e b e

Princip l f Political E conomy p 4 35

1 “
es o , . .
1 82 TH E OR GAN I ZATI ON OE S OC I E T Y .

tak en for t h e S tate by taxation o r oth e rwi s e it or rath e r th e

, , ,

advantag es produc e d b y its e xp en d iture can ha rdly b e d is tribu te d

,

oth e rwi s e th an comm unistica lly For as men are now s aturate d
.
, ,

with i mm oral princ ipl es by o u r co mme rcial s y s tem t h e S ta te ,

would have to b e e xc e edi ngly carefu l in d eciding w h at wan ts

could b e free ly s atisfi e d without making d ir e ct co mpul s ion to
labo r n e c es s ary I t would co s t by no m eans an impo s s ibl e s u m
'

to s upply a tol erabl e s h elte r wi th a b ed and a s uffici ent daily ,

portion o f porridge o r bre ad and c he es e o r ev e n o f gi n and

, ,

wa te r to e ach citiz en ; but no s an e man woul d propo s e t o do s o

,

in t h e e xi s ting s ta t e o f public m oral s For more than a c e ntur y

.

t h e prol e tarian s o f E urop e h av e b e e n c h all eng e d by th e ir m a s t e rs

to do as littl e Work as th e y can T h ey hav e b e e n taught by t h e
.

practical e cono m i s ts o f t h e Trad es Union s a nd h av e l e arn t fo r ,

th ems elv es by bitte r e xp eri enc e that ev e ry time any o f th em in

,

a m o m en t o f ambition o r goodwill do e s o ne stroke of work not

in h is b ond h e is in cre as ing t h e future unpaid labor no t o nly o f
,

h i ms elf but o f his fellow s At t h e s ame time e ve ry c i rcum

.

s tanc e O f m onoton
y u glin e ss and anxi e ty h as m ad e t h e work as
, ,

w e ari s o me and di s gu s ting as po s s ibl e A ll almo s t with out ex

.
,

ce t io n n o w l o ok upon t h e working day as a p e riod o f s lav e ry

p , ,

and find s uc h happin es s as th e y can ge t only in a few h ours o r

m inut e s that inte rv e n e b e tw e e n work and s l e e p F o a fe w th at . r ,

happin es s con s i s ts in add e d toil o f thought and s p eec h in th e

cau s e o f th emselves and th e ir co m rades Th e r es t care only fo r .

s uch rough pl e a s ur e s as a e po s s ibl e t o m e n bot h poor and ov e r

r

work ed Th e re would b e pl enty O i e xcu s e if unde r th e s e c ircu m

.

s tanc e s th e y dr e a m t as th e y are accu s e d o f dr e a m i ng o f s o me

‘

unive rsal div is i on o f t h e good things o f t h e e arth — O f s o me

, ,

me an s of b e ing utte rl y at l e i s ur e if only for a w e e k o r two

,
.

But th e re are products Of labo r whic h t h e work men i n th eir

ti me of trium p h m ight fre ely o ffer eac h o th e r with out cau sing
t h e w e ak es t broth e r to for e go any for m O f u s e f ul s ocial work .

A m ong s u c h products are tho se i de a s which we h av e brought

unde r t h e do m ini on o f priva t e p rop e rty by means of C opyrigh t
and pate nt right L uckily for u s t h e do m inion is n ei th e r co m
.

ple t e nor pe rm an ent I f t h e Wh ig lan dlord s w h o are re S po n

.

s ibl e for m o s t o f t h e d e tail s o f our gloriou s con s titution h ad b e en

al s o auth ors and inv e ntors for profit w e should p robably have ,

h ad t h e stricte s t righ ts o f p erp e t ual prop erty or e v en of e nta il in

id e a s and th ere would no w h av e be en a D uke o f S hak sp ere to
1 34 THE OR GAN I ZAT I ON OE S OC I E T Y .

e v en of gh e r luxury ; i t would s er ve t h e a s sociated meals

th e hi
o n tabl e s spr e ad w i th flow e r s in ha lls s urround e d with b e autiful
,

p ictu r es o r ev en as Jo hn Mil t on p ro po s ed fille d wi th t h e

, , ,
,

sounds of m u s i c ; i t would s e rious ly pro po se to its e lf t h e ide al

o f I b s e n t hat e v e ry c hi ld s h oul d b e brought u p as a nobl eman
, .

Unfortuna t e ly th i s ge neration is no t wi se
, .

I n con s id e ring t h e d e gr e e in w h ic h co m mon owning o f prop

e rt
y would b e po s s ibl e a m o ng a p e opl e ju s t at that stage o f in
d st rial and m oral d e v e lop m ent at which w e now find our s e lv es
u
,

it is e x pe dient to dwell as I hav e d we lt rath e r upon t h e n ece

, ,
s

s ary difficulti e s and li mi t ations o f S ociali s m t h an upon it s h op e s ,

o f futur e d e v e lop me nt But w e mu s t al ways r e memb e r that

.

t h e probl e m s w h ich S oc i ali s m att e m pt s to s olv e d e al wi t h con ,

di tio ns w h ic h th e m s e lv e s are co ns tantly changing Ju s t as .

anything lik e what w e call S oc i ali s m would b e im p o s s ibl e in a

nation of indiv idual is t savag e s like t h e Au s tr al i an blacks and ,

could no t p e rhap s b e in troduc e d e xc ept b y e xterna l authority

, ,

a mong a p e opl e like t h e p e a s an ts o f Brittany f o r who m t h e ,

pro s p ect o f ab s olute p rop e rty in any portion o f land h o wev e r ,

s m all is at onc e th e ir stronge s t p l e a s ur e and t h e ir only suffici e nt

,

inc enti ve t o indu s try ; so am o ng a p eopl e f u rth e r a d vanc e d s oci ,

~

ally and industrially th an ours elv es a s ocial condi tion wo u ld b e

, ,

po s s ibl e w hic h w e d o not no w dare to work for o r e v e n try to

reali se Th e te ntativ e and li mite d S ocial Dem ocracy whi c h I
.
-

h av e sk e tch e d is t h e n ec es s ary and c er t ain step t o that b e tte r

lif e whic h w e hop e for Th e i n te res t s w h ic h e ach man h as in
.

co mmon with h is f ellows te n d more and m ore to outwe ig h th o s e

w h ich are p e culiar t o hi ms elf W e s e e t h e proc es s e v e n now
.

beginning Already as s oon as a public library is s t arted t h e

.
, ,

workm an fin ds h o w poor a m eans for t h e production o f happi

n es s a e t h e f e w book s o n h is o wn s h elf co m par e d with t h e
r ,

s h ar e h e h as in t h e public coll e ction t h ough that s h ar e m ay

,

h av e co s t e v en l es s t o produc e I n t h e s am e way th e s cor e o r

.

two o f pound s which a work man m ay po ss es s are b eco ming da ily

o f l e s s and l e s s ad v antag e in production ; s o that t h e m an who

a f ew y e ars ago would h av e work ed by h im self as a s ma ll capi

t alis t go e s now to work for wag es i n s o m e gr e at bu s in e s s and
, ,

tr e at s hi s littl e s av ings as a fun d to provid e for a f e w m onths o f

s ickn e ss o r
y e ar s of O ld age H e will s oon s ee h ow poor a
.

m ean s f o r t h e production of fo o d is h is o wn fire w h e n co m par e d

w i th th e p ublic ki tc h en ; and h e w ill p erh ap s at last no t o nly
 PR O E R T P Y UN D E R S OC I A L I S M .

ge t his cloth es fro m t h e public s tor e but t h e d eligh t o f his ey es

,

fro m t h e public galle ries and th eatre s t h e d elight o f h is ears ,

fro m th e p ublic op e ra and it may b e w h e n our presen t anarch y

, ,

of O p inion b e ov erpa s t th e ref e sh men t of h is min d fro m t h e

, . r

publicly cho s e n te ach e r Th e n at la s t s uc h a l ife will b e

.

po s s ibl e for all as not e v e n th e rich e st and mo s t pow er f u l can

liv e to d ay Th e s ys te m of prop e rty holding which we call
-
.

S ociali s m is no t in its elf s uch a life any m or e than a good

s y s t e m o f drainag e is h e alth or t h e inv e ntion o f prin ting is
,

knowl edge N o r ind e ed is S ocialism th e only condition ne ces

.

sary to prod uc e co m pl e t e h u man happin es s Und e r t h e ju s te s t .

p o s ibl e s ocial sy s tem w e might s till have t o fac e all tho s e v ic e s

s

and di se a s es which are not t h e dire ct r es ult o f p overty and

ove r work ; we migh t s till s u ffe r all t h e m ental angui sh and
-

be wild erm en t which a e cau sed s o m e s ay by r eligiou s b eli ef

r , ,

oth e rs by r e ligiou s doubt ; we migh t s till witn es s outbu rs ts of

national h atre d and t h e d egradation and e xtinction o f w eak er
p eopl es ; we might s till m ake e art h a h e ll for e ve ry s p eci es
e xc e pt our own But in t h e hou sehold s of th e fiv e m en out of
.

s ix in E nglan d who liv e by w eekly wage S ociali sm would ,

ind eed b e a new birth o f h appin ess Th e long hour s of work .

don e as in a convict pri s on without inte r e t and without h op e ;

,
s

t h e dr e ary s qualor o f th e ir h o me s ; abov e all th at g ri e vou s u m

c e rtainty that con s tan t appreh en s ion o f und es e rv ed m is fortun e
,

w h ich is t h e p e culiar r e s ul t o f capitali s t production all th i s :

would b e gon e ; and e ducation refin ement l e i sure t h e v ery , , ,

though t of wh ic h now madd e n s th em woul d b e part o f th eir ,

daily lif e S ociali m hangs abov e th em as th e crown h u ng in

. s

Bun y an s story abov e t he man raking t h e m uck h e ap r e ady

’
-

for th e m if th e y will but lift th eir ey es A nd e v e n to th e f ew .

who s e em to es cap e and e v en profit b y t h e mi s ery o f our c e ntury ,

S oc iali s m o fie s a ne w and nobl e r lif e wh en f ull s y m path y with

r ,

t ho s e abou t th e m s prin g ing fro m full knowl e dg e O f th e ir con di

,

tio n s hall b e a s ourc e of happin es s and not as now o f con s t an t

, , , ,

s orrow — wh e n it s hall no long e r s e e m e ith e r foll y o r h pocri s y

y
for a man to work op enly for his h igh es t ide al TO th e m b e .

lon gs t h e privil ege that for e ac h o ne of th em th e r evolution may

b egin as s oon as h e is re ady to pay th e pric e Th ey can live .

as s i mpl
y as t h e e qual right s of th e ir f ellow s r e qu ir e : t h ey can
ju s tify th eir live s by work in t h e nobl es t of all cau ses For .

the ir reward if th ey d e s ire any th ey lik e t h e r e st mu s t wait

, , , ,
.
 I N D U S TR Y UN D E R S O C I A L I S M .

BY AN N I E B E S A N T .

h h
T H E R E are t wo ways in w ich a s c em e for a futur e orga nis a
tion of industry m ay b e con s tructe d O f th es e, by far t h e .

e a s i e r and l e s s u s e ful is t h e s k e tch ing o f Utopia , an int e ll e ctual

h
gymnas tic in w hich a pow e r o f co e rent and vivid i magination
i s t h e o ne d e s id e ratu m T h e Utopi s t n e e d s no knowl edg e o f
.

h
fact s ; inde e d s uc a knowl edge i s a indranc e for him t h e h .

laws o f s ocial e volution do not e xist H e is a law unto him .

s elf ; and his m e n and wo me n are not t h e wayward , s pa s modic ,

irregular organi sms of daily life , but a u to mata, ob ey ing t h e

s tring s h e pull s . I n a word , h e cr e ate s , h e do e s not con s truct
i
h e m ak e s alik e his m ate r als and t h e law s within w ic th ey h h
h
work, adapting t em all to an id e al end I n d es cribing a new .

p
Je ru s al em, t h e only li mits to its e rfection are t h e li m its of th e
W 1 1 t e r s i m agination .

Th e s e cond way is l es s attractiv e , l es s e a s y , but m or e u s eful .

S tarting fro m t h e pr e s e nt s t at e o f s oci e ty, it s e e k s t o dis co e r v

t h e te nd e nci e s und e rl y ing it ; to trac e tho s e t e nd e nci e s to th e ir
natural outworking in in s titutio ns ; and s o to fore ca s t, not t h e
far o ff future , but t h e n e xt s ocial s t ag e I t fix es its gaz e o n
-
.

h v
t h e va s t chang e s wroug t b y e olution , not t h e p e tty variation s
v
m ad e b y cata s troph e s o n t h e R e olutions whic tran s form s o h
c ie t , not t h e
y h h
tran s i e nt riots w ic m er ely u s e t t ron e s and p h
h
b e h e ad king s T i s s e cond way I e l e ct to follow ; and thi s
.

h
pap e r o n indu s try und e r S ociali s m t erefore s tarts fro m William
C lark e s e xpo s ition of t h e indu s trial e volution which h as b ee n
’

in pro gr es s durin g t h e la s t hundre d and fif ty y e ars I n thus .

building forward — in thu s fore ca s ting t h e tran s itions through

h
whic soci e ty will probabl y pa ss , I shal l scarc ely t ouch o n t h e
id eal S ocial S tate that will o ne day e xi s t ; and m y s k e t c m us t h
Op h h
lay its e lf e n t o all t h e critici sms w ic may b e l e e lled against v
1 38 TH E OR GAN I Z ATI O N OE Y
S O C IE T .

or th e th ri ving business o f o u r S am w h o works e arly and late

f or h is liv ing ; and qui t e anoth e r w h e n Ja mes and S am ruin ed ,

by a big C o mp any mad e up of S h are holde rs o f w h om no bod y

knows anyth ing but th at t h ey pay low wage s and tak e h igh
d i v id e nd s h a v e be en oblig e d t o bec o m e h ir e d s e rv an ts o f t h e
,

C o mp any ins te ad o f ow ning th eir o wn s ho p s and m ac hin e ry

, .

Wh o s e in t e r es t will i t b e t o p ro te s t against t h e S tat e tak ing ov e r

th e cap i t al and t ran s for ming J ame s and S am fr o m wag e s lav e s
,
-

at th e mercy o f a fo re m an int o s h ar ehold ers and public flmc

i
,

t io naries with a v oic e in th e m anag em e nt o f th e b u s in e ss in

,

w h ic h th ey are emp loy e d ?

L e t u s s uppo s e th e n th at t h e evolution o f th e capital ist
, ,

s y s tem ha s proc e e d ed but a littl e furth er along t h e pres ent

lin es conc entrating t h e control o f indu s try and increa s i ngly
, ,

s ub s ti tuting labor s av i ng m ach in e r

y for h u m an be ings I t is
-
.

b e ing acco mpani e d and m u s t continu e t o b e acco mp ani ed by a

, ,

growth o f t h e num b ers o f th e u n e mploy ed Th ese nu m be rs .

m ay eb b and flow as s o m e of t h e wav es o f a r i s ing tid e ru n

,

forward s o me f ee t and th e n a few touc h a low er l ev el ; b ut as

t h e tid e ri se s d es p i t e t h e fluctuation s o f t h e rippl e s s o t h e ,

numbe rs o f t h e un em ploy e d will incre a s e d es pite tran s ient

m ounting s and falling s Wi th t h es e probably will b egin t h e
.
, ,

t en ta tive organ is ation o f i ndu s try by t h e S tate ; but th is o r

ganis at io n will s oon b e follow e d b y t h e taking o v e r by t h e
co mm unity of s o m e of t h e gre at Tru s ts .

T h e divi s ion o f t h e country in t o cl e arly d efin ed ar e a s e ac h ,

w i th it s e l e c ted au th ority is es se ntial to any eff ec tive s ch eme

,

o f organi s ation I t is o ne of t h e s y mp t o m s o f t h e co mi ng
.

ch ange that in p erfe ct uncon s ciou s n es s o f t h e nature of h is

, ,

act Mr R i tchi e h as es tabli sh ed t h e C o mm une H e h as

, . .

divid ed E ng land into dis tricts rul ed by C ounty C ounc i l s and ,

ha s t h u s cr e at e d t h e m ac h in e ry wit h out whic h S oc ialis m was im

practicabl e Tru e h e h as only mad e an outlin e w h ic h n eed s
.
,

to b e fill e d i n ; but S ociali s ts can fill i n w h e r ea s th ey h ad no ,

powe r to outl in e I t r emains to giv e every adult a vote in t h e

.

e l e ction o f C ounc i llor s t o s hort e n t h e ir te r m o f offic e t o a y e ar ;

t o pay t h e C ouncillor s s o th at t h e public m ay h a v e a righ t to

,

t h e w h ol e o f th e ir workin g ti m e ; to g iv e t h e C ounci ls pow e r t o

tak e and h old land a r e form alr eady a sk ed for by t h e L i be ral
and R ad i cal Union a body not con s ciou s l y S o cial is t ; and t o
,

r emo ve all l egal res t r i ction s so as t o l ea v e th em as f re e t o act

,
 IN D U S TR Y UN DE R S OC I AL I S M . 1 39

corpo rately as an individual is t o act indivi d ually The se .

mea s ur e s acco mplis h ed t h e rapid i ty with whic h our in s ti tutions

,

are s ociali s ed d e p e nd s o n t h e grow t h of S ocia lis m a m ong th e

,

pe opl e It is e s s ential t o t h e s tability of t h e changed forms of

.

indus try t h at th e y s hall b e m ad e b y t h e p e opl e not i mpos e d ,

upon th em ; h e nc e t h e valu e of Mr R itc hi e s gif t of L ocal .

’

Gove rn me nt enabling e ac h locali ty to m ove swiftly or lowly

, s ,

to e x pe ri me nt on a co mparativ el y s mall s cal e e v e n to blund e r ,

with out wid es pread di s a s te r Th e m ot d o d e for S ociali s t s

.
’
r r

now i s “ C onvert t h e el ec t ors ; and capture th e C oun ty C oun

cil s ”
. Th e s e C o u ncil s ad mini s te ring local a ff air s with t h e
, ,

national E xe cutive ad mini s tering national a ffairs a e all d e s

, , r

tin ed to b e turn ed into effe ctiv e ind u s trial organi sers ; and t h e
uni t o f ad mi nistra t ion m us t d e p end o n t h e natur e of t h e
indu s try T he po s t t h e t el e grap h t h e railway s t h e canal s
. , , , ,

and t he great indus tri es capabl e of be ing organi sed in t o T ru s ts ,

will so far as we can s ee no w b e b est ad mini s te red e ac h fro m

, ,

a s ingl e c e ntre for th e whol e kingdo m Tra m way s g as works .

,
-
,

wa te r works and m any o f t h e s mall e r productive indu s tri es

-
, ,

w ill b e be s t managed locally I n marki ng t h e lin e s of divi sion

.
,

conveni enc e and e xp e rienc e mu s t b e our guid es Th e d emarca .

tion s are of exp ed i e ncy not of principl e , .

Th e firs t gre at probl em that will p ress o n t h e C o u nty C oun

o il for s olution w ill b e t hat of t h e une mplo y ed Wi s ely o r .

un wi s ely it will have to d e al with th e m wi s e ly if it organise s

, ,

them for prod u ctive indus try ; unwi s ely if it O pe n s “ r eli ef ,

works and tri es like an enlarged Bu mbl e to S h irk t h e d iffi

,
”
, ,

culty by e nforcing barr en and oppress i ve toil upon outlawed

wr e t ch es at t h e e xp en s e of t h e r e s t of t h e co mmu nity M an y .

of t h e une mploy e d are un s killed laborers a m inority are s kille d

‘

Th e y m u s t firs t b e r egis te re d as s kill ed and un s killed and t h e ,

fo rme r e nrolle d und r th e ir s e ve ral trad es Th e n can be gin t h e

e .

ru ral organis ation of labor on county far ms h eld b y t h e C ounty ,

C ounci ls T h e C ouncil will hav e it s agricultural co mm it te e

.
,

ch arged with t h e ad mini s trativ e d e ta il s ; and thi s co mm ittee

will choo s e w ell train ed practical agriculturi s ts as dir ec tors o f
-
, ,

t h e far m bu s in es s T o th e C ounty Far m will b e draft e d fro m

.

t h e un e mplo e d i n t h e town s t h e a ricultural labo r e rs who

y g ,

h av e wand e r ed town ward s in s e arc h of work and many of t h e ,

un kill e d labore rs O n th e s e farm s e v e ry advantage of mach in

s .

er
y and eve ry d is cove ry in agricultural s ci e nc e shoul d b e util
~

, ,
1 40 TH E OR GAN I ZATI ON OF S OC I E T Y .

i s ed utmost Th e cro p s S h ould b e caref u lly c h os en wi t h

to th e .

r efer enc e t o s o il and aspect — c e r e als fruit v ege tables and , ,

-

t h e cultur e a d apte d t o t h e crop t h e o ne aim b e i ng t o obtain t h e

,

large s t a moun t of produc e with t h e l e ast e xp end itur e of hum an

labor Wh e th e r lan d is m o s t profitably cultiv ate d i n large or
.

s m all p arc e ls d e p e nd s o n t h e crop and in t h e gr e at are a o f t h e

C ounty Far m la g a nd e et la p et it e cu lt u e m ight e ach hav e it s
,
r r

plac e E cono my would al s o gain by t h e larg e num b e r o f labor

.

e s und e r t h e dir e ction o f t h e h e ad far m e r s inc e th e y could b e

r ,

conc entrat e d wh e n r e quire d at any give n s pot as in harves t ,

ti me and di sp e rs ed to work at t h e more continuou s kind s of t il

,

lag e wh en t h e s ea s onal t a sk w as o v er .

T o th es e farm s m u s t al s o b e s e nt so me s kill e d lab or e r s fro m

a m ong t h e un emplo y e d s ho em ak ers tailors s m ith s carp ent er s
, , , , ,

s o t h at t h e C ounty Far m m a
etc y b e s e lf s upporti ng as far as
-
.

it can b e without wa s te o f productive powe r All t h e s ma ll .

indu s tri es n ec es s ary in daily l ife s h oul d b e carri ed o n i n it and ,

an indu s trial co mmun e th u s b uilt up Th e d e mocracy m igh t b e .

tru s te d to orda in that an e ig h t hours day and a co mf or tabl e ’

,

ho m e s h ould b e p art o f t h e life—

,
conditio ns o n t h e C ounty Farm .

P robably e ach large farm would s oon hav e it s c e ntral stor e with ,

it s adjac e nt railway s tation in addition t o t h e ordinary far m

,

build ing s it s public h all in t h e c entr e o f t h e farm v illage to b e

u s ed for l e ctur es conc e rts and e ntertain ments o f all s orts its
, ,

public sc h ool s e l em entary and te chnical ; and s oon po s s ibly

, ,

fro m t h e outs e t its public m eal roo m s avi ng ti me and troubl e t o

,
-
,

h ou s ewi v es and whil e e cono m i s ing fu el and food giving a far

, , ,

gr e at e r choic e and vari e ty o f di s h e s L arge dw e lling s w i th .

,

s uit e s o f roo m s m ight p e rhap s replac e Old fa s h ion e d cottag es ;

,
-

for i t is wort h noting as s howing t h e t e nd enc y alre ady e xi s ting

,

a m ong our se lv e s to turn fro m i s olat ed s elf d e p e nd enc e to t h e -

advantage s o f a s s ocia t ed living that many m od e rn flats are ,

b e ing built with out s ervants roo m s t h e h ou se cl eaning e t c’

,
-
,
.
,

b e ing don e by p ers o ns engag e d for t h e whol e block and t h e ,

i m portant m e al s be ing tak e n at r e s t aurants s o as t o av oid t h e ,

troubl e and e xp en s e o f p rivate cooking It will sur ely b e w ell .

i n i nitiating new organi s ations o f ind u s try to s tart o n t h e m o s t

ad vanc ed lin e s and tak e advan t age o f e v e ry mod ern te nd e ncy
,

towards l e s s i s olated mod es o f liv ing S oc i ali s ts mu s t work .

h ard to m ak e m unicipal d ealin gs with t h e un employe d av enu es

t o t he h ig h e r lif e no t grudging utili s at i o n of pau p er lab or A nd
,
.
 1 42 TH E OR GAN I ZATI ON OF S OC I E T Y .

se r vic e i n t h e towns wh ere th eir trad e is t h e s tapl e i ndus t ry ,

th er e t o b e e mp loy ed in t h e m unicipal factory .

C oncurr ently wit h t his rural and urban organi s ation o f no n

c entrali sed indu s tri e s will p roc eed th e taking ov e r o f t h e gre at
c entralis ed ind us tri es c entrali se d fo r us by capitali s ts wh o th u s
, ,

uncon s c i ous ly p av e t h e way fo r th e ir o wn s u pe rs es s ion E v ery .

th ing whi c h h as be en organi s ed i nto a T ru s t and h as b ee n ,

work e d for a ti me in t h e T rus t fa shion i s ri p e f o r approp riation ,

by t h e co mmu nity All mi ne ral s wo uld b e m o s t p rop erly worked

.

in this c entralis ed way and it will probably b e found mo s t con

v e nie nt t o work all t h e big p ro d ucti v e indu s tr i e s — suc h as t h e

t e x t ile in s i milar fa shi on I t i s i dl e t o say that i t ca nnot b e

.

d on e by t h e S ta te w h e n i t is b e ing don e by a ring o f capi t ali s t s

a L o cal Board an I r on Board a Tin Board can b e as e a s ily h eld
, , ,

re s pons ibl e to t h e nation as t o a ca s ual crow d o f S hare h olde rs .

The r e n e e d b e no dis location o f p r o duction in m aki ng t h e tran s

fere nc e : t h e active orga ni s e rs and dire ctors o f a T ru s t d o no t
n ec es s arily o r ev e n u s ually o wn t h e cap ital i nv es t ed i n it If
, , .

t h e S t ate finds it con v e ni e nt t o hir e t h es e organi s e r s and d irec

tors th ere is nothi ng to pr ev e nt it s doing so for as long o as
,
r

s h ort a p e rio d as i t c hoo s e s Th e t e m porary arra ngem e nts m ad e

.

with th em duri ng t h e tran s i tion pe riod must b e go v ern ed by ex

p e die ncy .

