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.

i6o THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. On the question of machines, the discussions were some what confused. The delegates could not, like ignorant labourers, condemn the use of the improved machines that dis coveries of sciences were placing at the service of industry. On the contrary, they prided themselves on having no other religion than that of science. To proscribe machines logically involves breaking up the plough, the shuttle, the spade—in a word, all tools, and returning to the age of stone. Nobody called for the suppression of machines ; but the majority of the congress appeared to be convinced that the employment of machines diminishes the demand for labour, and consequently reduces wages, though all the facts hitherto ascertained prove the contrary. Finally, the following resolution was adopted :— “ That it was only by co-operative societies and a system of mutual credit that the producers could become themselves the owners of machines ; meanwhile, as matters were, working men, constituted into societies of resistance, might interfere with advantage to prevent the introduction of machines, without certain guarantees and compensations to the labourer.” The principal end aimed at by the International appears clearly in the debate on the question of strikes. Graglia, the delegate from Geneva, showed that the masons’ strike had suc ceeded because the employers believed that considerable funds had been sent from England, France, and Belgium. Working men in every countiy should, he said, combine in sections and form provident funds, which might on occasion become defence funds. In every town groups should be formed, and should be all united by an international tie, and the whole labouring class should come to the aid of those who resist, “ in order to defend the rights of labour.” In this way there would be no more strikes, for employers, convinced beforehand that they should have to give way, would yield before there was any need of having recourse to strikes. Such was the original idea of the International, but the later adherents considered it narrow and mean. It was, in fact, the idea of the English trades unions, which, accepting wages as a fact, simply endeavoured to raise them as high as possible. According, however, to the continental Internationalists, the object to aim

Access restriction

Copyright

fullscreen: The Socialism of to-day

Monograph

Table of contents

Download

Monograph

This page

Image fragment

Citation links

Citation recommendation