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.

THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. 90 bettering the condition of the working man, to solve that question which, though usually called Democratic Socialism, I should prefer to speak of simply as the social question? The only reproach that could be urged against me for not having pursued this course, is that I have not persevered till I reached a satisfactory result. But I have not had time enough to devote to it ; for foreign politics have engrossed the whole of my attention. But the moment I have time and opportunity, I am resolved to renew these efforts, which, however people may blame me for them, I claim some credit for attempting. In this speech he is defending himself against the charge of having, in furtherance of his designs, employed certain Socialist agents. But he recognizes the existence of a great problem, the greatest, perhaps, of the present day, and he is not disinclined to accept the ideas of Rodbertus and Lassalle. In another speech he says still more distinctly that the function of the King, that is, of the State, is to elevate the labouring classes. In 1865 he introduced to the King a deputation of working men from Wustegiersdorf, in Silesia, who wished personally to lay their grievances before their sovereign. Being attacked on this score, he replied, in the very midst of the Prussian Parliament, “ Gentlemen, the Kings of Prussia have never aimed at being the kings of the rich. Frederick the Great used to say, ‘ When I am king I will be a true beggars king,’ meaning, from the first, to stand up for the protection of the poor. Our kings have remained true to this principle. They have promoted the emancipation of the serf, and have thus created a prosperous class of peasants. Perhaps too— they are, at any rate, making it the object of their serious efforts—they will succeed in contributing something to the improvement of the working man’s condition.” These words sum up the programme of the party of Monarchical Christian Socialists, which has just appeared on the scene with a grand display of learning and eloc^uence. Again, Prince Bismarck’s socialistic proclivities were displayed in the question of the purchase of all railways by the State. The arguments advanced in support of this proposal may be applied to many other industries ; for the successful working of

Access restriction

Copyright

fullscreen: The Socialism of to-day

Monograph

Table of contents

Download

Monograph

This page

Image fragment

Citation links

Citation recommendation