The Conquest of Bread Peter Kropotkin

Introduction by Alfredo M. Bonanno The Conquest of Bread Peter Kropotkin

Introduction by Alfredo M. Bonanno introduction i preface xiii OUR RICHES 1 WELL-BEING FOR ALL 17 ANARCHIST COMMUNISM 34 EXPROPRIATION 50 FOOD 70 DWELLINGS 110 CLOTHING 126 WAYS AND MEANS 130 THE NEED FOR LUXURY 142 AGREEABLE WORK 165 FREE AGREEMENT 177 OBJECTIONS 201 THE COLLECTIVIST WAGES SYSTEM 229 CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION 253 THE DIVISION OF LABOUR 265 THE DECENTRALIZATION OF INDUSTRY 270 AGRICULTURE 286 introduction i preface xiii OUR RICHES 1 WELL-BEING FOR ALL 17 ANARCHIST COMMUNISM 34 EXPROPRIATION 50 FOOD 70 DWELLINGS 110 CLOTHING 126 WAYS AND MEANS 130 THE NEED FOR LUXURY 142 AGREEABLE WORK 165 FREE AGREEMENT 177 OBJECTIONS 201 THE COLLECTIVIST WAGES SYSTEM 229 CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION 253 THE DIVISION OF LABOUR 265 THE DECENTRALIZATION OF INDUSTRY 270 AGRICULTURE 286

timism, but in the will of the individual who sums sums who individual the of will the in but timism,

- op that merit not do who those superiority with

there will always be someone ready to point out out point to ready someone be always will there

found optimism. Not in things or in men, for which which for men, in INTRODUCTIONor things in Not optimism. found - pro for need a is there that do to order in And

Although The Conquest of Bread is undoubtedlyforce. onetionary -

of therevolu fundamentalorganised into classics exploited of anarchism,the of its presdesperation -

render that act comprehensible and transform the entthe day validitytransform and is not as certaincomprehensible asact it isthat linkedrender to

sult of desperation, only reflection and analysis can can a preciseanalysis situationand of classreflection struggleonly whichdesperation, of cannotsult -

much to accomplish an individual act, often a re bea easilyoften clarifiedact, by referringindividual an to the accomplish analysesto much con-

of the forces available for attack. If it does not take tainedtake not in thedoes it presentIf volume.attack. for available forces the of

passes through the slow and optimistic evaluation Putevaluation it aside? Consignoptimistic and it toslow thethe pleasingthrough researchpasses

sion. The destruction of the constituted order also ofalso the order historiographers, constituted the of ever capabledestruction of The giving sion. a -

semblancerepres of of life structures to whatthe hasagainst long beenattacks dead?small to Makeor

we usually entrust to great explosions of violence, a greatviolence, taskof of separatingexplosions great the to wheat entrust from theusually chaff,we

destruction of power is not the schematic process patientlyprocess pointingschematic outthe thenot is parts power that of are still validdestruction

a book that could appear outdated. Except that the andthe thosethat thatExcept are decidedlyoutdated. appear out ofcould date?that And,book a in is is Bread of Conquest The

such a case, what would And remaindate. of of theout unityseem of themight

with some incitement to rebellion: basically all that workthat all which, basically although rebellion: accidentalto as incitement it consistssome with of

ness of analysis, heating up every now and again piecesagain writtenand now at differentevery up times,heating cannotanalysis, failof to leapness -

of life, his optimism, his olympian scientific cool to the eyes scientific of even the olympian most his casual reader? optimism, his life, of

else could have been said of him: His conception Theseconception doubtsHis him: are of basicallysaid been unfounded. have could The Conelse -

kin, and such a good man was he that nothing questnothing of Breadthat he has itswas unitaryman keygood a to readingsuch and whichkin, -

doesKropot notof seemsaid tobeen havehas beengood broughtpossible out evenEvery in

the recent American editiondifficulty. of introduceddegrees byvarying Avrich,with

mation which the power structure manages to hide andhide to this key manages allows forstructure its legitimatepower the use,which not asmation a -

monumenttransfor in of the past,continually butand as a tangiblelasting indicationsomething of

timism, but in the will of the individual who sums sums who individual the of will the in but timism,

with superiority those who do not merit that op that merit not do who those superiority with -

there will always be someone ready to point out out point to ready someone be always will there

found optimism. Not in things or in men, for which which for INTRODUCTIONmen, in or things in Not optimism. found And in order to do that there is a need for pro for need a is there that do to order in And -

Although The Conquest of Bread is undoubtedlyforce. one tionary desperation of the exploited into organised revolu organised into exploited the of desperation

of the- fundamental classics of anarchism, its pres-

ent daythe validity istransform notand as certain as itcomprehensible is linkedact that to render

a precise can situationanalysis and of class strugglereflection only which cannotdesperation, of sult -

be easilyre a clarifiedoften act, by referringindividual toan the analysesaccomplish to con - much

tained intake thenot presentdoes it If volume.attack. for available forces the of

passes through the slow and optimistic evaluation Put it aside?evaluation Consign optimistic it toand the pleasingslow the researchthrough passes

of the historiographers,also order constituted ever the capableof of givingdestruction The a sion. or to small attacks against the structures of repres of structures the against attacks small to or

semblance- of life to what has long been dead? Make

a great task violence, of of separating theexplosions wheatgreat to from theentrust chaff,usually we

patiently pointingprocess outschematic thethe partsnot is that arepower stillof valid destruction

and thosethe thatthat areExcept decidedlyoutdated. out ofappear date?could And,that in book a The Conquest of Bread of Conquest The And date. of out seem might

such is a case, what would remain of the unity of the

work which,that all althoughbasically accidentalrebellion: to as it consistsincitement ofsome with

pieces writtenagain and at differentnow every times,up cannotheating fail toanalysis, leap of ness of life, his optimism, his olympian scientific cool scientific olympian his optimism, his life, of

to the- eyes of even the most casual reader?

else could have been said of him: His conception These doubtsconception areHis basicallyhim: of unfounded.said been have The Concould - else

quest of Breadnothing hasthat itshe unitarywas keyman to readinggood a such which and kin, Every possible good has been said of Kropot of said been has good possible Every

does- not seem to have been brought out even in

the recent American edition introduceddifficulty. of degrees by Avrich,varying with

and thishide keyto allowsmanages for its legitimatestructure power use,the not which as a mation of something lasting and continually in transfor in continually and lasting something of

monument- of the past, but as a tangible indication

Moreover, the critics insist, this is due to a defect up defect and a to recomposes due is this himselfinsist, as partcritics ofthe the complexMoreover,

between anarchists and authoritarian socialists. projectsocialists. of revolutionaryauthoritarian totality.and anarchists between

difference between anarchists and collectivists, or or It is herecollectivists, thatand we find, anarchists or so it seemsbetween to us, difference the

point out passages where Kropotkin underlines the keythe to readingunderlines this book,Kropotkin whichwhere makespassages itout a whole.point

revolutionary movement, and to prove this they Solidaritythey this is aprove biologicalto and fact—saysmovement, Kropotkin—and,revolutionary

superiority over the parts in struggle within the likethe a seedwithin hiddenstruggle byin a snowyparts the mantle,over it lies dorsuperiority -

s critics to be due to his olympic olympic his to due be to critics s ’

mant all winter to come to life again inKropotkin theby spring,ered

so thisconsid essentialbeen has principlefact banal of humanityapparently endures This the

anguish of tyranny to reawaken in thespace. sunshinepolitical of of

representatives of a specific organisation in terms theterms futurein revolution.organisation Manyspecific a present-dayof thinkersrepresentatives

they are a part of that great movement, not as the havethe as doubtsnot about movement, this. Notgreat sothat of much part bya referringare they

scious minority, find a place there only because because to theonly secular there thesisplace of a men preying find on each minority, otherscious

likecon a wolves,as as byanarchists, submittingAnd the toointervention. idyllicof lategroup

ed: nothing is conceded to this or that historical eighteenthhistorical that century or this scientificto visionconceded is to the nothing critique ed:

- exploit the of movement the is

of an historical materialism that regardsBread of (at leastConquest

The The

until of recently)pages the biology asanimating the devilsubject doesgreat holyThe water.

The historical forms of the distributionwrong. ofbe producwould -

organise production and distribution. And they tionthey relationsAnd contributedistribution. and to determiningproduction society,organise

in the period immediately following it, on how to to thereforehow on it, to the individual.following immediately period the in

of what to do at the moment of the revolution and and Good? Bad?revolution the Neitherof goodmoment the nor at bad?do to Thewhat onlyof

ply, it is a book that concentrates on the problem thingproblem certain the on would seem toconcentrates be that a proposalbook a is forit interply, -

Because, attentive readers of this book would re vening.would Whatbook shouldthis of we doreaders in the preciseattentive historiBecause, -

However did Kropotkin forget about all that? calthat? conditionsall about of theforget present Kropotkin day? did How shouldHowever we

act in a momentorganisations? such as thisclandestine with about the classWhat strugglegroups?

How organise? Syndicalism? A federation of affinity still affinity going of on? federation A Syndicalism? organise? How

do, before the revolution, in order to get closer to it? it? to Strangely,closer get to one wouldorder in try in vainrevolution, the to findbefore ando, or-

. What to to What . Bread of Conquest The ganisational outlet concerning in aspectsstruggle of the revolutionary -

up and recomposesdefect a to due himselfis this as partinsist, of thecritics complexthe Moreover,

project of revolutionarysocialists. totality.authoritarian and anarchists between

difference between anarchists and collectivists, or Itor is here that wecollectivists, find,and or so itanarchists seems tobetween us, the difference

key to the reading thisunderlines book, whichKropotkin makeswhere it a passages whole. out point

Solidarity they is this a biologicalprove to factand —says Kropotkinmovement, —and, revolutionary

like a seedthe hiddenwithin by astruggle snowyin mantle,parts the itover lies dorsuperiority

s critics to be due to his olympic olympic his to due be to critics s ’

mant all winter to come to life again in the spring,Kropotkin by ered

This apparently banal fact has been consid been has fact banal apparently This

so this- essential principle of humanity endures the

anguish of tyranny to reawaken in the sunshinespace. of political of

the futureterms in revolution. Manyorganisation present-dayspecific a of thinkers representatives

have doubtsthe as aboutnot this. Notmovement, sogreat muchthat byof referringpart a are they

to the because secular only thesisthere of menplace preyinga find on each other minority, scious

group of intervention. And anarchists, as a con a as anarchists, And intervention. of group

like- wolves, as by submitting the too idyllic late

eighteenth centuryhistorical that scientificor this to vision toconceded theis critiquenothing ed:

is the movement of the exploit the of movement the is Bread of Conquest

of an- historical materialism that regards (at least

The great subject animating the pages of of pages the animating subject great The

until recently)The biology as the devil does holy water.

The historical forms of the distribution of producwrong. be - would

tion relationsthey And contribute distribution. to determiningand society,production organise

therefore to tohow theon it, individual. following immediately period the in

of what to do at the moment of the revolution and Good?and Bad? Neitherrevolution the of good normoment bad?the at Thedo to only what of

thing certainproblem wouldthe on seem to be a concentrates proposal that forbook a inter is it - ply,

Because, attentive readers of this book would re would book this of readers attentive Because,

vening.- What should we do in the precise histori-

cal conditionsthat? all of theabout presentforget day? HowKropotkin did should weHowever

act in a moment such asorganisations? this with theclandestine classabout struggleWhat groups?

still going affinity on? of federation A Syndicalism? organise? How

do, before the revolution, in order to get closer to it? Strangely,it? to closer one get wouldto tryorder in in vain to revolution, find the an orbefore - do,

The Conquest of Bread of Conquest The in struggle lutionary ganisational to What . outlet concerning aspects of the revo-

certainly not without consequences. It will never in never analysis will It itself, a limitationconsequences. thatwithout cannot be tracedcertainly to

newborn but potent teutonic bourgeoisie, was Kropotkinwas ’s temperament,bourgeoisie, teutonic dispositionpotent but and studies,newborn

this adventure on the traces of a clash with the histhe lovewith for clash the a traditionsof traces ofthe theon past, fromadventure the this me-

The fact that the continental marxists lived dievallived era tomarxists the Frenchcontinental revolution.the that Asfact if notThe indi-

cating a precise political position were theparty. great litical sin

a wider, more comprehensive level, that of the po thatthe everyoneof that wouldlevel, have us believe,comprehensive likemore insistingwider, a

through the first stage (economic/trade union) to to on theunion) political growth(economic/trade of thisstage or first that the part of thethrough

olution. The latter only became possible by going movementgoing by beingpossible the greatbecame steponly forwardlatter The that it isolution. so

oftenrev the claimed topreceding be. counterpower prole-tarian and

organisational forms both of capitalist dominion It seemsdominion to mecapitalist thatof Kropotkinboth forms was convincedorganisational of

velopment of science could not include that of the somethingthe of that far moreinclude not important:could thatscience of the revolutionvelopment

ended up in the social democratic party. The de would The be impossibleparty. if itdemocratic were notsocial alreadythe in up in course.ended

had had —

To considerEngland as thesuch revolution pirates as and something we fishermen shallof

less credited in countries countries in credited less —

meet some fine day out of the blue,adventure beyond someHegelian

tive clearly required further support. And the old lineold the that And it is not possiblesupport. further to cross today,required isclearly a Blantive -

quistperspec myth, this thatview is of foreign point to Kropotkinpolitical a andFrom to all

s suggestions. s ’

anarchists. This is a really importantnature of concept,application anden it

doesmistak notthe matterto due that Kropotkinaccidents are couldrest the not see itsgoodness: ul-

conditions for liberation, a natural condition of of timate consequences,condition natural a just as he couldliberation, for not justify theconditions

eration. Man can be free because he has in him the reasonsthe him in thathas suggestedhe because it to free him. be Thiscan is anMan immenseeration.