L e t us pau e for a moment t e stimat t h e po i tion so far Th e

s o e s .

u n mploy ed ha v e b
e n transform d into co mmunal workers
ee e

i n t h country o n gre at farms i mprovement o f th e Bona n a

e , s z

farms i n Ame r i ca in th e town in variou trad es P ublic s s .

s t ore s for agric l tural and indu tri al p roduct a e O p en in all

u s s r

conveni ent plac nd fill d w i t h t h e go o d

e s, a th u co mmunally
e s s

produc e d Th e gre at indu s tri es work ed as T ru s ts are controlled

.
, ,

b y t h e S ta te ins t e ad of by capitali s t rings Th e p r iv ate capi t al .

is t how e ve r will still b e in busin e s s pro d uc i ng and di s tributing

, , ,

o n h is o wn accoun t in co mp e tition with t h e co mm unal organi

s at io ns whic h at ,
presen t will h ave occupi ed only part o f t h e
i ndus trial fi el d But a part from a pre ssur e w h ic h will b e r ecog
.

nis ed w h e n w e co m e t o d e al with t h e r emun e ration o f labor ,

t h e s e priva te e nt e rpri s e s will b e carri ed o n und er circu ms tan c es

o f e v e r incr e asing diflicu lty
-
I n face of t h e ord e rly co mm unal
.

arrays play ing into e ac h oth e r s h ands w i th t h e credi t o f th e

,
’
,

country behind th em t h e ventures o f t h e pri vate capitalist will

,

b e at as gr eat a d i sad v antage as t h e cottage indu s tries of t h e

 IN DU S T R Y UN DE R S OC I A L I S M . 1 43

la s t c entury in fac e of t h e fac tory i ndus tri e s of our own p eriod .

Th e T ru s t s h ave taugh t u s how to driv e co mp e ting capi t al s out

o f th e m ark e t by as s ociate d ca p ital s T h e C e ntral Board o r
. s

C o unty C ounc il s will b e abl e to utilis e thi s pow e r of a ss ociation

furth er th an any private capitali t s Thu s t h e e cono m ic forc es s .

w hic h replac ed t h e work s hop by t h e factory will r e plac e t h e ,

priva te s hop by t h e municipal s t ore and t h e priva te fac t ory by

t h e municipal o ne And t he advantag es of gre ate r conc entra
.

tion o f capital and of t h e a s s ociation o f labor will no t b e t h e

only on es e njoy ed by t h e co mm unal work e rs A ll wa s te will .

b e ch e ck e d e v e ry labor s aving applianc e ut ili s ed to t h e utmo s t

,
-
,

wh e re t h e obj e ct is th e production o f g e n e ral w ealth and not t h e

production o f profi t to b e appropriat ed by a cla s s ; fo r in t h e
o ne ca se i t is t h e in t e r es t of t h e produc e r s to produc e inas muc h
as th e ir e njo y m e n t d e p e nd s on t h e productivity O f th e ir labor
w h er ea s in t h e oth e r it is their i nte r es t to s te rili s e th e ir labor as
far as they dare in ord er t o r end e r more o f it n e c es sary and s o
k ee p up it s pric e A s t h e organi s ation o f th e p ub li c indu s try
.

e x te nd s and s upplant s m ore and m or e t h e individuali s t produc er

, ,

t h e probabl e d e m and will b e mor e e a s ily e s ti m at e d a nd t he ,

s upply r e gula t e d t o me e t it T h e Municipaliti e s and C e n tral

.

Board s will tak e t h e plac e o f th e co mp e ting s m a ll capitalis ts and

t h e r i ngs of larg e on e s ; and production wi ll b e co me ord e r e d and
rational in s te ad of anarchical and r eckles s as i t is to d ay Af ter -
.

awhil e t h e private produc e rs will di app ear not be caus e t h e re s ,

will b e any law aga in s t individual is t production b u t b e cau se i t ,

will not p ay N o o ne w ill care t o fac e t h e worri es t h e h ara ss

.
,

ment s t h e anxie ti e s of i nd iv idua l s truggl ing for liv elihood w h en

, , ,

e a s e fr e e do m and s e curity can b e e njoy e d in t h e co mmu nal s er

, ,

V lce s .
b
Th e e s t for m of m anage ment dur ing t h e tra ns ition p er od , i
and po s s ibly for a long ti m e to co m e , will b e t roug the C om h h
h p
mu n al C ouncil s , whi c will ap oin t co mm itt e e s to s up e rin t e nd
v i
t h e ar ou s branc e s of ndu s try . h i h
T e s e co m mitte e s will e ngage
th e ne c es s ary manag e r and for e m an for e ac s h O p , factory , e t c , h .

and will h O
ol d t h e pow e r f dis m i s s al as o f appointme nt I do .

no t be lie v e that t h e dir e c t e l e ction o f t h e m anage r and for e m an

b y th e em ploy ees would be foun d t o work w e ll n practic e, o r to i
h
b e con s i s te nt wit t h e di s ciplin e ne c e s s ary in carryi ng o n any
large bu s in es s und e r taking I t s eem s t o me b e tte r that th e
.

h
C o mmun e s ould e l ect its C ouncil t us kee ing un d er ts own h p i
1 44 T HE OR GAN I ZA TI ON OE S OC I E T Y .

control th e gen eral auth or i ty b ut sh ould e mpow e r th e C ounc il

t o s e l e ct t h e official s S O that t h e p ow e r o f s el e ction and di s mi s s al
,

with in t h e v ariou s s u b division s S hould lie with th e no mi n ees of

-

t h e w h ol e C o mm un e inst e a d o f with t h e particular grou p imme

di ate ly conc e rn ed .

T h ere is no p ract i cal d ifficu lt y i n t h e way O f t h e manag em e nt

o f t h e or d i nary pro d u ct i v e indu s tri e s larg e o r s mall
, Th e T ru s ts .

and C o o p e ration h a v e b e tw e e n t h e m s olv ed o r p ut u s in t h e

-
, , ,

way o f s olving all probl ems conn e cte d with th es e But th ere
, .

are difficulti e s in conn e xion with t h e i ndustri es conc e rn e d in t h e

production o f s uc h co mmoditi es as book s and new s pap ers D u r .

ing t h e tran s itional stag e t h e s e di fficulti e s will not ari s e but w h e n

all indu s tri es are carri ed on by t h e C o mm un e o r th e N ati on , ,

h ow will book s and new s pap ers b e produc e d ? I only th row

o u t t h e following s ugg es tion s P r i nting lik e bak ing tailorin g
.
, , ,

s h o e m aking ,
is a co mm unal rath e r than a national indus try .

S uppo se we h ad printing offic e s controll ed by t h e C o mmu nal

C ouncil . Th e pr inting co mm itte e m igh t b e l e ft fre e t o acc ep t
any p ubl i catio n i t though t v aluabl e as a p rivate firm t o d ay,
-

may tak e t h e ri s k o f p ublication t h e arra ngem ent w i th t h e

,

auth or b e ing pu rc h a se outright o r royalty o n C opi es s old in

, ,

e ac h cas e s o m uc h t o b e put to his cr e dit at t h e C o mm u nal Bank .

But th e r e are many author s w h o s e good s are d es ired by no o ne

i t woul d b e ab s u rd t o forc e th e co mm unity to publi s h all minor
p o e try Wh y not acc ept th e principl e that i n e very ca s e w h ere
.

t h e p rint i ng co m mi tte e d e cl in e s t o prin t at t h e co mmu nal ri sk ,

t h e auth or m ay hav e his work print e d b y tran s f e rri ng fro m h is

cred i t at th e C o mmunal Bank t o t h e accoun t o f t h e printing
comm it te e suffici ent to cov er t h e co s t o f printi ng ? Th e co m
mit te e S houl d h av e no pow e r to r e fus e to pr i nt wh e r e t h e co s t ,

was cov e re d T h u s lib erty o f e xpres s i on wo uld b e guard ed as

.

a constitutional righ t w hil e t h e co mmunity would mot he c h arged

,

w i th t h e cost o f p rinting every stup id effu s i on th at it s fond co m

po s e r migh t d eem worthy o f p ublicity .

N e w s pap e r s m igh t b e i s s u ed on si milar t erms and i t woul d

alway s b e O p en t o i nd ividual s o r t o group s o f individuals to

, ,

publi s h anyth ing th ey pl eas ed o n co vering t h e cost o f p u blica

tion With th e co mparative afflu enc e w h ic h would b e enjo yed
.

by e ac h memb e r o f t h e co mmunity anyon e who r eally cared t o

,

r e ac h t h e public e ar wo uld b e abl e to d o s o b y di mi n i shing his

e xp end i tur e in o t h e r d ir ect i ons .
146 TH E OR GAN I ZATI ON OF S OC IE T Y .

migh t b e do ne by machinery as i t would b e now if i t w ere no t

,

ch eape r to e xploit a h e lot clas s Wh e n it be ca me ill egal t o.

s e nd s m a ll b oy s u p chim n ey s chimn e y s did not c eas e t o b e

,

S w e pt : a m ac hin e w as inv e n t e d for sw ee ping th em C oal .

c utting m ight no w b e don e by machin e ry in s te a d o f b

y a m an ,

ly ing o n his back picking away ov er h is h ead at t h e i mm in e nt

,

ris k o f h is o wn l ife ; but t h e m ac hi n e is m uch de are r than men ,

S O t h e min e rs cont inu e to h a v e th e ir c h e s ts crus h ed i n by th e

falling coal Unde r S ociali s m men s liv es and limb s will b e

. .
’

m ore v aluabl e tha n m ac h in e ry ; and sci enc e w i ll b e task e d to

s ub s titut e t h e o ne for t h e oth e r .

I n trut h t h e e xte n s ion o f m ac hin e ry is v ery l ik ely t o s ol v e

many o f t h e p robl em s conn e c te d with d ifl ere nt ial ad v antages in
e m plo yme nt ; and it s e em s c er t ain that in t h e v e ry ne ar futur e , ,

t h e S kill e d work e r will no t b e t h e man wh o i s abl e t o p e rform a

particu lar s e t o f op erations but t h e m an wh o has b ee n trained
,

in t h e u s e o f m achi n e ry T h e d iff e re nc e o f trad e will b e in t h e

.

m ac hi n e rath er than in t h e man : w h e th e r t h e produc e is na ils

or s cr e w s boots o r coa t s cloth o r s ilk
, ,
pap er foldi ng o r ty pe
,
-

s e tting wi ll d e pe nd o n t h e inte rnal arrange m e n t s o f t h e me

,

ch anis m and not o n t h e m e th od o f applying t h e forc e What .

we s h all probably do will b e t o ins tru ct all o u r yout h in t h e

principl es o f m e c hanic s and i n t h e handl ing o f m achines ; t he
m ac h in es will b e con s truct e d s o as t o turn t h e forc e in t o t h e
variou s c h annels r e quire d t o prod uce t h e various articl e s ; and
t h e s k ill e d work m an wi ll b e t h e s kill e d mech a nic not t h e s kill ed ,

prin te r o r bootmake r At th e pre s ent time a fe w h ours o r a

.
’

f e w day s s tudy will m ak e t h e train e d m e cha nician m a s t e r O f

’

any m ac h ine you can plac e b efore h im Th e lin e of progre ss is .

t o s ub s titu t e m achin e s for m e n in e v e ry d e partm e nt o f produc

tion : le t t h e brain plan guid e control ; but le t iron and s tee l
, , ,

s te a m and e l e ctric i ty that do not tir e and cannot b e brutali s ed

, ,

do th e whol e of t h e h eavy to i l th at ex h au s ts h um an frames t o

d ay . T h e r e is no t t h e s ligh t e s t r ea s on to s u pp o s e th at w e are
at t h e e nd o f an inv entiv e era R ath e r are w e only ju s t b e
.

ginn ing t o grop e after t h e u s es o f el e ctricity and m ach in ery :

h as be for e it po s sibiliti es al mo st undr e a me d O f no w t h e m e n ,

produc ed by o u r s y s te m b e i ng too rough h anded fo r th e mani p -

u l at io n o f d e lica t e and co m plicate d contrivanc e s I s ugge s t .

thi s o nly as a probabl e s im plification o f balancing t h e s upply

and d eman d i n v ariou s forms of labor i n th e future ou r i mm e
 h
diate me t o d of r eg u lation mu s t b e t h e e quali s ing o f ad antag e s v
h
in t em .

h h
O ne may gu ess t at in eac nation all t h e Bo ards and co m
i
mu nal authorities will ult mate ly b e r e pr es e n ted in so me c e ntral
E x ec utiv e , or I ndu s trial Mini s try ; t hat th e M ini s t e r of Agri
cu ltur e, of M in e ral I ndu s trie s , o f T extil e I ndus tries , and s o on ,
h
will av e relations with s i milar O flic e rs in oth e r land s and t at h
th us inte rnationally as we ll as nationally co O p eration will re
, ,
-

p lac e co mp e tition But that e nd is not y e t

. .

W e no w approac h a y e t m or e thorn y s ubj e ct than th e organi

s ation o f t h e work e r s W hat s hould b e t h e r em un e ration of
.

labor wh at t h e S h are o f t h e product tak e n res p e ctively by t he

individual t h e municipality and t h e S tate ?
, ,

Th e an s w e r de p end s o n th e an s w er to a pr evious qu e s ti on .

I s t h e organ isation o f t h e un e mploy e d t o b e und e rtak e n in

ord er to trans form th em into s e lf su pp orti ng s elf r esp e cting
-
,
-

citiz en s ; or is it to b e carri ed on as a for m of e xploitation ,

u til is ing paup e r labor for t h e production of profit for no n

paup e r s ? The whol e matte r turn s o n thi s poin t ; and unl es s
we know our o wn m ind s and fight for t h e righ t m e thod and
,

again s t t he wrong fro m th e v e ry beginning t h e organi s ation O f,

th e une m ploy ed will b e a buttr e s s for t h e pr es en t s y s te m ins t e ad

o f a s t e p towards a be tte r Alr e ady the re is talk o f es tabl is h ing
.

labo r coloni es in conn e xion with workh ou se s ; and th e re is no

ti m e to b e lo s t if we a e to take advan tage o f t h e g ood in t h e
r

propo s al and e xclude th e bad T h e C ounty C ouncil s al s o w ill

.

l e ad to an incre as e o f mun icipal e mploym e nt ; and t h e me thod

of that emplo y me nt is vital .

T h e ord inary v e s try m an drive n b y t h e forc e of circu m s tanc es

,

into organ is ing t h e un e m plo y e d will try to e xtract a profi t to

,

t h e rate pa y e rs fro m paup e r far m s by pay ing t h e low e t rat e s o f s

wages H e would find thi s way o f p roc eedin g v e r y cong enial

.
,

and would s oon if p e rm itted s i m ply municipali s e s lav e d iving

, ,
-
r .

I n thi s way t h e m unicipal and rural organi s ation o f labor e v e n ,

wh e n its n e c ess ity and its advan tage s are r ealis e d can do ,

noth ing b u t change t h e form o f e xploitation o f labo r i f t h e

worke rs i n p ublic e mploy are to b e paid a wage fix ed by t h e
co mp e tition o f t h e m ark e t and t h e profits o f th e ir labor u s e d
,

only for t h e r eli e f o f t h e ra te s Unde r s uch c ircu ms tanc es w e

.

s hould h av e t h e whol e o f t h e rates paid b

y t h e co mm unal
worke r wh il e t h e private e mplo y ers would go fre e T his
s, .
 TH E OR GAN I ZATI ON OF S OC I E T Y .

would no t b e a tran s ition t o S ociali sm but only a new way Of ,

cre ating a cla s s o f m unicipal s e rfs whi ch would mak e o r , u

town s burl es qu e s o f t h e anci e nt Gr ee k s lave holding d e mo

c acie s
r W e s hall find s ur e r ground by r e cal ling and applying
.

t h e principl e o f S ociali s m that t h e labor e r s s hall e njoy t h e full

pro duct o f th e ir toil I t s ee ms to me th at th i s m ight b e work e d
.

o u t s o me w h at in t h e following w ay :

O u t o f t h e v alu e o f t h e co mmun al produc e m u s t co me r e nt o f

lan d payabl e to t h e local authority r ent o f plant n e ed e d for ,

working t h e indus tri es wages advanc e d and fix e d in t h e u sual

,

way tax es r e s e rve fund accu m ulation fu nd and t h e oth e r

, , , ,

c h arg es ne c e s s ary for t h e carrying on of t h e co mm unal bu s in es s .

All th ese d educted t h e r em ain i ng valu e s hould b e divide d

,

a mong t h e co mm unal worke r s as a “ bonu s I t woul d b e o b .

”

v io u s l
y inconv e ni e nt if not i m po s s ibl e for t h e di s trict authority
, ,

t o s u b div id e thi s valu e and allot s o m uch to e ac h o f it s s ep a

-

rate und e rtakings S O muc h l e ft ove r fro m gas work s for

-

t h e m en e m ploy e d th e r e S O m uc h fro m t h e tram wa ys for t h e

,

men e mplo y e d o n th e m and s o on I t would b e far s i m pl e r and

,
.

e a s i e r f o r t h e m unicipal e m plo ees t o b e r e gard e d as a s ingl e

y
body in t h e s e rvic e o f a S ingl e e mploy er t h e local auth ority ;
, ,

and th at t h e s ur plu s fro m t h e whol e o f t h e bu s in ess es carri e d o n

by t h e C o mm unal C ouncil s hould b e divid e d withou t di s tinction
a mong t h e whol e o f t h e co mm unal e mplo y e e s C ontrov e rs y will .

probably ari s e as to t h e divi s ion s hall all t h e S har es b e e qual ;

:

o r s h all t h e work e r s r e c e iv e in proportion to t h e s uppo s e d dignit

y
o r indi nity o f th e ir work ? I n e quality how ev er would b
g e , ,

o d i ou s ; and I h av e alr e ady s ugg es t e d

(p 1 45 ) a m e an s o f ad
‘
.

justing di fferen t kind s o f labor to a s ys tem Of e qual divi s ion Of

ne t pr od uct Th i s m e e ts t h e difficulty o f t h e varying d egre e s
.

o f irks o m e n e s s without invidiou s l y s e tting up any kind o f s oci

ally us eful labor as m ore h onorabl e than any oth e r a di s tin o

tion e s s en tially un s ocial and p erniciou s B u t s inc e in public .

affairs e thic s are apt to go to t h e wall and app e al s to s ocial ,

ju s tic e t o o O f te n fall o n d eaf e ars it is lucky that in thi s ca s e

,

e thic s and conv e ni e nc e coincid e Th e i mpo s s ibility o f e s t imat

.

ing t h e s e para te v alu e of e ach m an S labo r with any r e ally valid

’

res ult t h e friction whic h would ari s e t h e j e alou s i es which

, ,

would b e provok e d t h e in evitabl e di s cont ent favoriti sm and

, ,

jobbe ry that woul d pr e vail all th es e th ings will driv e t h e

.

C o mmunal C oun c il in to t h e righ t path e qual r emun eration o f ,

1 50 TH E OR GA N I ZATI ON OF S OC I E T Y .

C he qu e Bank ; and th e s e b anks could O p en credi ts to th e

work ers to t h e a mo u nt o f th eir r emun erati on Th e way in .

which e ac h wo rk er e x p end ed his w ealth would o f cours e b e his

o wn bu s in es s .

,
T h e abov e m e t h od o f d e al ing w i th t h e surplus r em aining fr o m
co mm unal labo r afte r r ent and oth er cha rges had be en paid t o
t h e Munici p ality would p ro v e t h e m o s t pote nt fac t or in t he
,

s u pe r s e s sion of p ri v a t e e n t e r p ri s e s Th e a m oun ts produc ed by

.

t h e co mmunal organi s ation s woul d e xc e e d t h o s e p ro d uc ed und e r

individu alis t control ; but ev en if this w er e no t so ye t t h e s h ares ,

o f t h e co mm unal work e r s as th ey would i nclud e t h e p roduc e

,

now con s u me d by i dl e rs would b e hi gh e r th an any wage whic h

,

could b e p aid by th e priva te employ e r Henc e co m pe tition to .

e nt e r t h e co mm unal se rvic e and a con s tant p ress ure o n t h e

,

C o mmunal C ouncil s to e nl arge th e ir und e rtaki ngs .

It s h ould b e add ed th at childre n and worke r s incapacitated by

age o r si ck ne s s s houl d r e c e i v e an e u al shar e with t h e co mm unal
q
e mploy ee s .A s all ha v e be en c h ildr e n a e at ti m es s ick and ,
r ,

h O p e t o li v e t o o ld age all in turn would s har e t h e a d v an tage

,

and i t i s o nly ju s t that t h o s e wh o hav e labo r e d h on e stly in

h ealth and through m aturity s h ould enjoy th e r eward o f labor

in S ickn ess and throug h Old age .

Th e shar e s o f i ndiv idual s and o f Munici p aliti e s be ing th u s

ap portion ed th ere r emain s only a word to s ay as to t h e
,

C en tral N ational C ounc i l t h e “ S ta t e p a Th i s

”
ex ellence r c .

woul d d e riv e t h e revenu e s n e c es sary for t he di s c h arge of its

function s fro m contributions l evied o n t h e C o mmunal C ouncil s
, .

It is e v ide nt that in th e adju s tment o f th es e contribution s could

b e e ff e cted t h e “ nationali s ation o f any s pe cial natural re

sourc es s uc h as m in es h arbors & c e njoy ed by e xc eptionally

, , ,
.
,

w ell situa ted C o mm un es The l ev y woul d b e in f act o f t h e

.
, ,

natur e o f an inco m e tax .

S uc h a pla n o f D i s tributi on e s p e c i all y th at part o f i t whi c h

e quali s es t h e s h ar e s in t h e p ro d uct — is lik e ly t o p rovok e t h e

qu es ti on : “ W hat will b e t h e s ti mulus t o labor und e r t h e

p ropo s ed s y s tem ? Will not t h e i d l e e v ad e th e ir fair share o f
labor and li ve in clove r o n t h e indu s try o f th eir n e ighbors ?
,
”

Th e g e n e ral sti mul u s t o labor w i ll b e in t h e fir s t plac e th en , ,

as now t h e starvation w h ic h woul d follow th e c es s ation o f

,

labor Until we di s co ve r t h e country in whic h j am roll s grow

.
-

o n b us h e s and roa s t ed su cking pig s run abo ut crying C o me

- “
,
 IN D U S T R Y UN DE R S OC I AL I S M . 1 51

e at me ! ”
we are u nd e r an i mp r iou
c ity to pro d uc e
e s ne es s .

W e s hall work b eca u s e o n t h e whol e w e prefe r work to s t arv a

, ,

tion In t h e tran s ition to S ociali sm wh e n t h e organi s ation of

.
,

labor by th e C o mm unal C o u ncils b e gins t h e p e rform anc e o f ,

work will b e t h e condi tion o f e mploy men t ; and as no n e mploy -

me n t will me an s tarvation for wh e n work is offe red no r eli ef ,

o f any kind n ee d b e giv e n to t h e h e althy adul t who r e fu s e s to

pe rfor m it — th e s tronges t p o ssibl e s ti mulus will forc e men to

work I n fact “ work o r s tarve will b e t h e alternativ e s e t
.
,
”

be fore eac h co mmunal e mploy ee ; and as men now pre fe r lon g

con tinued and ill paid work to s tarvation th ey will c e rtainly
-
, ,

unl es s hu man nature b e entirely chan ged pre fe r s hort and ,

well paid work t o starvation T he individual s hirk e r will b e

- .

d ealt wi th much as h e is tod ay : h e will b e warn e d and if h e , ,

prove incorrigibly i dl e di s ch arged fro m t h e co m m unal e mploy

,
.

T h e v as t ma jority of m e n now s ee k t o r e t ain th e ir e m plo y me nt

b y a r e a s onabl e di s charge of th e ir duty : why s hould th e y not
do t h e s a me wh e n t h e employ ment is on e as i e r condition s ? At
fi rs t dis charge wo uld me an b e ing flung back into t h e whirlpool
,

o f co m p e tition a fa te not lightly to b e challe nged L ate r as

,
.
,

t h e pri v at e e nte rpri s e s s uccu mb e d to t h e co m p e tition of t h e

C o mm un e it would m e an al m o s t h op el e s s n e s s o f ob t aining a
,

liveli h ood Wh en s oci al re organi s ation is co mpl e te it would

.
,

mean ab s olu te s tarvation And as t h e s tarvation would b e

.

d elibe ra te ly i ncurre d and voluntarily unde rgon e i t would mee t ,

with n o s y mpath y and no re li ef .

T h e n e xt s ti mulus would b e t h e app e tite of t h e work e r for

t h e r e ul t o f t h e co mm unal t oil and t h e d e t e rm ination of h is
s ,

fello w work e rs to m ake h im take h is fair s hare o f t h e work o f

-

producing it I t is foun d at t h e p re s en t ti me that a ve ry s mall

.

s har e of t h e profit s ari s ing fro m a s s ocia te d labor acts as a t e r

mendon s s ti mulu s t o e ach i ndividual produc e r Firms w h ich .

allo t a par t of th e ir profits for divis ion a m ong th eir em plo y ee s ,

find t h e plan pro fitabl e t o t h e ms e lv es Th e m en work e ag e rly .

t o incr e a s e t h e co mmon pr od uct knowing that e ach will hav e a

,

larg e r bonu s as t h e co mmon product i s large r : th ey b eco me

vigilan t as to wa s te i n production ; th ey tak e car e o f th e
machin e ry th ey s a v e gas e t c In a word th e y l e s s en t h e co s t
,
.
,

as m uch as th e y can b e cau s e e ach saving m e an s gain to th e m

,
.

W e s e e fro m t h e e xp eri men ts of L eclaire and Godin that in

ve n t iv eness also is s tim ula t ed b y a s h ar e in t h e co mm on p ro ~
1 52 TH E OR G N A I ZATI ON OE S OC I E T Y .

d uc e . work e rs in th e s e b us in e ss es are e ve r tr y ing t o dis

Th e
cove r b e t te r me thod s to i mprov e th eir m achi n ery i n a word t o ,

progres s s inc e e ach s te p forward brings i mprov em e nt O f th e ir

,

lot I n ve ntion s co me fro m a d es ire to s av e tr oubl e as well as

.
,

fro m t h e i mpuls e o f i n v en ti v e ge niu s t h e jo y in acco mpli s hing

,

an in t ell ectual triu mp h and t h e d elight o f s e rv ing t h e rac e

, .

S m all inv e ntion s are continually b e ing m ad e by cl e v e r work

m e n to facilitat e th e ir Op e ration s e v e n wh en t h ey are not ,

t h e m s elv e s p e r s onally gain e r s by th e m ; and th e r e is no r e a s on

t o f e ar t h at thi s s pontan e ou s e x e rci s e o f inv e ntiv e n e s s will
c e as e wh e n t h e adde d productivity o f labor light e ns t h e t ask or
increas e s t h e harv es t o f t h e labor e r I s i t to b e argu e d that
.

m en will b e indu s triou s car e ful and inv e ntiv e w h e n th ey g e t

, ,

only a fraction o f t h e r es ult o f th e ir a s s ocia te d labor but will ,

pl u nge i nto S loth r e ckles s n e ss and s tagnation w h en th ey ge t

,

t h e w h ol e ? that a littl e gain s ti m ulat e s b u t any ga in s hort of ,

co m pl e te s ati s faction would paraly s e ? I f th ere is o ne vice

m or e c e rtain than anoth e r to b e unpopular i n a S ociali s tic co m
m un ity it is lazin es s
,
Th e m an who S hirk e d would find h is
.

m at e s m aking h is po s ition intol e rabl e e v e n b e for e h e s u ffe r ed

,

t h e doo m of e xpul s ion .

