第1章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Signs of Change",免费读到尾

  Contents:

  HowweLiveandHowweMightLiveWhigs,Democrats,andSocialistsFeudalEnglandTheHopesofCivilizationTheAimsofArtUsefulWorkversusUselessToilDawnofaNewEpochHOWWELIVEANDHOWWEMIGHTLIVE

  ThewordRevolution,whichweSocialistsaresooftenforcedtouse,hasaterriblesoundinmostpeople’sears,evenwhenwehaveexplainedtothemthatitdoesnotnecessarilymeanachangeaccompaniedbyriotandallkindsofviolence,andcannotmeanachangemademechanicallyandintheteethofopinionbyagroupofmenwhohavesomehowmanagedtoseizeontheexecutivepowerforthemoment。Evenwhenweexplainthatweusethewordrevolutioninitsetymologicalsense,andmeanbyitachangeinthebasisofsociety,peoplearescaredattheideaofsuchavastchange,andbegthatyouwillspeakofreformandnotrevolution。As,however,weSocialistsdonotatallmeanbyourwordrevolutionwhattheseworthypeoplemeanbytheirwordreform,Ican’thelpthinkingthatitwouldbeamistaketouseit,whateverprojectswemightconcealbeneathitsharmlessenvelope。Sowewillsticktoourword,whichmeansachangeofthebasisofsociety;itmayfrightenpeople,butitwillatleastwarnthemthatthereissomethingtobefrightenedabout,whichwillbenolessdangerousforbeingignored;andalsoitmayencouragesomepeople,andwillmeantothematleastnotafear,butahope。

  FearandHope——thosearethenamesofthetwogreatpassionswhichruletheraceofman,andwithwhichrevolutionistshavetodeal;togivehopetothemanyoppressedandfeartothefewoppressors,thatisourbusiness;ifwedothefirstandgivehopetothemany,thefewMUSTbefrightenedbytheirhope;otherwisewedonotwanttofrightenthem;itisnotrevengewewantforpoorpeople,buthappiness;indeed,whatrevengecanbetakenforallthethousandsofyearsofthesufferingsofthepoor?

  However,manyoftheoppressorsofthepoor,mostofthem,wewillsay,arenotconsciousoftheirbeingoppressors(weshallseewhypresently);theyliveinanorderly,quietwaythemselves,asfaraspossibleremovedfromthefeelingsofaRomanslave—owneroraLegree;theyknowthatthepoorexist,buttheirsufferingsdonotpresentthemselvestotheminatrenchantanddramaticway;theythemselveshavetroublestobear,andtheythinkdoubtlessthattobeartroubleisthelotofhumanity,norhavetheyanymeansofcomparingthetroublesoftheirliveswiththoseofpeoplelowerinthesocialscale;andifeverthethoughtofthoseheaviertroublesobtrudesitselfuponthem,theyconsolethemselveswiththemaximthatpeopledogetusedtothetroublestheyhavetobear,whatevertheymaybe。

  Indeed,asfarasregardsindividualsatleast,thatisbuttootrue,sothatwehaveassupportersofthepresentstateofthings,howeverbaditmaybe,firstthosecomfortableunconsciousoppressorswhothinkthattheyhaveeverythingtofearfromanychangewhichwouldinvolvemorethanthesoftestandmostgradualofreforms,andsecondlythosepoorpeoplewho,livinghardandanxiouslyastheydo,canhardlyconceiveofanychangeforthebetterhappeningtothem,anddarenotriskonetittleoftheirpoorpossessionsintakinganyactiontowardsapossiblebetteringoftheircondition;sothatwhilewecandolittlewiththerichsaveinspirethemwithfear,itishardindeedtogivethepooranyhope。Itis,then,nolessthanreasonablethatthosewhomwetrytoinvolveinthegreatstruggleforabetterformoflifethanthatwhichwenowleadshouldcallonustogivethematleastsomeideaofwhatthatlifemaybelike。

  Areasonablerequest,buthardtosatisfy,sincewearelivingunderasystemthatmakesconsciousefforttowardsreconstructionalmostimpossible:itisnotunreasonableonourparttoanswer,\"Therearecertaindefiniteobstaclestotherealprogressofman;wecantellyouwhattheseare;takethemaway,andthenyoushallsee。\"

  However,Ipurposenowtooffermyselfasavictimforthesatisfactionofthosewhoconsiderthatasthingsnowgowehaveatleastgotsomething,andareterrifiedattheideaoflosingtheirholdofthat,lesttheyshouldfindtheyareworseoffthanbefore,andhavenothing。Yetinthecourseofmyendeavourtoshowhowwemightlive,Imustmoreorlessdealinnegatives。ImeantosayI

  mustpointoutwhereinmyopinionwefallshortinourpresentattemptsatdecentlife。Imustasktherichandwell—to—dowhatsortofapositionitiswhichtheyaresoanxioustopreserveatanycost?andif,afterall,itwillbesuchaterriblelosstothemtogiveitup?andImustpointouttothepoorthatthey,withcapacitiesforlivingadignifiedandgenerouslife,areinapositionwhichtheycannotendurewithoutcontinueddegradation。

  Howdowelive,then,underourpresentsystem?Letuslookatitalittle。

  Andfirst,pleasetounderstandthatourpresentsystemofSocietyisbasedonastateofperpetualwar。Doanyofyouthinkthatthisisasitshouldbe?Iknowthatyouhaveoftenbeentoldthatthecompetition,whichisatpresenttheruleofallproduction,isagoodthing,andstimulatestheprogressoftherace;butthepeoplewhotellyouthisshouldcallcompetitionbyitsshorternameofWAR

  iftheywishtobehonest,andyouwouldthenbefreetoconsiderwhetherornowarstimulatesprogress,otherwisethanasamadbullchasingyouoveryourowngardenmaydo。Warorcompetition,whicheveryoupleasetocallit,meansatthebestpursuingyourownadvantageatthecostofsomeoneelse’sloss,andintheprocessofityoumustnotbesparingofdestructionevenofyourownpossessions,oryouwillcertainlycomebytheworseinthestruggle。

  Youunderstandthatperfectlyastothekindofwarinwhichpeoplegoouttokillandbekilled;thatsortofwarinwhichshipsarecommissioned,forinstance,\"tosink,burn,anddestroy;\"butitappearsthatyouarenotsoconsciousofthiswasteofgoodswhenyouareonlycarryingonthatotherwarcalledCOMMERCE;observe,however,thatthewasteisthereallthesame。

