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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74 THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. causes have demonstrated that Lassalle was wrong in demand ing State aid for the multiplication of working men’s associations. It would have been to condemn them to inevitable ruin. Every reform which aims at suddenly transforming the social order will fail, because the very elements of the transformation are lacking. Must we, then, despair of the future success of co-operative societies ? I do not think so. According as working men understand better what is necessary to their success, we shall see more and more of them arise and prosper.* The working man, on becoming an associate-capitalist, and receiving a pro portional part of the profits, will work better than a mere wage- earner. The produce will therefore be greater—a most vital consideration. But there remain three difficulties to overcome. In the first place, good managers must be found, and to enable this to be done they must be well paid. Secondly, co-opera tion associates not only sums of capital, but also men ; it is, therefore, essential that a spirit of mutual support and good understanding should reign among them. Finally, since co operation is republicanism applied to industry, the virtue which enables republics to live must be there, namely, obedience to established law and authority. I here is, therefore, a whole economic education to be achieved, for which time is necessary. * In America, where the working men are paid higher wages, they are better prepared to take part in the direction of industrial enterprises, and frequent examples of successful co-operative societies of production are met with. Thé following are a few taken from ScnbneYj Monthly Magazine, ^d from M. Limousin’s paper. Bulletin du Mouvement Social : The Beaverfall Co-operative Foundry, in Pennsylvania, was founded in 1872 u|X)n a small capital of 4000 dollars (about ;(^8oo). It now has 16,000 dollars (¿32W) capital,and pays upon each share an annual dividend of 12 to 15 per cent. The society comprises twenty-seven members. The Somerset Co-operative loundry Company, in Massachusetts, was established in 1867, with thirty associates and a capital of 14,000 dollars (;^28oo). Now, its fifty-three members have a capital of 30,000 dollars (¿6000), with a reserve fund of 28,000 dollars, and the dividends occasionally rose to 44 P^r cent. The Equitable Co operative of Rochester, in New York State, b^an in 1869 with 20,000 dollars (/^Sooo), now it has 100,000 dollars (425,oc)o), ilerived from accumulated profits. Some co-operative societies of production have succeeded in England, Germany, Italy, and Belgium. See the annual re- norts of Herr Schulze-Delitzsch ; “ History of Co-operation, by G. Holy- oake ; and M. Leond 'Andrimont’s book. Le Mouvement Co-opératif en Belgique.

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