325 XXXIV. THE GROWTH AND DANGER OF BRITISH SOCIALISM. 431 XXXV. How THE PROGRESS OF SOCIALISM MAY BE CHECKED 440 BRITISH SOCIALISM CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION-WHAT IS SOCIALISM? WHAT is Socialism? It is exceedingly difficult to answer that question in a few words, for Socialism is exceedingly elusive and bewildering in its doctrines, its aims, and its proposals. 2 1 Its opponents have described it as "a doctrine of sordid materialism and of atheism," they have denounced it as "the gospel of everlasting bellyful," 1 and as "the coming slavery." They have stated that Socialism means to abolish religion, that it "would try to put laziness, thriftlessness, and inefficiency on a par with industry, thrift, and efficiency, that it would strive to break up not merely private property, but, what is far more important, the home, the chief prop upon which our whole civilisation stands." 3 The Socialists, on the other hand, claim that "Socialism presents the only living ideal of human existence "4; that "Socialism is science applied with knowledge and understanding to all branches of human activity "5; that 'Millar, Socialism, p. 21. "Herbert Spencer, The Man versus the State, p. 18 ff. B "Socialism is freedom," and that it is exceedingly Other Socialists have taught that "Socialism is an ethical system founded on justice and truth; it is a heartfelt, soul-inspiring religion, resting upon the love of God." "Socialism is a theory of social organisation, which reconciles the individual to society. It has discovered how the individual in society can attain to a state of complete development." "Socialism is the right of the community, acting in its corporate capacity, to intervene in the lives and labours of men and women." 10 1 Kessack, Capitalist Wilderness, p. 2. 2 Ford, Woman and Socialism, p. 3. 3 Keir Hardie, From Serfdom to Socialism, p. 1. 7 Shaw, The Impossibilities of Anarchism, p. 3. 10 Labour Record, February 1907. "Socialism is nothing but the extension of democratic selfgovernment from the political to the industrial world.” 1 "Socialism is an endeavour to substitute for the anarchical struggle or fight for existence an organised co-operation for existence.' 192 "Socialism may be described as an endeavour to readjust the machinery of industry in such a way that it can at once depend upon and issue in a higher kind of character and social type than is encouraged by the conditions of ordinary competitive enterprise." 3 "Socialism is the development of policies concerning the welfare of society." "It is not arbitrary destruction and reconstruction, but a natural process of development.' "The idea of Socialism will conquer the world, for this idea is nothing but the real, well understood interest of mankind." "Its principles will carry the whole human race to a higher state of perfection." "It is the great modern protest against unreality, against the delusive shams which now masquerade as verities." 8 "Socialism is of the character of a historical discovery." " "Socialism, the inspiring principle of all Labour Parties, whether they know it or not, is the next world movement -the movement of the constructive intellect." 10 Socialism is rich in promises, and its claims to our consideration and support are manifold. Are these claims justified or not? Are the Socialists or the Anti-Socialists right in their conception of Socialism? The Socialists maintain that all opposition to Socialism is based either on self-interest or ignorance, and princi 1 Webb, The Difficulties of Individualism, p. 15. 5 Bebel, Woman, p. 257. Sorge, Socialism and the Worker, p. 13. Bax, Religion of Socialism, p. ix. 7 Ibid. p. 16. "Lafargue, in Bliss, Encyclopedia of Social Reform, p. 1264. pally upon the latter. Therefore one of the Socialist leaders wrote: "Those who wish to understand Socialism will be wise to study Socialist books and papers. One does not expect a true and fair account of any theory or cause from its enemies. The man who takes his ideas of Trade-Unionism from the Free Labour League, his ideas of Liberalism from the Tory papers, his ideas of South African affairs-or any other affairs-from the Yellow Press, will be misled into all manner of absurdities and errors. The statements of party politicians and party newspapers on most controversial subjects are prejudiced and inaccurate; but there is no subject upon which the professional misleaders of the people are so untrustworthy and so disingenuous as they are upon the subject of Socialism." 1 A leading Socialist organ complained: "Our opponents decline to deal with the fundamental principles of Socialism-its unanswerable indictment of the capitalist system, with all its concomitants of wageslavery and slumdom; prostitution and child murder— and prefer instead to indulge in calumniation and misrepresentation of Socialism. We need not complain about that. It is a tribute to the soundness of the Socialist position, to the irrefutability of its principles, the impregnability of the rock of economic truth upon which it is based, that our enemies dare not oppose the principles of Socialism, dare not attempt to meet the charge Socialism levels against the existing order." 2 There is much truth in these complaints. The general public and most writers and speakers know very little about Socialism, because this most interesting subject has been very inadequately treated in the existing books. The existing books on Socialism describe, analyse, and criticise the Socialist doctrines only in the abstract Blatchford, What is this Socialism? p. 2. 2 Justice, October 19, 1907. |