But whil e th es e co mp e lling motiv es will b e po t ent in th eir

action o n man as h e now is th ere are oth e r s alre ady acting on
, ,

s o m e m e n w h ich will o ne day act on all m e n

,
Hu man b e ings .

a e not t h e s i m pl e and on e s id e d organi s m s th e y app e ar to t h e

r

s up e rficial glanc e o f t h e I ndividualist — m ov e d onl y by a s ingl e

m otiv e t h e d e s i r e for p e cuniary gain — b y o ne longing t h e

, ,

longing for w e alth Unde r o u r prese nt social s y s te m t h e s trug

.
,

gle for rich es a s s u me s an abnor mal and artificial d e v elop m en t :

rich es m e an nearly all th a t make s life worth h av ing s e curity ,

agains t s tarvation gratification o f ta s t e e njoym e nt o f pl ea s ant

, ,

and cultur ed s oci e ty s u pe riority to many t emptation s s elf re

, ,
-

s p e ct ,
con s id eration co m fo r t kn owl e dge f reedo m as far as
, , , ,

th es e th ing s a e attainab l e und e r e xi s ting condition s I n a

r .

soci e ty w h e re po ve rty means social d i s cr e dit wh e re m is fortun e ,

is tr e at ed as a cri m e wh e r e t h e p r i s on o f t h e work h ou s e is a
,

gue rdon o f f ailure and t h e b itte r carking h ara s sment o f daily

,

wan ts un me t by daily supply i s e ve r h anging ov e r t h e h e ad o f

e ac h work e r w h at wond e r tha t m on e y s ee m s t h e o ne th ing
,

nee d ful and that e v e r y oth e r th ough t is lo s t i n t h e f e n s ied

,
r

rus h t o e s cape all t h at is s u mmed u p in t h e o ne word P o ve rty ?

'
1 54 TH E OR GAN I ZAT I ON OF S OC I E T Y .

S ociali s m will bre ak d own ; b ut at l e a s t w e h av e a h undred

s trings to o u r S ocialis t b o w
, whil e t h e I ndividual is t h as only
o ne .
But Hum anity will not b re ak down Th e faith w h ich is.

bu ilt on it i s faith f ounded o n a rock Unde r h e alth ie r and

.

happi er condition s Hum an i ty will r is e to h e igh ts undr eamed o f

,

now ; and t h e m o s t e xqui s i te Utop ias as s ung by th e po e t and

,

ide alis t s h all to o u r childr en s eem but d im and broke n lights

, , ,

co mpar ed with th e ir p e rfect day All th at we n eed are co u r

.

a e pru d e nc e and faith

g , ,
Faith abov e all which dare s t o b e
.
, ,

liev e th at ju s tic e and love are not i mp o s sibl e ; and th at m ore

th an th e b est th at man can d r eam of s h all one day b e realis ed
by men .
TR A N S I TI O N TO S OC IA L D E M O C RA C Y
1 58 TR AN S I TI ON To S OC I AL DE M OC R AC Y .

body e n tertain s the i d a th at t h individual h a any righ t t o

e e s

trad e as h e pl e as es with ou t r f r nc e t t h r e t Wh n th
e e e o e s e e .

town folk for i n s tanc e form a m ark e t th e y quite unde rs tand

s , , ,

that th e y h ave no t tak en that troubl e in ord er to e nabl e S p e en

la tors t o mak e mon ey If th ey catc h a man buy ing goods
.
‘

s ol ely in ord e r t o s e ll t h e m a f e w h our s la te r at a hig h e r p ric e

,

they tre at that m an as a ras cal and h e n e v e r as far as I h ave ,

be e n able t o a s c e rtain v e n tures t o pl ead that it is s ocially

,

b ene ficen t and ind e ed a p iou s dut y t o buy in t h e ch e ap e s t

, ,

m ark e t and s e ll i n t h e d e ar e s t I f h e did th ey would probably

.
,

burn h im aliv e not al toge th er in excus ably A s to P rotection

, .
,

i t co mes naturally t o them .

T his S ocial O rd e r r e lic s O f w h ic h are s till to b e foun d i n all

,

d i r ection s did not collap se be cau s e i t was u nju s t o r abs urd It

, .

was burs t b y t h e growth o f t h e s ocial organi s m I ts mac h in e ry .

was too pri m itiv e and it s adm ini s tration t o o nalve t o o p e r s onal
, , ,

t o o me ddl e s o m e t o cop e with anyth ing m or e co mpl e x t han a

g roup o f in du trially ind ep end e n t co mmun es c e ntrali s e d v e ry
s ,

loo s ely if at all for pur ely political purpo s es Indu s trial r e la
, , .

tion with O th e r countri e s w e r e be y ond its co mpr eh en s ion I t s .

gra sp o f t h e Obligation s o f in te rparoc h ial morality was non e o f

t h e s ur e s t : o f inte rnational morali t y it h ad no notion A .

French m an o r a S co t ch man was a natur al en e my : a M u s covi te

w as a for e ign d e vil : t h e r e lation s hip o f a n e gro to t h e h u m an
rac e was far more di s tant th an that o f a gorilla i s now ad mitte d
t o be . T h u s w h e n t h e di s cov e ry o f t h e N ew World b egan
, ,

th at e cono m ic r e v olution whic h changed e v e ry manufacturing

town into a mere booth i n t h e world s fair and qui te al te red ’

t h e imm ed iat e o bj e cts and vi e ws o f produc e r s E n g li s h ad ,

v entur e rs took t o t h e s ea in a fra m e o f mind p e culiarly favorable

t o co mm e rcial s ucc e s s T h e y w e r e una ffect ed ly pious and h ad
.
,

t h e forc e o f charact e r w h ic h i s o nly po s s ibl e t o m e n w h o are

found ed o n conviction s At t h e sam e tim e th ey regard ed piracy
.
,

a s a brav e and patrioti c pur s ui t and t h e slav e trad e as a, pe r

f ec t ly h on e s t b ranc h o f co mm e rc e adv e nturou s e noug h to b e

,

c on s i s te nt wit h t h e h onor o f a g e ntl e m an an d lucrativ e e nough ,

t o m ake i t w e ll worth t h e ri s k Wh e n th ey s tol e th e cargo Of a

.

f or e ign S hip o r mad e a h eavy profit o n a b a t c h o f S lav e s th ey

, ,

regar d ed th e ir succ ess as a dire ct p roof o f d ivin e protection .

T h e own e r s o f accu m ulated w e alth h a s ten e d to v e nture th eir

cap ital with th es e m en Pers on s o f all t h e ric h er d egrees from
.
,
 TR AN S I TI O N . 1 59

Q u e en E lizab e t h do wnward took h ares , v oyage s o f the

s in th e
me rchant adve ntur e r e e s. s s Th e r turn ju tifi d th ir boldn e ;
e ss

and th e found ation of t h e e indu trial gr atn and t h e i ndu trial

e ss s s

s h a me o f t h e e igh t e e nth and nin e tee nth c e nturi es w as laid ;

m od e rn C apitali s m th u s ar i s ing in e n te rpri s es for whic h men a e r

now by civili ed nati on s h u ng or s hot as hum an ve rmin And

,
s , .

i t is curious to s ee s till i n t h e co mmercial adventurers o f our

,

own ti me t h e s a me incongru ou s co mbinatio n o f p ie ty and r ec ti

,

tud e with t h e m o s t un scrupulous and r e volting v illainy W e .

all kn o w t h e me rchan t princ e s w h o s e e n t e rpri s e who e s te ad y , s

pe rs e veranc e who s e h ig h p er onal h onor blam el e s fam ily re

,
s ,
s

lat io ns larg e chariti es and lib e ral e ndow m e nt o f p b h c ins t it u

, , u

tion s mark th em o u t as ve ry p illars o f soci e ty ; and w h o a e r

n ev erth el e ss grind ing the ir w e al t h o u t o f th e labo r o f wo me n

and ch ildre n with s uc h murd e rou s rapacity that t h e y h av e to

hand ove r t h e poores t o f th e ir v icti ms t o sweaters who se s ole

s p ecial function is t h e e va s i on o f t h e Fac t ory Act s T h ey .

h ave in fact no more s en se o f s ocial s olidarity with t h e wage

, ,

worke rs than D rak e h ad with t h e S paniard s or n egro es .

With t h e ris e of fore ign trad e and C ap itali s m in du s try so far ,

outgre w t h e control not m erely o f th e individual but o f t h e

, ,

village t h e guild t h e municipality and e ven th e c entral gov e rn

, , ,

me nt that it se emed as if all atte mpt at r e gulation mu s t b e

,

abandon e d E ve ry law m ade for t h e b e tte r ord e ring of bu s i

.

n ess e ith e r did not work at all o work ed only as a monopoly , r

e nforc e d by e xa s p e rating official m eddlin g dir e ctl y injuring t h e ,

gen e ral in te re s t and re acting dis as trou sl y on t h e particular

,

in te re s t it was in te nded to protec t Th e law s t o o h ad c ea s e d .

, ,

to b e e v en hon e s tly inte nd e d owing to t h e s e izur e o f political

,

powe r b y t h e capitali s t cla s s e s which had bee n prodigiou s l y ,

e n rich e d b y t h e O p e ration of e cono m ic law s w h ich w e r e no t th e n

unde rs to od Mat te rs re ach e d a po s ition in which l egi slation
.
1

and re gulation we re s o m i s chievous and corru pt that anarchy ,

beca m e t h e ide al of all progr e ss ive thinke rs and practic al me n .

T h e inte ll e ctual r e v olt for mally inaugurate d b y t h e R e form ation

w as r e inforc e d in t h e e igh te e nth c e ntur y b y t h e gr e at indu s trial
revolution which began with th e utili s ation o f s te a m and th e
in vention o f t h e s pinning j enn y Th e n ca me c h ao s Th e fe udal
.
2
.

system be came an abs ur d ity whe n it s ba si s o f co mmun i sm with

E xp lain d in t h first e ssay in this vol u m
1 e e e.
S pa g 57-61
2 ee e .
1 60 TR AN S I TI ON To S OC I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

i ne quality o f cond i tion h ad c h anged into p r ivate pro p erty w i th

fr ee contract and co m p e tition re nts Th e guild s y s te m h ad no
.

m achin e ry for d e aling with divi s ion o f labor t h e fac t ory s y s te m , ,

o r inte rnational trad e it r e cogniz e d i n co mp e ti tiv e individuali sm

:

onl y s o m e thi ng t o b e r e pres s e d as diabolical But co m p e titive .

individualis m s imply to ok po s se s s ion o f t h e gu ilds and turn ed ,

the m in t o r efe ctori e s for alde rme n and notabl e addi tions to th e
,

gri evanc es and laugh i ng s tock s o f po s teri ty .

Th e d es p e rate e ff ort o f t h e h u m an i nt ell e ct to u nra v el this

t angl e o f i ndu s tri al anarchy brought mod ern poli t ical e cono m y
int o e xi s t e nc e I t took s hap e in Franc e w h e re t h e confu s ion
.
,

w as thr ic e confound e d and p rov e d its elf a mor e p rac tical

d epartm ent o f p hilosop h y th an t h e me tap h y s ics o f t h e s ch ool

men t h e U t o p ian s ociali s m o f Mor e o r t h e sociology o f Hobb es
, ,
.

I t coul d trac e it s anc e stry t o Ar is t otl e ; b ut ju s t th e n t h e h uman

intell e c t was rathe r tir ed o f Ari s t otl e w h os e econo m ic s bes id es
, , ,

w e re th os e o f slav e h oldi ng r epublic s P olitical econo my soo n

.

d eclar ed fo r indus trial an arc h y ; fo r pri va te prop e rty ; fo r in

div idual r eckl es s n ess o f ev eryth ing e xc ept individual accu mula
t io n o f rich e s ; and f o r t h e abolit i on o f all t h e function s o f t h e
S ta t e e xc ept tho s e o f p u tting d own viol en t co nduct and inva ~

S i on s o f pri v ate prop e rty It might h ave e cho ed Jack C ad e s ’

.

e xcla m ation ,
But th en are we in ord er w h e n we are m ost ou t
,

o f ord e r
”
.

Although this was w h at p oliti cal economy d ecreed i t mu s t ,

not b e i nfe rred that t h e greate r e conom ists w ere any m ore
advocate s o f me re lic en se th an P rinc e K ropotkin o r Mr H e ,
. r

be rt S p e nce r o r Mr B enjamin Tucke r o f Bo s ton o r any oth e r

,
.
,

m ode rn Anarc h i s t T h ey did not adm it that t h e alt e rnativ e to

.

S tate r egulation was anarchy ; th ey h e ld th at N ature h ad p ro

v id e d an all pow e rfu l auto matic r egulator in C o mp e ti tion ; and
-

th at b y i ts Op eration s elf int eres t would e v olv e orde r ou t o f

-

c h ao s if only it w er e allow e d its o wn way T h ey lov ed t o .

b eli ev e th at a r igh t and just social ord er was no t an art ifi

cial and p a infully m a in tained l egal edi fic e b ut a s pon tan eou s
,

outco me o f t h e free play o f t h e forc es o f N ature Th e y .

w e re r eactionari es against fe udal domin eering and med i eval

med dling and e ccl es ia s tical intol eranc e ; and th e y w ere abl e
t o s h e w h o w all t h r ee h ad e nd e d i n di s grac e ful fail u r e co ,
r

ruption and s elf s tu lt ificat ion Indignant at t h e s p ectacl e o f

-
.

t h e p e asant struggling agains t t h e d e nial o f th os e r i ghts o f

 T R A N S I TI O N TO S OC I A L DE M O C R A C Y .

p
I t w as only by adopting a pr e o s t e rou s th e ory o f alu e that v
R icardo w as abl e to m aintain that t h e labor e r , s e lling hi m s elf
for wage s t o t h e propri e tor, would alway s co m m and h is co s t of
production , i e , h is daily s ub s is t e nc e E v en t at sl ende r con s o
. . . h
v
lation ani s h ed late r o n befor e t h e r en ew e d inv es tigation of
v h
alu e m ad e by Jevon s , w o d emon s trate d that t h e alue o f a v
co mm odi ty is a function o f t h e quantity availabl e , and m ay
fall t o ze ro wh en t h e s upply outrun s th e d emand s o far as t o
m ak e t h e final incr e m en t o f t h e s upply u s el e s s 2 A fact w ic . h h
v
t h e une m ploy e d had di s co e r e d , without t h e aid o f t h e di ff e r e n
b
tial calculu s, efore J e von s w as born . P riva t e rop e rty, n p i
fact, l e ft no roo m for ne w co me rs . Malt u s pointe d t is o u t , h h
h h
and urg ed tha t t e r e s ould b e no ne wco m e rs , that t h e p O pu la
tion s hould r e main s tationary . But t h e opulatio n took e xactly p
h
as muc notic e o f thi s m od e s t d em an d fo r s tagnation , as t h e
inco ming tide took o f K ing C anu t e s ankl es . I nde e d t h e d e ’

m and was t h e l es s r e a s onabl e s inc e t h e pow e r o f production p er

i
h e ad w as ncr e a sing fa s te r than t h e population (as it s till is ) ,
i
t h e ncr e a s e o f pov e rty b e ing produc e d s im pl y by t h e in cr ea s e
and private appropriation o f r e nt Afte r R icard o had co m .

ple t e d t h e individuali s t s ynth e s i s of production and e xchange , a

dialec t rical war brok e o u t P roudhon ad onl y to s ki m through
. h
a R icardian tre ati s e t o und ers tan d ju s t e noug o f it to b e abl e h
to s h e w that political e co no my was a r ed u ctio a d a bs u r d u m o f
private prop erty in s te ad o f a ju s tification o f t F e rdi nand i .

h
L a s s all e , wit R icardo in o ne han d and H eg e l in t h e oth e r,
h v
turned all th e e a y guns o f t h e philo s op ers and e conom sts o n h i
private prop e rty with s uc h e ff e ct that no o ne dar e d to chal ,

l e nge h is ch aracteri s tic boa s ts of t h e irres i s tibl e e quip me nt o f

S ocial D em ocracy in poin t o f cultur e K arl Marx wi thout .
,

e v e n giving up t h e R icardian v alu e th e ory s e iz e d o n t h e blu e ,

book s wh ich con t ained t h e tru e hi s tory of t h e l e ap s and bound s of

E ngland s pro s p e rity and convicte d privat e prope rty of whol e
’

s al e s poliation m urd e r and co m pul s or

, y pro s titution ; o f plagu e ,

p e s til e nc e and fa min e battl e m urd e r and s udd en d e ath

, , ,
.

T his was hardly w h at had b e e n e xp e c t e d fro m an in s titution s o

h ighl y s p ok e n o f Many critics s aid that t h e attack was not
.

1 “
Th ory f Politi al E conom y
e o B y W S tanl y J von (L on d on
c . . e e s
M ac m illan C ) S al o Th Alp hab t f E conomic S cienc e
o . ee s e e o .
”

P art b y Philip H Wick t d (S ame p ub li her )

. s ee . s s.
2
S ee pp . 7—9 a nte .
 TR A N S I TI O N . 1 63

fair : no o ne v entured to pre t end th at th e c harges w ere not t ru e .

Th e fac t s w e re not only ad m itte d ; th e y h ad be e n l eg i lat e d

‘

upon S ocial De m ocracy was work ing i ts elf out practically as

.

well as acad m ically B efore I recite t h e s t e p s o f t h e tran s i

e .

tion I will as a matte r O f for m e xplain wha t S ocial D e mo c

, , ,

racy is though doubtl e s s ne arly all my h e are rs a e alre ady

,
r

conv e rs ant with it .

Wha t t h e ach i evemen t o f S ociali sm invol ves econo mi call y ,

i s t h e tra nsfe r o f re n t fro m t h e cla s s whic h now appropriates

i t to t h e whole p eopl e R e nt b eing that part o f t h e produ c e
.

whic h is individually u nearn ed thi s is t h e onl y e qui tabl e

,

me tho d o f di s p o s ing o f i t Th e re is no m e an s o f g e ttin g

.

rid o f e conom ic rent S o long as t h e fe rtility of land v ari e s fro m

.

acre to acre and t h e nu mb e r of p e rson s p a ss ing b y a s hop win

,

dow pe hour var ie s fro m s t re e t to stre e t with t h e r es u lt th at

r ,

t wo far m e r s o t w o S hopk e ep e rs o f e xactly e qual inte llig enc e

r

and indu s try will r eap un e qual re turn s fro m th e ir y e ar s work ’

,

s o long will it b e e quitabl e to tak e fro m t h e rich e r farme r o r

s h opk e e p e r t h e e xc e s s ov e r h is f ellow s gain w h ich h e ow e s t o
’

t h e bounty o f N atur e o t h e advantag e O f s ituatio n and divid e

r ,

that exc ess of ren t e qually b e tw een t h e t w o I f t h e pair o f .

farms o r s h ops b e l eft i n t h e h an d s o f a private landlord h e ,

will tak e t h e e xc ess and in s te ad o f d ividi ng it b e tw e en h is

, ,

two tenant s live o n i t hi mse lf i dl y at th e ir e xp en se T h e

, .

e cono m ic obj e ct of S ociali s m is no t o f co u r s e to e quali s e far

, ,

m e rs and s hopk e e p e r s in coupl e s but to carry o t t h e pri ncipl e

, u

ove r t h e whol e co mmunity by coll ecti ng all r ent s and throw ing
the m into t h e national tre a s ury A s t h e private propri e tor h as
.

no r e a s o n for cli nging to h is p ro p e rty e xc e pt t h e l egal p ow e r

to tak e t h e rent and s p end it on hi mse lf thi s l egal pow e r -

b eing in fact what re all y con s titu te s h im a propri e tor — its

abrog ation would m ean h is e xpropriation T h e s oc iali ation of . s

r en t would m e an t h e s ociali s ation of t h e s ourc es of pro d uction

by th e e xpropriation of t h e pre e nt priva te propri e to rs and t h e
s
,

tran fe r of th e ir prop e rty to t h e e ntire natio n Thi tran s fe r

s . s ,

th e n is t h e ubj e ct m atte r of th e trans ition to S ociali m whic h

, s s ,

be gan s o me fo t y fiv e y e ar s ago as far as any pha s e of s ocial

r -
,

e volution c a n b e s ai d to b egin at all .

I t will b e at onc e s e en that t h e v ali d Obj e ction s t o S ociali s m

con s i s t wholl y o f practical d ifficulti e s O n t h e g rou nd of .

abstract ju s tic e S ociali s m i s not only u nobjectio nabl e b ut

, ,
1 64 TR AN S I TI ON To S OC I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

s acred ly i m p e rativ e I am afraid th at in th e ordin ary m iddle

.

c la s op inion S ociali s m i s flagran tly di s hon e s t but could b e

s ,

e s tablis h ed o ff h an d t o m orrow with t h e h e lp o f a guillotin e if

- -
,

th e re w e re no polic e and th e p e opl e w e r e wicke d e nough I n

,

trut h i t i s as h on es t as it is I n evitabl e ; but all t h e mobs and

,

guillo tin e s in t h e world can no m or e e s tablis h it th an polic e

co ercion can av ert i t T h e fir s t practical difficulty is rai s ed by
.

t h e id e a o f t h e e n tir e p e opl e coll e ctiv e l y owning land capi t al or , ,

an y th ing e l s e H er e is t h e r e n t ari s ing o u t of th e p e opl e s

.
’

indu s try : h er e a e t h e pock e ts o f th e private propri e tors Th e

r .

probl em is t o drop th at r e nt not int o tho s e private pocke ts but , ,

int o t h e p e opl e s pock e t Y es ; but wh e re is t h e p eopl e s

’ ’
.

p ock e t ? Who i s t h e p e opl e ? wha t is th e p e opl e ? To m w e

know and D ick : al s o Harry ; b ut s ol e ly and s e paratel y as
,

i ndividual s : as a trinity th ey h a ve no e xi s tenc e W ho is th e ir .

tru s tee th e ir guardian th e ir m an o f bu s in es s th e ir m anage r

, , , ,

th eir s e cr e tary e v e n th e ir s take h old e r ? T h e S o cialis t is s topp e d

,

dead at t h e thr e s hold o f practical action by thi s diffic ulty un til

h e be th ink s hi ms elf o f t h e S tat e as t h e r e pr e s e n tativ e and
tru s tee o f th e pe opl e N o w if yo u w ill j u s t form a h as ty
.

p ictur e o f t h e gov e rn ments whic h call e d th e m s e lv e s S tate s in

R icardo s d ay con s i s ting o f ric h propri e tors l e gi s lating e ith e r b y
’

d ivin e righ t or by t h e e xclu s iv e s u ff rage o f t h e poor e r p ropri e

tors and filling t h e e x e cutiv es with th e cre atur es o f the ir
,

patronage and favoriti sm ; if you look be n eath th e ir oratorical

parliame ntary di s cu s s ion s conducte d with all t h e S pl e ndor and
,

d ecorum of an e xp en s iv e s h a m figh t ; if you con s ide r t h e ir cla ss

in t eres ts th eir s hamel e ss corruption and th e wa s te and mis
, ,

manag e me nt w hich di s grac ed all th eir b ngh ng atte m pts at u

practical bu s in es s o f any kind you w ill und e rs tand why ,

R icardo cl e arl y as h e s aw t h e e co no m ic con s e qu e nc e s o f

,

pri va t e appropriation o f r e nt n e v er dr e a m t o f S tate appropria ,

tion as a po s s ibl e alternative Th e S ociali s t o f that ti me did .

not gre atly car e : h e was only a be n e vol e nt U t op ian who

plann ed m odel co mmuniti es and occas ionally carri e d th em o u t , ,

wi th n egativ ely in s tructi ve and po s itiv e ly di s a s trou s re sults .

Wh e n h is succ e s s ors l e arn ed e cono m i es fro m R icardo th ey ,

s aw t h e difficulty quite as pla i nly as R icardo s vu lgari s e r s t h e

’

Wh ig doc t ri naire s w h o acc epted t h e inco mpe tenc e and corru p

tion o f S tat es as p e rman e nt inh ere nt S ta te qualiti es like t h e
“

acidity o f l emo ns N o t that t h e S ociali s ts w ere not doctrinaire s

. .
1 66 T R A N S I TI O N To S OC I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

Th e b en efits suc h a change as thi s a e s o obvious to all

of r

e xc e pt t h e e xi s ting priva t e p ropri e tor s and th e ir p ara s ite s t h at

,
it is v e ry n e c e s s ary to in s i s t o n t h e i m po s s ibi lity o f e ff ecting it
s udd enl Th e young S ociali s t is apt t o b e cata s trop hi c in his
y
vi e ws — t o plan t h e re volutionary progra mme as an affair o f
.

twenty four liv ely h ours with I n di viduali s m in full s wing o n

-
,
:

Monday m orning a tidal wav e o f t h e in s urgent p rol e t ariat o n

,

Monday afte rnoon and S ociali s m i n co m pl e te working ord e r o n

,

Tu es day A man who beli e ve s that s uc h a h appy d e s pa tc h is

.

po ss ibl e will naturally think it ab s urd and e v e n i nhu m an to

,

s tick at b lood s h e d in bringing i t about H e can p rov e that t h e

.

continuanc e o f t h e pr e s ent s y s tem for a y e ar co s ts more s uffe ring

than co u ld b e cram me d i n t o any M onday af t e rnoon h ow ev er ,

s an uinary
g T h i s is t h e pha s e o f co nviction in whic h are
.

deliv er e d tho s e S ociali s t S p e e ch e s w h ic h make what t h e ne ws

pap e rs call “ good cop y and whic h a e t h e only on es th e y as
,
r

ye t r e por t S uc h S p ee ch e s are e ncouraged b y t h e h a s ty op po s i

.

tion th ey e vok e fro m th oughtl es s p e rs on s who b egin by tacitly ,

ad m itting that a s udd e n c h ange i s fe a s ibl e and go o n to p rotes t ,

that it would b e wick e d Th e exp e ri e nc e d S ocial D em ocrat

.

conv e rts h is t o o ard e n t follow e r b y firs t ad m itting th at if th e

c h ange coul d b e m ad e cat as t O ph ically it would b e w ell worth
r

making and th e n proc ee ding t o point o u t th at as it would

,

involv e a r eadju s tmen t o f p roductiv e i ndu s try t o mee t t h e

d e man d cre ate d by an en tirely new d i s tribution o f pur chasing
p ow e r i t woul d al s o i nvolv e in t h e appli cation o f labor and
, ,

indus trial m achin e ry alteration s whic h no af te rn oon s work

,
’

coul d e ffe ct You can no t convinc e any man th at it is i mpo ss ibl e

.

t o te ar down a gov e rnm ent i n a d ay ; but e v e r y body is con v inc ed

al e ady tha t you cannot conv e rt firs t and th ird clas s carriage s
r

into s e cond cla s s ; rook eri es and palac es in to co m fortabl e

dwe llings ; and j e well ers and dres smak e rs i nto bak e rs and
build e rs by m e re l y s inging t h e “ Mars e illai s e
, N o judiciou s .
”

p e rs on h owev e r d ee ply p ers uad ed th a t t h e work o f t h e court

,

dre ss mak e r h as no tru e s ocial utility would greatly care t o ,

quarte r h e r idly o n t h e genuin e ly pr oductive work e rs p ending

t h e p r e paration of a plac e for h e r i n th e ir rank s For th ough .

s h e is to all inte nts and purpo s e s quar t e r e d on th e m at pr es e nt ,

y e t s h e at l e a s t e s ca pe s t h e d em orali s ation of idl en e s s Until ‘

h er ne w plac e i s r e ady it is b e t te r tha t h e r patron s s hould find

,

dres s making for h er han d s to do th an th at S atan sho uld find ,

 TR AN S I TI O N . 1 67

mi s c hi e f . ven pri s on e rs init is

Demol i hing a Ba till with
s s e se

o ne t hing d e moli shing o ne with four te en m illion pri s on e rs is

:

qui te a no t h e r I n ee d not e nlarge on t h e point : t h e n ec ess ity

.

for cautiou s and gradual change m u s t b e obvious to e ve ryon e

h ere and could b e made obviou s to e v e ry on e e l s ewh e re if only
,

t h e cata trophi s t s w e r e co u rage ou s ly and s en s ibly d e alt with in

s

di s cu s ion s .