  Nowletuslookatthiskindofwaralittlecloser,runthroughsomeoftheformsofit,thatwemayseehowthe\"burn,sink,anddestroy\"

  iscarriedoninit。

  First,youhavethatformofitcallednationalrivalry,whichingoodtruthisnowadaysthecauseofallgunpowderandbayonetwarswhichcivilizednationswage。ForyearspastweEnglishhavebeenrathershyofthem,exceptonthosehappyoccasionswhenwecouldcarrythemonatnosortofrisktoourselves,whenthekillingwasallononeside,oratalleventswhenwehopeditwouldbe。Wehavebeenshyofgunpowderwarwitharespectableenemyforalongwhile,andIwilltellyouwhy:Itisbecausewehavehadthelion’s—shareoftheworld—market;wedidn’twanttofightforitasanation,forwehadgotit;butnowthisischanginginamostsignificant,and,toaSocialist,amostcheeringway;wearelosingorhavelostthatlion’sshare;itisnowadesperate\"competition\"betweenthegreatnationsofcivilizationfortheworld—market,andto—morrowitmaybeadesperatewarforthatend。Asaresult,thefurtheringofwar(ifitbenotontoolargeascale)isnolongerconfinedtothehonour—

  and—glorykindofoldTories,whoiftheymeantanythingatallbyitmeantthataTorywarwouldbeagoodoccasionfordampingdowndemocracy;wehavechangedallthat,andnowitisquiteanotherkindofpoliticianthatiswonttourgeusonto\"patriotism\"as’tiscalled。TheleadersoftheProgressiveLiberals,astheywouldcallthemselves,long—headedpersonswhoknowwellenoughthatsocialmovementsaregoingon,whoarenotblindtothefactthattheworldwillmovewiththeirhelporwithoutit;thesehavebeentheJingoesoftheselaterdays。Idon’tmeantosaytheyknowwhattheyaredoing:politicians,asyouwellknow,takegoodcaretoshuttheireyestoeverythingthatmayhappensixmonthsahead;butwhatisbeingdoneisthis:thatthepresentsystem,whichalwaysmustincludenationalrivalry,ispushingusintoadesperatescrambleforthemarketsonmoreorlessequaltermswithothernations,because,oncemore,wehavelostthatcommandofthemwhichweoncehad。

  Desperateisnottoostrongaword。Weshallletthisimpulsetosnatchmarketscarryuswhitheritwill,whitheritmust。To—dayitissuccessfulburglaryanddisgrace,to—morrowitmaybemeredefeatanddisgrace。

  Nowthisisnotadigression,althoughinsayingthisIamnearertowhatisgenerallycalledpoliticsthanIshallbeagain。Ionlywanttoshowyouwhatcommercialwarcomestowhenithastodowithforeignnations,andthateventhedullestcanseehowmerewastemustgowithit。Thatishowwelivenowwithforeignnations,preparedtoruinthemwithoutwarifpossible,withitifnecessary,letalonemeantimethedisgracefulexploitingofsavagetribesandbarbarouspeoples,onwhomweforceatonceourshoddywaresandourhypocrisyatthecannon’smouth。

  Well,surelySocialismcanofferyousomethingintheplaceofallthat。Itcan;itcanofferyoupeaceandfriendshipinsteadofwar。

  Wemightliveutterlywithoutnationalrivalries,acknowledgingthatwhileitisbestforthosewhofeelthattheynaturallyformacommunityunderonenametogovernthemselves,yetthatnocommunityincivilizationshouldfeelthatithadinterestsopposedanyother,theireconomicalconditionbeingatanyratesimilar;sothatanycitizenofonecommunitycouldfalltoworkandlivewithoutdisturbanceofhislifewhenhewasinaforeigncountry,andwouldfitintohisplacequitenaturally;sothatallcivilizednationswouldformonegreatcommunity,agreeingtogetherastothekindandamountofproductionanddistributionneeded;workingatsuchandsuchproductionwhereitcouldbebestproduced;avoidingwastebyallmeans。Pleasetothinkoftheamountofwastewhichtheywouldavoid,howmuchsucharevolutionwouldaddtothewealthoftheworld!Whatcreatureonearthwouldbeharmedbysucharevolution?

  Nay,wouldnoteverybodybethebetterforit?Andwhathindersit?

  Iwilltellyoupresently。

  Meantimeletuspassfromthis\"competition\"betweennationstothatbetween\"theorganizersoflabour,\"greatfirms,joint—stockcompanies;capitalistsinshort,andseehowcompetition\"stimulatesproduction\"amongthem:indeeditdoesdothat;butwhatkindofproduction?Well,productionofsomethingtosellataprofit,orsayproductionofprofits:andnotehowwarcommercialstimulatesthat:acertainmarketisdemandinggoods;thereare,say,ahundredmanufacturerswhomakethatkindofgoods,andeveryoneofthemwouldifhecouldkeepthatmarkettohimself;andstrugglesdesperatelytogetasmuchofitashecan,withtheobviousresultthatpresentlythethingisoverdone,andthemarketisglutted,andallthatfuryofmanufacturehastosinkintocoldashes。Doesn’tthatseemsomethinglikewartoyou?Can’tyouseethewasteofit——

  wasteoflabour,skill,cunning,wasteoflifeinshort?Well,youmaysay,butitcheapensthegoods。Inasenseitdoes;andyetonlyapparently,aswageshaveatendencytosinkfortheordinaryworkerinproportionaspricessink;andatwhatacostdowegainthisappearanceofcheapness!Plainlyspeaking,atthecostofcheatingtheconsumerandstarvingtherealproducerforthebenefitofthegambler,whousesbothconsumerandproducerashismilchcows。I

  needn’tgoatlengthintothesubjectofadulteration,foreveryoneknowswhatkindofapartitplaysinthissortofcommerce;butrememberthatitisanabsolutelynecessaryincidenttotheproductionofprofitoutofwares,whichisthebusinessoftheso—

  calledmanufacturer;andthisyoumustunderstand,that,takinghiminthelump,theconsumerisperfectlyhelplessagainstthegambler;

  thegoodsareforcedonhimbytheircheapness,andwiththemacertainkindoflifewhichthatenergetic,thataggressivecheapnessdeterminesforhim:forsofar—reachingisthiscurseofcommercialwarthatnocountryissafefromitsravages;thetraditionsofathousandyearsfallbeforeitinamonth;itoverrunsaweakorsemi—

  barbarouscountry,andwhateverromanceorpleasureorartexistedthere,istroddendownintoamireofsordidnessandugliness;theIndianorJavanesecraftsmanmaynolongerplyhiscraftleisurely,workingafewhoursaday,inproducingamazeofstrangebeautyonapieceofcloth:asteam—engineisseta—goingatManchester,andthatvictoryovernatureandathousandstubborndifficultiesisusedforthebaseworkofproducingasortofplasterofchina—clayandshoddy,andtheAsiaticworker,ifheisnotstarvedtodeathoutright,asplentifullyhappens,isdrivenhimselfintoafactorytolowerthewagesofhisManchesterbrotherworker,andnothingofcharacterislefthimexcept,mostlike,anaccumulationoffearandhatredofthattohimmostunaccountableevil,hisEnglishmaster。

  TheSouthSeaIslandermustleavehiscanoe—carving,hissweetrest,andhisgracefuldances,andbecometheslaveofaslave:trousers,shoddy,rum,missionary,andfataldisease——hemustswallowallthiscivilizationinthelump,andneitherhimselfnorwecanhelphimnowtillsocialorderdisplacesthehideoustyrannyofgamblingthathasruinedhim。

