WHAT IS SOCIALISM?

Otaki Mail, 14 May 1923, Page 4

WHAT IS SOCIALISM?

A PRINCIPLE OR A STATE. (Contributed.! Socialism and Socialist, are words the meaning whereof cannot be precisely determined. Socialists are themselves at variance. Thus Lenin thinks the dictatorship of the proletariat necessary for the inauguration of trilie socialism, while Kautskv dis-

agrees with this. Neither in respect of normal nor exceptional methods are Tli<? Socialists agreed, nor even as to their aims, unless these lie stated in a. very broad and general way. Thus, (dated in broadest outline, llie aim may be called “Socialisation." Countries and nations differ in nothing so much as the degree and the directions in which life lias been socialised. England, beyond doubt., is (he besi socialised of European nations. Yet nowhere havgf Socialism and Socialists contributed less to t.lie socialising process. Here for centuries past, harmony has steadily broadened and deepened. Goodwill, forbearance, a genial practicality, the instincts of order and moderation, have slowly taught, the nation .humane ways and 'made it one. These things have made good institutions possible, and good- institutions, in their turn, have confirmed the good dispositions of mind which created them. Socialisation is an end to the realisation of which many personal and social factors contribute and must together contribute. The rule of a humane and informed social spirit, is the summit of man’s development. To that, far summit no royal road leads. No mechanism can shorten ihe climb. Nothing can save Ihe climbers from the need to use all their forces and faculties and every aid of circumstance. There are no short cuts: i‘

there were, coercion would not be one of them.

The most, specious panacea of Socialism is the idea that only the assumption by the State of all management functions in industry will right the world. The Socialists’ belief in the State, its force and its wisdom is ais strong and as amazing ns itieir disbelief in human nature. If human nature were as weak or ns wicked as they think, .not even ihe übiquitous and tyinnnic State notion which they | crave for could help. For the old vices would infect and ruin their new system. ’The (rue method is io practice friendlin'GSK and helpfulness in the various relationships of life and to seek io make this spirit live in the framework of society. The good basis is there, and the right princi- ■ pies—the basis often narrow and the principles restricted in application. ■Let the good that is there already he furthered in the trustful spirit of optimism. i Many socialists refuse to he optimjistie till they have, first worked mi | society in a spirit of ferocious pessimism. They would dispossess and destroy remorselessly before they will consent to refound and rebuild. They t misjudge been line they seek the evil in men and things. But it is only on I ilie good in either that reformers can build safely.

I Some socialists think that mankind lives in a desperate emergency: and I they are ready wiih drastic remedies. | lu the excitement of an emergency j men take hurried and narrow measures. not having the time, perhaps, for patience or scrupulousness. But ! excitement i- not strength. Emergencies are riot, in themselves, desirable j tilings. Emergency behaviour is n had model in exact proportion as i! diverges from commonsertse and social sense. It is a fashion of the present day, and more than a fashion of the Socialist. to pile burden!.- and functions on ihe State. This fashion will pass The onset of any new fashion lempts ns votaries to predict for it a complete and annihilating triumph. Time fell? another tale. Human nature is changeful and various. If the socialised life he indeed Nature’s goal, there will he use and need for every means and help thereto. The end is a life and not a scheme of institutions. The end must, he based on moral element*. Institutions are '.subsidiary only. To suppose that one subsidiary device, i namelv. organisation under the State. | and that stock device made universal | throughout human activity wiH bring in the Millennium is io feed on hutsks of paradox and illusion. The spirit bloweth where it listeth. and not only .and not strongest in the haunts of State bureaucracies. Many Socialists of to-day think to get. a wav from State bureaucracy by adding the very questionable plan of class control and direction. Always, however, is the idea of machine control. It is ever the conception of a State that is projected ns Socialism. The wider vision indicates that the higher social advancement rests not noon any state hut in a living spiritual principle drawing men together in social unity not on grounds of clae-s but on those of humanity. V mechanical socialism, with its dead-weights of political rules, must, give place to the .spirit which can j sm —the law which over-rules all r *;rtv considerations and rests only ■ • cf r. essential nature of men.