it would not have produced an instrument of lib task of that we areinstrument undertakingan produced day byhave daynot at thewould levelit

investigation, could not be malevolent otherwise of the classotherwise strugglemalevolent betweenbe not exploitercould and exploitinvestigation, -

also the consequence and premise for every future ed, future and fromevery for which wepremise canand draw the materialconsequence the indisalso -

of which science was not only the interpreter but pensablebut forinterpreter thethe continuation only not was of the struggle.science which of

which is synonymous with wisdom. Nature itself, itself, Let usNature explain wisdom. better. with Kropotkin’ssynonymous pointis of which de-

ploitation because he would possess the truth, parturetruth, the is the scientificpossess would he determinism because of hisploitation time:

- ex from him subtracting finally condition, s ’ science was to solve everything, would transformman

in analysis never itself,will It a limitation thatconsequences. can bewithout tracednot to certainly

Kropotkin was ’s temperament,bourgeoisie, dispositionteutonic potent and studies,but newborn

his lovethe for thewith traditionsclash a of of thetraces past,the on from the meadventure - this

dieval eralived to the Frenchmarxists revolution.continental the As ifthat notfact indiThe -

cating a precise political position were the great party. sin litical

that everyonepo the of wouldthat havelevel, us believe, likecomprehensive insistingmore wider, a

on theto politicalunion) growth of this(economic/trade or thatstage partfirst ofthe the through

movement going beingby the possible great stepbecame forwardonly thatlatter itThe is so olution.

and prole-tarian counterpower preceding the rev the preceding counterpower prole-tarian and

often- claimed to be.

organisational forms both of capitalist dominion It seems todominion me that Kropotkincapitalist of both was convincedforms of organisational

something the of farthat more important:include not thatcould the science revolution of velopment

ended up in the social democratic party. The de The party. democratic social the in up ended

wouldbe impossible if it were not already in course.

of fishermen and pirates such as England as such pirates and fishermen of had had

To consider— the revolution as something we shall

Hegelian adventure Hegelian less credited in countries countries in credited less

meet some fine day out of the blue,— beyond some

line thatold itthe is notAnd possiblesupport. to crossfurther today, required is a Blanclearly - tive

From a political point of view this perspec this view of point political a From

quist- myth, that is foreign to Kropotkin and to all

s suggestions. s ’

anarchists. This is a really important concept,nature of and it application en

goodness: the rest are accidents due to the mistak the to due accidents are rest the goodness:

does- not matter that Kropotkin could not see its ul-

timate of consequences,condition justnatural asa he could notliberation, justifyfor the conditions

reasons the thathim suggestedin has he it to him.because Thisfree be is ancan immenseMan eration.

it would not have produced an instrument of lib of instrument an produced have not would it

task- that we are undertaking day by day at the level

of the class struggleotherwise betweenmalevolent be exploiternot andcould exploitinvestigation,

ed, and fromfuture whichevery for we can drawpremise and the material consequence indis the - also

pensable but for the continuationinterpreter the only ofnot the struggle.was science which of

which is synonymous with wisdom. Nature itself, Let usitself, explainNature better.wisdom. Kropotkinwith ’s pointsynonymous of is de- which

parture istruth, thethe scientificpossess determinismwould he ofbecause his time: ploitation

s condition, finally subtracting him from ex from him subtracting finally condition, s ’ man science- was to solve everything, would transform

viii

be known to whatstruggle. the extent theseenvelopes vicissitudesthat darkness influthe -

duce itself to an act of will capable of opening up up enced theopening elaborationof capable ofwill theirof act theoryan to and,itself paralleduce -

today; because, when necessary, everything can re ly, incan what wayeverything marxist theorynecessary, when was subjectbecause, to thetoday;

the magnificent utopia of the revolution is visible apparentvisible is conquestsrevolution the ofof Germanutopia social democracy.magnificent the

while waiting for events to mature. Because none of of We cannone only Because see quitemature. a to clear relationshipevents for waiting between while

placed, still fulfill a function, find political space; all all scientificspace; political determinism find function, and a politicalfulfill still party.placed, But a

tion, but always as something that must still be well largewell be proportionstill must ofthat anarchists,something as with Kropotkinalways but tion, in

the lead,exploita weretowards also determinists,disgust and andsuffering theyof opposedmoments

marxists), but among them, perceiving economic themselveseconomic to theperceiving current them, that insistedamong but on the rolemarxists),

to be constructed not over the masses (valid for the ofthe Malatestianfor (valid voluntarism.masses the over not Would it beconstructed be legiti to -

tack managed and coordinated by an organisation mate to deduceorganisation an by that the firstcoordinated were,and underneathmanaged tack it

growth, the strategy of waiting and the strategic at all, advocatesstrategic the ofand a workerswaiting of ’ party andstrategy the the secondgrowth,

quantitative illusion is identical. The project of of were not? project Such The a conclusion identical. is would illusion be mistaken.quantitative

motivations and objectives were different, but the Unfortunatelythe but different, in thiswere field appearancesobjectives and are asmotivations de-

The points of departure were different, the ceptivethe as different, ever. were It was determinismdeparture of thatpoints ledThe the

party. ’

marxists to a quantitative evaluationworkers of their origanarchist -

fail to end up in the objective organisation of the inalthe of analyses thusorganisation contributingobjective the in to up strengthening end to fail

ality of the struggles such as Malatesta, could not thenot socialcould democraticMalatesta, as partysuch while awaitingstruggles the of a clashality

good faith when present in those nearest the re whichthe couldnearest in nothose way in come aboutpresent bywhen thatfaith road.good It

and the inviolability of the individual, and all its its was all theand same determinism,individual, the of with all itsinviolability scientificthe and

tarism which, with all its declarations for freedom errorsfreedom andfor limitationsdeclarations (andits all what with analyticalwhich, modeltarism

doesvolun notthe as have same them?) the thatwas it led thedoubt; in anarchists it putting to

tradicting the basic thesis without ever seriously a recognitionseriously ever of thewithout movementthesis basic of the exploited,tradicting

ofcon theby revolutionaryMarx) better processthe (in up in course,ended or here andtunely,

now,oppor theused progressivebe to drawingelement in of forcesdemagogical and working tegic

instra a one or waybody or anotherforeign a as for the self-organisationemerged marxists some of On the other hand, that voluntarism that in in humanthat freedom.voluntarism that hand, other the On

viii

be known to what extentstruggle. the these vicissitudesenvelopes that infludarkness - the

enced up the elaborationopening of of theircapable will theoryof act and,an to paralle itself - duce

ly, in re what can way marxisteverything theory necessary, was subjectwhen to because, the today;

apparent visible conquestsis ofrevolution Germanthe of socialutopia democracy.magnificent the

We canof onlynone see quiteBecause a clearmature. relationshipto events for betweenwaiting while

scientific all space; determinismpolitical find and politicalfunction, a fulfill party.still But a placed,

large proportionwell be still of must anarchists,that withsomething Kropotkinas always inbut tion,

the lead, wereexploita also determinists,towards disgust and and theysuffering opposedof moments

themselves toeconomic the currentperceiving that them, insisted among on thebut role marxists),

of Malatestianthe for (valid voluntarism. masses the Wouldover not it be legiticonstructed -be to

mate to deduceorganisation thatan theby first were,coordinated underneathand managed it tack

growth, the strategy of waiting and the strategic at strategic the and waiting of strategy the growth,

all, - advocates of a workers’ party and the second

were of not? Such project a The conclusion identical. would is be illusion mistaken. quantitative

Unfortunately the but in thisdifferent, fieldwere appearancesobjectives and are as de- motivations

ceptive the as ever. different, It waswere determinism departure of that ledpoints theThe

party. ’

marxists to a quantitative evaluation of theirworkers origanarchist

inal analysesthe of thus contributingorganisation objective to strengtheningthe in up end to fail

the socialnot democraticcould partyMalatesta, as whilesuch awaitingstruggles a clashthe of ality

good faith when present in those nearest the re the nearest those in present when faith good

which- could in no way come about by that road. It

was theits sameall and determinism,individual, the with of all its scientificinviolability the and

errors and limitationsfreedom for (and whatdeclarations its analyticalall with modelwhich, tarism

putting it in doubt; it was the same as the volun the as same the was it doubt; in it putting

does- not have them?) that led the anarchists to

a recognition seriously of ever the movementwithout thesis of thebasic exploited,the tradicting

tunely, or ended up (in the better Marx) by con by Marx) better the (in up ended or tunely,

of the- revolutionary process in course, here and

tegic and demagogical element to be used oppor used be to element demagogical and tegic

now,- the progressive drawing in of forces working

some marxists emerged as a foreign body or a stra a or body foreign a as emerged marxists some

in oneway or another for the self-organisation of human in freedom.that voluntarism that hand, other the On

Malatestaneo-Kropotki accusedEnglish Kropotkinthe example of havingfor putTake, the

international anarchistnow. place movementtaking are to sleep,that proposstruggles -

This in no way contributes to clarifying the ingthe an ideologyclarifying to of waiting because,contributes way no in anyin case,This the

revolution “will come”. Only that accusationunquestioningly. shouldcepted

tion, should be placed in opposition, therefore ac have beentherefore directed notopposition, soin muchplaced atbe Kropotkin should ’s thetion, -

- organisa ’

ses and the wayworkers theythe were espouse formulated, to happy sowill muchthe of as

isational capacity of the proletariat, theoretician to what thetheoretician movementproletariat, wantedthe of to readcapacity into theseisational

theses.organ the They of wantedasserter to wait, andrevolutionary theythe found justiBakunin, -

of the true teachings of the indefatigable agitator ficationagitator for doing indefatigable so; theythe of wanted toteachings suspendtrue the theirof

cast aside and condemned in block; Malatesta, heir involvementheir Malatesta, followingblock; in the apparentcondemned uselessnessand aside cast of

putting a brake on the international movement, is is the hot periodmovement, of propagandainternational the byon the deed,brake a and theyputting

potkin, the determinist scientist, responsible for for found justificationresponsible for scientist, doing so; theydeterminist wantedthe an potkin, alibi

forKro the interventionismmeanderings. these in against theourselves central immerse Empires, than

We often prefer to go for the obvious rather andrather they foundobvious the it. Basically,for go to a theoreticianprefer often We is not

only a point of reference, is not only whatthem. he himstanding -

selfunder considerswithout to bethem as aover point pass ofto referenceeasy is It in his ownhistory.

of the class struggle are born, grow and become work,become butand is alsogrow what theborn, realityare of thestruggle struggleclass the endsof

So the misunderstanding dictated by the needs upneeds producing:the by anddictated there was no othermisunderstanding waythe thatSo his

works could be readthere. duringit found these it and years. one, The patrimarxist -

form of party that aimed at righting the sins of the archalthe of figuresins the of the righting scientistat aimed had foreverthat party overborneof form

fence, and it found justifica-tion for it; it wanted a a the strongwanted it it; characteristicsfor ofjustifica-tion the agitatorfound it and and rebel.fence,

wanted the regulated organisation of economic de The timeseconomic noof longer requiredorganisation the wordsregulated the of one whowanted

merical growth, and it found justification for it; it it hadit; for even exalted justification the usefound ofit theand “dagger,growth, the pistol,merical

But it did not want that, it wanted progressive nu and dynamiteprogressive ” againstwanted it the exploitersthat, want ofnot thedid people.it But

organisational instruments of attack and defence. Inversely,defence. and inattack Malatesta,of theinstruments movement couldorganisational

towards agreements and defeatism, the need for for have need rediscovered the thedefeatism, insurrectionaland teachingsagreements towards of in every form and on every occasion, suspicion Matese.suspicion The impulseoccasion, ofevery theon willand to destroyform every power in

Malatesta accusedneo-Kropotki KropotkinEnglish the of havingexample putfor theTake,

international anarchist now. movement place totaking sleep,are proposthat - struggles

ing an the ideology ofclarifying waitingto because,contributes in anyway no case, in theThis

revolution “will come”. Only that accusation shouldunquestioningly. cepted

tion, should be placed in opposition, therefore ac therefore opposition, in placed be should tion,

havebeen directed not so much at Kropotkin’s the-

- organisa ’

ses and the way they workers were the formulated,espouse to so muchhappy will as the of

to what the movementtheoretician wantedproletariat, the to of read intocapacity these isational

theses. Theyorgan wantedthe of to wait,asserter and they foundrevolutionary the justi- Bakunin,

fication foragitator doing so; theyindefatigable wantedthe of to suspendteachings theirtrue the of

involvement heir followingMalatesta, theblock; in apparent uselessnesscondemned and ofaside cast

the hotis period of movement, propaganda byinternational thethe deed,on andbrake a they putting

found for justification responsible for doing scientist, so; they wanteddeterminist anthe alibi potkin,

than immerse ourselves in these meanderings. Kro meanderings. these in ourselves immerse than

for - the interventionism against the central Empires,

and they rather found it.obvious Basically,the for go a theoreticianto prefer isoften notWe

only a point of reference, is not only what hethem. himstanding

history. It is easy to pass over them without under without them over pass to easy is It history.

self- considers to be as a point of reference in his own

work, but isbecome also and what thegrow realityborn, ofare the strugglestruggle endsclass the of

up producing: needs the andby there dictated was no other way thatmisunderstanding the hisSo

works could be read duringthere. it these found years. it and The one, patri - marxist

archal the figure of sins of thethe scientistrighting at had foreveraimed that overborneparty of form

the a strong wanted characteristics it it; for of the agitatorjustifica-tion found and it rebel.and fence,

wanted the regulated organisation of economic de economic of organisation regulated the wanted

The- times no longer required the words of one who

had it even it; exaltedfor the usejustification of thefound “it dagger, and the pistol,growth, merical

But it did not want that, it wanted progressive nu progressive wanted it that, want not did it But

and- dynamite” against the exploiters of the people.