  Letthosebetypesoftheconsumer:butnowfortheproducer;Imeantherealproducer,theworker;howdoesthisscramblefortheplunderofthemarketaffecthim?Themanufacturer,intheeagernessofhiswar,hashadtocollectintooneneighbourhoodavastarmyofworkers,hehasdrilledthemtilltheyareasfitasmaybeforhisspecialbranchofproduction,thatis,formakingaprofitoutofit,andwiththeresultoftheirbeingfitfornothingelse:well,whentheglutcomesinthatmarketheissupplying,whathappenstothisarmy,everyprivateinwhichhasbeendependingonthesteadydemandinthatmarket,andacting,ashecouldnotchoosebutact,asifitweretogoonforever?Youknowwellwhathappenstothesemen:

  thefactorydoorisshutonthem;onaverylargepartofthemoften,andatthebestonthereservearmyoflabour,sobusilyemployedinthetimeofinflation。Whatbecomesofthem?Nay,weknowthatwellenoughjustnow。Butwhatwedon’tknow,ordon’tchoosetoknow,is,thatthisreservearmyoflabourisanabsolutenecessityforcommercialwar;ifOURmanufacturershadnotgotthesepoordevilswhomtheycoulddraftontotheirmachineswhenthedemandswelled,othermanufacturersinFrance,orGermany,orAmerica,wouldstepinandtakethemarketfromthem。

  Soyousee,aswelivenow,itisnecessarythatavastpartoftheindustrialpopulationshouldbeexposedtothedangerofperiodicalsemi—starvation,andthat,notfortheadvantageofthepeopleinanotherpartoftheworld,butfortheirdegradationandenslavement。

  Justletyourmindsrunforamomentonthekindofwastewhichthismeans,thisopeningupofnewmarketsamongsavageandbarbarouscountrieswhichistheextremetypeoftheforceoftheprofit—marketontheworld,andyouwillsurelyseewhatahideousnightmarethatprofit—marketis:itkeepsussweatingandterrifiedforourlivelihood,unabletoreadabook,orlookatapicture,orhavepleasantfieldstowalkin,ortolieinthesun,ortoshareintheknowledgeofourtime,tohaveinshorteitheranimalorintellectualpleasure,andforwhat?thatwemaygoonlivingthesameslavishlifetillwedie,inordertoprovideforarichmanwhatiscalledalifeofeaseandluxury;thatistosay,alifesoempty,unwholesome,anddegraded,thatperhaps,onthewhole,heisworseoffthanwetheworkersare:andastotheresultofallthissuffering,itisluckiestwhenitisnothingatall,whenyoucansaythatthewareshavedonenobodyanygood;foroftenesttheyhavedonemanypeopleharm,andwehavetoiledandgroanedanddiedinmakingpoisonanddestructionforourfellow—men。

  Well,Isayallthisiswar,andtheresultsofwar,thewarthistime,notofcompetingnations,butofcompetingfirmsorcapitalistunits:anditisthiswarofthefirmswhichhindersthepeacebetweennationswhichyousurelyhaveagreedwithmeinthinkingissonecessary;foryoumustknowthatwaristheverybreathofthenostrilsofthesefightingfirms,andtheyhavenow,inourtimes,gotintotheirhandsnearlyallthepoliticalpower,andtheybandtogetherineachcountryinordertomaketheirrespectivegovernmentsfulfiljusttwofunctions:thefirstisathometoactasastrongpoliceforce,tokeeptheringinwhichthestrongarebeatingdowntheweak;thesecondistoactasapiraticalbody—guardabroad,apetardtoexplodethedoorswhichleadtothemarketsoftheworld:marketsatanypriceabroad,uninterfered—withprivilege,falselycalledlaissez—faire,{1}atanypriceathome,toprovidetheseisthesolebusinessofagovernmentsuchasourindustrialcaptainshavebeenabletoconceiveof。Imustnowtrytoshowyouthereasonofallthis,andwhatitrestson,bytryingtoanswerthequestion,Whyhavetheprofit—makersgotallthispower,oratleastwhyaretheyabletokeepit?

  Thattakesustothethirdformofwarcommercial:thelast,and,theonewhichalltherestisfoundedon。Wehavespokenfirstofthewarofrivalnations;nextofthatofrivalfirms:wehavenowtospeakofrivalmen。Asnationsunderthepresentsystemaredriventocompetewithoneanotherforthemarketsoftheworld,andasfirmsorthecaptainsofindustryhavetoscramblefortheirshareoftheprofitsofthemarkets,soalsohavetheworkerstocompetewitheachother——forlivelihood;anditisthisconstantcompetitionorwaramongstthemwhichenablestheprofit—grinderstomaketheirprofits,andbymeansofthewealthsoacquiredtotakealltheexecutivepowerofthecountryintotheirhands。Buthereisthedifferencebetweenthepositionoftheworkersandtheprofit—makers:

  tothelatter,theprofit—grinders,warisnecessary;youcannothaveprofit—makingwithoutcompetition,individual,corporate,andnational;butyoumayworkforalivelihoodwithoutcompeting;youmaycombineinsteadofcompeting。

  Ihavesaidwarwasthelife—breathoftheprofit—makers;inlikemanner,combinationisthelifeoftheworkers。Theworking—classesorproletariatcannotevenexistasaclasswithoutcombinationofsomesort。Thenecessitywhichforcedtheprofit—grinderstocollecttheirmenfirstintoworkshopsworkingbythedivisionoflabour,andnextintogreatfactoriesworkedbymachinery,andsograduallytodrawthemintothegreattownsandcentresofcivilization,gavebirthtoadistinctworking—classorproletariat:andthisitwaswhichgavethemtheirMECHANICALexistence,sotosay。Butnote,thattheyareindeedcombinedintosocialgroupsfortheproductionofwares,butonlyasyetmechanically;theydonotknowwhattheyareworkingat,norwhomtheyareworkingfor,becausetheyarecombiningtoproducewaresofwhichtheprofitofamasterformsanessentialpart,insteadofgoodsfortheirownuse:aslongastheydothis,andcompetewitheachotherforleavetodoit,theywillbe,andwillfeelthemselvestobe,simplyapartofthosecompetingfirmsIhavebeenspeakingof;theywillbeinfactjustapartofthemachineryfortheproductionofprofit;andsolongasthislastsitwillbetheaimofthemastersorprofit—makerstodecreasethemarketvalueofthishumanpartofthemachinery;thatistosay,sincetheyalreadyholdintheirhandsthelabourofdeadmenintheformofcapitalandmachinery,itistheirinterest,orwewillsaytheirnecessity,topayaslittleastheycanhelpforthelabouroflivingmenwhichtheyhavetobuyfromdaytoday:andsincetheworkmentheyemployhavenothingbuttheirlabour—power,theyarecompelledtounderbidoneanotherforemploymentandwages,andsoenablethecapitalisttoplayhisgame。

