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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322 SOCIALISM IN ENGLAND. carried on, and in itself suffices to demonstrate the utter futility and imbecility of the whole scheme. “ It may seem,” adds Mr. Bax, “to those accustomed to the present system, an injustice that the clever doctor, advocate, artist, author, or composer should be able to absorb no more of the good things of life than the man of average ability. This is only one of the countless instances of custom perverting the mental, or rather moral, vision The natural and unperverted moral sense would seem to declare for the very reverse, namely, that inasmuch as the gifted man is placed by nature on a higher level than the ordinary man, .... he should the rather forego a portion of his own legitimate share. The utmost, however, that is contemplated by the Socialist is his being placed on an equal economical foot ing with his naturally inferior brother.” This principle of remuneration may suit the unperverted moral sense of angels in Dreamland, but it is idle to pretend that, without a moral revolution far more radical than the material revolution of the Socialists, such a principle would promote Invention, Imagina tion, Science, Art, and Literature, to say nothing of material wealth, amongst ordinary human beings. It appears that, after all, individual production for profit will not be prohibited in the Collectivist state. “ Prohibitory laws,” says Mr. Bax,* “ will be quite unnecessary when private enterprise ceases to be profitable, as it must when the whole of the means of production, distribution, and credit on a large scale are in the possession of the people themselves.” Ac cordingly, he answers an objection of M. Leroy-Beaulieu, namely, that “ under the Collectivist régime no one would be allowed to mend his neighbour’s trousers or shirt for a monetary consideration,” by the statement that “ all those who desire to make a living by an individualistic mending of shirts and trousers will be allowed full liberty to satisfy their aspirations.” With characteristic confidence he adds, “ We will not vouch for their being much patronized, for the probability of repairs of this character being executed better, more rapidly, and with less expenditure of labour in the State or communal factory is * See his criticism of M. Leroy-Beaulieu’s “ Collectivisme ” in To-day (September, 1884), pp. 297, 298.

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