The Socialism of to-day

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 835096955

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-28834

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Laveleye, Émile de

Title:: The Socialism of to-day

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Field & Tuer

Year of publication:: 1884

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (XLIV, 331 S.)

Collection:: Economics Books

Usage license:: Get license information via the feedback formular.

FERDINAND LASSALLE. 63 social order is the direct result of the ancient régime which, by keeping all property in the hands of the privileged classes, forced all others, directly or indirectly, to give up to the rich and the strong the best part of their gains. Liberty was pro claimed only after they had monopolized everything. The working man, while politically free, is, economically considered, as dependent as the serf of the Middle Ages. Like him, he is obliged to deliver up the ever-increasing product of his labour in exchange for the strict necessaries of life, and it is thus that his employers have been enabled to accumulate their capital. Their wealth being the fruit of the labour of others, “ property " should to-day be called “ altruity.” Eigenthum ist Fremdenthum. But at least, replies the Economist, you would not deny that the head of a business has a right to some reward for his skill, his care, and his management, and at the same time should have a premium to cover his possible losses. The profit of the manufacturer is, in reality, merely a higher salary than that of the others, and it is such because it is the reward of the most essential service, because the success of the concern depends upon it, and because it is only contingent That is true, says Lassalle, management should have its wages; but in great companies is it the directors who enjoy the greatest benefits? No, it is the shareholders, who do nothing. In private enterprises, the remuneration of the owner is quite out of proportion to the service rendered. As regards the risk that is to be covered by a premium, it exists for Tom, Dick and Harry, but not for the entire class of heads of firms, con sidered as a whole. What Tom loses Dick gains ; and statistics prove that the total of profits is increasing and is enormous. The class of capitalists, therefore, receive a premium for a risk that does not really exist. And besides, the fact that there is a risk proves a defect in the industrial organization. What should be done, then, is not to pay a premium, but to obviate the necessity of paying one. This would result from a better organization, and what this is Lassalle proceeds to show. Nowadays the labourer is completely at the mercy of capital. It is the world upside down. Properly, asserts Lassalle,

Access restriction

Copyright

fullscreen: The Socialism of to-day

Monograph

Table of contents

Download

Monograph

This page

Image fragment

Citation links

Citation recommendation