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.

II2 THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. as at the time of the Jacquerie in France, of Wat Tyler in England, and, in the sixteenth century, of the peasants’ war in Germany. To-day the lot of the lower classes is much improved, and yet it is at this moment that the disease is showing itself. It appears even in countries where easy circumstances are general, as in the United States. Poverty, then, is not its cause, but rather the contrast between the ideal and the actual. What will make it spread and endure is, in the second place, the diffusion of a certain amount of natural science and poli tical economy ; and lastly, the constant and rapid means of communication between man and man—the railways, the post, and, above all, the press. When a revolutionary movement starts from a few leaders, it is possible to put an end to the danger by suppressing them. But when a profound fermentation takes hold of the masses, it is of no use to get rid of the leaders : others will always be found to fill their places. It is too late in the day to suppress all liberties. People will put up with an exceptional régime during a critical period, but no civilized State in the West will any longer submit definitively to absolution and a state of siege. We may see, moreover, by the case of Russia, that security is not to be obtained in this way. According to Herrlodt, Christianity alone can reconcile the antagonistic classes, the rich and the poor, by filling their hearts with brotherly love and the sense of justice. Examining in succession the several articles of the pro gramme of Radical Socialism, our author compares them with the principles of the Gospel, and points out in what they agree with it and in what they differ from it. This study of the social bearing of Christianity indicates clearly the close relations which exist between Political Economy and religious ideas. We cannot discuss here the numerous questions raised by this comparison. We believe it may be said that the funda mental idea of the Social Evangelical group is correct, d'o dis arm popular animosities, the upper classes, commencing with the leaders of the State, must concern themselves with ever)- thing that can better the lot of the masses. Christian charity must be translated into facts. Formerly, this duty was thought

Access restriction

Copyright

fullscreen: The Socialism of to-day

Monograph

Table of contents

Download

Monograph

This page

Image fragment

Citation links

Citation recommendation