第1章

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。