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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THE SOCIALISTS OF THE CHAIR. 283 dencies of public opinion. The change has, indeed, been so profound that many of those who had risen up to fight the exclusive theory of the entirely beneficent action of. competi tion now feel obliged to attack the confidence, which is becoming more and more widespread, in the omnipotence of legislation and the State.” The new school is called to render great services. Neither the classical economy nor Socialism can serve as guide in the difficult work of bettering the condition of the labouring classes, and in gradually introducing a more equitable distribution of wealth. On the one hand, the orthodox economy, by persuad ing the ruling and well-to-do classes that the existing social order is as perfect as it can be, and that in any case unrestricted liberty will answer every need, gives them ground for denying that there is any social question, and induces them to reject as chimerical all aspirations towards a régime more conformable to justice. On the other hand, the scientific Socialism of St. Simon, of Marx, and of Lassalle has clearly pointed out the evils of modern society and the feebleness of all attempts at disputing their reality ; but when, going beyond criticism, these Socialists give utterance to their views of reform and reconstruction, they fail, because they do not take sufficient account of the teachings of history and the innate sentiments of humanity. Seeing in existing society nothing but evil, they are blindly optimistic as to the future. They do not sufficiently realize that, in order to arrive at a better order of things, the men who are called to establish and maintain it must themselves be made better, and that the first step is to purify and elevate current ideas as to duty and right. This is a work of long duration, reserved for the Socialism of the Chair. It will undertake it, armed with an accurate knowledge of the facts proved by history and statistics, and animated with the desire to aid in establishing amongst men that reign of justice and that kingdom of God, of which Plato caught a glimpse, and which the prophets of Israel and Jesus have announced to the world.

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