organisational instruments of attack and defence. Inversely,defence. inand Malatesta,attack of the movementinstruments could organisational

have rediscoveredfor need the the insurrectionaldefeatism, and teachingsagreements of towards Matese. The suspicion impulse ofoccasion, the willevery toon destroyand form power every in

xii

nians. They have taken to digging under the ideology. snowof

it hides itself, to re-emerge dressed in the symbols againsymbols to the find in that tinydressed seed thatre-emerge to the geologistitself, hides it and

comprehensible to our limited capacities, themore explorerthemore Kropotkincapacities, sayslimited he our has to seen. And theycomprehensible in-

the more one tries to translate it into terms that are are sist, that often terms withinto patheticit monotony,translate to tries one on seeingmore the it

now, a partial and distorted reality, so much so that herethat so and much there, so sometimesreality, indistorted theand curiouspartial a degener now, -

impossible if the final dream were not reality as of of ateas formreality ofnot the were structure dream of capital,final the if sometimesimpossible in

insist on pointing to elsewhere. All that would be be the social-democraticwould that All attemptelsewhere. to to makepointing theon massesinsist

— temple the of truth the of carriers the —

participate in decisions concerning their others own that ex-

ners, amidst colours and betrayals, to find the way way ploitation. the find Byto acting inbetrayals, thisand way itcolours is obviousamidst thatners,

oneban betraysand notsymbols the wordamidst but thetrenches profound meaningmelancholy digs

ous achievements that are in fact heavy defeats. It It of Kropotkindefeats. ’sheavy thinking.fact in are that achievements ous

substantially victories, constructs immense victori Take, for immense example, theconstructs Malatestiansvictories, of our ownsubstantially

es of reaction, undergoes apparent defeats that are are country that [Italy].defeats Theyapparent are continuallyundergoes reprintingreaction, of es

Theforc Anarchistthe by daily Program, theconstructed formulationobstacles the of an remove his-

of direction, -becomes process and project, tends to to toricaltends momentproject, thatand has process now become-becomes crystalliseddirection, of

revolutionary totality the movement finds its sense insense theits formfinds of a catechismmovement the that resiststotality any attemptrevolutionary

lations that link the first to the second. Within the the to carryWithin it intosecond. thethe fieldto offirst presentthe link daythat struggles.lations

only man, history, and the economic and social re In bettersocial and moments economic they the hastenand to bringhistory, outman, newonly

does not permit voluntaristic incitement. It accepts catechisms,accepts It countingincitement. and recountingvoluntaristic thepermit comradesnot does

does not permit deterministic models, just as it it whoas declarejust theirmodels, acceptancedeterministic of thesepermit not program does -

But this totality is profoundly contradictory, matic lines,contradictory, and arguingprofoundly is behind thetotality scenesthis But about

the interpretationgroup. minority ofa of some abstractdecision problemviolent the to suchor

from any attempt to entrust it to natural evolution, as violence,evolution, whichnatural to it in itselfentrust wouldto notattempt be any abstract, from

revolutionary project as totality, sub-tracting it it but becomessub-tracting so if whoevertotality, as is examiningproject it has revolutionary no

but is also, and principally, his capacity to see the intentionthe see to of violentlycapacity his attackingprincipally, the and State also, butis onlybut

is a fruit of the dreams of the science of his time, oftime, continuinghis of toscience argue the aboutof thedreams problem.the of fruit a is therefore not only that beneficent optimism which which The characteristicoptimism ofbeneficent Kropotkinthat only ’s indicationsnot therefore is

xii

nians. They have taken to digging under the snow ideology. of

again to findsymbols thatthe in tiny seeddressed that there-emerge geologistto itself, and hides it

explorer Kropotkinthemore sayscapacities, he haslimited seen.our to And they in- comprehensible

sist, oftenare that with patheticterms into it monotony,translate to ontries seeingone itmore the

here andthat there,so much sometimes so reality, in the curiousdistorted and degenerpartial a - now,

ate formof as of thereality structurenot were of capital,dream final sometimes the if in impossible

the social-democraticbe would that All attempt toelsewhere. maketo the massespointing on insist

— temple the of truth the of carriers the —

participate in decisions concerning their own exothers - that

ploitation. way the By actingfind to in this waybetrayals, and it is obviouscolours thatamidst ners,

one betraysban and not the wordsymbols butamidst the profoundtrenches meaningmelancholy digs

of Kropotkin It ’sdefeats. thinking.heavy fact in are that achievements ous

substantially victories, constructs immense victori immense constructs victories, substantially

- Take, for example, the Malatestians of our own

country are [Italy].that Theydefeats are continuallyapparent undergoes reprintingreaction, of es

remove the obstacles constructed daily by the forc the by daily constructed obstacles the remove

The- Anarchist Program, the formulation of an his-

torical to momenttends thatproject, hasand now becomeprocess crystallised-becomes direction, of

in the formsense its of a catechismfinds thatmovement resiststhe anytotality attempt revolutionary

to carrythe it intoWithin the fieldsecond. the ofto presentfirst the day link struggles. that lations

only man, history, and the economic and social re social and economic the and history, man, only

In better- moments they hasten to bring out new

catechisms, accepts countingIt andincitement. recounting thevoluntaristic comradespermit not does

who it declare as just their acceptancemodels, of thesedeterministic programpermit not - does

matic lines, and contradictory, arguing behindprofoundly is the scenestotality aboutthis But

the interpretationgroup. of someminority a abstractof problemdecision violent suchthe to or

as violence, whichevolution, innatural itselfto it wouldentrust notto be abstract,attempt any from

but becomesit so if sub-tracting whoever totality, is examiningas project it has no revolutionary

intention the ofsee violentlyto capacity attacking his the Stateprincipally, butand onlyalso, is but

of continuing time, his toof argue science about the theof problem.dreams the of fruit a is therefore not only that beneficent optimism which Thewhich characteristic optimism of Kropotkinbeneficent that ’ s indicationsonly not is therefore

xiv

not offer, then, an argument against Communism. Here Communism. resides against the illogicalityargument an of thethen, revolution,offer, not

The history of mankind, thus understood, does anddoes it is this thatunderstood, Kropotkin,thus mankind, manof and history scientist The of

his time, could not seecities. clearly.free the But in thisdestroyed also lieswhich

as jointly to oppose the growth of the military states, ourstates, task today.military the Toof avoidgrowth thisthe contradictoryoppose to jointly probas -

village with the city, the peasant with the citizen, so so lem wouldcitizen, the alsowith mean topeasant definitivelythe city, the with consign Thevillage

mainly from the incapacity of men of combining the Conquestthe of combining Breadof tomen of the dusty incapacity atmosphere the from of themainly

the decay of these communal institutions came library.came institutions communal these of decay the

intellectual, industrial, and artistic progress; while while progress; artistic and Alfredoindustrial, M. Bonannointellectual, trade; that these centuries were periods of a rapid rapid a of periods were centuries these that trade;

a certain socialized organization of production and and production of organization socialized certain a

in their midst, for several centuries in succession, PREFACEsuccession, in BY KROPOTKINcenturies TOseveral THEfor 1913midst, EDITIONtheir in

that the medieval cities succeeded in maintaining maintaining in succeeded cities medieval the that

bility and the middle classes. We learn, moreover, One ofmoreover, the currentlearn, We objectionsclasses. to middle Communism, the and andbility

which created a land monopoly in favour of the no Socialism the of altogether,favour in is thatmonopoly theland ideaa is socreated old, andwhich

from within, but from without, by the governments yet it hasgovernments neverthe by been realized.without, from Schemesbut within, of idealfrom

has been destroyed in Western Europe, it was not Statesnot was hauntedit theEurope, thinkersWestern in of Ancientdestroyed Greece; been laterhas

we learn that if the communal possession of the land on,land thethe of early Christianspossession joinedcommunal in communistthe if that groups;learn we

to the labour capacities of the different families; and centuriesand families; later, largedifferent the of communist capacities brotherhoodslabour the to

land, and the apportionment of the same according came intoaccording existencesame the of during the Reformapportionment the movement.and land,

ership of the chief instrument of production, the Then,the the sameproduction, idealsof were revivedinstrument chief duringthe of the greatership

- own common the —

English and French Revolutions;Socialism of and elements finally, main quitethe

communities, for many hundreds of years, one of of lately,one in 1848,years, of a revolution,hundreds inspiredmany for to a greatcommunities, ex-

in maintaining amongst themselves, in their village tentvillage withtheir Socialistin ideals,themselves, took placeamongst in France.maintaining “Andin

that hundreds of millions of men have succeeded yet, yousucceeded see,”have we aremen of told, “howmillions farof away ishundreds still thethat

more attentively, it loses its strength. We see, first, realizationfirst, see, We of yourstrength. schemes.its loses it Don ’t you thinkattentively, thatmore

However, the moment we consider human history therehistory is somehuman fundamentalconsider we errormoment inthe your underHowever, - At first sight this objection seems very serious. standingserious. very of humanseems natureobjection andthis its needs?sight ”first At

xiv

not offer, then, an argument against Communism. Here residesCommunism. the illogicalityagainst ofargument thean revolution,then, offer, not

and it isdoes this that Kropotkin,understood, thus man andmankind, of scientisthistory ofThe

his time, could not see clearly.cities. Butfree inthe this also liesdestroyed which

our task states, today. Tomilitary avoidthe of this growth contradictory the oppose to prob-jointly as

lem wouldso alsocitizen, meanthe with to definitivelypeasant the city, consignthe with The village

Conquest the of Bread combining to of the men dusty of atmosphereincapacity the of from the mainly

library. came institutions communal these of decay the

intellectual, industrial, and artistic progress; while while progress; artistic and Alfredo M. industrial, Bonanno intellectual, trade; that these centuries were periods of a rapid rapid a of periods were centuries these that trade;

a certain socialized organization of production and and production of organization socialized certain a

PREFACE BY succession, KROPOTKIN in centuries TO THEseveral 1913 for EDITIONmidst, their in

that the medieval cities succeeded in maintaining maintaining in succeeded cities medieval the that

One of the currentmoreover, learn, objections We toclasses. Communism,middle the andand bility

which created a land monopoly in favour of the no the of favour in monopoly land a created which

Socialism- altogether, is that the idea is so old, and

yet it has nevergovernments beenthe by realized.without, Schemesfrom but of idealwithin, from

States hauntednot was it the thinkersEurope, of AncientWestern in Greece;destroyed laterbeen has

on, the earlyland the Christiansof joinedpossession in communistcommunal the if groups;that learn we

centuries and later,families; large communistdifferent the of brotherhoodscapacities labour the to

came into existenceaccording same duringthe of the Reform movement.apportionment the and land,

Then, thethe same idealsproduction, wereof revivedinstrument during chief thethe greatof ership

the common own common the — Socialism of elements main the

English- and French Revolutions; and finally, quite

lately, of in 1848,one ayears, revolution, of inspiredhundreds many tofor a great ex- communities,

tent with Socialistvillage their in ideals, took placethemselves, in France.amongst “And maintaining in

yet, you see,” succeeded we arehave told,men “howof far awaymillions of is still thehundreds that

realization first, ofsee, yourWe schemes.strength. its Don’loses t youit think thatattentively, more

there is somehistory fundamentalhuman consider errorwe in yourmoment the under - However, standing ofserious. humanvery natureseems and itsobjection needs?this ”sight first At

xvi

o te is hl o tee ude yas two na It appears,years, on hundred the contrary,these of as half a succession first the of for en-

Socialism is not yet a hundred years old, and that, deavoursthat, and toold, realizeyears some hundred sort a ofyet communistnot is organiSocialism -

To be correct, then, we must say that modern zation,modern endeavoursthat say must which we werethen, crownedcorrect, be hereTo and

there with a partial success ofyears. a certainfifty next duration;the for

their stamp to militant, authoritarian Communism and all weCommunism are authorizedauthoritarian to concludemilitant, to is, thatstamp mantheir -

nated from those of Buonarroti and Babeuf, gave kindgave has notBabeuf, yetand found theBuonarroti proper of formthose forfrom combinnated -

ing,origi on communisticsocieties, principles,communist secret agriculturethe while withward; a

- for came —

suddenly developedSocialism) industryNo-State and(the a rapidlyGodwin as growwell -

Fourier, Saint Simon, and Robert Owen, as as Owen, Robert and Simon, Saint Fourier, —

ing international trade. The latter appears especialism -

the three great theoretical founders of modern So cially asmodern a of disturbing founders element, sincetheoretical itgreat is nothree longerthe

it was immediately after the Great Revolution that individualsthat only,Revolution orGreat cities,the thatafter enrich themselvesimmediately was it

with Buonarroti, Babeuf, and their comrades. And byAnd distant commercecomrades. their and and export;Babeuf, but wholeBuonarroti, with na-

Ange, at Lyons, and authoritarian Communism Communism authoritarian and Lyons, at Ange, ’

tions grow rich at the cost of those nations whichL

Fourierism with with Fourierism —

lag behind in their industrialborn was development.Socialism modern

which has never yet been properly studied, that that Thesestudied, conditions,properly whichbeen yet began never to has appear which by

It was during this remarkable movement, the endmovement, of the eighteenthremarkable this century, during took, was however,It

their full developmenthand. upper the in took the nineteenthreaction when centurywork,

hard at this scheme, and had nearly completed its its only, after completed the Napoleonicnearly had warsand camescheme, to anthis end.at Andhard

to be taken into account. The Convention worked modernworked CommunismConvention The has to takeaccount. theminto intotaken account.be to

cost of production and moderate trade profits had had It isprofits now trade known thatmoderate theand French Revolution,production of cost

lished prices of all commodities, for which the real apartreal the from which its politicalfor significance,commodities, all of was prices an attemptlished

madeestab by therationally Frenchof people,system innational 1793wide anda 1794,troduce in

them at cost price. And the third attempt was to in threeto was different attempt directionsthird the moreAnd orprice. lesscost akinat to them So-

necessity, bought by the municipalities, and sold by by cialism.sold and It was, first, municipalities, thethe by equalization bought of fortunes,necessity,

as regards the consumption of some objects of first byfirst meansof ofobjects an incomesome of tax and consumption succession the duties,regards as

ond attempt was a sort of Municipal Communism both heavilyCommunism progressive,Municipal of assort alsoa bywas a directattempt confisond -