What th e n do es a gradual tran s ition to S ocial D e mocracy

m e an s p e cifically ? I t me an t h e g radual e x te n s ion of t h e
s

franchi s e ; and t h e tran s fe r of rent and inte re s t to t h e S ta te not ,

in o ne lu mp s u m but b y in s tal ment s ,

L ook ed at in this w ay .
,

i t will at onc e b e s ee n that w e are already far on th e road and ,

are b e ing urg ed furth e r b y man y p olitician s who do no t dr e a m

that th e y a e t ouch e d with S ociali sm nay who would e arn es tl y

r ,

re pudiate th e touch as a taint L e t u s s ee how far w e h ave .

g on e I n 1 8 3 2 t h e political po we r pa ss e d into t h e hand s of t h e

.

m iddl e cla s s and in 1 8 3 8 L ord John R u ss ll announc e d finality e .

Me an wh il e in 1 8 3 4 t h e m iddl e cla s s h ad s we pt away th e la s t

, ,

e cono mic r e fuge of t h e work e r s t h e old P oor L aw and d eliv e r e d, ,

the m nake d to t h e furi e s of co mp e tition Te n y e ar s t u r m oil 1

.

and acti v e e migration follo we d ; and th e n t h e th in e nd of t h e

w edge w ent in Th e I nco me Tax was es tabli s h ed ; and t h e
.

Fac t ory Acts we re m ad e e ff ective Th e I nco me Tax .

which is on individuali s t principl es an intol e rabl e s poliativ e

ano maly i s i mply a forcibl e trans fe r o f rent inte r es t and e ven
,
s , ,

r en t of ability fro m private hold e rs to t h e S tate without co m

,

p e ns at io n I t e xcu e d i ts e lf to t h e Whig s on t h e ground th at

. s

tho se who had mo s t prop e rty for t h e S tate to prote ct should

p ay a d a lo e m for its prot e ction
v r Th e Fac t ory Act s s w e pt t h e
.

anarchic th e ory O f t h e irrespon s ibility of private e nte rpri s e out

of practical politic s m ade employ e rs accoun tabl e to th e S tate
for t he well be ing of th e ir employ e es ; and tran sfe rred a furth e r
-

in s tal me nt of profits dire ctly to t h e work e r by rai s ing wage s .

Th e n ca me t h e gold di s cov e ri e s in C alifornia (1 8 47 ) and A u s

t alia
r and t h e p e riod of l e ap s and bound s s uppor te d b y ,

t h e e cono m ic r e nt of E ngland s min e ral f e rtilit

y which kindl ed
’

Mr Glads to n e s r e trogres s iv e ins tincts to a vain hop e of abo lis h

.
’

1
Th e g ene ral i r ion that
mp e s s ld Poor L w h d b co m an in d
the o a a e e e ~

a rr t
f e ns ib le nu 1 s ance 1 s co All att mp t t miti gat I n d ivi d ual
ec o ne . e s o e
hi thr
is m b y p lan t a r laci ng i t b y S ociali m for d oom d
o py in s e d o f ep s are e e
o u ion
t o c nf s .
1 68 TR AN S I TI ON To S O C I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

h
ing th e Inco me Tax . T es e e e nts r eli e e d th e pr e s s ur e s e t u v v p
by th e N ew P oor L aw Th e work ers ra idly organ z ed t em. p i h
v h
s e l es in T rad e s Union s , w ich w e r e d e nounc e d th e n for t e ir
'

h
t e nd e ncy t o s ap t h e m anly nd e p e nd enc e w i c i
ad forme rl y h h h
i
charac t er z ed t h e Briti s h workm an , and whic are t o -day h e ld
1
h
h
up t o h im as t h e s elf e lpful p e rfe ction o f that m anly ind epen
-

. i
d enc e Howbe t, s elf h elp flouri s h ed , es p ecially at Manches te r and
-

S h effi e ld ; S tate elp was h v

ote d grandm oth erly wages w ent
up ; and th e Union s , lik e th e fly o n th e w eel , t ought that t ey h h h
h h
ad rais ed t em T h e y wer e m i s take n ; but t h e valu e of Trade
.

Union is m in awak ening t h e s ocial con s ci enc e o f t h e skill ed

i h
workers was mmen s e, t ough to t i s t e re w as a h eavy s et O E h h -

in its tend ency t o d es troy th e ir arti s tic con s ci e nc e b y m aking

h
t em aware that it was th e ir duty t o o ne anoth e r to dis courage
rapid and efficie nt workm an s hip b y ev ery me an s in th e r pow er i .

An e xte n s ion o f th e franchi s e , w ich w as re ally an instal ment h

of D
e mocracy , and no t , lik e t h e 1 8 3 2 R e form Bill , only an

v
ad anc e toward s it, w as gain e d in 1 8 67 ; and i mmediately afte r
ward s came anoth e r in s tal m ent o f S ocialism in t h e shap e o f a
fur t h e r tran sfe r o f r ent and inte res t fro m pri ate holde rs to t h e v
S tat e for t h e purpo s e of e ducati ng t h e p e opl e In th e meanti me , .

t h e e xtraordinary s ucc e s s of t h e po s t- offic e , w ich , accord ing to h

h
t h e te ac i ng of t h e Manch e s t e r s c ool , s hould h
a e b ee n a ne s t h v
o f inco m p e t e nc e and jobb e ry , h
ad not onl y s e wn t h e p e rf ect h
e ffici e ncy o f S ta t e e nte rpri s e wh e n t h e Official s are m ad e re s o n
p
s ibl e t o t h e cla s s inte r es t e d in it s s ucc e s s , but had al s o pro e d v
t h e e nor m ou s conv e ni e nc e and ch eapn ess o f s ocial is tic o r col
h
lec t iv is t c arg e s ov e r tho s e o f pri at e en t e rpri s e v
For e xampl e , .

h
t h e P o s t ma s te r G e n e ral c arg e s a p e nny for s e nding a l e tt e r
h
w e ig ing an ounc e fro m Ken s ington to Bay s wate r P r ate en . iv
t e rpris e would s e nd half a pound t h e s am e di s tanc e for a farth
ing , and mak e a hand s o me profit on it But t h e P o s tma s te r .

G e n e ral al s o s end s an ounc e l e tte r fro m L and ’s E nd to John

0
’
Groat’s Hou se for a p e n ny P r ate e nterpri s e woul d rob . iv p
b h
a l y d e mand at l ea s t a s illing , if not fiv e , for s uch a s ervic e
h
and t e r e are m an y plac es in w ich private e nte rpri s e co uld not h
o n any t e r m s m ain tain a po s t-o ffice T h e r e for e a citiz e n with .

t e n l e tte r s to po s t s av e s con s id e rably by t h e uniform s ociali s tic

h
c arge , and quite r e cogni s es t h e n ec es s ity for rigidl y protecting
t h e P ost m a s t e r s m onopoly
’
.

1
S ee F i nal R ep ort of o a
R y l C mm o i sion
s on T rad e nion
U s, 1 869 .

V o l 1, p
. . xvii , s ec . 46 .
1 70 TR A N S I TI ON To S OC I A L DE M O C R AC Y .

How ev er ,
n s uing y ear s sifte d and s ob e red us “ Th e S o
th e e .

c ialis t s
,
”
as th ey w er e call e d h ave fall e n in t o line as a S ocial
,

D em ocratic p arty no m or e i n s ur r e ctionary in it s pol i cy than

,

any oth e r party But I s h all not p r es ent t h e remainde r o f t h e

.

tran s ition to S ocial D e mocracy as t h e work of f ully con s ciou s

S oc ial D e m ocrats I pr e fe r to ignore th e m altog e th e r — t o
.

su
p p o s e if y o u w i ll that t h e Gov e rn me n t will s hortl y follow t h e
, ,

advic e o f t h e S at d ay R eview and for t h e sak e o f p e ac e and

ur , ,

quie tn e s s h ang th em
,
.

Fir s t th e n as to t h e con s um mation of D emocracy S inc e

, ,
.

1 88 5 e v e ry m an who pay s four s h illing s a w ee k r e nt can only

'

b e h ind e r e d fro m voting by ano m alou co ndition s o f r e gi s tration s

wh ic h are like ly to b e s w e pt away v e ry s hortl y Th is is all but .

ma nhood s u ff rag e ; and it will s oon co m pl e t e i ts elf as adul t

s uffrag e . How ev e r I m ay l e av e adult s uffrage out of t h e qu es
,

tion b ecau se t h e outlawry of wo men m on s trous as it is is no t

, , ,

a qu es tion of cla s s privil ege but of s e x privil ege To co m pl e te

, .

t h e foun d ation of t h e d e m ocratic S tat e th e n w e n e e d m anho o d , ,

s u ff rag e ,
abolition of all pove rty d is qu alificat io ns abolition o f ,

t h e Hou s e o f L ord public payme nt of candidature e xp e n ses

s, ,

public pay ment of r e pres entatives and annual el ection s T h es e ,

.

changes are now in e vitabl e howe v e r unacc ep tabl e th ey may ,

app ear to tho s e o f u s who are C on servativ es T h ey h av e be en .

for h alf a c e ntury t h e co mmonplac es o f R adical ism W e h av e .

n e xt to con s id e r that t h e S tate is not merely an ab s traction : it

is a machin e to do c e rtain work ; and if th at work b e incr e a s ed
and alte re d in its characte r t h e m ach in e ry mu s t b e multipli e d
,

and al te r ed t o o N o w t h e e xt en s ion of t h e franc h i se do es in

.
,
c

crea s e and alte r t h e work v ery con s id e rably but it h as no dire ct

e ff e ct o n t h e m ac h in e r y At pres ent t h e S tate m achin e h as
.

practically broke n down und er t h e s train o f s pre adi ng d emoc

racy t h e work b eing mainly local and t h e m achin e ry ma inly
, ,

c e ntral With out effici ent local m ach in e ry t h e replacing o f

.

priva te e n t erp ri se by S tate e n te rpri s e is o u t o f th e qu es ti on and

w e s h all pr e s e ntly s e e th at s uch r e plac em e nt is o ne o f t h e m
e vi t abl e con s e qu e nc e s o f D e m ocrac A d e mo cratic S tate can
y .

not beco me a S o cial D e mo cratic S ta te unl e s s i t h as in e ve ry

-

c e ntre o f population a local gov e rning body as thoroughl y

d emocrat i c in its con stitution as t h e c entral P arliam ent Thi s .

matte r is al s o w ell in train In 1 888 a Gov e rn m e nt avo wedly

.

re ac ti onary p a s s ed a L ocal G ove rn ment B i ll wh ic h eff e c ted a

 TR AN S I TI ON . 1 71

di s tin ct ad v anc e toward s t h e d emocratic m unicipality I t was ‘

.

furth e rmor e a B ill with no s ingl e a sp e ct of finali t y anywh e re

about it L ocal S e lf Go vernmen t remains p o minent wit h in th e
.
-
r

s ph e r e o f practical politic s Wh e n it i achi ev ed t h e d emocratic

. s ,

S ta t e will hav e t h e machin e ry for S ociali s m .

And no w h o w is t he raw mat e rial of S ociali sm — oth e rwi s e

,

t h e P rol e t arian m an t o b e brough t to t h e D e m ocratic S ta t e

mac hine ry ? H e r e again t h e path is e a il y fo u nd P oli tician s s .

wh o h av e no s u s picion that th ey are S ociali s ts a e adv ocating , r

furth e r ins tal ments of S oc iali s m with a reckl ess n es s of indirect

res u l ts which scandaliz es t h e con sciou s S ocial D emocrat Th e .

p h e no menon of econo mic r ent h as a s u med p rodigious propor s

tion s i n our great citi es Th e inju s tic e of it s pri v ate appropria

.

tion is glaring flagrant al mo s t ridiculou s I n t h e long s uburban

, ,
.

road s about L ondon wh e re rows o f e xactly s i milar h ous es

,

s tr e t c h for m i le s c o u n t y ward s t h e r e n t chang e s at e v e ry fe w

r ,

th ou sand yard s b y e xactly th e a mount s ave d o r i ncurr ed

annually in travelling to and fro m t h e h ou se hold er s plac e o f ’

bus ines s Th e s eeke r afte r lodgin gs h es itating b e tween Bloo ms

.
,

bury and Totten ha m find s e v ery advantage o f s ituation sk immed

,

o ff by t h e landlord with s ci e ntific pr e ci ion A s l e a s e afte r l eas e s .

falls i n hou s es S hop s goodwill s o f bus in ess e s w h ic h are t h e

, , ,

frui ts of t h e labor o f life ti me s fall into t h e maw o f th e ground ,

landlord C onfi s cation of capi tal S poliati on o f h ou s eh olds

.
, ,

anni h ilation of inc e nti v e e v ery thi ng that t h e mo s t ignorant and

,

cr edulou s fundh old e r e ve r c h arged again s t t h e S ocial i s t rages ,

op e nl y in L ondon w h ich b egin s to ask its elf wh e th e r it e xi s ts

,

and toils only for t h e typical duk e and his c el ebrated jock ey
and his fa mous rac eh ors e L ord Hobhou se and his un imp eac h .

ably re s p ectabl e co mmittee for t h e taxation of ground valu es

are alr e ad y in t h e fi e ld clai m ing t h e v alu e of t h e s i t e o f L ondon
for L ondon coll ective ly ; and th e ir agitation r e c ei ve s additional
m o m entu m fro m e v e ry l ea se that fa lls in Th e ir ca s e is u n .

a s s ailabl e ; and th e e vil th ey at tack is o ne that pr es s es on th e

ra tepay ing and l ea seh olding cla s s es as w ell as upon h umbl er
s uffe r e r s T hi e cono mic pr e s s ur e is r e inforc e d formi d ably by
. s

political Op inion in t h e workm en s a s sociation s H ere t h e ’

.

hi am Gov rnm nt b ginning t r ali wh at it h a nint n

1 T s s e e e ,
e o e se s u e
o o ial D m racy i alr ad y (1 889) d oin g wh at it can
t io nally d ne f o r S c e oc ,
s e
rn r ounty C o n il
t o e d e t h e ne w C i li t i ally i mp ot nt b y rg ntly u c s s oc a s c e u e
r mind ing th m f t h r tri tion wh ich hamp r th ir action
e e o e es c s e e .
1 72 TR AN S I TI ON To S OC I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

m od erate memb er s are con t e nt t o d ema nd a progr e s s iv e Inco me

Tax , w hich is virtually L ord H ob h o u se ’ s propo s al ; and th e
e xtr e m i s ts are all for L an d N ationali s ation , w h ich is aga in

L ord Ho b h o u s e s princ ip l e Th e cry f or suc h taxation can not

’
.

p erman ently b e r es i s ted A nd it is v ery worth y o f remark th at

.

th e re is a new no te in t h e cry Forme rly tax es w e re propo s ed .

with a sp ecific Obj ect — as to pay for a war for e ducation o r , ,

t h e like . N o w t h e p rO p os al is to tax t h e landlord s in o rd e r to

ge t s o m e o f o u m on e y back fro m th em
r take it fro m th e m
firs t and find a u s e for it af t erward s E ve r s inc e Mr He nry . .

Geo rge s book r e ac h e d t h e E nglis h R adical s th ere h as b een a

’

growing di spo s ition to i mpo s e a tax o f tw e nty s hillings in t h e

pound o n ob v ious ly un earn e d incom es ; th at is to du mp four ,

hundr e d and fifty million s 1 a y e ar down o n t h e E xch e qu e r

coun te r ; and th en r e tir e with thr ee c h eers for t he r estoration
o f t h e land to t h e p e opl e .

Th e r e s ults o f s uch a p roc eeding if it actually ca me o ff , ,

would con s id e rably tak e its advoca tes aback Th e s tree ts .

would pre se ntly b e fill ed with s tarvi ng work ers o f all grad es ,

do m es tic s e rvant s coac h build e rs d ecorators j e w ell ers lace

,
-
, , ,

mak e r s fa s h i onabl e profes s io nal men and nu mb e rl es s o th e r s

, ,

who s e liv elihood is at prese nt gain e d by m ini s t e ri ng to t h e

wan t s o f th e s e and o f t h e propri e tary clas s “ Thi s th ey .
,

would cry “ is wh at y our th e ori e s hav e brought u s t o l Back

,

with t h e goo d old ti me s wh en w e r e c e iv ed our wages w h ich

, ,

w er e at l e a s t b e tter than nothing E vi d entl y t h e C hanc e llor

.
”

o f t h e E xch e qu e r would ha v e thr ee cour s e s Op e n t o h im

(1 ) .

H e would giv e t h e m on ey back a g ain to t h e landlord s and

capitali s ts with an apology (2) H e could attem pt to s tart .

S ta t e indus tri es with it for t h e e m ploym ent of t h e p e opl e (3 ) .

O r h e could s i m pl y di s tribut e it a m ong t h e un em ploy ed Th e .

la s t is not to b e though t of a nything is b e tte r than p a nem et

:

i ens es
c rc .T h e s e cond (s tarting S tate indu s tri e s ) would b e far
t o o va s t an und e rtaking to g e t on foot s oon e nough to m ee t
t h e urge nt difficul ty T h e fir s t (t h e r e turn with an apology )
.

would b e a ed u tio a d a bsu d u m of t h e whol e afiair — a con

r c r

fe s s io n th at t h e private propri e tor for all h is idl en es s and ,

h is v oracity is ind e ed p e rfor m ing an indi s p e n s abl e e cono m ic

,

function t h e function of capitali s ing how e v e r wa s tefully ,

1 Th authority f o thi fig ur will b foun d in F ab ian Tra t N

e r s e 5
e c ,
o. ,

F act f o S ociali t
s r s s.
”
1 74 TR AN S I TI ON To S OC I A L DE M O C R AC Y .

mass es th ems el ve s are b ei ng co nv erted s o rap idly to that View

o f t h e sit u ati on th at w e h a v e P an Anglican S y nods b e wild e r e d
,
-
,

by a revival o f C h ri s tiani ty pl e ading that though S ociali s m is ,

e m ine ntly C hr ist i an y e t t h e C hurch m ust ac t s af e ly as w ell

“
,

as s ubl imely 1
Du ring t h e agitation m ade by t h e u n em ploy e d
.

la s t winte r (1 887 t h e C hi e f C o mm i s s ion e r o f P olic e in

L ondon star t e d at h i s o o wn s h ado w and mis took Mr Jo hn ,
.

Burn s f or th e Fr enc h R e volution t o t h e gre at d e ligh t o f tha t ,

g enial and courage o u s champion Of h is cla s s Th e e xi s tenc e .

2

o f t h e pr ess ur e is f u rth e r s h e wn by t h e nu m be r and v ari e ty o f

safe ty v alv e s propo s e d t o r eli ev e it — m on e tization o f s il ver ,

imp or t duti es “ l e as ehold s e nfranchi s e ment e xte n s ion o f jo int

,
”
,

s tock C api t alis m m a s qu e rad ing a s c o O p e ration and oth e r - 8

,

irre l e vanci e s My o wn s udd e n pro motio n fro m t h e str e e t corn e r

.

t o thi s platfor m is in it s way a S ign o f t h e ti me s But w h ils t .

w e a re pointin
g t h e moral and adorning th e tal e according t o
o u r v ariou s Op i nion s an actual struggl e i s b eginning b e tw e e n ,

t h e un e mploy e d who d emand work and t h e local aut h oriti e s

appo inted t o d e al with th e poor I n t h e winter t h e un employ ed .
,

coll e ct round red flags and li s te n to s p eech es for want o f any ,

thi ng el s e to do T he y w elco m e S ociali sm in s urr e ction is m

.
, ,

cur rency craz e — an y thing that pa ss es t h e ti me and s eem s to

e xpr e s s t h e fact th at t h e y a e h ungry T h e local authoriti es r .
,

e qually innoc e nt o f s tu di e d e cono m ic vi e w s d e ny t h at th e r e is ,

any m i s e ry ; s e n d l ead e rs o f d eputation s to th e L ocal G overn

ment Board who pro mptly s end th e m b ack to t h e guardian s ;
,

try b u llying ; try s to neyards ; try bludge oning ; and finally s it

down h e lpl ess ly and wi s h i t w e r e s u mm e r again o r t h e nu
e m ploy e d a t t h e botto m of t h e s e a M eanwhil e t h e charity fund .
,

whic h is muc h l es s e la s tic than t h e wages fund ov e rflow s at ,

t h e Man s ion Hou se onl y t o run dry at t h e p e r m an e nt ins t it u n

ti o ns S o un s tabl e a s tate o f thi ngs cannot las t Th e

. .

1 Proc d in g f t h Pan An g lican S y no d L amb th 1 888

ee s o e R p ort
-
: e . e
,

o f Co m m itt n S o ia il
ee o m c s .

F inally t h C o m m i ion r w
2
, e p r d d ; nd M ss B urn w e as su e se e a r. s as

°
l ct d a m mb r f t h fir t L ond n C ounty C ounci l b y a larg m
e e e e e o e s o e a

J it y
or .

3It i d t th
s l d r f t h C O p rativ m ov m nt t y h r
ue o e ea e s o e o- e e e e o sa e e
that th y n p ar t i
e ar e t th ub ti t uti n f divi d nd huntin g b y
o es o e s s o o e

p tty cap itali t f

e th p r it
s s f t h i d al f R b rt O w n t h
or e u su o e e o o e e ,
e
S ocial i t f oun d r
s f C o p rati n
e ; n d that th y
o f ll y aw ar t h at
o- e o a e ar e u e

C op ration m u t b a p liti l
o- e w ll
s a m m r ial mov m nt if
e o ca as e as co e c e e

it i t achi ev a final s oluti on o f t h e lab or q

s o e tion u es .
 TR AN S I TI ON . 1 75

bludgeoni ng , and th e s h ocking clamor for blood h ed fro m s th e

anti popular n e ws pa pe rs will cr e a te a revul s ion a mo ng th e
-
,

h uman e s ecti on of t h e middle cla s s Th e s ection whic h is .

blinded b y cla s s prejudic e to all s ens e of s ocial res pon s ibili ty ,

dr eads p e rsonal viol e nc e fro m t h e work ing clas s with a s upe r

s t it io u s t e rror that d e fi e s enlighte n me n t or control Mu nicipal
1
.

e mploy me nt mu s t b e O ff e r e d a t la s t Th i s cannot b e don e in .

o ne plac e alon e th e ru s h fro m oth e r p arts o f t h e country would

:

swa mp an i solate d e xp eri ment Wh e re ve r t h e pre s sure is t h e .

,

reli ef mus t b e giv e n on t h e spot A nd sinc e public d ec ency as .

,

w ell as con s id e ration for i ts high e r o fficial s will prev ent t he ,

C oun ty C oun cil fro m in s titu ting a working day o f s ix t e e n

h o u r s at a wage of a p enny an h our o l ess it will s oon r ,

hav e on its h ands no t only th e une mploy ed but al s o th e w h i te ,

s lav e s o f t h e s w eat e r w h o will e s cap e fro m th e ir d e ns and a

, p
p eal to th e mun icipality for work th e m o ment th ey be co me
awar e th at mu nicipal e mployment is b e tte r th an priva te s w e at
ing . N ay t h e s w e ate r hi ms elf a me r e slav e driv e r paid “ b y
, ,

th e pi ec e will in many in s tanc es b e as anxiou s as his victims

”
,

t o e scap e fro m his hid e ou s trad e But t h e municipal organi s a .

tion o f t h e indu s try o f th e s e p eopl e will re quire capi tal Wh ere .

is t h e municipality t o ge t it ? R ai s i ng t h e ra tes is o u t o f th e
qu estion : t h e ordinary trad es me n and h ous eh old ers are alr eady
rate d and r ente d to t h e li mi t o f enduranc e furth e r burde n s :

wo ld al mo s t bring th em i nto th e str e e t with a red flag

u .

D re adful d ile mma l in whic h t h e C ounty C ounc il b e tw een t h e ,

d evil and th e d ee p s ea will h e ar L ord Hobhou se s ingi ng a s o ng

,

o f d e liv e ranc e t e llin g a gold e n tal e o f ground value s t o b e

,

mun icipali s e d b y taxation Th e land nationalis e r s will s w ell

.

th e choru s : t h e R a di cal progr ess iv e inco me tax e r s s i nging

toge th e r and t h e rat epay ing te nants shouting fo r jo y Th e
,
.

capital d iflicu lty thu s s olved — for w e n eed no t s eriou s ly antici

pat e that t h e landlord s w ill actually fight as O ur P r es id e nt ,
2

onc e thr e ate n ed — t h e qu e s tion of acqui ring lan d will ari s e Th e .

nationalis e rs will d e clar e for its ann e xation b y t h e m unicipality

without co mp e n sation ; but th at will b e r ej ec te d as s p oliatio n ,

wort hy o nly of r evoluti onary S oc ialis ts Th e no co mp en s ation .

-

1 Ampl m at rial f a tu dy f W t E nd m b anic m ay be fo n d u

in t h L on d on n w p ap r f F b r ary 1 886 nd Ig mb
e e or s o es o
e e s e s o e u a ove er, 1 88 7 .

