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

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274 THE SOC/AL/SM OF TO-DAY. finally persuaded that notions of morality and right ought to preside over the distribution of wealth. They gave up the belief that free competition, even if pushed to its final limits and applied to international trade, would suffice to establish amongst men a rational and equitable order. Without admit ting the exaggerations and the conclusions of the Socialists, and especially their appeals to a revolution, they accepted the principle which is the foundation of the Socialists’ claims. In conceding that, “in the struggle for existence,” the free play of conflicting interests does not bring about a division of wealth conformable to justice, and does not assign to the labourer a reward proportioned to the part he takes in production, they were logically led to call for the action of the State and the Legislature, not exactly in the same way as the Socialists—in order to effect a radical change in the civil laws, and especially as regards the rights of property and of inheritance—but in order to protect the weak and to fight against the hard conse quences of the new industrial régime. The opponents of the new school were, therefore, not wrong in saying that their doctrine was only a timid Socialism which shrank from its logical consequences.* Moreover, some of the adherents of the new doctrine, and those not the least considerable, approach closer and closer to what may be called scientific Socialism, as opposed to Utopian or revolutionary Socialism. Amongst these may be mentioned Adolf Samter, Lange, Diihring, Von Scheel, Wagner, Schæffle, and, in Italy, Loria. It is true that at the other extremity, towards the right, are * At the Congress of the Socialists of the Chair, which met at Eisenach in October, 1875, orie of the professors whom I met there told me that Bismarck was also of this opinion. This professor was a member of a deputation that went to the Chancellor to explain the wants of the uni versity. Prince Bismarck received them in the most cordial manner, and invited them to dinner. Among the guests were several “ Excellencies. “You will allow,” said the Chancellor to them, “that for to-day Science takes precedence of everylxjdy. Monsieur Professor, be so good as to offer your arm to Madame de Bismarck.” During the repast, he said to Professor X , “ You are, I suppose, a Katheder-Socialist ? ” “ Yes, your Excel lency.” “And why not simply Socialist? I too am a Socialist; but, unhappily, I have not time to take up the question. Certainly, however, there is much to be done for the labourers.” The Chancellor then, a* Professor X told me, explained his ideas on the subject in a few vigorous and fresh words, going to the very root of the social problem.

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