- cationsec The of theonly. landrich the in orderupon to sub-dividelevied taxes war it, andheavy by

xvi

o te is hl o tee ude yas two na years, hundred these of half first the for

It appears,- on the contrary, as a succession of en-

deavours that, to and realize old, someyears sort ofhundred communist a yet not is organi - Socialism

zation, endeavoursmodern that whichsay must werewe crownedthen, herecorrect, be and To

there with a partial success of a certainyears. duration;fifty next the for

and all we are authorizedCommunism to concludeauthoritarian is,militant, thatto manstamp - their

kind hasgave not yet Babeuf, found and the properBuonarroti formof forthose combinfrom - nated

ward; while the secret communist societies, origi societies, communist secret the while ward;

ing,- on communistic principles, agriculture with a

- for came —

suddenly developed industrySocialism) andNo-State a rapidly(the growGodwin as - well

Fourier, Saint Simon, and Robert Owen, as as Owen, Robert and Simon, Saint Fourier, —

ing international trade. The latter appears especialism

cially So as a disturbingmodern of element,founders since ittheoretical is no great longer three the

individuals that only, orRevolution cities,Great thatthe enrichafter themselvesimmediately was it

by distantAnd commercecomrades. andtheir export;and butBabeuf, whole naBuonarroti, - with

Ange, at Lyons, and authoritarian Communism Communism authoritarian and Lyons, at Ange, ’

tions grow rich at the cost of those nations which L

modern Socialism was born was Socialism modern Fourierism with with Fourierism

lag behind in their industrial— development.

which has never yet been properly studied, that Thesethat conditions,studied, whichproperly beganbeen yet to appearnever has by which

the end of themovement, eighteenth century,remarkable this took, during however, was It

their full developmenthand. inupper thethe nineteenthtook reaction centurywhen work,

only, afterits the Napoleoniccompleted nearly warshad cameand to anscheme, end. this Andat hard

modern Communismworked hasConvention to The take themaccount. intointo account.taken be to

cost of production and moderate trade profits had It had is now profits known trade that themoderate Frenchand Revolution,production of cost

apart fromreal the its politicalwhich for significance,commodities, wasall of an attemptprices lished

troduce a wide national system of rationally estab rationally of system national wide a troduce

made- by the French people, in 1793 and 1794, in

them at cost price. And the third attempt was to in to was attempt third the And price. cost at them

three- different directions more or less akin to So-

cialism. by It sold was,and first, the municipalities, equalization the by ofbought fortunes, necessity,

by meansfirst of of an incomeobjects some taxof and successionconsumption the duties, regards as

both heavily progressive,Communism asMunicipal alsoof bysort a a directwas confisattempt - ond

heavy war taxes levied upon the rich only. The sec The only. rich the upon levied taxes war heavy cation- of the land in order to sub-divide it, and by

xviii

its successes, they did not trust the masses, and tionsand only,masses, whichthe stoodtrust atnot thedid headthey of the industrialsuccesses, its

Revolution, and seeing more its failures than movement,than failures i.e., its Britainmore and France,seeing and took part inRevolution, its

period of reaction which had followed the French elaboration.French the Both followed bleeding had atwhich that timereaction fromof the period ter-

heads of a new church. Besides, writing during the riblethe woundsduring inflictedwriting uponBesides, themchurch. by new fifteena of yearsheads of

religion, and they had to regulate its march, as the Napoleonicthe as march, wars,its and regulate both to envelopedhad they and in the greatreligion,

founders of a new religion. Socialism had to be a a Europeanbe to had reaction Socialism that had comereligion. new from a of the East.founders

new revelation, and upon themselves as upon the the Inupon fact,as it was onlythemselves afterupon theand Revolutionrevelation, of July,new

opened before them, that they looked upon it as a a 1830,as it in France,upon looked and thethey Reformthat movementthem, before of 1830-opened

were so entranced by the wide horizons which it it 1832 which in this countryhorizons wide hadthe begunby to shakeentranced so off thatwere

who wrote at the dawn of the nineteenth century terriblecentury reaction,nineteenth thatthe theof discussiondawn the at of Socialismwrote who

be noted. The three great founders of Socialism becameSocialism possibleof forfounders a fewgreat yearsthree beforeThe thenoted. revobe -

all Socialist schemes of that period, which must lutionmust of which 1848. Andperiod, it that was of during thoseschemes yearsSocialist thatall

However, there is one feature, common to to the aspirationscommon offeature, Fourier, one is St. Simon,there and However, Robert

Owen, worked out by their followers,laws. of tookshape a defithe -

wanted the National Assembly of 1848 to vote in in nite vote shape, to and1848 of the differentAssembly schoolsNational ofthe Socialismwanted

tail the system of Collectivism, which the former whichformer existthe nowadayswhich were defined.Collectivism, of system the tail

ia, n epcal Pcuu, eeoe i de in In Britain, developed Robert Owen Pecqueur, and especially his and followers Vidal,

theoretical conceptions of Considérant; and finally workedfinally and out their schemesConsidérant; of of communistconceptions villages,theoretical

works, published in 1846 and 1847 respectively, the agriculturalthe andrespectively, industrial1847 and 1846 atin the samepublished time; works, im-

Germany further developed, in two remarkable mense co-operativeremarkable two in associationsdeveloped, werefurther started Germany for

of Lassalle. Vidal in France and Lorenz Stein in in creatingStein withLorenz theirand dividendsFrance in moreVidal communistLassalle. of

of Labour, which became later on the programme colonies;programme andthe theon Greatlater Consolidatedbecame which Trades ’ UnionLabour, of

terference. Louis Blanc published his Organization was foundedOrganization —his the forerunnerpublished Blanc of bothLouis the Labourterference.

idea of Anarchism and Mutualism, without State in PartiesState of ourwithout days and theMutualism, Internationaland Anarchism Working-of idea

Proudhon worked out his his out worked Proudhon ” Socialism. Scientific “

men’s Association. as

the growth of Capitalism, which are now described In described France, now theare Fourieristwhich ConsidérantCapitalism, of issuedgrowth the his developed, all the theoretical considerations upon remarkableupon manifesto,considerations whichtheoretical contains,the all beautifullydeveloped,

xviii

tions only,and whichmasses, stoodthe at trust the headnot did of thethey industrialsuccesses, its

movement, than i.e., Britainfailures its and more France, seeing took and part in its Revolution,

elaboration. French Boththe bleedingfollowed athad that timewhich from thereaction of ter- period

rible woundsthe inflictedduring writing upon themBesides, by fifteenchurch. new a years of of heads

Napoleonic the as wars,march, andits both envelopedregulate to had inthey the and great religion,

European a be reactionto had that hadSocialism come fromreligion. thenew a East.of founders

new revelation, and upon themselves as upon the In fact,the itupon wasas only afterthemselves the Revolutionupon and of July,revelation, new

1830, a inas France,it upon and thelooked Reformthey movementthat them, of before 1830- opened

1832 it in thiswhich country horizons had begunwide the toby shake offentranced thatso were

terrible reaction,century that nineteenth the the discussion of dawn ofthe Socialismat wrote who

became possibleSocialism of for a fewfounders yearsgreat beforethree theThe revo-noted. be

lution ofmust 1848. Andwhich it wasperiod, duringthat of those yearsschemes thatSocialist all

the aspirationsto common of Fourier,feature, St.one Simon,is there and RobertHowever,

Owen, worked out by their followers, tooklaws. of a defishape - the

nite shape,in vote andto the1848 differentof schoolsAssembly of SocialismNational the wanted

which existformer nowadaysthe which were defined.Collectivism, of system the tail

ia, n epcal Pcuu, eeoe i de in developed Pecqueur, especially and Vidal,

- In Britain, Robert Owen and his followers

worked outfinally theirand schemes Considérant; ofof communist conceptions villages, theoretical

agricultural the and industrialrespectively, 1847 atand the1846 samein time; published im- works,

mense co-operativeremarkable two associations in weredeveloped, startedfurther for Germany

creating in withStein theirLorenz dividendsand France more in communistVidal Lassalle. of

colonies; and theprogramme Greatthe on Consolidatedlater became Trades which ’ Union Labour, of

was founded—theOrganization forerunnerhis published of bothBlanc theLouis Labour terference.

idea of Anarchism and Mutualism, without State in State without Mutualism, and Anarchism of idea

Parties- of our days and the International Working-

Proudhon worked out his his out worked Proudhon ” Socialism. Scientific “

men’s Association. as

the growth of Capitalism, which are now described In France,described the now Fourierist are which Considérant Capitalism, issuedof hisgrowth the remarkable upon manifesto, whichconsiderations contains,theoretical the beautifully all developed,

agreed. It was that the labour unions themselves they didthemselves not appealunions tolabour themthe forthat bringingwas It aboutagreed.

Upon another point they also were were also they point another Upon ”

the changes which they thought necessary. Theythemselves.

ing-men must be accomplished by the working-men put their working-men faith, the onby the contrary,accomplished be into must some greating-men

- work the of emancipation the “

ruler, some Socialist Napoleon. that He was would underLondon, at -

ists and Owenites, when they met in 1862 and 1864, stand1864, and the new1862 in revelation;met they hewhen would beOwenites, convincedand ists

of its desirabilitytrade-union British by the the successfulwith agreed experimentsworking-men of

ing out, and the first principles upon which the Paris theirParis the phalansteries,which upon or associations;principles first the andand he out, woulding

change. The old faith in Political Democracy was dy peacefullywas accomplishDemocracy Political by in his faith own old authorityThe thechange.

the means of their realization had undergone a deep revolutiondeep a whichundergone wouldhad bringrealization well-beingtheir of andmeans hapthe -

came forward, it appeared that the conception as to to pinessas to mankind.conception the Athat militaryappeared genius,it Napoleon,forward, came

when Communism and Collectivism once more hadmore justonce been ruling Europe.Collectivism and Why shouldCommunism not awhen so-

However, when a new revival began, about 1866, cial1866, geniusabout comebegan, forward,revival new carrya Europewhen withHowever, him

and translate the new Gospel intodiscoveries. life?new Thatfor faithtion,

wasgenera rootedour by veryon, deep,later andtaken, it be stood to as forout a longwiped timeso

were were —

in the way1848 of Socialism;before Socialists its the traces of areideas evenstock seenthe

—

amongstcurrent us,then downwere to thewhich presentideas day. forgotten; entirely

that even names, once so familiar before 1848, were were It was1848, onlybefore during familiar the so yearsonce 1840-48,names, wheneven thethat

disappeared; its literature vanished so completely approachcompletely ofso the Revolutionvanished wasliterature its felt everywhere,disappeared;

twelve or fifteen years the very traces of Socialism and theSocialism of proletarians traces very werethe beginningyears fifteen toor plant thetwelve

was so terrible and so thorough that for the next bannernext the offor Socialismthat on thorough the so barricades,and terrible thatso faithwas

were prosecuted with fury, and the weeding out out in the peopleweeding the began and to enterfury, oncewith more theprosecuted heartswere

êtat followed. The Socialists Socialists The followed. êtat ’

of the social schemers: faith,d on coup the one side,Napoleonian in

mass deportations to New Guinea, and finally the the Republican finally and Democracy, Guinea, andNew to on the otherdeportations sidemass in

The wholesale shooting of the working-men, the freethe association,working-men, inthe theof organizingshooting powerswholesale of theThe

proletarians broke out, and it was crushed in blood. working-menblood. in crushed themselves.was it and out, broke proletarians

of the Republic, the June insurrection of the Paris Paris Butthe thenof came theinsurrection RevolutionJune the of February,Republic, the 1848,of hopes. Four months only after the proclamation the middle-classproclamation the Republic,after only and withmonths it,Four shatteredhopes.

they did not appealthemselves tounions themlabour forthe bringingthat was aboutIt agreed.

themselves. Upon another point they also were were also they point another Upon

the changes which they thought necessary.” They

put their faith, onworking-men thethe by contrary, intoaccomplished somebe must great ing-men

the emancipation of the work the of emancipation the “ that was London, at

ruler,- some Socialist Napoleon. He would under-

stand the1864, newand revelation;1862 in met hethey wouldwhen be convincedOwenites, and ists

of its desirabilitytrade-union by theBritish successfulthe with experimentsagreed of working-men

their phalansteries,Paris the which orupon associations; principles andfirst hethe wouldand out, ing

peacefullydy was accomplishDemocracy by hisPolitical ownin authorityfaith old The the change.

revolution deep a which wouldundergone had bring well-beingrealization their andof hapmeans - the

piness to toas mankind.conception A the military that genius,appeared it Napoleon,forward, came

had just more been rulingonce Europe.Collectivism Whyand should not aCommunism so - when

cial genius1866, comeabout forward,began, carryrevival new Europea when with himHowever,

and translate the new Gospel into life? Thatdiscoveries. new faith for tion,

so wiped out as to be taken, later on, by our genera our by on, later taken, be to as out wiped so

was- rooted very deep, and it stood for a long time

the stock ideas of the Socialists before 1848 before Socialists the of ideas stock the were were

in the way— of Socialism; its traces are even seen

entirely forgotten; ideas which were then current then were which ideas forgotten; entirely

amongst— us, down to the present day.

that even names, once so familiar before 1848, were It waswere only1848, duringbefore the yearsfamiliar so 1840-48,once whennames, theeven that

approach of thecompletely so Revolution vanished was feltliterature everywhere,its disappeared;

and the proletariansSocialism of traces were very beginningthe years to plantfifteen or the twelve

banner next of Socialismthe for that on the barricades,thorough so and that faithterrible so was

in the out people beganweeding the to enterand oncefury, morewith the heartsprosecuted were

êtat followed. The Socialists Socialists The followed. êtat ’

of the social schemers: faith, on d the onecoup side, in Napoleonian

Republican the Democracy,finally and andGuinea, onNew theto other side deportations in mass

free association,the in theworking-men, organizingthe of powersshooting of thewholesale The

working-men blood. in themselves.crushed was it and out, broke proletarians

of the Republic, the June insurrection of the Paris But thenParis the came of the Revolutioninsurrection June of February,the 1848,Republic, the of the middle-classproclamation Republic,the after and only with it, months shattered Four hopes.