L or d B ra m w ll Pr i d nt f t h e E cono mi S ction f B riti h

, ,
2
e , es e o c e o t he s
As ociation in 1 888
s .
1 76 TR A N S I TI ON To S O C I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

cry ind ed a pi c e o f n p ractical cata trop h ic in urrecti on i m ;

is e e u s s s

fo w hil t co m p en ation would b e unn c

r s sary and ab urd if e es s s

ev ry propri e tor w ere e x p ro p riat d si multan e ou ly and t h e

e e s ,

propri e t ary y tem at onc e r eplac ed by full blown S oc i alis m

s s
,

y t w h e n it is n c e ary to proc ee d by d gr e t h e d nial o f

e e ss e e s, e

co mp e nsation would hav e t h e e ffect o f s i ngling o u t individual

propri e tors for e xpropriation whil s t t h e oth ers r ema in ed nu m o
l e s ted and d epriving th em of th e ir private mea ns long b efore
,

the re was s uitabl e m unicipal e mploym ent re ady for th em Th e .

land as i t is re quire d will th e re fore b e h ones tly p urcha se d

, ,

and t h e purc h a s e m on ey o r t h e interes t th er e on will b e pro

, ,

cure d l i ke th e capital by taxing r en t O f cours e thi s will b e

, ,
.

at botto m an act o f e xpropr iation ju s t as much as t h e coll ection

o f I nco me T ax to d ay is an act o f e x p ropriation A s s uc h it .
,

will b e d e nounc ed b y t h e landlords as me rely a co mm itting o f

t h e n e w e s t s in t h e old es t kind o f way I n e ff e ct th ey will b e .
,

co mp ell e d at e ac h purc h a se to buy o u t o ne o f th e ir body and

pres e nt h is land to t h e municipality th e reby dis tributing t h e ,

lo ss fa i rly ov e r the ir w h ol e cla s s in s t e ad o f placi ng i t o n o ne ,

man who is no m or e r es pon s ibl e th an t h e r e s t But th ey will .

b e co mp e ll ed t o d o th i s in a mann e r that will s ati s fy t h e m oral

s e n s e o f t h e o r d inary c i tiz e n as e ff e cti v e ly as t h at o f t h e s kill ed

e cono mi s t .

W e no w for e s ee o u r municipality e quipp e d with land and

capital for indu s trial purpo s e s At fir s t they will natur ally .

e xt e n d t h e i ndu s tri es th e y alr e ad

y carry o n road m aking gas , ,

works tramway s bu ilding and t h e lik e I t is probabl e that

, , ,
.

th ey will fo r t h e m o s t part r egard th e ir action as a me re d evic e

to mee t a p a s s ing e me rge ncy Th e Manch es te r S chool will .

urg e i ts P rot e c tioni s t th e ori e s as t o t h e e x emption of privat e

e n te rpri s e fro m t h e co m p e titio n o f public e nt e rpri se in o ne ,

s u pr e m e e ff ort to practi s e for t h e la s t ti m e on popular ignoranc e

o f t h e sci e nc e w h ic h it h as con s i s t e ntly s triv e n to d e ba s e and

s tultify For a whil e t h e p ropri e tary party will succ eed in

.

h amp e ring and r es tricting municipal e nterpri s e ; i n attac h ing 1

t h e s tig m a o f paup e ri s m t o it s s e rvic e ; in k e eping t h e lot o f it s

labor e rs as n e arly as po s s ibl e down to p rivate co m pe tition l e v el
i n point o f h ard work and low wages B u t it s pow e r will b e .

brok e n b y t h e di s app earanc e o f that g e n e ral ne c es s ity for

keeping down th e rates whic h now h ard e ns local auth or i ty t o
1 S e not
p 1 71 e e, . .
17 8 TR AN S I TI ON 1
TO S OC I A L DE M O C R AC Y .

co mmodi t ies Just as t h e s w eate r is worth hi s p rofit so th ey

,

.
,

are wort h th e i r p rofit ; and just as t h e sw e a t e r w ill b e abl e t o

e xact fro m th e m h is o ld r em un e rat i on in S pi te o f t h e advanc e

in wag e s s o th ey w ill be abl e t o e xact th eir o ld r emun e ration

,

i n s pite o f t h e advanc e in sw eate rs t e rms But fro m wh om i t ’

.
,

will b e asked if no t fro m th e public by ra is ing t h e pric e o f t h e

'

ware s ? E v id en tly fro m t h e landlord u pon w h o se land th ey

are organi s ing production I n oth e r word s th ey wi ll d em and
.
,

and obtain a reduction o f re nt T hu s t h e organi s e r o f indu s .

try t h e e mploy e r pure and s i mp l e t h e ent ep eneu as h e is

, , r r r,

ofte n call ed in e cono mic tre atis es nowaday s will no t s u ffe r , .

I n t h e divi s ion o f t h e p roduct his s h ar e will r em ain con s tant ;

wh il s t t h e indu s triou s wage work er s s har e will b e i ncr e a s e d
-
’
.

and t h e idl e propri etor s s har e di min i she d This will not adjust
’
.

it s elf wi th out friction and cla m or ; b ut s uc h friction is co n

s t an t l
y going o n und e r t h e p r e s e nt sy s t e m in t h e O ppo s it e di e c r

tion i e by th e rai sing of t h e p ro p ri e tor s s hare at th e ex p en se

,
. .
,
’

o f t h e work e r s
’
.

T h e contraction o f landlord s i nco me s w i ll ne c es s arily d i m in

’

is h t h e r e v e nu e fro m taxation o n such i nco m es L e t u s su p .

pos e th at t h e m unicipality to m aintain it s r e v en u e pu ts o n an

, ,

additional p e nny in t h e pound Th e e ffe ct will b e t o burn t h e .

landlord s candl e at both e nd s — obviou s ly not a p roc es s th at

’

can b e continu e d to i nfinity But long b efore taxation fail s as

.

a s ourc e o f municipal capital t h e m un icipali ti e s will ha ve ,

b eg u n to sav e capital o u t of t h e product o f th e ir o wn indu s

tri es I n t h e m ark e t t h e co mp e tition o f tho s e industri es with
.

t h e private conc e rn s will b e irr es i s tibl e Un s ad dle d with a .

s ingl e idl e p e r s on and h aving th e r e for e nothing t o provid e

, , ,

fo r afte r paying th e ir e m ploy e es e xc ept e xte n s ion o f capital ,

th e y w ill b e abl e to O ff e r wages th at no bu s in e ss burd e n e d with

t h e unprod ucti v e con s u m ption o f an idl e landlord o r s h areh o l
d e r could a ff ord unl e s s it yi e l d e d a h e avy r ent i n con s e qu enc e
,

o f s o me m ark ed ad v a n tage o f si t e But e v e n re nts wh en .

,

th ey are t own r ents are at th e m ercy o f a municipali ty in t h e

,

long run The ma s te r s o f th e s tr e e ts and t h e t afiic can nur s e

. r

o ne s it e and n e gl e ct anoth e r T h e r e nt o f a s h op d ep e nd s o n
.

t h e nu mb e r o f p e r s on s pa s s ing it s window s p er hour A skil .

fully ti m ed s e ri es O f e xp eri m e nts i n pavi ng a new b ridge a , ,

tra m way s e rvic e a barrack s o r a s m all pox ho s pital are only a

, ,
-

f e w o f t h e c ircums tanc e s of w hi c h c i ty r e n t s are t h e cr eatures

 T R A N S I TI ON . 1 79

Th e pow e r of th e municipality to control th es e c i rcu mstanc e s

is as obviou s as t h e i mpo tenc e o f co mp e ting pri vate individual s .

Again co mp e ting private individual s are co mp ell ed to s ell

,

th e ir p roduc e at a pr ic e e quival en t to t he full co s t o f production

at t h e marg in of cultivation T h e municipality could co m
.
1

p e te again s t th e m by reduc ing pric es to t h e av e rag e co s t of

prod u ction ov e r t h e whol e are a o f m unicipal cultivation Th e .

m or e favorably s ituat e d private conc e rns could only m e e t th i s

b y c e a s ing t o p ay r ent ; t h e l es s favorably s itua t e d would s u c
c u mb wi thout r e m e d I t wo ld b e e ith e r s tal emate o r c h e ck
y . u

mat e . P rivat e prop e rty would e ith e r b e co m e barr en o r it ,

wo u ld yi e ld to th e actual cultivator o f ave rage ability no b e tte r

an inco me than could b e obtain e d mor e s e cur el y in m unicipal
e mplo m e nt T o t h e me r e propri e tor it would yi eld nothi ng
y . .

E ve ntually t h e land and indu s try O f t h e whol e town would

pa ss b y t he s pontan e ou s action of e cono mic forc es into t h e
han ds of t h e m unicipality ; and s o far t h e probl em o f s ocial
, ,

is ing indus try would b e s olv ed .

P rivate prop e rty by ch e ap e ning t h e labor e r to t h e utm o s t in

,

ord e r to ge t t h e gre a te r s u rplu s out of h im lower s t h e margin

,

of hu man c u lti v ation and s o rai s es t h e “ rent o f ability Th e

,
”
.

m o s t i mportant for m o f that r e n t is t h e profit o f in d u s trial

manage me nt Th e gain s of a gr e at portrait pa in te r o r fa s hion
.

abl e phy s ician are much l es s ignificant s inc e th ese d ep end

s ,

e ntire ly on t h e e xi s t e nc e o f a v e ry ric h cla s s o f patrons sub

jc e t t o acute vanity and h ypochondria s i s But t h e indu s trial

.

organi se r is ind ep end e nt of patron s : in s te ad o f me r ely at

tracti ng a large r s hare of t h e prod uct of indu s try to hi m elf h e s ,

incr e as es t h e product by h is manag ement Th e m arke t pric e .

of s uch ability d epe nd s upon t h e r e lation of th e s upply to t h e

d e mand t h e more th ere is of it th e ch e ap e r it is t h e l es s
: : ,

t h e d e ar e r A ny caus e that incr e a s e s t h e s u ppl y low e r s t h e

.

pric e N o w it is evid e nt that s inc e a manag er m u s t b e a m an

.

of education and addr es s it is u sel es s to look ordi naril y t o t h e

,

laboring cla s s for a s upply of m anag erial skill N o t o ne labore r.

in a million s ucc eed s in rai sing hi ms elf on t h e should e rs of h is

fello ws by e xtraordin ary gif ts or e xtraordinary luck o r both
, ,
.

T h e m anage r s m us t b e drawn fro m t h e cla s s e s w h ich e njo y

ed ucation and s oc i al cultur e ; and th e ir p ric e rapidly as it is ,

1 Th meaning o f th e e terms will b e f amiliar t o rea d r

e s f t h fir t
e s o e s
e ay
ss .
 1 80 TR AN S I TI ON To S OC I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

falling with t h e S pre ad o f edu catio n and t h e co ns e qu en t gro wt h

of th e
“ i
ntell e ctual prol e tariat ” is s till high I t is tru e that a , .

v e ry abl e and h ighly train e d manage r can no w b e obtain e d for-

about £8 0 0 a y e ar provid e d h is po s t do es no t co mp el him to

,

s p e nd two third s of h is inco m e o n what is call e d “ ke e pi ng U

-

p
h is po s ition in s t e ad of o n h is o w n g at ificat io n S till wh e n
” 1
, r .
,

it is con s id er e d that labor e rs r ec e iv e l es s than £5 0 a y ear and ,

tha t t h e d emand for labor ers is n e c es s arily va s t in proportion

t o t h e d em and for abl e m anag e r s nay that t h e r e is an inv e r s e , ,

ratio b e tw e e n th em s inc e t h e m anag er s tal e nt is v aluabl e in

,
’

proportion to quantity of labor h e can organi s e it will b e ad ,

m it ted that £8 0 0 a y e ar r epr e s e nts an i m me n s e r e n t of ability .

But if t h e e ducation and culture w h ich a e a practically indi r s

p e n sabl e part o f t h e e quip m ent of co mp e ti t ors for s uch po s ts

w e re e njoy e d b y million s in s tead of thou s a nd s that re nt would ,

fall con s id e rably N o w t h e t e nde nc y of private prop e rty is to

.

k ee p t h e ma ss es m e r e b eas ts o f burde n T h e te nd ency o f .

S ocial D em ocracy is to e ducat e th e m t o m ak e m e n o f th e m , .

S o cial D e m ocrac y would not long b e s addle d wit h t h e r ents of

abili ty which hav e during t h e la s t c entury m ad e our born cap
tain s o f i ndu s try o u m a s te rs and tyran ts in s t ead o f our s e r
r

vants and l e ad ers I t is ev e n conc e ivabl e that r e nt o f mana

.

g erial ability migh t in cour s e o f ti m e b e co me n e gativ e

2
,

a s t oni sh ing as that m ay s ee m to t h e m any p e rs on s who are b y

thi s t ime s o hopel e s sly confu s ed a m id e xi s ting ano m ali es that ,

t h e propo s ition th a t “ who s o e v e r o f you will b e t h e chi e fe s t ,

s h all b e s e rvant o f all s trik e s th e m rath e r as a Utopian para

”
,

d o x th an as t h e m o s t o b viou s and in e vitabl e of s ocial arrang e

men ts Th e fall in t h e r ent of ability will howe ve r b en efit
.
, ,

not o nly t h e municipality but al s o it s r e maining priva t e co m ,

pe t ito rs N e v e rth e l e s s as t h e pr e s tig e of t h e m unicipality

.
,

grows and as m en s ee m or e and m or e cl e arl y w h at th e future

,

is t o it abl e organi s e r s will tak e low e r s alari e s for m unicipal

,

th an for private e m plo y men t w hil s t th o s e who can b eat e v en

t h e m unicipal ity at organi s i ng o r w h o as prof es s ional m e n , , ,

can d e al p e rs onally with t h e public with out t h e inte rvent ion o f

1 S not p 1 6
ee e, . .

2
T hat i th m ana g r woul d r c iv l
s, e f h i w ork t h an t h
e e e e es s or s e
art i an C a in whi h t h p rofit f t h mp loy r
s . s es c m all r than
e s o e e e ar e s e

the w ag f th
es om p loy e by n e m an unco mm n in c rtain
ee are o e s o e

g ra d f in d us try wh r mall trad r hav occa ion t mp loy k i ll d

es o e e s e s e s o e s e
workmen .
1 82 TR AN S I TI O N To S OC I A L DE M O C R AC Y .

in wh ich und e r pre t e xt of e xploration and coloni s ation t h e flag

, ,

follow s t h e filibu s te r and trade follows t h e flag with t he m is ,

s io n a y bring ing up t h e r e ar m u s t collap s e wh e n t h e control o f

r ,

o u r m ilitar y forc e s pa s ses fro m t h e ca p itali s t cla s s t o t h e pe opl e ;

that t h e di sapp e aranc e of a varie ty o f cla ss e s with a v ari e t y o f
w h at are now ri di culou s ly call e d “ public Opinion s will b e ”

acco mpani ed by t h e w e lding o f s oci e ty into o ne cla s s with a

public Opinion of inconc e iv abl e w e ight ; that thi s publi c O pinion
will m ak e it for t h e firs t ti me po ss ibl e e ff e ctive ly t o control t h e
population ; that t h e e cono mi c ind ep e nd enc e o f wo m en and t h e ,

s upplantin g of t h e h e ad o f t h e h ou s e h old by t h e individual as

t h e r e cogniz e d u n it of t h e S t ate will m at e rially alte r t h e s t atu s

,

o f chil d r e n and t h e utility o f t h e in s titution o f t h e fa m ily ; and

th at t h e in e vitabl e re con s titution o f t h e S ta t e C h urch o n a d em ~

O c rat ic ba s i s m ay for e xa m pl e O p e n u p t h e po s s ibility Of th e

, ,

e l e ction of an avow e d Fr e e think e r l i k e Mr John Morl ey o r .

Mr B radlau gh to t h e d e an e ry of Wes tm in s te r A l l thes e thi ngs

. .

are m ention e d onl y for t h e s ak e o f a gli m p s e o f t h e f e rtil e fi e ld s

o f thought and action w hi ch await u s w h e n t h e s e ttl e m e nt o f our

bre ad and butte r qu es tion l e av es u s free t o u s e and dev elop o u r

high er faculti es .

Thi s th e n is t h e hu m drum progra mm e o f t h e practical S ocial

, ,

D emocrat tod ay T h e re is not o ne ne w ite m in it All a e

. . r

application s o f p rincipl e s alr e ady ad mit te d and e xte n s ion s o f ,

practic es already in full activity All h av e o n th em th at s tamp

.

o f t h e v e s try whi c h is S O cong e nial t o t h e Britis h mind N on e .

o f th e m co mp e l t h e u s e o f th e word s S ociali s m o r Re volution

at no po i nt do th e y involv e guillotin ing declari ng t h e R ights of ,

Man s w e aring o n t h e altar of th e country o r anyth ing el se that

, ,

i s s uppo s ed to b e e s s entially nu E ngli sh And th ey are all s ure

-
.

t o co m e — land m ark s o n our cour s e alre ady vi s ibl e t o far sigh te d -

politician s e v e n o f t h e party which dre ad s th em .

L e t m e in conclus ion di s avow all ad m i ration for t h i s i n e v i

, ,

tabl e b u t sordid s low reluctan t cowardly path to ju s tic e I

, , , , .

v e nture t o clai m your res p e ct for tho s e e nthu s ia s ts who still

refu se t o b e li ev e th at m illion s o f th e ir fellow cre atures mu s t b e
l eft t o sw e at and s u ff e r in h op el e ss to il and d egradation whil s t ,

p arlia men ts and v es tri es grudgingly m uddl e and grop e toward s

paltry i n s tal me nts o f be tte rm ent Th e righ t is s o cl ear t h e
.
,

wrong s o in t ol e rabl e t h e go s p el s o conv incing that it s eems to

, ,

th em that i t mu s t b e p o s s ibl e t o enl is t th e w h ol e b od y o f worker s

 TR AN S I TI O N . 1 83

s old i ers pol i cemen and all und e r t h e banner of b roth erh ood
, ,

and e quality ; and at o ne great s troke to s e t Jus tic e o n h er right

ful thron e Unfortunately s uc h an army o f ligh t i s no mor e
. ,

t o b e gath ered fro m t h e h uman p roduct o f nine t e e nth c entury

civilis ation than grap es are to b e gath ered fro m th i s tl es B u t .

if we fe el glad o f that impos s ibility if we feel r eli eved th at t h e

c h ange 18 t o b e s lo w e nough t o av e rt p e rs onal ri s k to ours elves
if we feel an y thing l e ss th an acute disappointment and bitte r
humiliation at t h e d i s cov e ry th at th ere is ye t b e twee n u s and
t h e pro mi se d lan d a wild e rn e s s in whic h many mu s t p e ri h s

m i s erably o f wan t and d e s pair : th e n I s ub m i t t o y o u th at o u r

in s titution s h ave corrupte d us t o t h e mo s t da s tardly d egree o f

s elfi s hn ess Th e S ocialists n eed not b e a shamed o f beginning
.

as th ey d id by pro po s ing mili t an t organi s ation o f t h e working

clas se s and ge n e ral ins urrection Th e proposal prov ed imp ac
. r

t icab le ; and i t h as now b e e n abandon e d — not without s o m e

outs pok e n re gre t s b y E ngli s h S ociali s ts But it still r emain s
.

as t h e only finally po s s ibl e alt e rnativ e t o t h e S oc i al D emocrat i c

p rogramme whi c h I h ave ske tc hed to d ay - .

 THE O U TL O O K .

B Y HU BE RT B L AN D .

M R. W E B B S hi s tor i cal r e vi e w b rough t u s fro m th e “ bre ak

’

up o f t h e Old s ynth es i s (h is o wn phr a se) a s ocial sy s t em

”
,

found e d o n a b a s i s o f r eligion a comm on b elief in a divin e ord e r

, ,

to t h e p oint wh e re p erpl e x e d politician s r e cogni s i ng t h e futility

,

o f t h e principl e o f I ndividuali s m to k e e p t h e indu s trial m achin e

in working ord e r with “ free do m o f contract upon th eir lip s

,
”

s p e nt th e ir night s in pa ss i ng Factory Ac ts and d e vot e d th e ir ,

fi s cal i ngenu i ty to cutting s lic e afte r s lic e o ff incom e s d e riv ed

fro m r e nt and i nte re s t H is pap e r was an inductiv e d em o ns tra
.

tion o f t h e fail u re o f anarchy to me e t t h e n e ed s o f r e al concr e te

men and wo m e n a proof fro m hi s tory that t h e world m o ves
fro m s y s tem thro u gh di s ord e r b ack again to s y s tem
, ,
.

M r C lark e s how e d u s al s o by t h e h i s toric m e th od th at g iv e n

.
, ,

a f e w m or e y e ars o f e cono m ic p rogre s s o n prese nt lin e s and w e ,

S hall r e ac h , ia t h e R ing an d t h e T ru s t th at p e riod o f “ w ell

v

d efin ed co nfron tation o f t h e ric h and poor upon which G er man

thought h as s e ttl ed as t h e bri e f stage o f s ociological e volution
i mmediate ly pre c eding organic c h ange .

Th e truth o f thi s po s tulate o f T e u t onic p h ilo s op h e r s and

e cono m i s t s no o ne who h as giv e n t o it a m o ment s s e riou s ’

tho ght is lik el y to call in qu es tion N o r do es anyone w h o h as

u .

follow e d t h e argu m ent d ev e lop ed i n th e s e l e ctur es b eli ev e th at

t h e transition fro m m itigat e d i ndividu ali s m to full coll e ctivity
can b e mad e until t h e capitali s t s y s t em h as work e d i tself o u t to
it s la s t logical e xpr ess ion T ill th e n no political o r s ocial u p
.
,

h eav al how e v e r viol ent n ay e v e n though t h e “ p h y s ical forc e

‘

, , ,

re volutio ni s ts sh o u ld c h a s e t h e Guard s h elt e r sk elte r down -

P arlia me nt S tr ee t and t h e E x e cutiv e C o mmitt ee o f t h e Fabian

S oci e ty h o ld its m ee ting s i n t h e C ouncil C ha mb e r o f Wind s or
’

C a s tl e will b e anyth ing mor e th an o ne o f t h o s e transi en t rio ts

”
, ,
1 86 TR A N S I TI O N TO S OC I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

was th e cry of t h e r evoluti on i s t s to P arliament Th e law .

m ak e rs no t knowing qui t e what th e y w e r e doing r es pond e d

, , ,

and th e n b ly t hely contrac t e d d ebts and vo ted m on e y for co m ,

m er cial wars S uc h a s ig h t will n e v e r b e s ee n again

. Th e .

re p e a te d e xten s ion of t h e su fi age h as don e m or e t h an m ake

r

t h e i ndu s trial m a s s e s articulat e it h as giv e n th em con s c i ous

-
~
,

n e s s and for t h e future th e e c h o o f t h e v oic es o f th o s e wh o

s uff e r fro m e cono m i c chang es w ill b e h e ard clam or ing for r e li e f

within t h e walls o f S t S tep h e n s and th e urban guildhall s

.
’
.

T h u s t h e co m ing s truggl e b e tw ee n “ h a v e s and “ ha v e ”

nots will b e a conflict o f parties e ac h pe rfe ctly con s cious o f

‘

what i t i s fighting about and fully alive t o t h e l if e and d e at h

importanc e o f t h e i ss u es at s tak e .

I s ay will b e for o ne h as o nly t o r ead a fe w s p ee c h es o f

political l e ad e r s o r att end a di s cu ss ion at a work m an s club t o ’

b e convinc ed t h at at pr es en t i t is only t h e k ee n e r and m or e

al ert m inds o n e i th e r s ide whi c h are more t h an s emi con s c io u s -

o f t h e tru e natur e o f t h e ca m paign o f w hi ch t h e fir s t s h ots m ay

e v e n now b e h e ard at e v e ry b y e e l e ction - .

But as nothing mak es o ne s o e ntirely aware of on e s o wn ’

e xi s t e nc e as a s h ar p s pa s m of pain s o it is t o t h e s uff e ring

t h e hung e r t h e d e spair o f t o morrow s dinn e r t h e anxie ty abou t

’
-
, ,

t h e n e xt new p a i r o f trou s e rs — wrought by t h e incr e a s ing

e cono m ic pr e ss ur e upon t h e e nfranc hi s e d and ed ucate d p ro

le ta riat that w e mu s t look to awak e n th at fr e e s e lf con s c i ou s -

nes s w h ic h will give t h e e cono m ic c h ange s p olit i cal e xpr e s s ion

and e nabl e t h e worke r t o mak e practical u s e o f th e po l i tical
w e apons w hic h are h is .

Th e outlook t h e n fro m t h e p o int o f vi e w o f th is p ap e r is a

p oliti cal o ne —o ne in whi c h we s h oul d e xp e ct to s e e th e world
p olit i cal grad ua lly b eco m ing a r e fl e x o f t h e world e conom ic .

T hat political should b e slow in co m ing in to lin e w i th e co

no mic fact s is only i n acco rdanc e with all that t h e p ast hi s tory
o f o u r country h as t o t eac h u s F o r y e ars and d e cad es t h e
.

squi rearc h y r e t ain ed an i nfluenc e in t h e Hou s e o f C ommon s

o u t o f all pro p ortion t o it s p o t e ncy as an e cono m ic forc e and

e v e n at thi s m o m e nt t h e
“
lan d ed inte r e st bears a muc h larger
”

p art in law m aking t h an th at t o whic h i ts r e al i m portanc e

‘
-

e ntitl e s i t . T h er e for e w e must b e n e i t h e r surpr i s ed no r dis

pirit ed if i n a cold blood e d e n vi sageme nt o f t h e con di t ion o f
-
,

E nglis h p art i e s t h e tru th i s born e in u p on us that th e pa ce of

,
 THE O UTL O O K . 1 87

p olit ical p rogre s no p rop e r re lation to t h e rate a t whi ch

s h as
w e a e trav e lling toward s S oc ialis m in t h e S ph e r es o f th ough t
r

and indus try .

T h is fact is probably — nay alm o s t c e rta i nly — v e ry muc h

m or e pat e n t to t h e S ocial is t and t h e political stud ent than to
t h e man in t h e str ee t o r e v e n to him o f t h e fir st clas s railway
,

carriage Th e noi s y jubilation o f th e Radical p res s ov e r th e

.

vic tory of a Ho me R uler at a by e el e ction at a bri e f and vagu e ,

r efe renc e to th e “ h o mes o f t h e p e opl e in a two h ours s p eech ’

fro m a L ibe ral l e ad e r o r at t h e ins e rtion o f a “ s ocial plank

,

in a ne w annual programm e is w ell and cl ev e rly calcula t e d to ,

b e guil e t h e ardent D e mocrat and s trik e cold te rror to th e he art ,

o f t h e ti m orous T ory But a p erfe ctly imparti al a naly s i s o f

.

t h e pr es e nt s tate o f parti e s will convinc e t h e m o s t s a ng uin e

that t h e bre ath of th e gre at e cono mic changes d e alt with I n Mr .

C lark e s pap e r h as as y e t scarc ely ru filed t h e s u rfac e of t h e

’ ‘

Hou e o f C o mm o ns
s .

