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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136 THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. to ask whether the bishops or the economists will exercise the greater influence over the people ? The Christlich-sociale Blaetter soon published the principles which were to preside over the organization of the Catholic Social Associations. These statutes are in several respects worthy of attention. No member of these associations can belong at the same time to a Social Democratic club. Every Christian Social Association must cleave closely to the Church : extra Ecclesiain nulla salus. It should place itself under the patronage of St. Joseph, and should celebrate the anniversary of its foundation with religious festivals. A priest ought not to be selected as president, but some sound person who has the full confidence of the clergy. Persons of property, and even employers of labour, may be appointed honorary mem bers, but must not have any voice in the management of the association. Even the appearance of being “ taken in tow by capital ” {im schlepptau des Kapitals) must be carefully avoided. Coalitions and strikes should not be absolutely condemned, for that would involve the loss of all influence over the working men. Moreover, in the existing industrial system, working men have no other means of defending themselves and of making their rights respected. It is best to exclude politics, except when the interests of the Church are at stake, when the associations should throw themselves into the contest with all their strength. Meetings should be convened on Sundays, for , the discussion of all matters concerning the social question. Associations of journeymen, those of factory operatives, and those of rural labourers, form the three main branches of the grand social confederation, and between them a close alliance should be established. This, as may be seen, opened up an ambitious prospect. The idea was nothing short of combining in one general federation, submissive to the Church, the living forces of the labourers in both workshop and field throughout all Germany. It was something more than an imperium in imperio ; it was society itself, brigaded and drilled by ecclesiastics, who were to be versed at once in theology and political economy. The central committee fixed with great wisdom the limit of

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