xxii

wouldcon full havein say to getcan I hold ofwritten, the was instruments book this of prosince -

Looking back now at the years that have passed duction,passed have and that organize years productionthe at now themselves.back Looking The

French idea of the Fourierist and Mutualistbook. “Asso-this

oured to give a more or less definite expression in in ciation” thusexpression joineddefinite handsless or with more Robert a give Owento ’s ideaoured

of “Theendeav Greathave I Consolidatedwhich to ideas Trades the ’ Union,are ”These which

was extended now, so as toindustry. becomeand an Internationalagriculture of tion

Working-menorganiza State ’s the Association. and State, the by property trial

er realization than through the seizure of all indus Againall of this newseizure revivalthe ofthrough Socialismthan lastedrealization buter a

which Socialist forms of life could find a much easi few years.much a Soonfind camecould thelife of war offorms 1870-71,Socialist the upriswhich -

settle, the labour circles saw the medium through ing ofthrough the Parismedium Communethe saw —andcircles againlabour thethe free settle, de-

organization, the details of which life itself would velopmentwould itself oflife Socialismwhich of was rendereddetails the impossibleorganization, in

men, especially in the Latin countries. In some such France.such some ButIn while Germanycountries. Latin acceptedthe in now fromespecially themen,

handsworking- of its Germanthinking the teachers,amongst Marx1871 andafter Engels, thecirculate

Such were the ideas which began vaguely to to Socialismvaguely of thebegan Frenchwhich “forty-eightersideas the were ” thatSuch is, the

Socialismon. so of Considérantand docks, the and Louisrailways, Blanc,the of and theservice

would come into existence for the inter-communal Collectivism inter-communal of Pecqueur,the for —Franceexistence into made come a furtherwould

Hansa). At the same time large labour associations step forward.associations labour large time same the At Hansa).

national frontiers (like the Cinque Ports, or the the or In March, Ports, 1871, Cinque Paris the (like had proclaimed frontiers thatnational

in some cases, even irrespectively of the present henceforwardpresent the of it would notirrespectively wait even for thecases, retardatory some in

communes would federate to constitute nations portionsnations of France:constitute to that it intendedfederate would to start withincommunes

like Paris, or, still better, small territories. These its These Commune itsterritories. ownsmall social development.better, still or, Paris, like

of 2000 persons. They must be vast agglomerations, The movementagglomerations, vast wasbe toomust short-livedThey topersons. give2000 anyof

not be small phalansteries, or small communities positive result.communities small It remainedor communalistphalansteries, small be only; not it

spoken in England and France before 1848, need merelyneed 1848, asserted before the rightsFrance and of the CommuneEngland in tospoken its

agro-industrial communes, of which so much was fullwas autonomy.much so Butwhich of the working-classescommunes, of the agro-industrial old

ern Socialism may come to realization. The free Internationalfree The saw realization. at onceto itscome historicalmay significance.Socialism ern

- Theymod of understoodideas the thatwhich thein free communemedium the wouldhenceforth be

xxii

would havecon full toin getsay holdcan I of the instrumentswritten, was book of prothis - since

duction, andpassed organizehave that productionyears the at themselves.now back TheLooking

French idea of the Fourierist and Mutualist “Asso-book. this

ciation in ” thus joinedexpression handsdefinite withless Robertor more Owena ’give s ideato oured

These are the ideas to which I have endeav have I which to ideas the are These

of “- The Great Consolidated Trades’ Union,” which

was extended now, so as to becomeindustry. anand Internationalagriculture of tion

trial property by the State, and the State organiza State the and State, the by property trial

Working-men- ’s Association.

Againindus thisall newof revivalseizure the of Socialismthrough lastedthan but a realization er

which Socialist forms of life could find a much easi much a find could life of forms Socialist which

few- years. Soon came the war of 1870-71, the upris-

ing of the Paristhrough Communemedium the —andsaw againcircles the labour free the de- settle,

velopment would of Socialismitself life waswhich renderedof details impossiblethe in organization,

France. Butsuch whilesome In Germanycountries. acceptedLatin the nowin from theespecially men,

hands of its working- German teachers,thinking the Marxamongst and1871 Engels,after the circulate

Socialism to of thevaguely Frenchbegan “forty-eighterswhich ideas the ” thatwere is, theSuch

Socialism of Considéranton. so and anddocks, Louisthe Blanc,railways, andthe of the service

Collectivism of Pecqueur,inter-communal the —for France madeexistence into a furthercome would

step forward. associations labour large time same the At Hansa).

national frontiers (like the Cinque Ports, or the In the March, or 1871, Ports, Paris Cinque had the proclaimed (like frontiers that national

henceforward present itthe wouldof not wait forirrespectively theeven retardatory cases, some in

portions ofnations France: thatconstitute itto intendedfederate to startwould within communes

its Commune These its ownterritories. social small development. better, still or, Paris, like

of 2000 persons. They must be vast agglomerations, The movementagglomerations, was vast toobe short-livedmust They to givepersons. any 2000 of

positive result. Itcommunities remainedsmall or communalistphalansteries, only;small itbe not

merely assertedneed 1848, the rightsbefore ofFrance the and Commune England toin its spoken

full autonomy.was much Butso thewhich working-classesof communes, of the old agro-industrial

International free The saw at oncerealization. itsto historicalcome significance.may Socialism ern

henceforth the medium in which the ideas of mod of ideas the which in medium the henceforth They- understood that the free commune would be

xxiv

science1913 thatJanuary, its leading ideas must have been cor-

rect. StateBRIGHTON Socialism has certainly made consider-

able progress. State railways,man. of State banking,genius andstructive

Statecon the tradeof ineffort spirits haveimmense the been by introducedprepared herebeing

built, and even samples of some of its rooms, are are and there.rooms, its But of everysome stepof madesamples in thiseven and direction, built,

which the great synthetic building will have to be be evento thoughhave will it resultedbuilding in the synthetic cheapening great the of a which giv-

civilized nations. But samples of the bricks out of of en out commodity, bricks the wasof foundsamples to But be a newnations. obstaclecivilized in

day by the constructive genius of some one of the the of struggleone ofsome theof working-mengenius forconstructive theirthe by emanci day -

partial experiments will have to be made some pation.some Somade thatbe to we findhave growingwill amongstexperiments the workpartial -

might find its expression. The synthesis of all these ing-men,these all of especiallysynthesis The in Westernexpression. Europe, its find the ideamight

the practical forms in which a communist society thatsociety even the workingcommunist a ofwhich suchin a vastforms nationalpractical propthe -

which prepare human thought to conceive some of of erty some as a railway-netconceive to couldthought be muchhuman betterprepare handledwhich

experiments experiments —

by a Federated Unioncolonies of their railway in employees,tried Simon thanSaint

like those which Owen, Fourier, and and Fourier, Owen, which those like —

by a State organization. experiments

certainly must look at all these attempts as upon upon Onas the otherattempts side,these all we at see look that must countless certainly at-

session of the instruments of production. But we we tempts But have beenproduction. madeof all over instruments Europe the of and Amersession -

ica,pos the leadingcommon the idea ofimply whichwhich is,of on theboth one side,Socialism, to

taken as a substitute for Communism, or even for for get intoeven or the hands of theCommunism, working-menfor substitute a themselvesas taken

Of course, none of these may, in any degree, be be wide branchesdegree, any in of may, production, these of and,none on course, the Of other

side, to always widen in the citieslately. the circlesdeveloped of thebeen

in which the greatest amount of creative power has functionshas power whichcreative theof city performsamount greatest in the the interestwhich in

these are the three directions directions three the are these —

of its inhabitants. Trade-unionism, withSocialism a growingMunicipal

finally, the immensely varied field of the so-called tendencyso-called the towardsof field organizingvaried the differentimmensely the tradesfinally,

sorts of co-operation in experimental colonies; and internationally,and colonies; and of experimental beingin not onlyco-operation anof instrusorts -

and agriculture, and attempts at combining both mentboth for thecombining improvement at attempts of and the conditionsagriculture, ofand la-

production and for distribution, both in industry bour,industry but in alsoboth of becomingdistribution, an for organization and whichproduction management of production; Co-operation, both for for might, both at a given moment,Co-operation, takeproduction; intoof its hands themanagement

xxiv

science 1913 that its leadingJanuary, ideas must have been cor-

rect. State SocialismBRIGHTON has certainly made consider-

able progress. State railways, Stateman. banking,of genius and structive

being prepared by the immense effort of the con the of effort immense the by prepared being

State- trade in spirits have been introduced here

and there.are Butrooms, everyits of stepsome madeof in thissamples direction,even and built,

even thoughbe to ithave resultedwill in thebuilding cheapeningsynthetic ofgreat a the giv - which

en commodity,of out wasbricks the found of to besamples a newBut obstaclenations. in civilized

the strugglethe of ofone the some working-men of genius for their constructive emanci the by - day

pation. Sosome that made we be find to growinghave will amongst the experiments work - partial

ing-men, these especiallyall of insynthesis WesternThe Europe,expression. theits ideafind might

that even thesociety working communist of a such awhich vastin nationalforms proppractical - the

erty asof a railway-netsome conceive couldto be muchthought betterhuman handledprepare which

Saint Simon tried in their colonies their in tried Simon Saint experiments experiments

by a Federated Union— of railway employees, than

— experiments

by a Stateand organization.Fourier, Owen, which those like

certainly must look at all these attempts as upon On theupon as other side,attempts wethese seeall thatat countlesslook must at- certainly

tempts we haveBut been madeproduction. allof over Europeinstruments andthe Amerof - session

Socialism, both of which imply the common pos common the imply which of both Socialism,

ica, - the leading idea of which is, on the one side, to

get intofor theeven hands or of the working-menCommunism, for themselvessubstitute a as taken

wide be branches degree, ofany production,in may, these and, of onnone the othercourse, Of

side, to always widen in the cities the lately. circles of thedeveloped been

functions has whichpower the citycreative of performsamount in thegreatest interestthe which in

these are the three directions directions three the are these —

of its inhabitants. Trade-unionism, with a growingSocialism Municipal

tendency so-called towards the of organizingfield varied the differentimmensely tradesthe finally,

internationally, and colonies; and of being experimental notin only an instruco-operation of - sorts

ment forboth the improvementcombining at of theattempts conditionsand of laagriculture, - and

bour, but alsoindustry in of becomingboth an organizationdistribution, for and which production might, for at a both given moment,Co-operation, take into itsproduction; of hands the management

now the stuff to provide ten thousand persons with with persons thousand CHAPTERten I provide to stuff the now

a hundred men manufacture manufacture men hundred a —

OUR RICHES unknown mostly

the fruit of three or four generations of inventors, I inventors, of generations four or three of fruit the

themselves themselves —

The human racemachines has travelledmodern a longbeings, way, sinceintelligent

still more striking. With the co-operation of those thosethose of remote ages co-operation when the menWith fashionedstriking. theirmore rudestill

The prodigies accomplished in industry are are implements industry ofin flint and accomplished lived on prodigies the The precarious

spoils of hunting,state. leavingnatural its in to theirwas it childrenthan for theirproductive

man renders a given space ten and fifty times more onlymore heritagetimes fifty a and shelter ten beneathspace given thea rocks,renders someman

Meanwhile, by the use of glass and hot water pipes, poorpipes, utensilswater hot —andand Nature,glass of vast,use the unknown, by and Meanwhile, ter-

cial light also will be used to stimulate vegetation. rific, withvegetation. whom stimulate they to hadused tobe fightwill foralso theirlight wretchcial -

edartifi existence.when time a of coming the see we and heat;

When the sun fails, man replaces it by artificial During artificial by it the long replaces succession man fails, of sun agitated the agesWhen

part of that space. Climate is no longer an obstacle. whichobstacle. havean elapsedlonger no is since, mankindClimate space. hasthat nevertheof part -

less pains, and far more certainty, on a thousandth less amassedthousandth a on untold treasures.certainty, more Itfar hasand clearedpains, theless

the civilized man supports his household, with far far land, with dried the marshes,household, his hewnsupports downman forests,civilized madethe

fifty or sixty square miles to find food for his family, roads,family, his piercedfor food mountains;find to miles it has beensquare building,sixty or fifty in-

mous returns. While the hunter of old had to scour venting,scour to observing,had old of reasoning;hunter the it hasWhile createdreturns. a commous -

plexenor machinery,obtains thus wrestedand care, her secretsrequisite the fromplant Nature,each

tiply it a hundred-fold, he makes the soil, gives to to and finallygives soil, itthe pressedmakes steamhe and electricityhundred-fold, a it intotiply its

service.mul to it, And thetreble to result is, produce, that his now thedouble childto of thewishes

thousand people for a whole year. And where man civilizedman where manAnd findsyear. at itswhole birth,a for ready people for its use,thousand an

duce in a few months enough wheat to maintain ten immenseten maintain capitalto accumulatedwheat enough by months those few a whoin haveduce

gonepro can before him.machinery, And thispowerful capitalof aid enablesthe with manmen, to

On the wide prairies of America each hundred acquire,hundred merelyeach by America his of own labourprairies combinedwide the On with

the labourknown. ofare others, richescultivation surpassingrational of the methods dreams The

more than sufficient for all the wants of humanity. of thehumanity. fairy of taleswants of the the all Thousandfor andsufficient Onethan Nights.more

a return return a — The it soil isupon clearedspent to a labour greatand extent,skill the fitfor for turn the reception of the best seeds, ready to give a rich re- 1 our riches

now the stuff to provide ten thousand persons with with persons CHAPTERthousand ten I provide to stuff the now

mostly unknown mostly a hundred men manufacture manufacture men hundred a

OUR RICHES —

I inventors, of generations four or three of fruit the

intelligent beings, modern machines modern beings, intelligent themselves themselves

The human race— has travelled a long way, since

those remotethose of ages when co-operation men the fashionedWith theirstriking. rudemore still

implements are of flintindustry in and livedaccomplished on the prodigies precarious The

spoils of hunting, leavingstate. tonatural theirits in childrenwas it forthan their productive

only heritagemore times a shelterfifty and beneathten space the rocks,given a somerenders man

poor utensilspipes, —andwater hot Nature, and vast,glass of unknown,use the by and ter- Meanwhile,

rific, with whomvegetation. they hadstimulate to to fightused be for will their also wretchlight - cial

ed existence.artifi when time a of coming the see we and heat;