Wh e n t h e s yllabu s of th i s cours e o f l e ctures was drawn up ,

tho se wh o we re r e s pon s ibl e for it s ugge s te d as t h e firs t su b

h ead ing of thi s pap e r t h e w ell worn ph ra se Th e dis app earanc e
, ,

o f t h e Whig
”
It is a h appy e xpress ion and o ne from t h e
.
,

con t e mplation o f wh ic h much co mf ort may b e d e rive d by an

Opti m is tic and unanalytical te mp e rament P r inte d are at th i s .

di s advantage co mpared with s poken word s th e y fail to conv ey ,

t h e nic e r nu a nc s of me aning be s tow e d by ton e and e mpha s i s ;

e

a nd thus t h e word dis app e aranc e m ee ts t h e eye carrying

“ ”
,

wi th i t no s ligh tes t s ugg es tion o f i rony Y e t t h e phra se is .

pointl es s if not meant s u rcars t ic for s o far is t h e W h ig fro m

,

d i s app e aring that h e is t h e gre ate s t political fact o f t h e day

, .

T o p e rs on s d e afen e d by t h e daily d e m ocratic s h outing o f th e

R adical n e w s pap e r s th i s a s s e rtion m ay r e qu ir e s o me c o nfi m a r

tion and s upport L e t u s look at t h e fac ts th en Th e firs t

. .

thing w hi c h s trikes u s i n conn exion with t h e pres ent P arliament

is that i t no longe r con s is ts of two di s tinct parti e s i e o f t wo ,
. .
,

bod i es o f men diffe rentia ted fr o m e ach oth e r by t h e h old ing of

f nd amentally d iff e rent princ ipl e s Ho me R ule l e ft o u t th er e
1
u .
,

1Th diff r n
e f p rinci p l h r
e e ce mor ap par nt than r al
o Th
e e e IS e e e . e
G l ad t
s oni n r p u d iat
a s ny de ir f p aration
e nd a ffirm th ir n
a es e o r se , a e 1

t nt ion f maintai nin g t h ab olut v to f t h i mp rial Parliam nt ;

e o e s e e o e e e
whil t h Unio ni t a o w th ir lti mat int ntion f g ivi ng t I r lan d
e e s s v e u e e o o e
th e s am p o w r f lf gov rnment n w nj oy d t b nj oy d b y
e e s o se -
e o e e ,
or o e e e
E n glan d nd S cotlan da .
 TR AN S I TI ON TO S OC I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

r em ain s no r e as on w h a te ve r e xc ep t t h e quite minor qu estion ,

o f D i s e s tabli s h me n t why e v e n t h e s i mul acru m o f party organi

,

s ation s hould b e m aintain e d o r why t h e s tructural arrang e

,

m e nt s o f t h e H ou s e of C o m m on s s hould no t b e s o alt e r e d as t o
r es embl e tho s e o f a town hall in which all t h e s eats fac e t h e ,

chair .

But fifty y e ars ago t h e floor o f t h e Hou s e was a fronti e r o f

g enuin e S ignificanc e and th e titl e s “ Whig and Tory w e r e ”

word s y m bol s o f r e al i nward and s piritual facts Th e T ory

-
.

party w as m o s tly m ad e up o f men who w e re consci entiou s l y

op p o s ed to popular r e pre s entation and prepar e d to s tand o r fall ,

by th e ir O ppo s ition T h ey h eld as a living political cr ee d that

.
, ,

t h e gov e rn me nt o f m e n w as t h e e t e rn al h e ritag e o f t h e rich and ,

e s p e ciall
y of tho s e who s e rich e s s p e lt r e nt Th e Whig s on t h e .
,

oth e r hand b e li ev e d or s aid th e y b eli e ve d in t h e ap h ori s m

, , ,

V o a: p op u li e x D ei
,
v and t h e y o n t h e whol e con s i s te ntl y , ,

ad vocated m e a s ures d es ign e d to giv e th at v oic e a di s tinct e r and

loud e r ut te ranc e H ere th en w as o ne o f tho s e fundamental
.
, ,

differ enc e s in t h e ab s enc e of which p arty no menclature is a

s ha m . But th e r e w as anoth e r I n t h e fir s t half of this c e n t ury
.

t h e T ori e s hid e bound in hi s toric tradition s and d e af to t h e kn ell

,

o f t h e old e ime tolling in t h e t h ud thud of t h e pi s ton rod s of

’

g r , ,

t h e ne w s t e a m e ngin es clung path e ticall y t o t h e o ld i d e a o f t h e

,

function s of th e S tate and t o te rritorial rights Th e Whigs .

w e nt for la isse f a i e and t h e con se qu ent s uprem acy of t h e bu s i

r r

nes s m an .I am m aking a p e rfe ctly provabl e propo s ition w h e n

I s ay that all t h e politic al di s putes which aro se b e tw een t h e 1

R evolution of 1 688 and t h e e nfranchi s em en t o f t h e £ 1 0 h ou s e

holde r b y D i s ra eli had th e ir co mm on cau s e in o ne o f th e se two
root di ff e r e nc e s But th e battl e h as long ago b een lo s t and
.

wo n . Th e Whig s h av e tr i u m p h e d all alo ng t h e lin e Th e .

T ori es hav e not only b e en b eat e n th e y hav e b e e n absorb e d A ,

.

proc es s h as gon e on lik e that d e s crib ed by Macaulay as follow

ing on t h e N or m an i n va s io n w h en m en graduall y c e a s e d to call
’ ’

th ems el ve s S axon and N orman and proudl y boa s ted of be ing

E ngli s h . T h e diffe r e nc e in t h e ca s e b efor e u s is that w h il e t h e
T ori e s h a v e acc e pte d t h e w h ol e of t h e Wh ig p r i nci p l e s t h ey s till

1Th e battl f es or C atholic E manci p ation nd t h r moval f t h e a e e o

li iou i ab iliti
re g s d s es we r f ought n tarian rath r than n p oliti a l
e o s ec e o c

gr n
ou d s.
1 90 ~
T R A N S I TI O N To SO C I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

sort o f u ncons cio u s o r s emi con s c i ou s recogniti on of the f act

,
-

t h at t h e wo rd S ta t e ha s taken t o i ts e lf ne w and d iver se co n

no tation s that th e S tate id e a h as c h ang e d it s conte n t
, Wha t .

e v e r S ta t e control ma
y h av e m e ant fifty y e ar s ago it n ev e r
me an t h o s tility t o p ri v a te pro pe rty as such N o w for u s and .
, ,

for as far ah ea d as w e can s e e it m e ans tha t and little el s e S o , .

long as t h e S ta te inte rfe re d with t h e privat e prop e rty and p o w f

e rs o f o n e s e t o f propri e t or s wit h a v i e w only t o i ncr e a s ing

tho s e o f anoth e r t h e e xi s t e nc e o f p arti es for and again s t s uc h
,

i nte rfe re nc e was a nec ess ity o f t h e ca se A duty o n for eign .

corn m e ant th e k eeping up o f inco mes drawn fro m r ent : its 1

abolition m e ant a ri s e o f m anufacturers profits “

Free ’
.

T rad e sw ell e d t h e pur s e s o f th e ne w bo rg o is ie th e Factory u e

Ac t s d e pl e te d th e m and gav e a s w ee t r ev enge t o t h e re nt

,

dock ed s quir e B u t o f thi s m anipulation of t h e l egislativ e

.

m ac hi n e for p ropri e tor s pur po s es w e are at o r at l ea st in s ight

’
,

o f t h e e nd
, T h e S tat e h as gro wn bi gge r by an i mm e ns e aggre
.

g at io n o f un i ts w h o w e r e onc e to all inte nts and purpo s e s s ep

,

arat e fro m i t ; and no w it s action gen erall y point s no t to a

r e adju s tmen t o f pr iv a te prop e rty and privil eg es as be tw ee n
cla s s and cla s s b ut to th e ir co m pl e te dis a pp earanc e S o th en
, .

t h e i n s tinct wh i c h i s w e lding t og e th e r t h e pro p e rtied po li ticia ns

i s truly s elf pre s er v ative -
.

But i t m ay b e a s k e d by t h e be w ild e red R ad i cal by th e

, ,

tr em ulou s C on s ervative by t h e opti mistic S ocialis t if t h e , ,

p olitical l ead ers a e really oppo se d t o S ta t e augmen tation h ow

r ,

co mes it th at e v e ry ne w mea s ur e of re form introduc e d into th e

Hou s e o f C o mm on s is m or e or l es s color e d with S ociali sm and ,

tha t no popular S p e ake r will v entu re t o addre s s a public mee t

ing without m aking s o m e r efe re nc e of a s ociali s tic s ort t o t h e
social probl em ? Why for in s tanc e do es that e xtr eme l y w e ll , ,

oil ed and accurate ly poi se d political w eath ercock S ir Wil liam ,

Harcourt pointing t o th e dawn crow o u t th at we a e all S o

, ,
r

c ialis t s now

T o th es e qu es tions ( and I h av e not i nv ent ed t h em) I an s w e r

i n t h e firs t plac e b ecau s e t h e Op po s ition of t h e political l ead ers
is i n s tinctiv e and onl y as y e t s emi con s ciou s e v e n in t h e
, , ,
-
,

m o s t hyp ocritical ; in t he s e cond plac e t h at a good d eal O f t h e ,

1 Th i i p rhap n t hi tori ally q it tru

s s e s b t t h lan d lor d b
o ,
s c ,
u e e u e s e

liev e d that th ir wn p ro p rity d p nd d up on t h

e o x lu ion f f gn
s e e e e e e c s o o rel
co rn nd that i
,
a ffici nt f t h p rp o
s su f my arg m nt
e or e u se o u e .
 THE O UTL OO K . 1 91

leg is lative S oc i al is m ap p ears more in wo rd s than in d eed s ; in

t h e thi rd plac e that t h e fa m ous flouri s h o f S ir W illia m Har
court was a rh e torical fal s ehood ; and fou rthly b e caus e f o rtu , ,

na t el y for t h e p rogr ess o f ma nkind s e lf pr e s erv ati v e ins tincts

,
-

are no t p eculiar to t h e prop e rti e d clas s es .

For it is largely i ns tinctive and wh olly s e lf p res erv ative ,

th is change in t he po s ition of th e working pe opl e t owards t h e

S ta te t h i s cha ng e b y which fro m f e aring it as an actual
, ,

e n e my th e y hav e co m e t o look to it as a p ot e ntial s avior

,
I .

kno w that th is a s se rtion will b e viol entl y d eni ed by m any of

my S ociali s t bre thren T h e fly on t h e wh e el no t unnaturally
.
, ,

f ee l s wounded at be ing told th at h e is af te r all no t t h e motiv e

, ,

pow e r ; and t h e ign ife ro u s ora t ors o f t he S ociali s t p arty a e r

welco me so far as I am conc e rned to all t h e co mfort th ey can

, ,

ge t fro m i magining that th e y and no t any gr eat blind ; ev o l

, ,
u

t io na y forc e s a e
r the
r dyn a mic of t h e s oc ial r evolution .

B e s id e s t h e me tap h or of th e fl y r e ally do es no t run on all

,

four (I forge t for t h e mo ment how m any l egs a fly h as ) fo r

s , ,

t h e S o ciali s t do es at l ea s t know in w h at dir e ction t h e car is

go ing e ven though h e is not t h e driving forc e Y e t it s e ems
, .

t o m e t h e part b e ing and to b e play e d by t h e S ociali s t i s no t

, , ,

abl e e nough in all con s ci enc e ; for i t is h e w h o is tu rn ing

in s ti nct in t o self con s ciou s r ea s on ; voicing a dumb dem and ;
-

and gi ving intellige nt d ir ection to a th ought wave o f te rrific

po te ncy .

Th e r e is a true cl eavag e b e ing s lowly d riv en th rough t h e

bod y politic ; but t h e wedge is s till b e n e ath t h e s ur fac e Th e .

s ign s of its working s are t o b e found in t h e r e actionar

y me as
ure s of p s e udo r eform ad v ocated b y many p ro m in ent politi
e iaus in t he really S ociali s t p roposal s o f s o me o f t h e obs cure r
m en ; in t h e growing di s t a s te o f th e pol i tical club man for a
purel y political pabulum ; and in th e r e c epti ve attitud e o f a
c e rtain portion of t h e cultivated m id dl e cla ss towards t h e o u t
pourings of th e Fabian S oci e ty .

T h i s consciou s r e cogni tion o f t h e m e aning o f m od e rn t en

d e ncies this d efin ing of t h e ne w lin e o f cl e avage w h ile i t is
, ,

th e w e ll S pring of mo s t o f t h e S ociali s t h op es is no l ess t h e

-
,

sourc e o f s o me live ly fe ar At p resen t it is o nly t h e acute r

.

and m or e far s ee ing of t h e m ind s amongst t h e prop erti ed

cla ss es w h o are at all alive t o t h e r eal natur e o f th e attack .

O ne h as but to liste n to t h e c h atte r of t h e a v e rag e L ibe ral can ~

1 92 TR AN S I TI ON To S OC I A L DE M OC R A C Y .

h
didat e , to not e ow hop e l es s ly blin d t h e m an is to th e fact th at
p
t h e e xi s t e nc e of private pro e rty in t h e m e an s o f productio n,
forms any factor at all in t h e s ocial probl e m ; and what is
tru e of t h e rank and file is tru e only in a l ess d eg ree o f t h e
,

chi efs th ems e lv es I gnoranc e o f e cono mic s and inability t o

.

s hak e th e ir min ds fr ee o f e ighte e nth c e n tur y olitical p il p h

o s ophy , at pr es ent h inders t h e l e ade rs o f t h e “ party o f
1

progre s s from taking u p a d e fini te p o s ition e ith er for o r

”

agains t th e advanc e o f t h e ne w id e a s Th e numb e r o f E ng .

lis h s tate s me n wh o l ik e P rinc e Bi s m arck s ee in S ocial is m a

, , ,

s w e lli ng tid e who s e oc e a nic r us h m u s t b e b rok e n by ti m e ly

l egi slative br eakwate rs is s till only to b e e xpre s s e d by a m inus
,

quantity But th i s political m y opia is not d es tin e d to e ndur e

. .

E v e ry additional v o t e ca s t for avow e d S ociali s t candida te s

at mu n icipal and oth e r e l ection s will h elp t o bring ho me t o ,

t h e m inds o f t h e L ib e ral s that t h e s ection of t h e n ew ,

d em ocracy whic h regard s t h e ballot m ere ly as a war e ngin e -

with whic h to attack capi t ali sm is a grow ing o ne At las t ,

.

o u r L ibe ral wi ll b e fac e to fac e wit h a logical but irri t ating

choic e E ith er t o throw ov e r priva t e capital o to frankly

. r

ackn owl ed ge that i t is a di s tinction with out a d iffer e nc e which

s e para t e s h im fro m t h e C on s e rvat i v e s again s t w h o m h e h as ,

f o r y e ars b e e n ful m in ating .

At firs t s ight it look s as th ough this political m om ent in t h e

his tory o f t h e L ib e ral party would b e o ne e m inently au s picious
for th e S ocialis t cau s e But alth ough I h av e a liv ely faith in
.

t h e v ic t ory o f logic i n t h e long ru n I h av e an e qually v ivid ,

knowl edg e that t o a s s ure t h e trium p h t h e ru n mu s t b e a v ery

long o ne ; and abov e all I h av e a profound r esp ect for t h e s tay
ing pow e rs o f politician s and th e ir ability to play a waiting
,

ga me I t is o ne th ing to O ff e r a sta t e sman t h e c h oic e o f o ne o f

.

two logical cours e s : i t is ano t h e r t o p re v e nt h is s eeing a third ,

and an illogical o ne and going for it S uch pr ev e ntion i n t h e

,
.

pre s en t ca s e will b e s o di ffic ul t as t o b e w ell nigh i mpo s s ibl e ;

for t h e L iberal h and s till h ol ds a str ong s ui t t h e cards politi
cal.

I t is quit e c ertain th at th e s ocial programme o f o u r party

wi ll b e co m e a gr e at fact long b e fore all t h e purely p olitical pro
1 Of . Th p ch e s f M
ee John M orl y n t h i ght ho r
es o r. p l e o e e u s
’
rO o sa

and the taxation f ground r nt Al o t h e rec nt writing f

o e s. B rad s e s o
augh
l , p as s im.
1 94 TR AN S I TI ON TO S OC I A L DE M O C R AC Y .

I
“
h a ve sai d above tha t t h e trend f thing to S ocial is m i s be st O s

s h wn by t h e c hange d attitude O f men t oward S ta te int f renc e

e s er e

and control ; and this i tru e S till i t m u t no t b e forgot t en t hat

s . s

alth ough S ociali m inv ol ve S tate control S tat e control do es not

s s

i mply S ocial i m —at l east in any mode rn meaning O f t h e te rm

,

s .

I t i no t s muc h t o t h e t hing t h e S ta t e d o e as t o t h e e nd for

s o s,

whic h i t do it t ha t we must look be fore we can d ec i de wh th r

es e e

it i a S ociali t S ta te no t S oc iali m i s th e co mmon h olding

s s or . s

O f t h e me an O f productio n and e xc h ang e and th h ld ing f t h m

s , e o o e

for t he q l b n fit e f a ll In vi e w O f t h e ton e now b ing

ua e e o . e

ado p t d by o me O f
e I cannot t o o strongly insi t u p n t h e
s us
1
s o

i mpor t anc O f th i di tinction for t h e lo ing ight Of i t by fri nd

e s s s s e s,

and its in t ntional ob curation by e n em i con t i tut a big and

e s es , s e

i mm di a t dang r TO bring forward ixp enn y t l gram as an

e e e . s e e s

in t anc e O f S ta t e S o ciali m m ay b e a v e ry go d m thod O f oor

s s o e s

ing a point ff an in d ivid ual i t O p p on e nt i n a d ba t be fore a

O s e e

middle cla audi nc ; but fro m t h e tandpoint O f t h e prol tariat

-
ss e e s e

a pi c Of S tat e m anagem nt w hi ch par t h e p ock e t only O f

e e e s es s

the co mme rcial and l e i s ured cla s se s is no m ore S ociali sm th an

w e re t h e d o its d e S eigneu r O f t h e m i ddle ages Y e t thi s is t h e
r .

s ort O f s h a m S ociali s m whic h i t is as c e r t a in as d e at h will b e

dol e d o u t by t h e popular party in t h e h op e that m e r e S tate

action will b e mistak en for r e all y S ociali s t l egi slation A n d .

t h e O bj e ct O f t h ese giv e r s o f Gr eek g ifts will m o s t i nfallib l y b e

att a in e d if th o se S ociali s ts w h o know w h at t h e y want h es itate
(fro m f ear Of lo s ing popular i ty o r fro m any m or e a m iabl e w e ak ,

n es s) t o cla mor th e ir loudes t again s t any and e v e ry propos al

who s e ad o p ti on w oul d p rolong t h e l ife O f p r iva te cap ital a singl e
h our .

But l e aving s ham S ociali s m alto g eth e r o u t O f account t h ere ,

ar e oth e r plan ks in t h e L ib e ral and Radical programm e

“ ”

w h ic h would m ak e stubborn barri ers i n t h e pat hs Of t h e

d es tro y ers O f p ri v ate capital S ho uld for in s tanc e C h urc h .
, ,

di ses tabli sh ment co me upon us whil e t h e p e s onnel O f t h e r

Hous e o f C o mm on s is at all lik e what i t is at p res en t fe w ,

things are m or e c e rtain than th at a good d e al o f w h at is no w

e s s e ntially coll e ctiv e prop e rty will p a s s into private h and s ;

th at t h e nu mb e r Of indi viduals i n teres t ed i n upholding own er

1 O n Of t h mo t in d fatigab l nd prolifi m mb r f t h S o iali t
e e s e e a c e e s o e c s

p arty in a w i d ly ir ulat d tract h

,
e a t al ly ad d d t h xi t n
c c e ,
as c u u ce e e s e ce

o f h wka li n e rs an i n tan Of t
’
ce h Pro gr
s es as f S oc iali m
s ce e es s O s
 TH E O UTL OO K . 1 95

s h ip will be i ncr a d ; and that

e se the Onl y f el ing g at ifi d
e s r e

will b e t h e acqui s itiven es s of th es e p ers o ns and th e e nvy O f

L ittl e B e th e l .

Again t h e ge n eral s tate O f min d O f th e R adical o n t h e land

,

qu es tion is h ardly s uc h as to m ak e a S ociali s t hilarious I t is .

tru e your p o res s ive will ch e e r He nry George and is sy m

r g
b ,

path e tically inclined to nationali s a t ion (its e lf a “ bl es s ed word

but h e is not at all s ure that nationali s ation fre e land and , ,

p ea s an t p ropri e tor hip are not three na mes for o ne and th e

s ,

s a m e propo s al And s o far as t h e e ffe ctiv e memb e rs Of t h e

.
,

L ibe ral party are conc e rn e d th e r e is no qu e s tion a t all that t h e,

s e cond and t h ir d O f th e s e s olution s find muc h more favor

“ ”

th an t h e firs t In fact in t his m at te r O f t h e land t h e me thod

.
, ,

Of d ealin g with wh ic h is O f t h e very prop aed eutic s O f S ociali s m ,

t h e R adical who go e s for “ fre e s al e or for p ea sant own er sh ip ,

is a l e s s pote n t r evolutionary forc e than t h e T ory hi ms elf ; for

thi s latte r only s eeks to m ain tain in lan d t h e s ta te Of things
whic h t h e R ing and Tru s t m ak e r is working to bring ab ou t in
c a it al — and on t h e part w hi c h he is playing in e co no mi c
l
p
e volution w e are all agr e e d .

Fro m s uc h dange rs as th es e t h e progres s O f D emocracy is b y ,

i t se lf powe rl es s to s ave u s for although alway s and e v eryw h er e

,

D e m ocracy h old s S ocia li s m in it s wo mb t h e birth m ay b e ,

ind efinitely d elay e d by s tupidi ty on o ne s ide and acu te n e ss o n

t h e oth e r .

I h av e gon e at s ome l ength into an analy s i s of t h e pos s ib l e

artificial hindranc es to S ociali s m be cau s e owing t o t h e a mi a , ,

b ilit y and politen e s s s hown u s by t h e R a di cal l e ft wing d u ring

t h e la s t tw e lv e m onth s ; to t h e s ucc e s s es which R adical v o t e s
have give n to s o m e O f o u r candidates at S choo l Board and oth e r
el e ction s ; and t o t h e fri e ndly patronag e b e s t ow e d upon u s by

c ertain advanc ed jou n al s s o m e Of our brightes t and oth e r r , ,

wi se m o s t cl ear s igh te d s pirits have b egu n to ba s e h ig h h o pe s

-
,

upo n what th e y call “ t h e p erme ation Of t h e L ibe ral p arty .

Th es e Of o r bro th e r s hav e a way O f te llin g u s that t h e tran s i

u

tion to S ociali sm will b e s o gradual as to b e i mp erc eptibl e and ,

t hat t h e r e will n ev e r co me a day wh e n w e s h all b e abl e t o s ay

1 orth noting that tho organ f t h p r w hi h

I t is w d ot d
se s o e ess c are ev e
mo r p arti ularly t t h lan d d int r t hav b n t h fi t t hint at
e c o e e e es e ee e rs o
the p rob b l d irab ility f d alin g w ith g at ind t i l m nop li
a e es O by
e re us r a o o es
me an f l gi lation
s o e s .
1 96 TR AN S I TI ON TO S OC I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

“
no w h av a S ocialis t S tate
we T h ey a e fo nd O f lik eni ng
e . r

th e si mpl e r amo ng w h o di agree w i th th em a to th e extreme

us s s

protraction o f t h e p roc e s to c h il d ren wh h avi ng b ee n told that s, o

wh n it rain a cloud falls looks disap po in t dly o t f th e

e s ,
e u o

window n a w e t day uncon ciou th at th e cloud i falling b e

o , s s s

for e th eir y s in t h e hap O f drop f wa t r T th e

e e s e s o e . o se

cautiou oul I r eply th at alth oug h th r i muc h truth in

s s s e e s

th ir cont ntion th at t h e p roc e will b gradual w e h all b e

e e ss e , s

abl to ay th at we h av e a S o ciali t S tate n t h d y n wh ic h

e s s o e a o

no m an o group Of m n h old ov r t h e m ean f pro ductio n

r e s, e s o ,

prop r t y rig h t by which th labor O f t h p rod uc ers an b e b

e s e e c su

j te d t xploitation and that whil th e i picture qu m tap h or

ec o e e r s e e

i a h appy a w e ll a a po e tic conc it it d e p nd

s s pon t he
s e ,
e s u

politi cal acu men Of th e pre en t and n x t g neration O f S ociali t s e e s

m en wh th r t h cloud
e ehall fall in r efr h i ng S oc i ali t
e
“ ”
s es s

s howe r i n a dr ary drizzl e O f R adicali m bringi ng with it

s or e s ,

m or e s mu t s than wate r fouling e v e ryth ing and cl ea n i ng no ,

s

w h ere .

T h i p r me ation f t h e R a d ical L e ft undoubt ed fact th oug h

s e O ,

it i O f pr
s nt day politic i worth a littl e fu th r att ntion ;
es e s, s r e e

for th er e e t w po ibl e and tenabl v ie w a t o its fi nal o t

ar o ss e s s u

co me O ne i that it wil l end in th low ab orption O f t h e

. s e s s

S ociali t in th e L ib e ral p arty and that by t h e action Of th i

s ,
s

S po ng lik organi m t h w h ol f t h e R nt and I nt er t will

e- e s , e e o e es

pa in to coll ectiv e control without th re v e r havi ng b ee n a

ss , e e

p arty d fi nit ly and O p nly pl dged t o th at end According t o

e e e e .

thi th ory th r will co me a time and th at s h ortly wh n t he

s e e e , ,
e

avow e d S ociali t and t h e m uc h ociali d R adical w ill b e

s s s se s

s trong noug h to h old t h e balanc e in m any co nstitu enci s and

e e ,

su ffici ntly pow rful i n all t o driv e t h e adva nc e d candidate

e e

m any p g furth r th a n h is o wn inclinati on would tak h im

e s e e .

T h n e ith r by abs t ntion o b y actual upport O f t h e r action

e , e e r s e

a y ch a m pion at e l e ction
r th y will b e abl e t o thr at n t h s, e e e e

L ib eral with c e rtain d fe at

s Th L ib ral b e i ng traditio nally
e . e e s,

s qu ee zabl folk (l i ke all absorb e nt bodi ) w i ll thu b e forc d

e es ,
s e

to m ak e conc e s s ion s and t o O ffer co m pro mi se s and will e ith er

adopt a c e rtain mi nimum numb er of th e S o ciali s tic proposal s ,

o r allow to S ocialis ts a s har e in t h e r e pr es e nta tion i ts e lf S uc h .

conc e s s ion s and co m pro m i s es w ill grow in nu mber and i m porta nc e

with e ach s ucc es s ive ap pe al t o th e el ectorate until at la s t th e ,

ga me is w on .
1 98 TR AN S I TI ON TO SOC I AL D E M OC R AC Y
“

is at ion O f i n ti t u ti o n i a politi cal nec es ity But long b for

s s s s . e e

th a t co mp l e te d emocratisation h a b n brought about we hall s ee , s

h av e lo t r p ati enc e and t h R adical th ir temp r

s ou e s e e .

