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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SOCIALISM IN ENGLAND. 325 present stage of civilization, would probably be found not very far apart They have in common the absolute abolition, that is, the forcible destruction, root and branch, of the existing social economical and political order, and it would require the mind of a sibyl to foresee the shape which, after the chaos, the palingenesis will assume. Mr. Matthew Arnold once said, “No individual life can be truly prosperous passed in the midst of those who suffer. To the noble soul it cannot be happy, to the ignoble it cannot be safe.” There are many noble souls, outside the Social Demo cratic Federation, who feel this truth profoundly. They, how ever, may be called Social Reformers rather than Socialists. They admit many counts of the indictment drawn against the existing industrialism by the Revolutionary Socialists, but they Say that these latter, by their reckless exaggerations, only obscure the facts ; by aggravating the existing antagonism between employers and employed, only shut the door to the reconciliation of their interests ; and, by urging on a hopeless and hideous revolution, only postpone reform. The position of Radicals who have accepted the teaching of the new Political Kconomy is well stated by the late Mr. Arnold Toynbee, one of its most ardent representatives. “ The Radical Creed, as I understand it,” he says, “ is this : We have not abandoned our old belief in liberty, justice, and self-help, but we say that under certain conditions the people cannot help themselves, and that then they should be helped by the State representing directly the whole people. In giving this State help, we make three conditions : first, the matter must be one of primary social importance ; next, it must be proved to be practicable ; thirdly, the State interference must not diminish self-reliance. . . . We differ from Tory Socialism in so far as we are in favour, not of Paternal, but of fraternal government, and we differ from Con tinental Socialism, because we accept the principle of private property and repudiate confiscation and violence.” In spite of the efforts of the Social Democrats, the conflict classes is not nearly so bitter as it used to be even a few years ago. Trades Unionism, apart from its action in providing I^Gnefit Societies, is no longer looked upon as other than a Y 3

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