When the sun fails, man replaces it by artificial During artificial the by long it succession replaces man of agitated fails, sun ages the When

which haveobstacle. elapsedan since,longer no is mankind Climate has neverthespace. that of - part

less amassed untoldthousandth a on treasures.certainty, It hasmore far cleared and thepains, less

land, driedfar with the marshes,household, hewnhis downsupports forests,man madecivilized the

roads, piercedfamily, his for mountains; food find itto hasmiles been building,square sixty or in - fifty

venting, scour observing, to had old reasoning; of hunter it hasthe createdWhile a comreturns. - mous

each plant the requisite care, and thus obtains enor obtains thus and care, requisite the plant each

plex- machinery, wrested her secrets from Nature,

and finallyto gives it pressedsoil, the steammakes andhe electricity intohundred-fold, a it its tiply

wishes to double his produce, to treble it, to mul to it, treble to produce, his double to wishes

service.- And the result is, that now the child of the

civilized man man findswhere And at itsyear. birth, whole ready a for for its people use, an thousand

immense ten capitalmaintain accumulatedto wheat byenough those whomonths few havea in duce

men, with the aid of powerful machinery, can pro can machinery, powerful of aid the with men,

gone- before him. And this capital enables man to

acquire, merelyhundred byeach his ownAmerica labourof combinedprairies wide withthe On

the labour of others,known. are riches surpassingcultivation rational theof dreamsmethods The

of the fairy taleshumanity. of of thewants Thousandthe all for and One Nights.sufficient than more

turn for the skill and labour spent upon it upon spent labour and skill the for turn a return return a The soil is— cleared to a great extent, fit for the reception of the best seeds, ready to give a rich re- 1 our riches

duce, not the necessaries of life for all, but whatever clothingwhatever forbut twoall, for years. life of In well-managednecessaries the coalnot minesduce,

thepro to labourthem of aforce hundred and minersneed, they furnishesthings the each yearducing

enoughpro from fuelmen toof warm tenremainder thousandthe familiesprevent few underthese

s share. It is because because is It share. s ’

an inclement sky. Andlion we havethe latelyreceiving witnessed thethemselves

allow the many to work, only on the condition of of spectaclecondition of wonderfulthe on only citieswork, springingto many upthe in a fewallow

a month, or even for a week in advance, the few can monthscan few the for internationaladvance, in week exhibitions,a for even or withoutmonth, a in-

at which they have not the means of subsistence for for terrupting insubsistence theof slightestmeans the degreenot have the regularthey which workat

It is because, having reduced the masses to a point ofpoint the a nations.to masses the reduced having because, is It

squander them in the most stupid and shameful way. way. And if shameful in manufacturesand stupid most asthe inin agriculture,them andsquander

thirds of the products of human labour, and then asthen indeedand throughlabour, ourhuman of whole socialproducts the system,of thethirds

two- today

labour, the discoveries,appropriate few and these the inventionspast, the in of ourquired

It is because, taking advantage of alleged rights ac ancestorsrights profitalleged of chiefly theadvantage few, taking it is nonebecause, is the It less

before it had learned to subdue the forces of Nature. certainNature. of that mankindforces the insubdue general,to aidedlearned had byit the creabefore -

pression, which has been the life of the human race turesrace of human steel the andof life iron the whichbeen ithas alreadywhich possesses,pression,

forced migration and wars, of ignorance and op could and already procureignorance of anwars, existenceand of wealthmigration andforced

few in the course of that long story of robbery, en ease for everyrobbery, of onestory of itslong members.that of course the in few

all have been seized by the the by seized been have all —

Truly, we are rich—far richer thanknowledge we think;education,

the mines, the highways, machinery, food, shelter, richshelter, in whatfood, we alreadymachinery, possess,highways, richerthe stillmines, in the

the land, land, the —

possibilities of productionproduction for of ournecessary is actualthat all mechani cause -

by arguments taken from all the sciences. It is be cal is outfit;It richestsciences. the of all all in from what taken we might winarguments fromby

wearyingly. Daily they reiterate it, demonstrating it it our soil, fromdemonstrating ourit, manufactures,reiterate they fromDaily our science,wearyingly.

The Socialists have said it and repeated it un from it our technicalrepeated and it knowledge,said have were theySocialists The but ap-

pliedtoil? todaily bringingof hours aboutfew a thefor well-beingreturn in all, ofto all. comfort

powerful means of production, which could ensure ensure could which production, of means powerful

wealth inherited from the past, and in spite of the IIthe of spite in and past, the from inherited wealth

uncertainty for the morrow, in the midst of all the Inthe ourall of civilizedmidst societiesthe in we morrow, are the rich. for Why then uncertainty are masses? Why, even to the best paid workman, this thethis many poor?workman, paid Why best thisthe painfulto even drudgeryWhy, for themasses?

1 our riches

clothing for twowhatever but years. all, Infor well-managedlife of coalnecessaries the mines not duce,

ducing the things they need, and force them to pro to them force and need, they things the ducing

the - labour of a hundred miners furnishes each year

enoughpro fuel from to warmmen of ten thousandremainder the familiesprevent underfew these

themselves receiving the lion the receiving themselves s share. It is because because is It share. s

an inclement sky. And we’ have lately witnessed the

spectacle of of wonderfulcondition the on cities only springingwork, to up inmany a fewthe allow

months can forfew internationalthe advance, in exhibitions,week a for withouteven or in- month, a

terrupting for in the slightestsubsistence of degreemeans the thenot regularhave they work which at

of the nations.point a to masses the reduced having because, is It

squander them in the most stupid and shameful way. Andway. if in manufacturesshameful and stupid as inmost agriculture,the in them and squander

as indeed then throughand labour, our wholehuman of social system,products the of the thirds

two- today

labour, the discoveries, andappropriate thefew inventionsthese past, the of in our quired

It is because, taking advantage of alleged rights ac rights alleged of advantage taking because, is It

ancestors- profit chiefly the few, it is none the less

certain thatNature. mankindof forces inthe general,subdue to aided bylearned thehad creait - before

tures ofrace steel andhuman ironthe of whichlife the it alreadybeen has possesses,which pression,

forced migration and wars, of ignorance and op and ignorance of wars, and migration forced

could- already procure an existence of wealth and

few in the course of that long story of robbery, en robbery, of story long that of course the in few

ease- for every one of its members.

all have been seized by the the by seized been have all —

Truly, we are rich—far richer than weknowledge think; education,

rich in whatshelter, we food, already possess,machinery, richerhighways, stillthe in themines, the

cause all that is necessary for production for necessary is that all cause the land, land, the

possibilities of— production of our actual mechani-

by arguments taken from all the sciences. It is be is It sciences. the all from taken arguments by

cal - outfit; richest of all in what we might win from

our soil,it from our manufactures,demonstrating it, reiterate fromthey ourDaily science, wearyingly.

The Socialists have said it and repeated it un it repeated and it said have Socialists The

from- our technical knowledge, were they but ap-

plied totoil? bringingdaily of abouthours thefew a well-being for return ofin all.all, to comfort

powerful means of production, which could ensure ensure could which production, of means powerful

II the of spite in and past, the from inherited wealth

In our the civilized all of societiesmidst the wein are rich.morrow, Whythe for then are uncertainty the manythis poor? Whyworkman, thispaid painfulbest the drudgeryto even forWhy, the masses?

1 our riches

es, of theatres, of public buildings. Search into their offerstheir into the greatestSearch profitsbuildings. to thepublic of monopolists.theatres, of In es, this

is hous the of substancestreets, of of all Socialism.foundations the another, above

centuries. Dig beneath them and you find, one one Take, find, indeed, you and a civilized them country. beneath Dig The forestscenturies.

terways, are organisms which have lived through whichthrough oncelived coveredhave itwhich have beenorganisms cleared,are theterways,

The cities, bound together by railroads and wa marshes and drained,railroads by the climatetogether bound improved. cities, The It has

been madeflood? habitable.or Therock-fall, soil, whichfire-damp, by bore formerprime his -

pended on the scanty wage of the worker cut off in in ly off onlycut a coarseworker vegetation,the of wage is coveredscanty the on today withpended

in unspeakable wretchedness to the family who de rich who harvests. family Thethe to rock-walls in wretchedness the valleys areunspeakable laidin

each of these graves has cost, in tears, in privations, out in terracesprivations, in tears, andin coveredcost, has withgraves vines.these Theof wildeach

s grave; and who can tell what what tell can who and grave; s ’

plants, which yielded nought but miner acrid a as berries,marked or

each prop in the underground galleries might be be uneatablemight roots,galleries have been transformedunderground the in byprop genereach -

who toiled to excavate them. The space between ationsbetween of culturespace The into succulentthem. vegetablesexcavate to toiled or treeswho

walls the marks made by the pick of the workman coveredworkman withthe of deliciouspick the fruits.by made Thousands marks the of highwalls -

The shafts of the mine still bear on their rocky waysrocky andtheir railroadson bear still furrow mine thethe of earth, shafts and The pierce

the mountains. The shriek of the engineblood. is heardhuman in

way, every yard of tunnel, has received its share of of the wildshare its gorges ofreceived thehas Alps, tunnel, the of Caucasus,yard every and theway,

- rail of mile Every sufferings. s ’

Himalayas. The rivers have been madepeople the navigable; of toil,

acre has its story of enforced labour, of intolerable the coasts,intolerable of carefullylabour, surveyed,enforced of are story easy its ofhas access;acre

tered by the sweat of several races of men. Every artificialEvery men. of harbours,races laboriouslyseveral of sweat dugthe by out andtered pro-

rood of soil we cultivate in Europe has been wa tected been againsthas theEurope fury in of the sea,cultivate affordwe soil shelterof rood to

and to open up highways by land and water. Every theEvery ships.water. Deepand shaftsland by have beenhighways sunkup in open the to rocks;and

laboured to clear the forests, to drain the marshes, labyrinthsmarshes, the of undergrounddrain to forests, galleriesthe clear haveto been duglaboured

For thousands of years millions of men have outhave wheremen of coal maymillions be raisedyears of or mineralsthousands extractFor -

ed. At the crossings of the highwayscentury. our to great citiesheritance

worn out by toil, have handed on this immense in have sprungimmense this up, on and withinhanded theirhave toil, bordersby out all theworn

ery, oppressed and ill-treated by their masters, and treasuresand masters, of industry,their by science,ill-treated andand art haveoppressed beenery,

- accumulated.mis in died and lived that generations, Whole

1 our riches

offers thetheir greatestinto profitsSearch to thebuildings. monopolists.public of In thistheatres, of es,

above another, the foundations of streets, of hous of streets, of foundations the another, above

is the- substance of all Socialism.

centuries. Dig beneath them and you find, one Take,one indeed, find, you a civilized and them country. beneath The Dig forests centuries.

which oncethrough coveredlived have it havewhich been cleared,organisms are the terways,

The cities, bound together by railroads and wa and railroads by together bound cities, The

marshes- drained, the climate improved. It has

been made habitable.flood? or The soil,rock-fall, which borefire-damp, formerby prime - his

ly only in aoff coarsecut vegetation,worker the of is coveredwage scanty todaythe on with pended

rich harvests.de who Thefamily rock-wallsthe to in the valleyswretchedness are laid unspeakable in

out in terracesprivations, andin coveredtears, in withcost, has vines.graves The wildthese of each

s grave; and who can tell what what tell can who and grave; s ’

plants, which yielded nought but acrid berries,miner a as or marked

uneatable be roots,might havegalleries been transformedunderground the byin generprop - each

ations of culturebetween intospace succulentThe them. vegetablesexcavate to or treestoiled who

covered withworkman deliciousthe of pick fruits. the Thousandsby made ofmarks highthe - walls

ways androcky railroadstheir on furrowbear still the mine earth, the of and pierceshafts The

the mountains. The shriek of the engine is heardblood. in human

the wildof gorgesshare its of the Alps,received has the Caucasus,tunnel, of yard and theevery way,

s sufferings. Every mile of rail of mile Every sufferings. s ’ people the of toil,

Himalayas.- The rivers have been made navigable;

the coasts, carefullyintolerable of surveyed,labour, areenforced easyof ofstory access;its has acre

artificial Every harbours,men. of races laboriously several of dugsweat outthe andby pro- tered

rood of soil we cultivate in Europe has been wa been has Europe in cultivate we soil of rood

tected- against the fury of the sea, afford shelter to

the ships.Every Deep shaftswater. and haveland beenby sunk highways in theup rocks;open to and

labyrinths ofmarshes, undergroundthe drain to galleriesforests, the have beenclear to dug laboured

out wherehave coalmen mayof be raisedmillions oryears mineralsof extractthousands For -

ed. At the crossings of the highwayscentury. greatour to cities heritance

worn out by toil, have handed on this immense in immense this on handed have toil, by out worn

have- sprung up, and within their borders all the

treasures and of industry,masters, their science,by andill-treated artand have beenoppressed ery,

Whole generations, that lived and died in mis in died and lived that generations, Whole accumulated.-

1 our riches

at last grasped this idea, if we know now how to to historyhow andnow youknow willwe seeif howidea, thethis civilizationgrasped last of theat

And if we, children of the nineteenth century, have town,have its industry,century, its nineteenth special the of characteristics,children we, if haveAnd

chanical origin and the unity of the physical forces. slowlyforces. grownphysical andthe of ripenedunity the through and theorigin co-operachanical -

tricity, could the insight of genius proclaim the me tion the of generationsproclaim ofgenius itsof inhabitantsinsight the beforecould it couldtricity,

becomeelec and whatlight, it is today.sound, into And evenforce this today, and the force, value ic

of eachdynam into dwelling, heat factory, andtransforming warehouse,constantly eyes, which all

steam-engines had been working for years before hasbefore been years created for by theworking accumulatedbeen had labour of thesteam-engines

dustry as well as of science. Not until thousands of of millions ofthousands workers,until Not now deadscience. of andas buried,well as is onlydustry

men of genius are themselves the children of in maintainedof children by the very presencethemselves are and labourgenius of ofmen le-

rections than all the capitalists in the world. But gionsBut ofworld. thethe menin who nowcapitalists inhabitthe all thatthan special corrections -

certainly done more to launch industry in new di ner new of thein globe.industry Each oflaunch theto atomsmore composingdone whatcertainly