F o as Mr Hynd m an te ll t h
r . world wit h dam nabl e (but s e

m o t v e r aciou ) i t ration w a e “ a growing part y

s s e We e , e r .
”
r

cru i t b y dribl e ts ; but w e do r e cruit ; and th o e w h o co m e to s

us co me l ike all t h e new Am e rican news pap e rs “ t o s tay

, , .
”

O u r f a ith o u r r e a s on o u r knowl edg e te ll u s that t h e gr e at

, , ,

e volutionary forc es are with u s ; and e v e ry addit i on to o u r

ranks cau se s u s i n ge o me trical p roportio n t o b e l es s and

, ,

l es s tol e rant O f pol i ti cal pr evarication D ire ctly w e fe e l o u . r

s e l v e s strong e nough t o h av e t h e sligh t e st chanc e O f winning

O ff o u r o wn bat w e shall b e co mp ell ed both by pri ncipl e

,

and incli nation t o s e nd an e l e v e n t o t h e wick e t s T h e y will .

h av e t o fac e th e O p po s ition united o r d i s united o f bo th t h e , ,

orth od ox parti e s as did t h e d e fe ated S ocia li st candida te s at t h e

,

S c h ool Board el e ction in N o v em be r 1 8 88 A nd wh e th e r our , .

succ es s b e gr e at o r s m all o e v e n non e x i stent w e s hall b e ,

r -
,

d enounc ed by t h e R adical wir e p ull e r s and th e now S O co m -

plai s ant and cour te ou s R ad ical p ress Th e allianc e w ill b e at .

an e nd .

Th e r e is ye t anoth e r w ay in w h ic h we may win t h e i ll will o f -

o u r t e m porary alli e s and at pr es e nt v ery go o d fr i e nd s , I h av e ,

.

s p ok e n abo v e O f c e rtain r e actionary i t e m s Of a po ss ibl e R adi

cal programme whi c h alth ough th ey hav e a grote s qu e r es em

, ,

blanc e to S ocialis m are worlds away fro m be i ng t h e th ing

,

i ts e lf Th ese propo s als w e not only cannot s upport but m ust

.
,

and s h all acti v ely and fi e rc el y Oppo s e At t h e firs t s ign s Of .

such Oppo s ition t o wh oe v er m ay b e t h e L ib eral s h eph e rd O f th e

mo ment t h e w h o l e flock O f party s h ee p will b e in full cry
,

u po n o u r track T h e fe rocity O f t h e mo u t on en agé is prove r

. r

bial ; and w e sh all b e tre a ted to th e s am e rancour s pl e en and , ,

bil e wh ic h is no w so pl enteou sly me ted o u t to t h e L ib eral

Unioni s ts .

T h e im med i at e r es ult o f t hi s i n e v i ta b l e S pl i t w i ll b e t h e fo r
mation O f a d efinitely S ocialis t party t e a party pl e dg e d to ,
. .
,

t h e co mm unali s ation O f all t h e m e an s of production and

e xc h ang e and pr e par ed t o subo rdi nate e v e ry oth e r con s id e ra
,

tion t o th at one end Th en t h e Hous e of C o mmon s will begin

.

d im ly t o r e fl e ct t h e r e al cond i tion O f t h e nation outs id e ; and in

i t we s h all s ee as in a glass d arkly o r s mudge d ly so me th ing , , ,
 TH E O U TL OO K . 1 99

of th a t “ w ell d efi ned confrontation O f ric h and p oor O f w h ich ,

all w h o atte nd S ociali s t l ec tur es h ear so much and to whic h ea: ,

hyp othes i t h e worl d day b y day d raw s n ear e r

, , ,
Th en als o .
, ,

w ill begin th at proc es s w h ich I s ub m it is more lik e ly than

, ,

e ith e r t h e ab s orption O f th e S ocial is t o r t h e p rolo ng e d p e r me a

tion O f t h e Radical : name ly t h e ab s orp ti o n O f t h e Radi cal

,

hi ms elf in t o t h e d e fini te ly pro priva t e capital p arty o n t h e o ne

-

s id e and t h e d e finit e l y an ti priva te capi t al p arty o n t h e oth e r

,
-
.

A r e ally ho mogen eou s S ociali s t party onc e formed t h e world ,

political r e fl ect s t h e world econo m ic and th e re is no lo nger any

,

roo m for t h e R adical as w e know t h e wond e r E ach fres h

,
.

S ocial is t victory e ac h O utpo s t driv e n in e ach e ntr e nch men t

, ,

carrie d will b e followed by a warr e n lik e scuttl e O f alarme d and

,
-

w e ll to do R adical s acro s s t h e floor O f th e Hou s e O f C ommon s

- -
,

w hi c h will O nc e m ore b eco me a tru e fronti e r ; and finally t h e , ,

political bat t l e array will con s i s t O f a s m all Oppo s ition fronti ng ,

a gre at and po we rful majority mad e up O f all tho s e w h os e real

,

o r fanci e d in t e r es t s would s nfie r fro m e xpropr i atio n .

T h us far t h e outlook h as b e e n cl e ar and focu s abl e eno u gh ;

and it h as n eed e d no extra hu man illu mi nation t o s ee t h e d e tail s
-
.

All th at h as bee n wanted h as b een normal vi s ion and a mi nd

fairl y free O f th e idols O f t h e cav e But h ere th e pro s p ect .

be co mes d im and unc er tain and littl e p urp o s e would b e s e rv ed

by try ing to p i e rc e t h e mi s t whic h e ns hr ouds th e di s tant futur e .

Much ve ry much w ill d ep end upon t h e courage t h e mag

, , ,

nani m it y t h e s te adf a s tn es s t h e tact t h e for es igh t and abo v e all

, , , ,

upon t he incorruptibili ty o f th o s e wh os e hi gh m i ss ion it wi ll

b e to fra me t h e policy and dir e ct t h e s trategy o f t h e S ocialist
party in tho s e e arly day s o f its parliamen tary lif e It will have .

s or e n ee d of a l e ad e r as a bl e as and m or e co ns ci e ntiou s t h a n
, ,

any of t h e gre at parliame n tary figure s of th e pa s t Th e eye .

e x pe ctant s earc h es in v ain for s uc h a m an n o w a mo ng t h e

younger bro od s of th e new d emocracy H e is probabl y at thi s .

m o m ent in h is cradle o r e quitably s haring o u t to ys o lollipo p s r

t o h is co mrad e s of t h e nur se ry A n d th i s is w e ll ; f o r h e mu s t
.

b e a man quit O f all r e coll e ction s o f t h es e day s Of S tu m a nd r

D ra ng O f pe tty j e alou s i e s con s tan t e rror s and failing faith

, , ,
.

H e m u s t bring t o h is t ask a r e cord fr ee fro m failur e and with

out s us picion O f s tain .

But whate ve r may b e th e di fficulti es in s t ore fo r us wh o name

t h e na me of S oc ial i s m of one thi ng at l east th ey wh o h a v e
,
2 00 TR AN S IT I ON TO S OC I AL DE M O C R AC Y .

f ollow ed thi s cours e O f l ectures m ay m ak e qui te su re Th at .

,

how e ve r long and we ar iso me t h e stru ggl e ea c h day brings u s ,

n eare r vi ctory T ho s e wh o r es i s t S ocialis m figh t again s t

.

principali ti es and p ow ers i n e cono mic p lac es E very ne w .

indu s trial d eve lopme nt w ill add point t o o u r argumen t s and

soldi e rs t o o u r rank s Th e continuous p e rfe cting Of t h e organi
.

s ation O f labour will h ourly quick e n in t h e work e r t h e con s cious

n es s t h at h is is a coll e ctiv e no t an indiv idual life Th e pro

,
.

le tariat is e v en no w t h e only r e al cla s s : its uni ts are t h e only

hum an b e ings wh o h a ve no thi ng t o h op e fo r sav e fro m t h e
l evell ing up Of t h e aggregate O f w h ic h th e y form a par t Th e .

inten s ifying Of th e struggl e fo r e xi s tenc e w hil e it s e ts bo u geois

,
r

at t h e t h roat O f bo u geo is is forcin g un i on and s oli d arity upo n

r
,

t h e work e r s . A n d t h e bo u geo is ranks th e ms e lv e s are dwin dling

r .

T h e k ee nn e s s O f co m pe t ition m aking it e v e ry y e ar m or e O b v iou s ly

,

i mpo s s ibl e for tho s e wh o are born without capital e v er t o

achi e v e it wi ll d epri ve th e capi talis t class O f t h e s upport i t now
,

re c e iv e s fro m e ducated and c ul tiva te d but i mp e cunio s young u

m en w h o s e m ate rial inte r e s t mu s t finally triu mp h ov e r th e ir

class sy m pathi es ; and fro m th at s e ction O f workme n w h o s e
sol e a s p iration i s t o s truggl e o u t O f t h e crowd Th e ri s ing .

gen e ration O f wage work e rs i n s te a d O f as no w be ing b efogged

,

and b e d e vi lle d by t h e du s t and s m ok e O f m e r e faction fight w ill ,

b e abl e at a glanc e to di s tingu i s h t h e unifor m s O f fri e n d and f o e .

Des pair w ill take s id es with Ho pe in doing battl e f o r t h e S oc i al is t

cau se .

T h e se l ec tur e s h av e m ad e i t plain e nough to th os e wh o h a v e

h earing e ar s and unde rs tanding brain s that m er e material s e lf
in t e r e s t alon e will furni s h a m otiv e strong enough t o s h at t e r
m onopoly ; and afte r monopoly co m e s S ociali s m o r — chao s .

But t h e in t e res t Of t h e s m all e r s e lf i s no t t h e o nly forc e w h ic h

aid s us i n t h e pres e nt o r will guid e us in t h e futur e Th e angel s
,
.

a e on o u r s id e
r . Th e con s tant p r e s e nc e O f a v a s t m a s s O f h u m an
mi s e ry i s g e n e rating i n t h e educa t e d clas s es a d eep dis con t e nt a ,

S piritual unr e s t w hi c h dri v es t h e low e r typ e s t o p e s s im i s m t h e

, ,

hi gh e r t o e nquiry P e s s im i s m paraly s es t h e arm s and unn er v es

.

t h e h e arts O f tho s e w h o woul d b e against u s E nquiry prove s

.

that S ociali sm i s founde d upon a tripl e rock h i s torical e thical , , ,

and e cono m ic It gi ve s to tho s e wh o m ake i t a gre at h o p e a

.
, ,
-

ho pe w h ic h onc e i t finds e ntranc e into t h e h ear t o f man stay s

, ,

t o s of t e n lif e and sw e e te n d e ath By th e l i ght O f th e S ocial ist

.
 IN DE X .

PA GE
AB S E N TE E Proprietor s Au tin John
s 39 120 1 65
Autob iography Of John S t art
, , ,

Ab tin nc R ward f
s e e, e o u
Ab tract method in E nom
s co M il l 50 52
W
,

i cs 21 A v e ling, R e v . E . . 52
Ad mini trativ E rror s 37 e s
“
A d mini trativ N ih ili sm s 38 e BAL F OUR R i ght H n A o . .

J
,

Ad lt ration Act
u e 41 s .

Ag d Tr atm nt f t h
e ,
e 1 50 e O e B arb arou C o ntri E s u e s, x
Agricultur nd a hin ry 62
M e a c e p l it t i n Of
o a o
Alad d in un l outd on ’
s 9 c e e Ba till F all f t h
s e, o e
Ali n N c ity und r S
e s, e es s e O B b ] A u gu t
e e s
B df ord D k f
,

i li m f
c a a l w Of
s or a e u e o
B llamy E (author Of L ook
,

Althorp L ord e .

Am rica (S U I T D S T T ) ing B ack ward

, ,

e ee N E A E S .

Am rican I nd p n d nce D
e e e e ec B n fit A o iation S h p
e e ss c ee
nd L a mb B utch r
, ,

l ti n f
’
ara o o a M e s u
Anar hi t M o d rn
c s s, e t al
u
Anarc hy p r f rr d t corr p t e e e o u B n vol nc nd O mnip
e e e e a o
S tat r g ulation b y p g
e e ro r es t nc Th dil mma b tw n 23
e e, e e e ee
iv thi nk r
s e e s B ntham J r my
e 29 3 9 e e
Andr w E B nj amin n
, , ,

e s, . e o 40 53 1 65
T ru t
,

B qu t
, ,
s s e es 1 22
An g l C ons titution and t
e s, s a B rk l y B i hop
e e e 39 s
B a t A nni
,
t f
us o es n 1 36 e
An g l condition Of th ir
e s, e Walt r Hi b lat d
,

e : s e e
i mit tion n arth
a o e chivalry
Argy l D k f e, u e o B i m tali m ugg t d
e s a s es e as
Ari t tls o e sol ution f t h ocial prob o e s
A k w igh t inv ntion
r r
’
s e s le m
Ari t ratic mploy m nt
s oc e e s B irmin gham
A h l y L ord (S
s e LO D ee R co mpar d with e
S H FT
,

AU Y) E SB R . Warwick
A ociat d C pit al C mp t
ss e a s, o e 1 B i marck S ociali m a n d
s s
tiv forc f e e O Pri nc e
,

A ociation L gal
ss it i n s, e os o B lanc L oui Hi D efinition s, s
n r ociali O
,

u d S e m l n s vo u O f C o mmun i m s
tary B land Hub rt , e
204 I N D E X.

P A GE P A GE
B lood h d H w
s e : o to arg ue C p a itali t aration f hi
s : S ep o s
w it h it ad vo t s ca e s 1 66—
7 f nction f rom that
u f O
B onanza f arm s 62, 1 42 th t p n e e n re re e u r

B ourg oi i Th
e s e, e F actory R g ulation f t h e
e o
Act nd t h s a 1 90 e Ty p f th e O e
F r Trad and t h
ee 1 90
e e C ap itali t co m b ination and
s s
B radf ord 46 S tat action e
B ra d l g h C harl
au 1 82 es C ap itulation b y p p t y s rO r1 e ar
B ramw ll L ord
,

e 28 1 75 cla s s es 1 81
B ri ght J ohn
, ,

69 7 9 C ar r Op n t t h tal nt d
ee e 7 o e e e
B rittany S tand ard Of
, ,

,
m co C arl y l T ho m
e, a 30 4 1 s ,

f rt in
o C art wri ght R E d m nd I n ,
ev . u ,

P a ant f
e s s o vent i n f o s O
B riti h A ociation
s ss Ca t ( s e C L )
s ee ASS .

M in d Th V try , e es C a tl r a gh Vi
s e e unt , 34 sc o
stamp up on t h e C ata trop hic S ociali m
s 136 s . .

B ry c Jam
,

e, es 1 85
B rook F arm C at h m M i quotation
ec IS f s o
B ro wni ng R ob rt
,

e t h C hurch
e .

B urn John C atho lic C hu ch S ociali m f

,

s, r s o
B uny an John
,

, th e 1 13 .

C atholic E m anci p ation

C AD E J ac k 1 60 . C ntral ization f S tat in d u
e O e s
J E n t h i dl rich 7 8
,

C airn e s, . . O e e tri es
C nad a C onq u t f T h Om
, ,

a , 60 7 1 es o ,
C h lm r R
a e s, 39ev . as
C anal S ocialization f
s, 141 O C harity .

C ant I t S ourc C har t r T h P p l

“ ”
4 1 06
’
: s e ,
e ,
48 e eO e s
C ap ital I n t machin ry
: s o 16 e C harti m s 4 8 1 69
C h qu B an k
,

I t h r ult f aving
s e es 17 o s e e
I
s s p ar ub i t nc e s 17 s s e e S u g g tion a t Go mm u
es s o
C annot b af ly tak n e s e e n l curr ncya e .

b y t h S tat xcep t f
e e e or C hil d r n I n C o mmun
e . es
imm di at mp loy m nt
e e e e E ff ct Of S ociali m
e n s o
as cap ital th tatu Of e s s
S ourc e f m unici pal cap io C hri tian S o iali m
s c s

tal C hurch C at chi m T h e s e

ion f m n p l
,

P rovi s or u 1 c1 a C hurch T h C atho li ,

e c

accumulation C hurch Of E n g lan d A m r : e e

C ap ital (K a r l M arx
” ’
s ap p anag f t h land d e o e e

work ) 2 3 36 g ntry
e .

L Eff ct
,

C pa ital n d an ad (F ab ian ”
C hurch Of E n g lan d . e
Tract) Of prop rty hol d in g n e o
C ap ital C om p titiv
s, forc e e e th e 1 24 .

o f as s ociat d e 1 42 D mocratization Of t h 1 82
e e
C ap itali m s 16 C hurch R f orm r Th e 39 e e
Un crup ulou n Of
,

s 69 s ess C hur h c es 2
I t id a
s lf d tructiv 1 1 0
e se -
es e C hurch g oin g Hy p -
i Of 5 , ocr s I e s
M oral Of s 69 1 06 1 09 , ,
C hurch D claration , f th e o e
C haract ri tic ff ct f
e 1 11 s e e s o Pan Anglican S y no d n co
I t ori gin in p iracy and
s c rnin g S ociali m nd t h e 1 74
e s a
lav trad ing
s e -
C ivi lization and S oci eti es s20
206 IN DE X .

PA GE
C ul tivation f t h E art h o e Di ciplin in sociali d ind
s e ze us
Di cr p anci b tw n it
s e es e ee s tri es . 1 43
actual p nd r ss a Di cov ry f n w countri
s e o e es 21
that d d uc f m h e e ro a Di tab li h m nt
s es f s th e O e
tract economic
s s C hurch . 188
C ultur e Di hon ty a p rod uct f C api
s es o
E ff ct o n p rofit f in d
e s o us t li m
a s . 111
trial manag m nt f e e o Di in g nuou ness f C la
s e s c ss
th r ad f e 8 e O E cono m ic 14 s
Di mal S ci nc n w t h H op
,

C urr ncy e gg ti n t,
u es o as o s e e o e e
comm nal u f l u
C y nici m Of t m
s ou r 1 e Di mi al Pow r f
s ss ,
e o
R o t d b y S ocial u e Di olution o f t h e 0 1d S yn
ss
0 O O 0 th i es s
Divi ion Of lab r
s o
DAN TE 8 Drainag Act e s
Darwin C harl ,
4 1 85 1 69 es ,
Drink in g F nt a n C m ou 1 s, o
Darwini m nd Polit i s 51 a cs m ni m x mp li fi d n
u s e e e I
Dar winian th ory app al d t e e e o Dron nd Work re a e
b y m onop oli t s s
B S ociali t s s E AR N I N G S d i tin g i h d s u s e
D y
a h work in g
, e f rom t h r v nu f Privat
e e e e o e
D b t Th N ation l
e e a Prop rty e 20
E ccl ia tical Intol ranc R
,

D bt L w a t
e s, a s o es s e e, e~
O f C omm uniti es action again t m di val s e a
e 1 61
D c ntral i ation N c ity
e e z e ess E ono mi c
c (S e P OL I T I C A L
s e
E C O O M Y)
,

f or 1 70 . N .

D finition f conomic r nt 4
e s o e e . E conom i t (S POL I T I
s s L ee CA
D man d E fi t i
e ,
19 ec ve . ECO )
N O M FS TS .

S upp ly and 8 E d ucation : R form f e o 49

Democracy I mport f 29 . o . , M oral 1 02
30 , A n c ity f morality
e ess or 111
I n tab ility f
s 55 o S ociali t i d al f s e o
Po tulat d b y S ocial i m 1 66
s e s E fi t n p rofit s o f in d u
ec o s
F urth r t p n c ary e s e s e es s trial manag m nt e e
t con u mmat o s e T n d ncy f S ocial D m
e e o e
Dem ocrat Di tinction b s e o racy t ncourag
c o e e 1 80
Ei ght Hour Working d y
,

t we n t h e O rd inary nd t h
e a e s, a
S ocial . f
o
D mocratic F d ration (S
e e e ee E l ctors N umb r f
e , e o

S D F )
. . E li ab than m rchant d n
z e e a ve
D Q n y Thom a
e ul ce 40 ,
s t u rers .

D ir a ocial motor E mi gration

4

es e as s
D tail d u gg tion f
e e s es s or SO E mp loy r Diff r ntia t d
e : e e e
i l or ganization f un m
c a O e f rom C ap itali t s

p loy d lab or e 1 40 . A nd l b or r a e 1 37
D T oc qu vi ll
e AC H C e 29 e. . . . . N t ha m d b y S ociali m
o r e s 1 77
D vi l wor hi p
e s 24 E ng l F e s, . 36
Di c an C ouncil C ntral
o es s, e E n glan d H o ial p olicy
. er s c

C onf renc f e e o
Dirty Work I n 17 50 0 0 O
 IN DE X . 20 7

P A GE
E ng land F or i gn M ark ets Th e fight
e ,

forei gn p oli y d i
H er c c f or 74 1 8 1 ,

t at d b y C ap itali m 7 3 74
e s ,
F or i gne E ff ec t f o
H min ral f rtility
er 1 67 e e . C ap it li m up on 71 a s
E n gli h F actory L g i l
s e s a E ff ct f S ociali m pon 1 8 1
e o s u
tion (S al o F C TO Y
.
”
ee s A R F or i gn Tra d fol lo wing t h
e e e
L GI L TIO )
E S A N F la g
E nt p nre
(S E MP L O Y )
re e u r ee E R . F or tal li ng
es
E pi co p al C onf r nc
s 54 e e e . F ouri r F C Me . . .

E qua lity f r m n ration Jam

,

o 1 48 e u e F C harl
ox , es es
or H 8
,

1 49 F oxw ll Prof e , es s . .

E rror (S s M K e ee I S TA E s x F F rry T h L n d n
re e e , e o o

p o d b y S ociali
se m ) s .
“
Fr L an d
ee nd t h R ad i
”
a e
E thic M tap hy ic Of
s . e s cal p arty
Po itiv c i nc Of s e s e e . Fr T a d M ov m nt
ee r e 73 e e
E volution E fi t f Ii p ,
ec o F or i gn inv t m nt l ft
e es e s e
th i f es s o 2 4 51 ,
t f acco nt b y t h
ou 1 69
o u e
E xch an g Of C o mm o d iti e 12 es Th b ourg oi i e nd t h 1 90 e s e a e
M chani m f e 10 s O F r think r Po i b l
ee El c
e ,
ss e e
E xchang Va l (S V L U ) 9
e ue ee A E . tion t t h D an ry Of o e e e
Q Q C Q 18 W tmi n t r f an avow d 1 82
es s e O e
F r nch R v lution
e 34 60 1 7 4
e o , ,

F AC TO R I E S b for t h F e e e ac F ri tion ca
c d b y int d u se ro uc
tory Act 36 67 ,
tion f M unicipal S ociali m 1 7 8
o s ,

F a tory L gi lation
c 36 4 1
e s , ,
F ur C an n
se , o 54
1 67 1 90
GAM BL IN G
,

F a tory S y t m
c I nt d s e ,
ro uc 2
tion f t h o 3 3 59 e , Gas wc rk s , S O C l alizat ion o f 4 5,
F act f L on d on r
s or e s 1 39, 1 81
F air T ra d 92 e G or
e ge I I I 72
F amily E ff t f S ociali m : ec o s G or
e ge, e y H nr 95, 1 7,
2
n th o 1 82 e . 1 72
O ri gin Of t h C ounty 4 e Ge o rgis m, C e h ckmat t e o . 1 73

I olation f t h 1 22 1 33 Gi n o rt
ffe , R b e
G la ton i ht H n W E
s O e . ,

F arm O r ganization
s : f 0 ds e, R g o . . . 47
C o nty u 1 39 Re tro r iv in tinct f
g es s e s s o 1 61
B onanza 1 42 . Gla gow s 47
F aw c tt H n 4 Growth Of 33
F d ration f y
e e r
G o d in nd L clair E p n
,

e e z
I ni ip lit i 1 81 o u c a es a e e, x e
F ud ali m S urviva l f
e s :31 o m nt e f s o
R action ag ain t it d om i
e s s Go d win William
G old A mon y
,

n rin g ee 1 60 : s e
F eu d al d u 38 es E ff ct f Di c ov ri
e in o s e es
F i el d n J ohn
e , 70 C alifornia a nd A us
F ilib t r Th C olonizing 1 82 li 1 67
'

us e e t ra a
Go ch n R i ght Hon G J
,

F inal U tili ty Th ory f 1 1 12 e O s e . . . 1 81

Go l d J y
, , ,

F la g Tra d follo win g t h e 1 82

e u a 69
Gov rnm nt I n 1 750
, ,

F l t L ivin g in
a s, 121 e e . 32
F ly S huttl-
I nv ntion Of t h 59
e, e e I n d tri carri d n b y
us es e o 42
F or i gn I nv tm nt I nt r t
e es e s, e es Gov rnm nt O rganiza
“
e e
on Q C Q 0 t ion f L ab or o
208 IN DE X .

G rad ual S ocialization Hou hold S ffra g

se u e
C omp n atio n a con d i e s H ud d r fi ld e s e
tion f 1 75
o . . Human L if Di r gard f e, s e o
Gr k R pub lic
ee e s C ap i t al f or
Gr nock
ee 46 H m David
u e,
Gronl nd L aurenc
u e,
Grot G o g Hy n d m an H M
,

e, e 39
r e . .

Hyp ri y
,

oc s
tion of .

Growth f T W o O DS I B S E N H nri k e
G uild Of S t M atth w
,

. e I caria
Guil lotin in g Id l n A ociation f pro
e es s , ss o s

p it y with
er .

HAB I TS M oral : 97 I dl r
e s : th ir fate nd er S O
e u
Auto mati 98 c c iali m s 1 51
H rb or N ationaliz tion O f
a s, 149 a . I llth 18
Harcourt R t H n S i W V 1 06, . o . r . . Illu i n E conomic
s o s, 1 61
O n t h t tota l tum p e 1 06 ee s I mm i gration Paup r , e
W all S o iali t
e are c s s I mp rovement n Pro d uction 6 I
E fi ct Of unfor s n
”
n w o e 8 e ee
Hargr av eJam Th I n e s, es , e I nc ntive t L ab or
e Und er o :
nt i n
ve f o s O 33 59 ,
S ociali m 1 51 s .

