Literary.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 1, Issue 4, 15 December 1910, Page 5

Literary.

" Socialism and the Social Movement." Werner Sombart. (Dent. 3s 6d.) "Darwinism and Modern Socialism." F. W. Headley. (Methuen. 55.) "The New Socialism." Jane T. Stoddart. (Hodder and Stoughton. 55.). — We have selected these three from the immense number of books on this subject now being showered on the public because, while differing as to the standpoint from which they regard it, they deal with it in the main calm and historically.

The earlier edition of Prof. Sombart's " Socialism and the Social Movement " —published in Berlin more than twenty years ago and since translated into seventeen languages—is known to all serious students of these questions, and all will welcome this greatly enlarged edition which brings the history of European and American Socialism down to the present time. The writer, though in early years " steeped in Marx," is now far from being? a blind follower of the Marxian teaching, and. in Chapter IV. he submits it to a searching and discriminating criticism, dealing more particularly with his theories of Concentration, Socialisation, Accumulation, Pauperisation, and the Self-destruction of Capital, at the same time recognising that much of that teaching is still " alive and effective." Chapters 11. and 111., which deal with the development of national peculiarities in the Socialism of England, France and Germany, and the tendency towards uniformity which has manifested itself in later years, show a fine insignt into the tme inwardness of tliis complex subject. The aim of the book is well expressed in the motto which faces the title: " Je ne propose rien, jo n , impose rien ; j'expose."

In " Darwinism and Modern Socialism," Mr Headley harks back on the old argument that our present competitive system must be retained lest we run counter to the Darwinian doctrines of natural selection and the struggle for existence. This position is maintained throughout, though the writer gives many indications that he is far from accepting the old doctrine of laissez faire. His chapters on Factory I/eeislation and on Trade Unionism show that he is prepared to accept regulations which actually check free

competition, so long as they do not interfere with the struggle for existence. "In such matters " (says Mr Headley), "if it is necessary for the State to intervene, it must merely act as an umpire who sees that the game of commercial competition is fairly played." The book is worth reading as a calm, dispassionate, and generally fair treatment of the subject in hand, though manvj whatever their views regarding Socialism as the ultimate solution of our industrial problems, wijj be somewhat impatient at the easy way with which the writer brushes aside as Utopian all ideals. Followers of Vandervelde will quarrel with his quiet assumption that all Socialists hold that the State should own all means of production. The weakest chapter is the last, in which the writer attempts an analysis of the causes of misery.

Miss Stoddart's "New Socialism" should be read in connection with the above. In its way it is the best book we know on recent Socialism, and it is only with that which is recent thai she concerns herself. She confines her exposition to the last ten years, because during that time—

"Socialism has undergone a p oc-c of change, and it must be studied, in the works of its latest authorities

• • • it is only by understanding what Socialists ask for, and why they ask it ; by studying their views and arguments in their best, most considered and most impressive form that any fruitful discussion can be carried on.''

Starting with this purpose and following this method, the writer ransacks the literature of many countries —especially England, Germany and America—in order to show opinions publicly expressed in recent times by responsible writers on such subjects as Compensation, Inheritance, the Family, Religion, etc. indeed, the reader will find every moot point in this vexed question elucidated by quotations from eminent authorities. Not the least valuable part of Miss Stoddart's book will be found in her Notes on the Literature, which furnish not only a complete Bibliography, but a Bibliography with a concise and critical analysis of the contents of the various books mentioned. There are also interesting supplementary chapters on " Recent Developments of American Socialism." and " Notes on Australian Socialism."—From " Progress."