The genius of a Séguin, a Mayer, a Grove, has wehas call Grove, the a WealthMayer, a of NationsSéguin, a owesof its valuegenius The to the

fact that it is a part of the great whole. Whatenvironment. wouldthe

all sorts. They have drawn their motive force from a from London force dockyardmotive ortheir a greatdrawn Parishave warehouseThey sorts. all be

mentally, by legions of workers and craftsmen of of if they werecraftsmen notand situatedworkers inof theselegions greatby centresmentally, of

and nourished through life, both physically and internationaland physically commerce?both life, Whatthrough would becomenourished and of

labour of past centuries. They have been upheld our upheld mines, been our have factories, They our workshops,centuries. past of and ourlabour

ventors, have themselves been supported by the railways,the by withoutsupported thebeen immense themselves quantities have of merventors, -

sands of philosophers, of poets, of scholars, of in chandiseof transportedscholars, of poets, everyof day by seaphilosophers, and of land?sands

tury could never have appeared. And these thou Millionsthese ofAnd human beingsappeared. have have labourednever could to cretury -

atecen thisour of civilization marvels onthe whichwhich we pridewithout ourselvesthought,

error, and to create that atmosphere of scientific today. scientific Other of millions,atmosphere scattered that throughcreate to and the globe,error,

have laboured to increase knowledge, to dissipate labourdissipate toto maintain it.knowledge, Withoutincrease themto nothinglaboured wouldhave

Thousands of writers, of poets, of scholars, be leftscholars, inof fifty poets, years of but ruins.writers, of There is notThousands even

a thought, or an invention, which is notman. commonof nius

of each of these machines which embody the ge property, the bornembody of thewhich past andmachines the these present. of each Thou of - died in poverty, have co-operated in the invention sands ofinvention inventors,the in knownco-operated and unknown,have poverty, whoin havedied

1 our riches

history to andhow younow will seeknow howwe if the civilizationidea, this ofgrasped the last at

town, itshave industry,century, its specialnineteenth characteristics,the of children havewe, if And

slowly grownforces. andphysical ripenedthe of throughunity the theand co-operaorigin - chanical

tricity, could the insight of genius proclaim the me the proclaim genius of insight the could tricity,

tion- of generations of its inhabitants before it could

ic force, and this force into sound, light, and elec and light, sound, into force this and force, ic

become- what it is today. And even today, the value

of each dwelling,dynam into factory,heat and warehouse,transforming whichconstantly eyes, all

has been createdbefore years byfor the accumulatedworking been labourhad of the steam-engines

millions of of workers,thousands nowuntil Not dead andscience. buried,of as iswell onlyas dustry

men of genius are themselves the children of in of children the themselves are genius of men

maintained- by the very presence and labour of le-

gions ofBut the menworld. whothe in now inhabitcapitalists thatthe all special than corrections

ner ofdi the globe.new in Each ofindustry the atomslaunch to composingmore done what certainly

we callhas the WealthGrove, a of NationsMayer, a owesSéguin, a its of value togenius theThe

fact that it is a part of the great whole. What wouldenvironment. the

a London from dockyardforce ormotive a greattheir Parisdrawn warehousehave They be sorts. all

if they of were notcraftsmen situatedand in theseworkers of great legions centres by of mentally,

international and commerce?physically both Whatlife, wouldthrough become ofnourished and

our mines,upheld our factories,been have ourThey workshops,centuries. andpast of our labour

railways, the withoutby thesupported immensebeen quantitiesthemselves ofhave merventors,

sands of philosophers, of poets, of scholars, of in of scholars, of poets, of philosophers, of sands

chandise- transported every day by sea and land?

tury could never have appeared. And these thou these And appeared. have never could tury

- Millions of human beings have laboured to cre-

thought, without which the marvels of our cen our of marvels the which without thought,

ate - this civilization on which we pride ourselves

today . Other scientific millions, of scatteredatmosphere throughthat create theto globe,and error,

labour to maintaindissipate to it. Withoutknowledge, them nothingincrease to wouldlaboured have

be left in fiftyscholars, of years poets, but of ruins. Therewriters, of is not evenThousands

a thought, or an invention, which is not commonman. of nius

of each of these machines which embody the ge the embody which machines these of each of

property,- born of the past and the present. Thou- sands of inventors,invention the knownin and unknown,co-operated have who havepoverty, in died

1 our riches

output of coal, or prevent it entirely, if they find applyfind they it, if it is againentirely, it because prevent dailyor experiencecoal, of hasoutput

also belong to the few; and these few restrict the preparedthe restrict thefew way. these The and thinkers few; the of to the eighteenthbelong also

the mines mines the —

century saw and declaredpopulation the it,of but thedensity ideathe remainedand tion

rm h rqieet o te nuty f na undeveloped, a of because industry the of the eighteenth requirements century the hadfrom

of several generations, and derive their sole value notvalue grownsole uptheir like ours,derive sideand by side withgenerations, the steam-several of

The mines, though they represent the labour engine.labour the Imagine represent the they decades though that mightmines, The have

passed while we remainedmethods. in ignorancemodern to of this law,according

or do not allow them to cultivate it it cultivate to them allow not do or —

which has revolutionized modern it industry, hadcultivating

longs to a minority who prevent the people from Wattfrom notpeople foundthe at Sohoprevent skilledwho workmenminority a to to emlongs -

to the needs of an ever-increasing population, be body his ideaspopulation, in metal, bringingever-increasing an allof the partsneeds the of to his

the soil, which actually owes its value value its owes actually which soil, the

engine to perfection, so that steam, pent inToday a com-

plete mechanism, and rendered more docileconsequences. its thanlyze a

the present let it suffice to state the fact and ana horse, and morefact manageablethe state to thansuffice water, it let becamepresent at lastthe

perhaps, we will relate how this came to pass. For For the verypass. to soul ofcame modernthis how industry.relate will we perhaps,

production has been seized by the few. Some time, time, EverySome machinefew. the by has hadseized thebeen samehas historyproduction —a

ables man to produce and to increase his power of of long recordpower his of sleeplessincrease to nightsand andproduce to of poverty,man ables of

ages traversed by the human race, that all that en disillusions that all that and ofrace, joys, human of partialthe by improvementstraversed ages

It has come about, however, in the course of the discoveredthe of course bythe severalin generationshowever, about, of come nameless has It workers, who have added to the original inventionIII

these little nothings, without which the most fer-

This is mine, not yours? not mine, is This —

tile idea would remain fruitless. More thansay that:and

propriate the least morsel of this immense whole everywhole new inventionimmense this of is a synthesis,morsel least thethe resultantpropriate of

By what right then can any one whatever ap innumerable whatever inventionsone any can whichthen haveright precededwhat By it in

the vast field present. of the mechanicsand past andthe industry.of travail mental

human riches, owes its being to the physical and and Sciencephysical andthe to industry, being its knowledge owes andriches, applicahuman -

covery, each advance, each increase in the sum of of tion,sum discoverythe in and increase practical each realizationadvance, each leadingcovery, to

- dis Each together. work all — new discoveries, cunning of brain muscle and and of hand,mind toilof

1 our riches

apply it,find it isthey againif becauseentirely, it daily prevent experience or coal, of has output

prepared the the way.restrict few The thinkersthese and offew; thethe eighteenthto belong also

the mines mines the —

century saw and declared population it, butthe theof idea density remained the and tion

rm h rqieet o te nuty f na a of industry the of requirements the from

undeveloped,- because the eighteenth century had

not grownvalue upsole like ours,their sidederive byand side with thegenerations, steam-several of

engine. Imaginelabour the the decadesrepresent they that though might mines, have The

passed while we remained in ignorancemethods. ofmodern thisto law, according

or do not allow them to cultivate it it cultivate to them allow not do or —

which has revolutionized modern industry,it had cultivating

Watt notfrom foundpeople at the Soho skilledprevent who workmen minority toa emto - longs

body hisbe ideas in metal,population, bringing allever-increasing thean partsof ofneeds his the to

the soil, which actually owes its value value its owes actually which soil, the

engine to perfection, so that steam, pent in a comToday -

plete mechanism, and rendered more docile thanconsequences. its a lyze

the present let it suffice to state the fact and ana and fact the state to suffice it let present the

horse,- more manageable than water, became at last

the veryFor soulpass. ofto moderncame industry.this how relate will we perhaps,

production has been seized by the few. Some time, Everytime, machineSome few. hasthe hadby theseized samebeen historyhas —a production

long of record power of sleeplesshis increase nights to and and of poverty,produce to man of ables

ages traversed by the human race, that all that en that all that race, human the by traversed ages

disillusions- and of joys, of partial improvements

discovered the of by severalcourse the in generationshowever, of about, nameless come has It workers, who have added to the original invention III

these little nothings, without which the most fer-

This is mine, not yours? not mine, is This —

tile idea would remain fruitless. More than that:say and

every newwhole inventionimmense is athis synthesis,of morsel the resultantleast the of propriate

By what right then can any one whatever ap whatever one any can then right what By

innumerable- inventions which have preceded it in

the vast field of mechanicspresent. the and industry.past the of travail mental

human riches, owes its being to the physical and Scienceand and physical industry,the to knowledgebeing its owes and applicariches, - human

tion, of discovery sum the andin practicalincrease realizationeach advance, leading each to covery,

all work together. Each dis Each together. work all — muscle and mind of new- discoveries, cunning of brain and of hand, toil

1 our riches

and the worker is forced, under the name of free morefree of profitablename the investmentsunder forced, foris theirworker capital.the and Ma-

changed, the relations have remained the same, chinery,same, the too, has remained become have the exclusiverelations the propertychanged, of

those the barbarous times. But if the forms have thehave few,forms andthe evenif But when atimes. machine barbarous incontestably the those

rendered to his lord a fourth of his crop. We called representscalled We thecrop. improvementshis of fourth a addedlord his toto the originalrendered

roughsur he inventionunless earth byof threeclod a or fourturn to generationspeasant the of

We cry shame on the feudal baron who forbade workers,forbade who it nonebaron the lessfeudal belongsthe on toshame a fewcry owners.We

And if the descendants of themachine. verythe of inventor owner whothe

the product to him whom the land recognizes as as constructedrecognizes theland firstthe machinewhom him to for lace-making,product the a

on condition that he yield a half or two-thirds of of century ago,two-thirds wereor half toa presentyield he themselves that todaycondition inon a

only only — that even always not though —

lace factory at Bâle or Nottingham, andwork claimto theirlowed

system of culture. If he turns to industry, he is al rights,is he they wouldindustry, to be told:turns he “ HandsIf off!culture. thisof machinesystem

ing; it rarely leaves him the power to improve his his is not yours,improve to ” and theypower the wouldhim be shotleaves downrarely it if theying;

attemptedincreas toalways takeis possessionmiddleman, ofthe it. and manor, the

ied upon him by the State, the capitalist, the lord of of lord Thethe railways, whichcapitalist, the wouldState, bethe uselessby him as soupon muchied

government and the middlemen. And this tax, lev old irontax, withoutthis And the teemingmiddlemen. populationthe and of Europe,government

produce to his master, and another quarter to the itsthe to industry, quarter its commerce,another and and itsmaster, marts,his to belongproduce to

it is on condition of surrendering a quarter of the athe fewof shareholders,quarter a ignorantsurrendering perhapsof ofcondition theon whereis it -

lowest savage. If he obtains leave to till the fields, aboutsfields, the of till the to linesleave of railsobtains whichhe If yield savage. them revlowest -

their heir comes into the world poorer than the enuesthe than greater poorer than thoseworld the of medievalinto comes kings.heir Andtheir if

their strength, and what more could they give? But theBut childrengive? they of thosecould whomore perishedwhat and by thousandsstrength, their

machine. They gave to the work the full measure of of while excavatingmeasure full the thework railwaythe to cuttingsgave They and tunnelsmachine.

to drain this field, to build this mill, to perfect this this were toperfect assembleto mill, onethis day,build crowdingto field, inthis theirdrain ragsto

wage. His father and his grandfather have toiled andtoiled hunger,have to demandgrandfather breadhis and from thefather shareholdHis wage. -

He must sell his labour for a scant and uncertain ers, theyuncertain wouldand bescant meta withfor bayonetslabour his andsell grapeshot,must He

a great part of what he will produce to a master. to dispersemaster. a to them andproduce safeguardwill he “what vested of interests.part great a ”

in which he may dig, without accepting to leave leave Into virtue of accepting this monstrouswithout dig, system,may he the sonwhich in of may till, no machine which he may tend, no mine themine worker,no tend, on enteringmay he life,which finds nomachine fieldno till, whichmay he

1 our riches

more profitablefree of name investmentsthe under for theirforced, is capital.worker Mathe - and

chinery, same, too, the has becomeremained the exclusivehave propertyrelations the of changed,

the few,have and evenforms the when if But a machinetimes. incontestablybarbarous the those

represents called theWe improvementscrop. his of addedfourth a tolord thehis originalto rendered

the peasant to turn a clod of earth unless he sur he unless earth of clod a turn to peasant the

rough- invention by three or four generations of

workers, it forbade nonewho the lessbaron belongsfeudal the toon a few shame owners.cry We

And if the descendants of the very inventormachine. the of whoowner the

constructed as the recognizes first land machinethe whom for him lace-making,to product a the

century of ago, weretwo-thirds toor presenthalf a themselvesyield he that today in acondition on

only only — that even always not though —

lace factory at Bâle or Nottingham, and claimwork theirto lowed

rights,al theyis he would beindustry, told: to “Handsturns he off!If this machineculture. of system

is not his yours, ” andimprove to they wouldpower the be shothim downleaves if theyrarely it ing;

the manor, and the middleman, is always increas always is middleman, the and manor, the

attempted- to take possession of it.