  Ihavesaidthat,asthingsgo,theworkersareapartofthecompetingfirms,anadjunctofcapital。Nevertheless,theyareonlysobycompulsion;and,evenwithouttheirbeingconsciousofit,theystruggleagainstthatcompulsionanditsimmediateresults,theloweringoftheirwages,oftheirstandardoflife;andthistheydo,andmustdo,bothasaclassandindividually:justastheslaveofthegreatRomanlord,thoughhedistinctlyfelthimselftobeapartofthehousehold,yetcollectivelywasaforceinreserveforitsdestruction,andindividuallystolefromhislordwheneverhecouldsafelydoso。So,here,yousee,isanotherformofwarnecessarytothewaywelivenow,thewarofclassagainstclass,which,whenitrisestoitsheight,anditseemstoberisingatpresent,willdestroythoseotherformsofwarwehavebeenspeakingof;willmakethepositionoftheprofit—makers,ofperpetualcommercialwar,untenable;willdestroythepresentsystemofcompetitiveprivilege,orcommercialwar。

  Nowobserve,Isaidthattotheexistenceoftheworkersitwascombination,notcompetition,thatwasnecessary,whiletothatoftheprofit—makerscombinationwasimpossible,andwarnecessary。Thepresentpositionoftheworkersisthatofthemachineryofcommerce,orinplainerwordsitsslaves;whentheychangethatpositionandbecomefree,theclassofprofit—makersmustceasetoexist;andwhatwillthenbethepositionoftheworkers?Evenasitistheyaretheonenecessarypartofsociety,thelife—givingpart;theotherclassesarebuthangers—onwholiveonthem。Butwhatshouldtheybe,whatwilltheybe,whenthey,onceforall,cometoknowtheirrealpower,andceasecompetingwithoneanotherforlivelihood?I

  willtellyou:theywillbesociety,theywillbethecommunity。

  Andbeingsociety——thatis,therebeingnoclassoutsidethemtocontendwith——theycanthenregulatetheirlabourinaccordancewiththeirownrealneeds。

  Thereismuchtalkaboutsupplyanddemand,butthesupplyanddemandusuallymeantisanartificialone;itisundertheswayofthegamblingmarket;thedemandisforced,asIhintedabove,beforeitissupplied;nor,aseachproducerisworkingagainstalltherest,cantheproducersholdtheirhands,tillthemarketisgluttedandtheworkers,thrownoutonthestreets,hearthattherehasbeenover—production,amidstwhichover—plusofunsaleablegoodstheygoill—suppliedwithevennecessaries,becausethewealthwhichtheythemselveshavecreatedis\"ill—distributed,\"aswecallit——thatis,unjustlytakenawayfromthem。

  Whentheworkersaresocietytheywillregulatetheirlabour,sothatthesupplyanddemandshallbegenuine,notgambling;thetwowillthenbecommensurate,foritisthesamesocietywhichdemandsthatalsosupplies;therewillbenomoreartificialfaminesthen,nomorepovertyamidstover—production,amidsttoogreatastockoftheverythingswhichshouldsupplypovertyandturnitintowell—being。Inshort,therewillbenowasteandthereforenotyranny。

  Well,now,whatSocialismoffersyouinplaceoftheseartificialfamines,withtheirso—calledover—production,is,oncemore,regulationofthemarkets;supplyanddemandcommensurate;nogambling,andconsequently(oncemore)nowaste;notoverworkandwearinessfortheworkeronemonth,andthenextnoworkandterrorofstarvation,butsteadyworkandplentyofleisureeverymonth;notcheapmarketwares,thatistosay,adulteratedwares,withscarcelyanyGOODinthem,merescaffold—polesforbuildingupprofits;nolabourwouldbespentonsuchthingsasthese,whichpeoplewouldceasetowantwhentheyceasedtobeslaves。Notthese,butsuchgoodsasbestfulfilledtherealusesoftheconsumers,wouldlabourbesettomake;forprofitbeingabolished,peoplecouldhavewhattheywanted,insteadofwhattheprofit—grindersathomeandabroadforcedthemtotake。

  ForwhatIwantyoutounderstandisthis:thatineverycivilizedcountryatleastthereisplentyforall——is,oratanyratemightbe。Evenwithlaboursomisdirectedasitisatpresent,anequitabledistributionofthewealthwehavewouldmakeallpeoplecomparativelycomfortable;butthatisnothingtothewealthwemighthaveiflabourwerenotmisdirected。

  Observe,intheearlydaysofthehistoryofmanhewastheslaveofhismostimmediatenecessities;Naturewasmightyandhewasfeeble,andhehadtowageconstantwarwithherforhisdailyfoodandsuchshelterashecouldget。Hislifewasbounddownandlimitedbythisconstantstruggle;allhismorals,laws,religion,areinfacttheoutcomeandthereflectionofthisceaselesstoilofearninghislivelihood。Timepassed,andlittlebylittle,stepbystep,hegrewstronger,tillnowafteralltheseageshehasalmostcompletelyconqueredNature,andonewouldthinkshouldnowhaveleisuretoturnhisthoughtstowardshigherthingsthanprocuringto—morrow’sdinner。

  But,alas!hisprogresshasbeenbrokenandhalting;andthoughhehasindeedconqueredNatureandhasherforcesunderhiscontroltodowhathewillwith,hestillhashimselftoconquer,hestillhastothinkhowhewillbestusethoseforceswhichhehasmastered。Atpresentheusesthemblindly,foolishly,asonedrivenbymerefate。

  Itwouldalmostseemasifsomephantomoftheceaselesspursuitoffoodwhichwasoncethemasterofthesavagewasstillhuntingthecivilizedman;whotoilsinadream,asitwere,hauntedbymeredimunrealhopes,borneofvaguerecollectionsofthedaysgoneby。Outofthatdreamhemustwake,andfacethingsastheyreallyare。TheconquestofNatureiscomplete,maywenotsay?andnowourbusinessis,andhasforlongbeen,theorganizationofman,whowieldstheforcesofNature。Nortillthisisattemptedatleastshallweeverbefreeofthatterriblephantomoffearofstarvationwhich,withitsbrotherdevil,desireofdomination,drivesusintoinjustice,cruelty,anddastardlinessofallkinds:toceasetofearourfellowsandlearntodependonthem,todoawaywithcompetitionandbuildupco—operation,isouronenecessity。