Harri o n F r d ric
s 54 e e Un d r L a hold e t m 1 71 e se s s e
H a ting Warr n
,

s s, 71 e I nco m T e ax 167
Hav nd Hav ot
es a 1 86 e D -
s An in trum nt f Xp s e O C ro
H ad R nt
e R lativ I n ig
e s, e e s p i ti n r a o
nifi n Of
ca ce R nt f ab ility
e ec o r ov
H g l G W F
e e . . . rab l b y
c e
Hi gh C hurch Party I n d p n d nt W av r T
,

e e ran
e e e s
Hi tori al M thod n B o
,

s c : e I ec h f orm ation f t h O e .

m 1 cs I n d ia C onq u t Of und e r
, es ,

D v lop m ent o f Privat

e e e C live and Warr n e
P rop rty e
B a i Of S ociali m
s s s I n d iff r nc e L aw Of
e e ll
Hi tori al Ba i Of S I n divi d uali m O utb reak O f
,
“
s c s s o s 37 :

(Hy n d man Ab an d onm nt Of

”
ci li m 54
’
a s 3 e
work) T h change t o S ociali m
e s
Hi t ory O f Agricultur f ro m
“ ” “
s e
nd Pric a es C onf ed ly Op po d t o
us se
O f t h 1 8 t h C ntury e e S oc ia li m 96 s
O f Pr ivat e B il l L gi la I t m oralization 9 7 102
—
e s s ,
tion ”
Anti S o cial m anif s te e n

O f t h R form B il l e e tion 1 04
Hob b Thoma es, s P rot tant f orm Of es 1 14 .

Hob hou L ord se, Ab oli h d n p ro d u tion 1 1 6

s e I c
H b hou S i John C am
o se, r I n d u trial O rganization C en
s
Hom t ad L w
,

es e a tra li t i n f za o 1 47 1 8 1 O
Ho p ital Th
,
s , e I nd u trial R emu nerati on C on
s
Hou Of C o mmon
se s fer e nc e
H l O l seof L rd Ab olition o s, I n d u trial R ev
s olution 33—35
0 f
21 0 IN DE X .

i on
L ev , L e e M an vers us tat the S e
i ra
L b e l an d R d a ical nion U In M ana nt Profit O f ind u
g em e s s
avor o nt o ncil
,

f Of C u y C u s trial
hol an
d ing l d 4 7, 138 M ana g r Q alificatione s, nd u s a
i rari Pu ic pr nt val f ind trial
1 7 9—
L b es , bl . 1 34 ese ue o us
i ra Part t o ic
L be l y, I s p l y o n 80
Sociali sm 1 90- 1 92 M anche t r s e 33 38 46
i rt
L b e y and E qua it l y M anch t r S choo les e .
, ,

and ro r P pe t y D e I t a d vocacy
s f Prot o eo
n au
f e ce L e g e tion
Li ncoln A raha
,
b h
m: T e M ann r L ady Jan tt
e s, 1 e e 01
m oral Of a a ination
h is s s s s 74
“
A R ich
re L an d o wn r e s
v r ool Gro th
Li e p w o f 33 I dl e 7.
lo H nr
,

L yd, e y ”D , o nor .
“
L ds M anorial R i ght s
O f n u tr
I d s y M ill s
Loca l: I m prov nt Acte me s M anor s
Gov rn nt
S e lf e me M arg inal U tility (S FI L ee NA
Gov rn nt Boar
e me a ds de l UT I L I T Y ) .

in witg s h un t h e em M arg in Of C ultivation

lo
p y ed O b li g ation f p rivat O e
G ov rn nt B oar
e me d of t h e co n t it t ch rg r e o rs o a e
utur
f e 1 81 . th ll co t f p ro d u
e u s o c
in Hou
g g se nici a
s , M u p l . 47 tion at 1 78 9
n on act con rnin
Lo d : F s ce g . 181 M ark t E ff ct
e s : n r nt f e o e O
o nt ouncil
Th e C u y C 181 p roxi m ity t 3 o
Extraor inar d ro or
y p p Th fi ht f e f or i g n 7 4 1 8 1 or e ,

tion r ach
s e ed b y E c o M arriag e nt t f
, o 131 rac o .

no ic nt
m Re In M ar ha ll Alf r d and M ary
s , e ,

ra a n
L ib e l a ical
d R d Pal y e D efinition Of r nt 4 e
Un ion 4 7 , 1 38 M arx Karl ,

Lon on d anduth t So we s M atth w G ui ld Of S t

e , 39 .

e rn ail a
R har
w y s e M auric F D ni on e, 39 41 7 9
. e s , ,

hol r de s M liori m
e s 24
L o c king B ack ar w d M n T ffic in
e ,
ra 9
L o ui s X V I M rcanti l S y t m
e e 38 s e
in
L y g, A s vic virtu
e or e M tho d f C ritici m n M ora l
e o s o
Ba i s s
M AC H I N E R Y S ho m ak in g
: e M t e ceci n Ath en I s
b M iddl A e es :
f
A g icu lt u re b y S oci a O rg anization in
Di ac nt
sp l em e han d
of th e
la orb by 63 M i d dl C la
e I t s callou ss : s
ro r Of
P g ess 1 38 1 46 ,
n ess 73
u titution
S bs han d
for I t m oral i d ea
s 1 08 1 1 0 s -

la or in i a r ab l I t m i n d r tan d n g Of
b
mp loym nt
e
d s g
e 1 45 s
ee e s
S o iali m c
i su
1 64
s
e s s
.

C hi mn y S wee p n g b y
i
e 1 46 I t d r ad f m b viol nc 1 7 5
s e o o e e
M ain S i H nry
e, r e 2 9 54 M i litant org nization f t h a O e
w ork in
,

M althu R s, T R ev .32 3 9 162

. .
, ,
g cla f forcib l ss or e
M na p rod c r and
as u e ex l
re v o u t I O
n
ch ang er M i lita i m and immigratl on
r s 1 25
 IN DE X . 21 1

P A GE PA GE
Mi litary S r i e v ce 131 M oral B a i f S iali m s s o oc s

E mp ir f t h C ontin nt 1 25
es O e e E d cation f t h I nd ivi d
u o e
M ill Ja m es l ua
M ill J ohn S t u art
,

, 4 3 1 39 , ,
A nd Of S o i ty c e
4 1 50 52 1 68 M orali t F oo li h
s s, s

M il k E xch n g Of N w Y ork 88
, , ,

a e e M orality
M ilt n John Pro p o a l
,

o ,
t,
s as o R l t ity Of
e a 1v
sc h ool s R cog ni ab l only n S
e z e I O

M in es T h ir horror b for
. e s e e i ty c e 97
t h l gi lation initiat d
e e s e C onv nti nal e o ,

by L d A hl y Or 61 s e N atural
N ationalization f 1 50 o Practi al c 1 03 . .

M in R g lation Act
es e 41 u s C la 5 2 3 1 08
ss, , , ,

or p o try S ociali t p
e ,
s ro E l m ntary con d ition
e e f 1 13 s o ,

vi ion f t h p ub li ation
s or e c D v lop d con d ition f
e e e s o

Of .

M irab a e u S ociali ti s 117 c

M i ionari
ss es M di val e e 137 1 58
tak p o d by S o ial
,

es ex se c E li ab th anz e 1 59
i m s : M oral nd H alth Act
s a e
”

Th at S o i ty i n mor c e s o e (1 80 2 ) 4 1 160 ,

than t h m f it e su o s M or S i T ho ma
e, r 1 60 s
3 50 ,
M orl y R i ght H n J ohn
e ,
47 o .
,

Th at Privat Prop rty n e e e 1 8 2 1 9 1 93

2 , ,

courag ind try es us M otor I nfl u ns, f n w 33 e ce o e

That Privat P op rty e r e M nici p al C orp orati n A t 34
u : o s c ,

tab li h h althy in
es s es e A tion c 46
nt i
ce ve S ociali m s 46 1 75 ,

That Privat Prop rty e e D bt e 47

d i trib ut s w alth es e ac D v lop m nt
e e 49 e
cord in g t x rtion o e e Pr ti g f M uni ipal E m
es e o c
That R nt d o n t nt r e es o e e p loy m nt 1 77
e
into p ric e M ni i p aliti
u c Growth Of 33
e s,
That E x han g Val
,

c e u e 1s 35 45
(S al o C O U T Y C O U C I L )
, ,

a m a ur f tr
e s e o ue ee s N N S .

w alth e .

That t h p o r y
“
hal l
e o e s N AB O B T h ap p aran e in
, e e c
h av al way w ith y
e 24 s ou E n gli h ocial lif Of t h
s s 33 e e
Th t riot a r g i i d nd s, e c e a N ap o l on e Th car r “
e ee
b loo d h d mak R v s e e e o Op n t t h tal nt d
e o e e e
lution s 56 1 66 , A nation f ho pk p O s ee
M b Viol nc M i d dl la ’
o e e, e-c ss e rs
d a Of
re d N a my th Jam
s inv nt t h e s, e s e
M ol worth W N
,

es , . . t am hamm r
s e 60 e
M on y F nction f
e ,
u o N at iona l I n uran s 23 ce
M onop li o es N ati nal L i b ral F d ration
o e48 e e
A nd D m ocracy N ational R vi w T h ”
“
e 1 09
e e , e
N ec ity f p rot ting
ess or ec N ationalizati n f R nt 22 4 7
o O e ,

t h Po tma t r It r lt if n mp
’
e s 1 68 s e s . es u s u ac c o a
M or l B a i Of S
a iali m
s s 93 oc s ni d b y S o iali ti
e c s c or
Hab it and t h eir origin 98
s
ganization f lab or o
21 2 IN DE X .

P A GE P A GE
N ationalization Of R nt e Paup r L ab or H w t d al
e ,
o o e
I nt r m nici p al r nt 1 81 wit h 1 40
—
e -
u e .

R nt f ab i lity
e O 1 7 9 80 t f r p r ntati O e es e v es 1 70
(S al o P
ee O G S A s R RE S ND P a ant Prop ri tor hi p
e s e s 50
POV TY ) E R . P rio d f Anarchy
e o 35
N atur e : C ap ric Of 3 7 es ,
P rp t al p n ion Pri at ly
e e u e s ,
v e
R d n t oth nd law
e I 23
o a c approp riat d R nt i f t h e e s O e
Un m orality Of 24 natur f a e O 4
Th cau eOf S oci ty se 98 e P imi m
es s s 23 , 200
N w p ap r un d r S ociali m 1 44
e s e s e s . P t rloo
e e 34
N w H am p hir
e s 1 21 e . Phi l nthropy F tility Of
a ,
u 1 67
N w M tor I nfl u n Of Philo ophi R dicali m 40
“
e o s, 33 e ce s c a s , ,
1 67
N w R iv r C o mp any
e e 1 24 Phy ical f r
s 13 6 1 66 o ce 1 84
N w Y ork L gi latur
, ,

C m A d vo at e d by L ord B ram
p
e e s e o
mit t e On Tru t e s s wel
N w mm n T ho m a
e co e ,
s h ician G m Of f a hi on
P ys s, a e s
N xu T h
e s, ocial e s ab l e
Pira y cnd t h S lav T
a rad e e e
O AS TL E R R i h r d c a in t h 1 6th c nt ry
e 1 58 e u .

Pitt Wil liam

,
’
O C nn o F rg o r, e us Hi m ot i v 72 : s es
T dit i i
,

O ld t F am i li
es es ra or Pi n e E er, n . vo 69
Of th ir up riority
e s e Pl b ian in anci nt R om
e e s 1 25 e e .

O l d ham Plato 111 . .

O livi r S y dn y
e e Po lic C on d ct f S
e . li t s u o o c1 a s
B vo
,

O mni p ot nc nd e e a eh e charg d p on b y t h 1 00 e u e
l nc Th Dil mm a f
e e, e e O R nt a ti on f t h
ece c O e ex
O p ti mi m r b uk d b y S i
s : e e c C h i f C o mm i ion r f 1 7 4
e ss e c ,

nc e e Political T n d n i : 48 1 86 e e c es ,

Th in d i i d al
e n v u e co o R form e
m i t and th ir s s 1 61 e . Politi al S ci nc Q ar
“
c e e u
O rg ani m Th S o ial
”
s 50
e c t ly er
O ut look T h p oliti al P O LI T I
,

e 1 84 c . E cono my (S ee
E O O M Y)
,

O v r p o p ulation
e -
17 C AL C N .

O w n R ob rt
e 110 e Political E onom y c .

B a i Of S o iali m in
, ,

s s c s
PAIN TE R S G ain s f f a h i n ,
O s c D finition of R nt in
e e
ab l 1 79 tr ati
Wi lliam
e e s es
Pal y R e ,
ev . 39 40 ,
Th ory app ar ntly
e n e co
P alm r ton C hin
e s p olicy
,
ese t d i t d b y hi tory
ra c e s

Of L ord 74 Untru t worthin s f b s e s o a

P n m t Ci n
a e e 1 72
rce s e s tract s

Para iti m E conomi

s s ,
1 07 c I t g n t rn d a g ain t
s u s u e s
P arliam nt Annual e s, 1 70 Privat P rop rty 24 e e .

Park Pub li s, 18 7 8
c - O ld hool nd n w sc 24 a e
Parti S tat nd f nd m n
es, e a u a e John S t art M ill 3 1 50 52 u , ,

t a l d ifi n f ere ces O R icar d o 1 62

Pat nt ri ght
e s 1 55 . J von e s1 62
Patrona g in t h p ub li
e e c s er Ri Of mo d rn
se e
i v ce P r i d t b a d ti
e ce v e o e re uc o

E ff t Of pp int m nt S
ec a o e d b a d m f Private a su r u O

by
,

0 o 0 ,
Prop rty e
21 4 IN DE X .

PA GE
Pr ol tariat
e R eg ulation f I n dust ry : M o e
Ty pe of 1 05 d i val e 8 -

M oral f s o1 10 1 3 .
-
M od rn (S e F A C TO Y ee R
S call d int ll tual L GI L TIO )
“ ”
O- e 1 80 e ec E S A N .

(S I P OL T I
e e a SO R E AR AN . R nt
e :R o g iz d and p ai d
ec n e
Prop rty Un d r S ociali m
e : 1 19 e s b y work r t d ron e o e
D finition nd conomic
e a e D finition f onomi
e s O ec c
analy i O f s s r n t b y tand ard
e s

(S al o P RI V T P O P
ee s A E R onomi t
ec s s
E R TY . Poi nt at which r nt a e ce se s
Pro p rity
s e A ociation f ,
ss o t b o trictly e n s
“
e co o
i d l n with
e es s mi r nt c e
”

Pro titut
s th ir mak ing
es, e E nt r into p e s f all r1 c e o
r
P o t tion
ec D cay f : e O co o iti
mm d xc p t es e e
I n t h M i d d l Ag e e es tho pro d c d at m
se u e ar
Ad vo at d b y t h M n c e e a gin Of cu lti ation v
ch t r S chool es e R lation t co t f p
e o s o ro
P ou d hon P J
r . . d uction 13
P b li H alth Act
,

u c e s N ationaliz tion Of 2 1 46 1 82 a , ”
, ,

O p inion I common w alth n t

Pow r —P rm
s e , o
r a in di vi d ally
cion in
P h e e n d 22
g t f it n qual
u c s u e ar e
s ec o s u e M oral A p ct f 104 1 1 0 1 1 3 s e O
Of B irmingham nd
, , ,

d i trib uti n
s o Ca se a
Warwick
Q U I T R ent s L w f a o
I l lu tration Of
s onomi ec c
R A D I C AL I S M Philo op hic 4 0 : s r nt e
Th m o d
e r n R adical P e ro Urb an
gra mm e E ff t f m m ip l S
ec o u c a o
O r d inary d tructiv es e va i li m n
c a s o
ri t y e H w C o nty C ouncil
o u s
P rm ation f b y S o ial
e e o c can m ni p lat a u e
i m s 1 96 N ationalizing int r m m e -
u
Ab o p tion fs r 1 99 o ip l
c a
n
.

Th lan d
e q tion a n d 1 04 u es E ff t o f F rec Tra d ee e o
Rail way R eq ui it
s : f r s es O agri ultura l c 1 90 . .

m ak in g th m u n d r e e R nt f ab i lity
e O

C ap itali m s I nd tria l p r fit t h
us o e
D lo pm nt Of
ev e e
n t i mp ortant form
I os
S ialization f
oc O 0f
Rap ha l p i tur R ai d b y Pri at Prop
’
e s c es . se v e
R at pay r
e H w S o iali m
e ,
o c s ty er 1 79 .

wil l fir t fi t t h s a ec e M y b o m n g ativ
a 1 80
ec e e e .

R at es ,G rowth f o R ep ub li ani m c Di ap p ar s : s e
R actionary L g i lation Dan
e e s , an f ilitant R p ub li an
ce Om e c

g er O f . i m in E ng lan d
s 1 85 .

R for m B ill
e s R id
es m G n i Of t h
uu : 1 13 e es s e .

R g i id
e c I t victi m
e : s s I t ap p r iation f p b li
s ec o u c

I t f utility
s h p it litos a

R g tration Ano m al
e i s n ,
ou s co R p ctab i lity
es e l h d f , a se OO o

d iti on o f vot r 1 70 e s
’
. cur rent
 I N DE X .

Rew ard Ab tin n e Of s e c Se lf E xt n ion f

, e s o .

ff ort in t h e cau e
of e s S lf d f n
e -
e eO ri g in f thce , o e
f S ociali m
o s N ob l Art e 1 00
R volt Th I n t l l ct al S lf h l p
”
e , e e e u e e
R volution M i d d l cla n
e : e ss o S li g man E R A
e , 79
. . .

tion f s o S rvant Do m ti
e s, 1 1 1 1 72 es c ,
S o iali tic att mp t t
c s e o or S erv a nt g li m an E ff c t
a f s e o

g m militant
a ze C ap it li m a s

(S al o I D U T I L
ee s N S R A S rvic
e Prop rty n
es , e 1
R V OL U T I O and P HY
E N S S ttl m nt L w Of
e e e , a
I L FO C ) CA R E . S v n Y ar War Th
e e e s
’
, e .

R i ard o Da i d
c 4 39 1 62 v S w r C l anin g un d r S
e e e ial e oc
n t W alth
, , ,

Ri h c es are 18 o e i m
s
R i ght f M n D larin g t h 1 82
s o a ec e S haft b u y L or d
es r

R ing G ro wth f ap itali t

, ,

s, o c s S haft b ry Av n
es u L nd e u e, a
n ar
e
R itchi R i ght H n C T
e, 1 38 o . . . S hak p r s S ug g t d Duk
e e, es e e
R itc h i D G e, .50 . Of 1 32 .

R och d al Pion r e 1 24 ee s . . S ha w G B rnard . e 1 1 57

R o b ck J A S h ll y P B
, ,

e u 39 . . e e . 1 00
R o g r Prof or Thorol d E 32
,

S ho m ak i ng b y h an d
,

e s, ess . e 58
R ou au
s se J J 39 . . B y m a hi n ry c 61 e
S hop k p in g J Oint S toc k
,

R u al e onomy in 1 7 50
r c 32 ee 80 -

ll L rd J ohn S i d g wi k H n
,

Ru 4 52 1 30
S i d mo t h L ?
sse ,
o , c , e , ,

n ou n finalityce s u 34
OI
R u k i n J ohn
,

s S ix Act T h s, 34 e .

S ix C it i f Work an d
,

R u ss ia ind u trial com p ti

’
S s e er ur es o
tion in t h w rld mark t 1 69 e o e W a es
R utlan d Duch Of n t h es s o e S lav e ad Th e, e
hard work f country g n S la ry T h W hi t
, ,

o e ve , e e
tl m n e e . 109 . S lav es R l a d wh n n t e e se e o
R y ot S upp r, ion f I nd ian 1 13 ess O . wort h k p i ng ee 15
S mil S am l
es, 7
ue

S D F S ocial D mocrati S mith Ada m

.

F d e
.
(
t n)era 1 o
. e c
S oc i ti e
,

F ai ur
l
es . f p
32 38
e o re
,

S ad l r M icha l Thoma
e , e s V att mp t t
i ou s e s o es
S ali b ury R t H n t h M
s . o . e ar t b li h tru
a s 20 e
qu Of
, ,

es s 1 29 S oci ti nd eC iviliza es a
S atan : Hi m oral activity 1 06
s tion s
R hab ilitati n Of
e 1 14 o (S e al o S O I T Y )
e s C E .

s aul O p ti m i m S oci ty Hy p oth i that it i

”
: s as ex e : es s s
r d in R b t B ro wn n more than t h m
p e s se o er o e su

po m 23 f it Unit 3 50
’
I ng s e o s s ,

S a i n g C ap it l t h r ult Of 1 6
v : a e es Th M atrix f M orality
e 96 o
S avi ng Of ommuniti s c es E volution f P rim itiv o e
nd f in di i d al
a 1 23
o v u s 96 9 8 1 0 1 1 03 1 12 , , , ,

S hoo l
c th y ho l d b
s as 1 33 e s u e I nd trial us 1 04
S ott S i Walt r Politi al
c , r e ,
c Para itic s 1 06 7 -

ty p in R b R yes o o
”
F a hio nab l s 10 7 e
S r t an E ug n
ec e e e (S al o S O I T I )
ee s C E E S .

J
,

S oil R esor t t o I nf rior

'
S e eley , . R. s, e
21 6 IN DE X .

P A GE
o r o rt
S me s , R b e S o iali m O utlook toward 1 84
c s :
o ia Uti it Di r d f rom
S c l: l y v o ce Prin B i mar k V i w f 1 92
ce s c
’
s e O
E x h an g Val
c Th L i b r l Party nd 1 92
e a a
1 93—
e ue e
C ha r ac t r f S o ial e o c Tru nd F al e a 4 se

C han g es 30 Tw Vi w f t h f tur
o e s O e u e
E volution 30 44 53 , ,
f o 1 95
S o ial S tatic Practical p olitician
'

c 36 54 s nd 1 96 s a
H alt h
,

e 51 (S al o t h I n d x G n
ee s e e e
O g anizati on
r lly )e ra .

I n tin t
s c S iali t Politic
oc s s
S ocial D m oc atic F d e r e e Program m e
ration F orm ation Of p arty
S ocial D m ocracy nde a S ociali t nd t h p oli
s s a e ce
S ocial De mocrat (S . ee E arly (S U TO P S ee IA N O
SO L I M nd S O C I L
C IA S a A O IA L ISM

) T h e mot or d re f o r
’
I S T.
S ocia li m 2 22 1 3 1 1 63
s , , , , o ia
S c l D em c o rat fall into
s

1 90 1 94 95 ,
- lin a olitic art 1 70
e as p al p y
E ono m ic b a i f
c 1 s s o a ca Pr
Th e R di l e s s a nd
1 95 .

B arin g f E
e n m O A co o IC h Parlia nt me an d 1 97
aly i Of I ndivi d uali m
s s s ut r l a r
F u e e d e f or 1 99
o n nc r H r rt
S pe e , e be
S ub titut M l iori m f
s es e s or 4 7 , 58 , 9 5,
P imi m
es s 24 200
s , S t. M atth Guil
ew , d Of 39
Hi tori A p ct
s c 26
s e t n ar
S a d d O il T s ru t 85
S ciali m in E ng lan d
o s 27 S tar , Th e 48
C h a ng in e 27 1 19 ,
S tat o ial
e : S c D em o crat l c 2
E arly U t op ian
or F unct on un r
i s ial
de S o c
is m 149
I n d u tri l A p t
s a 56 s ec Corru t on Of
p i th e 1 64 .

Th C ap itali t nd
e 90 s a W h ig
’
conc tion ep of th e
1 65
M oral A p ct s e Con tion
cep o f t he t 165
pe rf e c
It G n i
s e es s D c ntra ization n
e e l i the
N w C onc p tion f
e e o . ocia D ocrati
S l em 1 70
c .

rivat
P e P r o e r t y and t h e
1 90
Attitu de 0 artip es to
n u tr n r
I d s y u de ar
w d s the 1 90 .

C ha nge fro n vid l

m I di ua a
I d e and cont nt Ofe the
191
is m t o Th e w orki la ng c s s an d
o a achin r Of
L c lm e y the 1 91
Dirty W ork nd r u e 0 145 Stat ti and
is c s S t at is t c ans
1 73
Tran iti n t s o o 1 57 ta a i
S e m pp l e d t o cotton in Sp
Pra ti al difficulti
c c Of es . 1 63 ning 0

S Ja
0

Hon ty Of es . 1 64 S tuart ,
Pr o f e s o r me s
M u t b intro d uc d g rad
s e e ttin
S u b le n t i ht
g O f T e an R g
Wa
S olution f t h C m
u lly
a S u s s t e nce
b i ges , Ra t ionale
0f
p n o e o e
S f
0

s ation d iffi ulty c S unday Hyp : o cri s I e o

E ff t o n R nt
ec e chur h g oing c
F ri tion ca
c d b y i nt u se ro Th E n g li h
e s

d tion f
uc o S n d rland
u e 0 0 o
21 8 IN DE X .

exe s

Villi r C P e s, . . W alth Di ting i h d from

e : s u s e
Virtu cond ition d b y ial
es e soc Illth
vol tion
e u 1 00 6 - W alth f N ation e o s
W av r E xtirp ation f t h
e e , o e
WAGE S . han d loom -

S ub i t nc l v l s s e e e e W b b S i dn y
e 26 2 7 99 e 1 84
Ad j tm nt W tmin t r D k f
, , , ,

us e es s e u e o 1 73
Whig Philo op hy
,

Ri af t r 1 840
se e s 1 64
A nt ly rai d b y
are se conomic
E s 1 64
d Union a 1 68
e s Di app aran f t h
s e ce o e 1 88
C o m p tition w a g e 1 76 es T h Whi g f fif ty y ar
e o e s
S ociali ti wag 1 47 1 7 7 8
s c es -
g a o 188 9 . -

Walford I n u ranc C y l p
,

it S lav ry 36 40
’
s s e c o aa e e
Wh it T r or Th
,

di a e e r 34 e
Whitman W lt
,

Walk r F A e . 92 a
Wi k t d P H
,

Walla Graham
,

s, c s ee 162 . .

William t h S il nt A a ina
,

Walp ol S i R o b rte, r e e e ss ss
Warr n S i C h arl
,

e r es tion f o .

War f r f or ign m ark t Wom n E ff ct f Prop erty

,

s o e e s e : e o
Sy t m n s e1 08 —10 o
Warwick comp ar d with B i e r O utlawry f 1 76 o .

m ng h m
l a E n mi co in d p nd n
o c e e e ce
W att Jam es f 0 0 O

Watt I aa n t h cotton Work r nd Dron

,

s, s c, o e e a e
m an f actur u e Working cla M ilitant ss : or
Wat rloo B ri d g S o ializa
e e, c g ni t i n f
a za o o

tion f o . Th S tat nd t h
e e a e
Wate work Sb i li t i n f
r s, c a za o o Politi al up r tition f c s e s s o
t he
Wealth : Divorc d from E e x

ch ang Valu 19 e e Z E IT GE I S T ,
E ff ec t of the 44