The Socialism of to-day

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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

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THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. 70 called impracticable, is practised under our very eyes and with such success in Catholic countries that, if the civil government did not take precautions, the religious bodies would speedily absorb everything. But here, again, self-interest is brought into play, only the object it seeks after is situated in heaven. In joint-stock companies the same difficulty exists with regard to the choice of managers as that encountered by co-operative societies. The incentive of private interest is weakened, but the directors are well paid. They usually have a share of the profits, and they may be changed if they manage the business badly ; hence they are interested in doing well. Furthermore, as the most capable men are chosen, they are almost always superior to manufacturers who work on their own account, and thus their greater capacity compensates for the more feeble action of personal interest. The majority of co-operative societies have succumbed, on the contrary, through the shortcomings of their managers. The reason is evident. Co-operation as compared to individual enterprise is repub lican government succeeding to despotic rule. History, and even contemporary facts, prove that many qualities are needful in a people before republican institutions can succeed among them. In order to conduct a commercial or industrial enter prise properly, certain special aptitudes are indispensable ; and if working men were to choose one of their number, these aptitudes would frequently be found wanting in him. His authority would be disputed, and his equals would not obey him properly. Enthusiasm for the work undertaken would keep the co-operators to their duty for some time ; but sooner or later they would tire, devotion to their principles would cool down, incompatibilities of temper would manifest themselves, and dissensions or the incapacity of managers would finally lead to the dissolution of the society. In order to have a capable director, it would be necessary to pay him well ; he would straightway become a bourgeois, living like a bourgeois, a fact which would at once excite the jealousy of his comrades. His salary would be about equal to the profits of the single owner, and thus no saving would be effected. This draw-

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