  Now,togetclosertodetails;youprobablyknowthateverymanincivilizationisworth,sotosay,morethanhisskin;working,ashemustwork,socially,hecanproducemorethanwillkeephimselfaliveandinfaircondition;andthishasbeensoformanycenturies,fromthetime,infact,whenwarringtribesbegantomaketheirconqueredenemiesslavesinsteadofkillingthem;andofcoursehiscapacityofproducingtheseextrashasgoneonincreasingfasterandfaster,tillto—dayonemanwillweave,forinstance,asmuchclothinaweekaswillclotheawholevillageforyears:andtherealquestionofcivilizationhasalwaysbeenwhatarewetodowiththisextraproduceoflabour——aquestionwhichthephantom,fearofstarvation,anditsfellow,desireofdomination,hasdrivenmentoanswerprettybadlyalways,andworstofallperhapsinthesepresentdays,whentheextraproducehasgrownwithsuchprodigiousspeed。Thepracticalanswerhasalwaysbeenformantostrugglewithhisfellowforprivatepossessionofunduesharesoftheseextras,andallkindsofdeviceshavebeenemployedbythosewhofoundthemselvesinpossessionofthepoweroftakingthemfromotherstokeepthosewhomtheyhadrobbedinperpetualsubjection;andtheselatter,asIhavealreadyhinted,hadnochanceofresistingthisfleecingaslongastheywerefewandscattered,andconsequentlycouldhavelittlesenseoftheircommonoppression。Butnowthat,owingtotheverypursuitoftheseunduesharesofprofit,orextraearnings,menhavebecomemoredependentoneachotherforproduction,andhavebeendriven,asIsaidbefore,tocombinetogetherforthatendmorecompletely,thepoweroftheworkers——thatistosay,oftherobbedorfleecedclass—

  —hasenormouslyincreased,anditonlyremainsforthemtounderstandthattheyhavethispower。Whentheydothattheywillbeabletogivetherightanswertothequestionwhatistobedonewiththeextraproductsoflabouroverandabovewhatwillkeepthelaboureralivetolabour:whichansweris,thattheworkerwillhaveallthatheproduces,andnotbefleecedatall:andrememberthatheproducescollectively,andthereforehewilldoeffectivelywhatworkisrequiredofhimaccordingtohiscapacity,andoftheproduceofthatworkhewillhavewhatheneeds;because,yousee,hecannotUSE

  morethanheneeds——hecanonlyWASTEit。

  Ifthisarrangementseemstoyoupreposterouslyideal,asitwellmay,lookingatourpresentcondition,Imustbackitupbysayingthatwhenmenareorganizedsothattheirlabourisnotwasted,theywillberelievedfromthefearofstarvationandthedesireofdomination,andwillhavefreedomandleisuretolookroundandseewhattheyreallydoneed。

  NowsomethingofthatIcanconceiveformyownself,andIwilllaymyideasbeforeyou,sothatyoumaycomparethemwithyourown,askingyoualwaystorememberthattheverydifferencesinmen’scapacitiesanddesires,afterthecommonneedoffoodandshelterissatisfied,willmakeiteasiertodealwiththeirdesiresinacommunalstateofthings。

  WhatisitthatIneed,therefore,whichmysurroundingcircumstancescangiveme——mydealingswithmyfellow—men——settingasideinevitableaccidentswhichco—operationandforethoughtcannotcontrol,iftherebesuch?

  Well,firstofallIclaimgoodhealth;andIsaythatavastproportionofpeopleincivilizationscarcelyevenknowwhatthatmeans。Tofeelmerelifeapleasure;toenjoythemovingone’slimbsandexercisingone’sbodilypowers;toplay,asitwere,withsunandwindandrain;torejoiceinsatisfyingtheduebodilyappetitesofahumananimalwithoutfearofdegradationorsenseofwrong—doing:

  yes,andtherewithaltobewellformed,straight—limbed,stronglyknit,expressiveofcountenance——tobe,inaword,beautiful——thatalsoIclaim。Ifwecannothavethisclaimsatisfied,wearebutpoorcreaturesafterall;andIclaimitintheteethofthoseterribledoctrinesofasceticism,which,bornofthedespairoftheoppressedanddegraded,havebeenforsomanyagesusedasinstrumentsforthecontinuanceofthatoppressionanddegradation。

  AndIbelievethatthisclaimforahealthybodyforallofuscarrieswithitallotherdueclaims:forwhoknowswheretheseedsofdiseasewhichevenrichpeoplesufferfromwerefirstsown:fromtheluxuryofanancestor,perhaps;yetoften,Isuspect,fromhispoverty。Andforthepoor:adistinguishedphysicisthassaidthatthepoorsufferalwaysfromonedisease——hunger;andatleastIknowthis,thatifamanisoverworkedinanydegreehecannotenjoythesortofhealthIamspeakingof;norcanheifheiscontinuallychainedtoonedullroundofmechanicalwork,withnohopeattheotherendofit;norifhelivesincontinualsordidanxietyforhislivelihood,norifheisill—housed,norifheisdeprivedofallenjoymentofthenaturalbeautyoftheworld,norifhehasnoamusementtoquickentheflowofhisspiritsfromtimetotime:allthesethings,whichtouchmoreorlessdirectlyonhisbodilycondition,arebornoftheclaimImaketoliveingoodhealth;

  indeed,Isuspectthatthesegoodconditionsmusthavebeeninforceforseveralgenerationsbeforeapopulationingeneralwillbereallyhealthy,asIhavehintedabove;butalsoIdoubtnotthatinthecourseoftimetheywould,joinedtootherconditions,ofwhichmorehereafter,graduallybreedsuchapopulation,livinginenjoymentofanimallifeatleast,happytherefore,andbeautifulaccordingtothebeautyoftheirrace。OnthispointImaynotethattheveryvariationsintheracesofmenarecausedbytheconditionsunderwhichtheylive,andthoughintheserougherpartsoftheworldwelacksomeoftheadvantagesofclimateandsurroundings,yet,ifwewereworkingforlivelihoodandnotforprofit,wemighteasilyneutralizemanyofthedisadvantagesofourclimate,atleastenoughgiveduescopetothefulldevelopmentofourrace。

  NowthenextthingIclaimiseducation。AndyoumustnotsaythateveryEnglishchildiseducatednow;thatsortofeducationwillnotanswermyclaim,thoughIcheerfullyadmititissomething:

  something,andyetafterallonlyclasseducation。WhatIclaimisliberaleducation;opportunity,thatis,tohavemyshareofwhateverknowledgethereisintheworldaccordingtomycapacityorbentofmind,historicalorscientific;andalsotohavemyshareofskillofhandwhichisaboutintheworld,eitherintheindustrialhandicraftsorinthefinearts;picture—painting,sculpture,music,acting,orthelike:Iclaimtobetaught,ifIcanbetaught,morethanonecrafttoexerciseforthebenefitofthecommunity。Youmaythinkthisalargeclaim,butIamclearitisnottoolargeaclaimifthecommunityistohaveanygainoutofmyspecialcapacities,ifwearenotalltobebeatendowntoadulllevelofmediocrityaswearenow,allbuttheverystrongestandtoughestofus。

  ButalsoIknowthatthisclaimforeducationinvolvesoneforpublicadvantagesintheshapeofpubliclibraries,schools,andthelike,suchasnoprivateperson,noteventherichest,couldcommand:buttheseIclaimveryconfidently,beingsurethatnoreasonablecommunitycouldbeartobewithoutsuchhelpstoadecentlife。

