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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3i8 socialism in England. As stepping-stones to a happier period, we urge for immediate adoption :— “ The Compulsory Construction of healthy artisans’ and agricultural labourers dwellings in proportion to the population, such dwellings to be let at rents to cover the cost of construction and maintenance alone. _ Compulsory Education for all classes, together with the provision of at least one wholesome meal a day in each school. ‘‘ Eight Hours or less to be the normal working day in all trades. Cumulative Taxation upon all incomes above a fixed minimum not exceeding ;¿'300 a year. ^ State Appropriation of Railways with or without compensa tion.” (Compensation is a detail to be avoided if possible.) “The establishment of National Banks, which shall absorb all private institutions that derive a profit from operations in money or credit.” (The process of absorption is not described.) “Rapid Extinction of the National Debt” (it is not said how, but apparently “ rapid extinction ” is a euphemism for “ repudiation ”). _ Nationalization of the Land, and organization of agricultural and industrial armies under State control on co-operative principles.” Nothing is said about compensation to existing landowners, capitalists, and owners of property generally, because, apparently, none is intended. They are to be expropriated, if not by more summary methods, by means of the cumulative taxation above advocated. This appears still more plainly in the “Summary of the Principles of Socialism,” signed by the whole Executive Committee of the Democratic Federation, where, after explaining rather more fully the objects of the League, they say :— “ But this is confiscation. Far from it, it is restitution. Those who cry for compensation for past robbery, and shriek confiscation because the right to rob in future is challenged, should bear in mind that the men and women whom we would compensate are those who are now stumbling half-clothed and half-fed from a pauper cradle to a pauper grave, in order that capitalists and landlords may live in luxury and excess. The dead have passed beyond compensation ; it will be well if the living do not call for vengeance on their behalf. Our first principle as Socialists is that all should be well fed, well housed, well educated. For this object, we urge forward the Revolution, which our enemies hysterically shriek at, and frantically try to dam back. ” Let there be no mistake about it. The means which they advocate and exult in, to bring about the consummation which they desire, are what most persons call wholesale rapine and

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