  Again,theclaimforeducationinvolvesaclaimforabundantleisure,whichoncemoreImakewithconfidence;becausewhenoncewehaveshakenofftheslaveryofprofit,labourwouldbeorganizedsounwastefullythatnoheavyburdenwouldbelaidontheindividualcitizens;everyoneofwhomasamatterofcoursewouldhavetopayhistollofsomeobviouslyusefulwork。Atpresentyoumustnotethatalltheamazingmachinerywhichwehaveinventedhasservedonlytoincreasetheamountofprofit—bearingwares;inotherwords,toincreasetheamountofprofitpouchedbyindividualsfortheirownadvantage,partofwhichprofittheyuseascapitalfortheproductionofmoreprofit,witheverthesamewasteattachedtoit;

  andpartasprivaterichesormeansforluxuriousliving,whichagainissheerwaste——isinfacttobelookedonasakindofbonfireonwhichrichmenburnuptheproductofthelabourtheyhavefleecedfromtheworkersbeyondwhattheythemselvescanuse。SoIsaythat,inspiteofourinventions,noworkerworksunderthepresentsystemanhourthelessonaccountofthoselabour—savingmachines,so—

  called。Butunderahappierstateofthingstheywouldbeusedsimplyforsavinglabour,withtheresultofavastamountofleisuregainedforthecommunitytobeaddedtothatgainedbytheavoidanceofthewasteofuselessluxury,andtheabolitionoftheserviceofcommercialwar。

  AndImaysaythatastothatleisure,asIshouldinnocasedoanyharmtoanyonewithit,soIshouldoftendosomedirectgoodtothecommunitywithit,bypractisingartsoroccupationsformyhandsorbrainwhichwouldgivepleasuretomanyofthecitizens;inotherwords,agreatdealofthebestworkdonewouldbedoneintheleisuretimeofmenrelievedfromanyanxietyastotheirlivelihood,andeagertoexercisetheirspecialtalent,asallmen,nay,allanimalsare。

  Now,again,thisleisurewouldenablemetopleasemyselfandexpandmymindbytravellingifIhadamindtoit:because,say,forinstance,thatIwereashoemaker;ifduesocialorderwereestablished,itbynomeansfollowsthatIshouldalwaysbeobligedtomakeshoesinoneplace;adueamountofeasilyconceivablearrangementwouldenablemetomakeshoesinRome,say,forthreemonths,andtocomebackwithnewideasofbuilding,gatheredfromthesightoftheworksofpastages,amongstotherthingswhichwouldperhapsbeofserviceinLondon。

  Butnow,inorderthatmyleisuremightnotdegenerateintoidlenessandaimlessness,Imustsetupaclaimfordueworktodo。Nothingtomymindismoreimportantthanthisdemand,andImustaskyourleavetosaysomethingaboutit。IhavementionedthatIshouldprobablyusemyleisurefordoingagooddealofwhatisnowcalledwork;butitisclearthatifIamamemberofaSocialistCommunityImustdomydueshareofrougherworkthanthis——mydueshareofwhatmycapacityenablesmetodo,thatis;nofittingofmetoaProcrusteanbed;buteventhatshareofworknecessarytotheexistenceofthesimplestsociallifemust,inthefirstplace,whateverelseitis,bereasonablework;thatis,itmustbesuchworkasagoodcitizencanseethenecessityfor;asamemberofthecommunity,Imusthaveagreedtodoit。

  Totaketwostronginstancesofthecontrary,Iwon’tsubmittobedressedupinredandmarchedofftoshootatmyFrenchorGermanorArabfriendinaquarrelthatIdon’tunderstand;Iwillrebelsoonerthandothat。

  NorwillIsubmittowastemytimeandenergiesinmakingsometriflingtoywhichIknowonlyafoolcandesire;Iwillrebelsoonerthandothat。

  However,youmaybesurethatinastateofsocialorderIshallhavenoneedtorebelagainstanysuchpiecesofunreason;onlyIamforcedtospeakfromthewaywelivetothewaywemightlive。

  Again,ifthenecessaryreasonableworkbeofamechanicalkind,I

  mustbehelpedtodoitbyamachine,nottocheapenmylabour,butsothataslittletimeaspossiblemaybespentuponit,andthatI

  maybeabletothinkofotherthingswhileamtendingthemachine。

  Andiftheworkbespeciallyroughorexhausting,youwill,Iamsure,agreewithmeinsayingthatImusttaketurnsindoingitwithotherpeople;ImeanImustn’t,forinstance,beexpectedtospendmyworkinghoursalwaysatthebottomofacoal—pit。Ithinksuchworkasthatoughttobelargelyvolunteerwork,anddone,asIsay,inspells。AndwhatIsayofveryroughworkIsayalsoofnastywork。

  Ontheotherhand,Ishouldthinkverylittleofthemanhoodofastoutandhealthymanwhodidnotfeelapleasureindoingroughwork;alwayssupposinghimtoworkundertheconditionsIhavebeenspeakingof——namely,feelingthatitwasuseful(andconsequentlyhonoured),andthatitwasnotcontinuousorhopeless,andthathewasreallydoingitofhisownfreewill。

  ThelastclaimImakeformyworkisthattheplacesIworkedin,factoriesorworkshops,shouldbepleasant,justasthefieldswhereourmostnecessaryworkisdonearepleasant。Believemethereisnothingintheworldtopreventthisbeingdone,savethenecessityofmakingprofitsonallwares;inotherwords,thewaresarecheapenedattheexpenseofpeoplebeingforcedtoworkincrowded,unwholesome,squalid,noisydens:thatistosay,theyarecheapenedattheexpenseoftheworkman’slife。

  Well,somuchformyclaimsastomyNECESSARYwork,mytributetothecommunity。Ibelievepeoplewouldfind,astheyadvancedintheircapacityforcarryingonsocialorder,thatlifesolivedwasmuchlessexpensivethanwenowcanhaveanyideaof;andthat,afteralittle,peoplewouldratherbeanxioustoseekworkthantoavoidit;thatourworkinghourswouldratherbemerrypartiesofmenandmaids,youngmenandoldenjoyingthemselvesovertheirwork,thanthegrumpywearinessitmostlyisnow。Thenwouldcomethetimeforthenewbirthofart,somuchtalkedof,solongdeferred;peoplecouldnothelpshowingtheirmirthandpleasureintheirwork,andwouldbealwayswishingtoexpressitinatangibleandmoreorlessenduringform,andtheworkshopwouldoncemorebeaschoolofart,whoseinfluencenoonecouldescapefrom。

  And,again,thatwordartleadsmetomylastclaim,whichisthatthematerialsurroundingsofmylifeshouldbepleasant,generous,andbeautiful;thatIknowisalargeclaim,butthisIwillsayaboutit,thatifitcannotbesatisfied,ifeverycivilizedcommunitycannotprovidesuchsurroundingsforallitsmembers,Idonotwanttheworldtogoon;itisameremiserythatmanhaseverexisted。Idonotthinkitpossibleunderthepresentcircumstancestospeaktoostronglyonthispoint。Ifeelsurethatthetimewillcomewhenpeoplewillfinditdifficulttobelievethatarichcommunitysuchasours,havingsuchcommandoverexternalNature,couldhavesubmittedtolivesuchamean,shabby,dirtylifeaswedo。

  Andonceforall,thereisnothinginourcircumstancessavethehuntingofprofitthatdrivesusintoit。Itisprofitwhichdrawsmenintoenormousunmanageableaggregationscalledtowns,forinstance;profitwhichcrowdsthemupwhentheyarethereintoquarterswithoutgardensoropenspaces;profitwhichwon’ttakethemostordinaryprecautionsagainstwrappingawholedistrictinacloudofsulphuroussmoke;whichturnsbeautifulriversintofilthysewers;whichcondemnsallbuttherichtoliveinhousesidioticallycrampedandconfinedatthebest,andattheworstinhousesforwhosewretchednessthereisnoname。

  Isayitisalmostincrediblethatweshouldbearsuchcrassstupidityasthis;norshouldweifwecouldhelpit。Weshallnotbearitwhentheworkersgetoutoftheirheadsthattheyarebutanappendagetoprofit—grinding,thatthemoreprofitsthataremadethemoreemploymentathighwagestherewillbeforthem,andthatthereforealltheincrediblefilth,disorder,anddegradationofmoderncivilizationaresignsoftheirprosperity。Sofarfromthat,theyaresignsoftheirslavery。Whentheyarenolongerslavestheywillclaimasamatterofcoursethateverymanandeveryfamilyshouldbegenerouslylodged;thateverychildshouldbeabletoplayinagardenclosetotheplacehisparentslivein;thatthehousesshouldbytheirobviousdecencyandorderbeornamentstoNature,notdisfigurementsofit;forthedecencyandorderabove—mentionedwhencarriedtotheduepitchwouldmostassuredlyleadtobeautyinbuilding。Allthis,ofcourse,wouldmeanthepeople——thatis,allsociety——dulyorganized,havinginitsownhandsthemeansofproduction,tobeOWNEDbynoindividual,butusedbyallasoccasioncalledforitsuse,andcanonlybedoneonthoseterms;onanyothertermspeoplewillbedriventoaccumulateprivatewealthforthemselves,andthus,aswehaveseen,towastethegoodsofthecommunityandperpetuatethedivisionintoclasses,whichmeanscontinualwarandwaste。

  Astowhatextentitmaybenecessaryordesirableforpeopleundersocialordertoliveincommon,wemaydifferprettymuchaccordingtoourtendenciestowardssociallife。FormypartIcan’tseewhyweshouldthinkitahardshiptoeatwiththepeopleweworkwith;I

  amsurethatastomanythings,suchasvaluablebooks,pictures,andsplendourofsurroundings,weshallfinditbettertoclubourmeanstogether;andImustsaythatoftenwhenIhavebeensickenedbythestupidityofthemeanidioticrabbitwarrensthatrichmenbuildforthemselvesinBayswaterandelsewhere,Iconsolemyselfwithvisionsofthenoblecommunalhallofthefuture,unsparingofmaterials,generousinworthyornament,alivewiththenoblestthoughtsofourtime,andthepast,embodiedinthebestartwhichafreeandmanlypeoplecouldproduce;suchanabodeofmanasnoprivateenterprisecouldcomeanywherenearforbeautyandfitness,becauseonlycollectivethoughtandcollectivelifecouldcherishtheaspirationswhichwouldgivebirthtoitsbeauty,orhavetheskillandleisuretocarrythemout。IformypartshouldthinkitmuchthereverseofahardshipifIhadtoreadmybooksandmeetmyfriendsinsuchaplace;nordoIthinkIambetterofftoliveinavulgarstuccoedhousecrowdedwithupholsterythatIdespise,inallrespectsdegradingtothemindandenervatingtothebodytolivein,simplybecauseIcallitmyown,ormyhouse。

  Itisnotanoriginalremark,butImakeithere,thatmyhomeiswhereImeetpeoplewithwhomIsympathise,whomIlove。

  Well,thatismyopinionasamiddle—classman。Whetheraworking—

  classmanwouldthinkhisfamilypossessionofhiswretchedlittleroombetterthanhisshareofthepalaceofwhichIhavespoken,I

  mustleavetohisopinion,andtotheimaginationsofthemiddleclass,whoperhapsmaysometimesconceivethefactthatthesaidworkeriscrampedforspaceandcomfort——sayonwashing—day。

  BeforeIleavethismatterofthesurroundingsoflife,Iwishtomeetapossibleobjection。Ihavespokenofmachinerybeingusedfreelyforreleasingpeoplefromthemoremechanicalandrepulsivepartofnecessarylabour;andIknowthattosomecultivatedpeople,peopleoftheartisticturnofmind,machineryisparticularlydistasteful,andtheywillbeapttosayyouwillnevergetyoursurroundingspleasantsolongasyouaresurroundedbymachinery。I

  don’tquiteadmitthat;itistheallowingmachinestobeourmastersandnotourservantsthatsoinjuresthebeautyoflifenowadays。Inotherwords,itisthetokenoftheterriblecrimewehavefallenintoofusingourcontrolofthepowersofNatureforthepurposeofenslavingpeople,wecarelessmeantimeofhowmuchhappinesswerobtheirlivesof。

  YetfortheconsolationoftheartistsIwillsaythatIbelieveindeedthatastateofsocialorderwouldprobablyleadatfirsttoagreatdevelopmentofmachineryforreallyusefulpurposes,becausepeoplewillstillbeanxiousaboutgettingthroughtheworknecessarytoholdingsocietytogether;butthatafterawhiletheywillfindthatthereisnotsomuchworktodoastheyexpected,andthatthentheywillhaveleisuretoreconsiderthewholesubject;andifitseemstothemthatacertainindustrywouldbecarriedonmorepleasantlyasregardstheworker,andmoreeffectuallyasregardsthegoods,byusinghand—workratherthanmachinery,theywillcertainlygetridoftheirmachinery,becauseitwillbepossibleforthemtodoso。Itisn’tpossiblenow;wearenotatlibertytodoso;weareslavestothemonsterswhichwehavecreated。AndIhaveakindofhopethattheveryelaborationofmachineryinasocietywhosepurposeisnotthemultiplicationoflabour,asitnowis,butthecarryingonofapleasantlife,asitwouldbeundersocialorder——

  thattheelaborationofmachinery,Isay,willleadthesimplificationoflife,andsooncemoretothelimitationofmachinery。

  Well,IwillnowletmyclaimsfordecentlifestandasIhavemadethem。Tosumthemupinbrief,theyare:First,ahealthybody;

  second,anactivemindinsympathywiththepast,thepresent,andthefuture;thirdly,occupationfitforahealthybodyandanactivemind;andfourthly,abeautifulworldtolivein。

  Thesearetheconditionsoflifewhichtherefinedmanofallageshassetbeforehimasthethingaboveallotherstobeattained。Toooftenhehasbeensofoiledintheirpursuitthathehasturnedlongingeyesbackwardtothedaysbeforecivilization,whenman’ssolebusinesswasgettinghimselffoodfromdaytoday,andhopewasdormantinhim,oratleastcouldnotbeexpressedbyhim。

  Indeed,ifcivilization(asmanythink)forbidstherealizationofthehopetoattainsuchconditionsoflife,thencivilizationforbidsmankindtobehappy;andifthatbethecase,thenletusstifleallaspirationstowardsprogress——nay,allfeelingsofmutualgood—willandaffectionbetweenmen——andsnatcheachoneofuswhatwecanfromtheheapofwealththatfoolscreateforroguestogrowfaton;orbetterstill,letusasspeedilyaspossiblefindsomemeansofdyinglikemen,sinceweareforbiddentolivelikemen。

  Rather,however,takecourage,andbelievethatweofthisage,inspiteofallitstormentanddisorder,havebeenborntoawonderfulheritagefashionedoftheworkofthosethathavegonebeforeus;andthatthedayoftheorganizationofmanisdawning。Itisnotwewhocanbuildupthenewsocialorder;thepastageshavedonethemostofthatworkforus;butwecanclearoureyestothesignsofthetimes,andweshallthenseethattheattainmentofagoodconditionoflifeisbeingmadepossibleforus,andthatitisnowourbusinesstostretchoutourhandstotakeit。

  Andhow?Chiefly,Ithink,byeducatingpeopletoasenseoftheirrealcapacitiesasmen,sothattheymaybeabletousetotheirowngoodthepoliticalpowerwhichisrapidlybeingthrustuponthem;togetthemtoseethattheoldsystemoforganizinglabourFOR

  INDIVIDUALPROFITisbecomingunmanageable,andthatthewholepeoplehavenowgottochoosebetweentheconfusionresultingfromthebreakupofthatsystemandthedeterminationtotakeinhandthelabournoworganizedforprofit,anduseitsorganizationforthelivelihoodofthecommunity:togetpeopletoseethatindividualprofit—makersarenotanecessityforlabourbutanobstructiontoit,andthatnotonlyorchieflybecausetheyaretheperpetualpensionersoflabour,astheyare,butratherbecauseofthewastewhichtheirexistenceasaclassnecessitates。Allthiswehavetoteachpeople,whenwehavetaughtourselves;andIadmitthattheworkislongandburdensome;

  asIbeganbysaying,peoplehavebeenmadesotimorousofchangebytheterrorofstarvationthateventheunluckiestofthemarestolidandhardtomove。Hardastheworkis,however,itsrewardisnotdoubtful。Themerefactthatabodyofmen,howeversmall,arebandedtogetherasSocialistmissionariesshowsthatthechangeisgoingon。Astheworking—classes,therealorganicpartofsociety,takeintheseideas,hopewillariseinthem,andtheywillclaimchangesinsociety,manyofwhichdoubtlesswillnottenddirectlytowardstheiremancipation,becausetheywillbeclaimedwithoutdueknowledgeoftheonethingnecessarytoclaim,EQUALITYOFCONDITION;

  butwhichindirectlywillhelptobreakupourrottenshamsociety,whilethatclaimforequalityofconditionwillbemadeconstantlyandwithgrowingloudnesstillitMUSTbelistenedto,andthenatlastitwillonlybeastepovertheborderandthecivilizedworldwillbesocialized;and,lookingbackonwhathasbeen,weshallbeastonishedtothinkofhowlongwesubmittedtoliveaswelivenow。

  WHIGS,DEMOCRATS,ANDSOCIALISTS。{2}

  WhatisthestateofpartiesinEnglandto—day?Howshallweenumeratethem?TheWhigs,whostandfirstonthelistinmytitle,areconsideredgenerallytobethesurvivalofanoldhistoricalpartyoncelookedonashavingdemocratictendencies,butnowthehopeofallwhowouldstandsoberlyontheancientways。Besidesthese,thereareToriesalso,thedescendantsofthestoutdefendersofChurchandStateandthedivinerightofkings。

  Now,Idon’tmeantosaybutthatatthebackofthisancientnameofTorythereliesagreatmassofgenuineConservativefeeling,heldbypeoplewho,iftheyhadtheirownway,wouldplaysomeratherfantastictricks,Ifancy;nay,evenmightinthecourseoftimebesomewhatroughwithsuchpeopleasareinthishallatpresent。{3}

  Butthisfeeling,afterall,isonlyasentimentnow;allpracticalhopehasdiedoutofit,andtheseworthypeopleCANNOThavetheirownway。ItistruethattheyelectmembersofParliament,whotalkverybigtopleasethem,andsometimeseventheymanagetogetaGovernmentintopowerthatnominallyrepresentstheirsentiment,butwhenthathappensthesaidGovernmentisforced,evenwhenitspartyhasamajorityintheHouseofCommons,totakeamuchlowerstandpointthanthehighToryideal;theutmostthattherealTorypartycando,evenwhenbackedbythePrimroseLeagueanditsshamhierarchy,istodeludetheelectorstoreturnToriestoParliamenttopassmeasuresmoreakintoRadicalismthantheWhigsdurstattempt,sothat,thoughthereareTories,thereisnoTorypartyinEngland。

  Ontheotherhand,thereisaparty,whichIcancallforthepresentbynoothernamethanWhig,whichisbothnumerousandverypowerful,andwhichdoes,infact,governEngland,andtomymindwillalwaysdosoaslongasthepresentconstitutionalParliamentlasts。Ofcourse,likeallpartiesitincludesmenofvariousshadesofopinion,fromtheTory—tintedWhiggeryofLordSalisburytotheRadical—tintedWhiggeryofMr。Chamberlain’spresenttail。NeitherdoImeantosaythattheyareconsciousofbeingaunitedparty;onthecontrary,thegroupswillsometimesopposeeachotherfuriouslyatelections,andperhapsthemoresimple—mindedofthemreallythinkthatitisamatterofimportancetothenationwhichsectionofthemmaybeinpower;buttheymayalwaysbereckonedupontobeintheirplacesandvoteagainstanymeasurewhichcarrieswithitarealattackonourconstitutionalsystem;surelyverynaturally,sincetheyaretherefornootherpurposethantodoso。Theyare,andalwaysmustbe,consciousdefendersofthepresentsystem,politicalandeconomical,aslongastheyhaveanycohesionasTories,Whigs,Liberals,orevenRadicals。NotoneofthemprobablywouldgosuchaveryshortjourneytowardsrevolutionastheabolitionoftheHouseofLords。Aone—chamberParliamentwouldseemtothemanimpioushorror,andtheabolitionofthemonarchytheywouldconsideraseriousinconveniencetotheLondontradesman。

  NowthisistherealParliamentaryParty,atpresentdividedintojarringsectionsundertheinfluenceofthesurvivalofthepartywarfareofthelastfewgenerations,butwhichalreadyshowssignsofsinkingitsdifferencessoastoofferasolidfrontofresistancetothegrowinginstinctwhichonitssidewillbeforelongresultinapartyclaimingfulleconomicalaswellaspoliticalfreedomforthewholepeople。

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