ied upon him by the State, the capitalist, the lord of Theof railways,lord the which wouldcapitalist, the be uselessState, the asby so him much upon ied

government and the middlemen. And this tax, lev tax, this And middlemen. the and government

old - iron without the teeming population of Europe,

its industry, the to its commerce,quarter another andand its marts,master, belonghis to to produce

a few shareholders,the of quarter a ignorant perhapssurrendering of of the wherecondition on - is it

abouts offields, thethe linestill to of railsleave whichobtains yieldhe If them savage. rev - lowest

enues greaterthe than than thosepoorer ofworld medievalthe into kings.comes Andheir if their

the childrenBut give? of thosethey whocould perishedmore what byand thousandsstrength, their

while of excavatingmeasure thefull the railway work cuttingsthe to andgave tunnelsThey machine.

were tothis assembleperfect to onemill, day,this crowdingbuild to in theirfield, this rags drain to

and hunger,toiled tohave demand breadgrandfather fromhis and the shareholdfather His - wage.

ers, they woulduncertain beand met withscant a bayonetsfor andlabour his grapeshot, sell must He

to disperse master. thema to and safeguardproduce will “he vested what interests.of part ” great a

in which he may dig, without accepting to leave In virtueleave to of this monstrousaccepting without system,dig, themay he son of which in the worker,mine no on enteringtend, may life,he findswhich no fieldmachine whichno till, he may

1 our riches

kind must perish, as perish the few races of animals contract,animals of to races acceptfew the feudalperish obligations.as perish, For,must turnkind

spect, without sympathy and mutual aid, human wherehuman heaid, will, hemutual canand find no bettersympathy conditions.without spect, Ev-

erythingself-re haswithout become privateuprightness, property,without andthat he mustknow

turn the growth of the social sentiment. We all all accept, We or die ofsentiment. hunger.social the of growth the turn

The system under which we live checks in its its in The resultchecks live of thiswe statewhich of thingsunder is system that The all our

production tends in a wrongcorruption. direction.and threats Enterpriseof spies,

a whole system of espionage, of false witness, of of takes nowitness, thoughtfalse of for the needsespionage, of of the system community. whole a

privileges; and this array gives rise in its turn to to Its onlyturn its aim in is rise to increasegives thearray gainsthis and of the speculaprivileges; -

policemen, and gaolers is needed to uphold these tor.these Henceuphold theto constantneeded is fluctuationsgaolers and of trade, policemen, the

A vast array of courts, judges, executioners, periodicalexecutioners, industrial judges, crises,courts, eachof ofarray which vast A throws

scores of thousands of workerssword. onthe theby streets. government

opinions, and reverts to repressive legislation and and The workinglegislation peoplerepressive cannotto purchasereverts and with theiropinions,

proletariat, and then he turns round, changes his his wages thechanges wealthround, whichturns theyhe havethen and produced, andproletariat,

the breath of liberty leads to the uplifting of the industrythe of seeksuplifting foreignthe to marketsleads liberty among of thebreath monthe -

extension of political rights, but he soon sees that iedthat classessees soon of he other but nations.rights, In thepolitical East,of in Africa,extension

word. The Radical begins by demanding a greater everywhere,greater a in Egypt,demanding by Tonkin,begins or theRadical Congo,The theword.

camps, and in such conditions freedom is a vain Europeanvain a is is thusfreedom bound toconditions promotesuch in theand growthcamps, of

is thus bound to remain divided into two hostile serfdom.hostile two Andinto so he does.divided But remain soon to he findsbound thatthus is ev-

sive toil, and its brutalizing atmosphere. Society erywhereSociety there areatmosphere. similar competitors.brutalizing its and Alltoil, thesive na-

tionsexces by evolve onwearied the sameevening lines,the in and wars,home perpetualcomes who

the farm. It is idle to talk of studying to the worker, wars,worker, breakthe to out for studying the of righttalk to of precedenceidle is It farm. in the

to go down into the mine or to help his father on on market. father Warshis forhelp to the or possessionmine the ofinto the East,down go warsto

s child is forced, at the age of thirteen, thirteen, of age the at forced, is child s ’

for the empire of the sea, wars to impose dutiesworkman on

minority, for it is idle to talk of education when the importsthe when and to dictateeducation of conditionstalk to idle is it to neighbouringfor minority,

Education still remains the privilege of a small states;small a of wars againstprivilege the those “blacksremains still ” who revolt!Education The

roar of the cannonworkers. the neveron fall ceasestaxes in thethese world,heavily wholehow third of their budgets in armaments; and we know racesknow we are massacred,and thearmaments; in states ofbudgets Europetheir of spendthird a

1 our riches

contract, toanimals acceptof races feudalfew the obligations.perish as For,perish, turnmust kind

where he will,human heaid, can findmutual and no better conditions.sympathy without Ev- spect,

erything hasself-re becomewithout private property,uprightness, andwithout he mustthat know

accept, all or We die of hunger.sentiment. social the of growth the turn

The system under which we live checks in its Theits resultin ofchecks thislive statewe of thingswhich isunder that allsystem ourThe

production tends in a wrong direction.corruption. and Enterprisethreats of spies,

takes of no thoughtwitness, forfalse theof needs ofespionage, the of community.system whole a

Its only to aimturn isits toin increase rise thegives gainsarray ofthis the and specula - privileges;

tor. Hencethese the constantuphold to fluctuationsneeded is gaolers of trade,and the policemen,

periodical industrialexecutioners, crises,judges, eachcourts, ofof which array throwsvast A

scores of thousands of workers on sword. the the streets. by government

opinions, and reverts to repressive legislation and Theand working peoplelegislation cannotrepressive purchaseto reverts withand their opinions,

wages his the wealthchanges whichround, theyturns havehe produced,then and and proletariat,

industry the of seeks foreignuplifting the marketsto leads amongliberty theof monbreath - the

ied classesthat ofsees othersoon nations.he but In rights, the East,political inof Africa, extension

everywhere, greater a in Egypt, Tonkin,demanding by or begins the Congo,Radical theThe word.

European vain a is is thus boundfreedom to promoteconditions thesuch growthin and of camps,

serfdom. Andhostile sotwo he into does. Butdivided soon heremain findsto thatbound ev-thus is

erywhere thereSociety are similaratmosphere. competitors.brutalizing its All and the natoil, - sive

who comes home in the evening wearied by exces by wearied evening the in home comes who

tions- evolve on the same lines, and wars, perpetual

wars, breakworker, outthe forto the rightstudying of of precedencetalk to idle is It in thefarm. the

market. on Warsfather forhis the help possessionto or mine of thethe East,into warsdown go to

s child is forced, at the age of thirteen, thirteen, of age the at forced, is child s ’

for the empire of the sea, wars to impose duties on workman

imports the and when to dictate education conditions of talk to to idle neighbouringis it for minority,

states; warssmall a againstof thoseprivilege “the blacks” whoremains still revolt! TheEducation

roar of the cannon neverworkers. the ceaseson fall in thetaxes world,these wholeheavily how races areknow massacred,we and the statesarmaments; in of Europebudgets spendtheir of a third

1 our riches 16

living by rapine, or the slave-keeping ants. But such

ideas are not to the taste of the ruling classes, and

they have elaborated a whole systemALL! ofFOR pseudo-BEING

scienceWELL- to teach WELL-BEING: the TO contrary RIGHT THE is proclaim we

What What ” labour. his of result whole the each To “

Fine sermons have been preached on the textor

” work, to right The “

that those who have as shouldformulas sharevague withsuch thoseof whomore

share is enough to secure them well-being. No No have not, butwell-being. he whothem wouldsecure carryto out thisenough is principle share

fair share of all that is produced by all, and that wouldthat and be all, speedily by informedproduced is thatthat theseall of beautifulshare senfair -

their fair share of work, they have a right to their timentstheir to areright a all veryhave wellthey in poetry,work, of butshare notfair in practheir -

All is for all! If the man and the woman bear tice.bear “To liewoman is the to degradeand man andthe besmirchIf all! for oneself,is All ” we

”

say, and yet all civilized life becomesbuild. you onebrick huge every lie.

pay me a tax on every sheaf of corn you reap, on on We accustomreap, you ourselvescorn of sheaf and ourevery childrenon tax a tome hypocpay -

This hill, this meadow belong to me, and you must must you and me, to belong meadow this hill, This

risy, to the practice of a double-faced morality. And“

medieval times had the right to say to the peasant: sincepeasant: the the brain to issay illto at easeright amongthe had lies, times we cheat ourmedieval -

any more than the feudal lord of of lord feudal the than more any ”

selves with sophistry. Hypocrisy and sophistryproducts, your be-

want to use it you must pay me a tax on each of of comeeach theon secondtax a natureme pay of themust civilizedyou it use man. to want

This is mine; if you you if mine; is This “

But a society cannot say: liveand thus; it mustmachines returnthese of to

time. But nobody has the right to seize a single one truth,one orsingle a ceaseseize toto exist.right the has nobody But time.

ing up raw matter to produce the marvels of our our of Thus themarvels consequencesthe produce to which springmatter raw fromup theing

originalwork act ofremaking, monopolyand spreadunmaking us, through for theweave wholeand

which we call machines, which saw and plane, spin ofspin socialplane, life.and Undersaw painwhich of death,machines, humancall we societieswhich

tools and implements; here are all those iron slaves areslaves forcediron to those returnall are to firsthere principles:implements; theand meanstools

All things for all. Here is an immense stock of of of productionstock beingimmense an is the collectiveHere all. for workthings of humanAll -

s wealth. s ’

ity, the product should be the collective propertyworld

s part in the production of the the of production the in part s ’

of the race. Individual appropriationone isevery neither justevaluate

to produce them, and since it is not possible to to nor serviceable.possible not is Allit belongssince toand all. Allthem, things areproduce to for men have worked in the measure of their strength all men,strength sincetheir of all men measure have the needin of them,worked have since men all

1 our riches 16 living by rapine, or the slave-keeping ants. But such

ideas are not to the taste of the ruling classes, and

they have elaborated a whole system of ALL! pseudo-FOR BEING

science toWELL- teach the contraryWELL-BEING: TO RIGHT THE is proclaim we

To each the whole result of his labour. his of result whole the each To “ or What What

Fine sermons” have been preached on the text

” work, to right The “

that those who have should as share formulas with thosevague such whoof more

have not,No but he whowell-being. wouldthem carrysecure out to this principleenough is share

would bethat speedilyand all, informedby thatproduced is these that beautifulall of senshare - fair

timents their are to all veryright a wellhave in poetry,they work, but of not inshare pracfair - their

tice. “Tobear lie is towoman degrade the and and besmirchman the If oneself,all! for ”is weAll

”

say, and yet all civilized life becomes build. one you huge brick lie. every

We accustomon reap, ourselvesyou corn andof oursheaf childrenevery on to tax hypoc a me - pay

This hill, this meadow belong to me, and you must must you and me, to belong meadow this hill, This

risy, to the practice of a double-faced morality. And “

since the brainpeasant: isthe illto at easesay to amongright lies,the wehad cheattimes ourmedieval

any more than the feudal lord of of lord feudal the than more any ”

selves with sophistry. Hypocrisy and sophistry beproducts, - your

come of the secondeach on naturetax a me of thepay civilizedmust you man. it use to want

This is mine; if you you if mine; is This “

But a society cannot live thus;say: itand must returnmachines to these of

truth, orone ceasesingle toa exist.seize to right the has nobody But time.

ing up raw matter to produce the marvels of our Thusour of the consequencesmarvels the whichproduce to spring frommatter raw the up ing

and weave for us, unmaking and remaking, work remaking, and unmaking us, for weave and

original- act of monopoly spread through the whole

of social spin life. Underplane, and painsaw of death,which humanmachines, societiescall we which

are forcedslaves to iron return those toall firstare principles:here the implements; meansand tools

of production of stock being theimmense an collective is Here workall. for of humanthings All -

s wealth. s ’

ity, the product should be the collective property world

s part in the production of the the of production the in part s ’

of the race. Individual appropriation isone neither every just evaluate

nor serviceable.to possible Allnot belongs is it to since all. Alland thingsthem, are for produce to all men, sincestrength all their men of have needmeasure the of in them, sinceworked allhave men

1 our riches

millions of men, and in the two great industries, industries, great two CHAPTERthe in and II men, of millions

wealth of the country is the work of less than seven seven than less of WELL-BEINGwork the is FOR ALLcountry the of wealth

to every thirty inhabitants. The whole agricultural I agricultural whole The inhabitants. thirty every to

In France there are not ten actual producers Well-beingproducers foractual all isten notnot a dream.are there It is possible,France In real-

izable, owing to all that our ancestorsincreasing. ever haveis doneparasites to

the exact reverse is coming to pass: the swarm of of increaseswarm ourthe powerspass: to of production.coming is reverse exact the

instead of this Socialist forecast proving true, true, proving forecast Socialist this of instead —

We know, indeed, that the producers, althoughtage

theyheri constitutelawful its hardlyupon enter one-thirdand of themillionaires inhabitfew a -

only be necessary for the community to dispossess ants of dispossess civilized to countries,community the evenfor now producenecessary be suchonly

centrating itself in a few hands, so that it would quantitieswould it that of goodsso thathands, a few certain a in degreeitself of comfortcentrating

couldcon be broughtgradually tocapital everyof hearth.Instead We knowmiddlemen. further and

overwhelming increase in the ranks of the idlers thatidlers if the all of thoseranks whothe squanderin increase today the fruitsoverwhelming of

ment of our wealth-producing powers we have an an othershave ’ toilwe werepowers forced to employwealth-producing theirour leisureof ment in

usefuldevelop work,rapid ourthe wealthof wouldalongside increaseFor in proporconditions. ter -

tionbet to under the numberbecome of producers,might wealth andour more.what of Finally,idea

However, these figures give but a very faint wevery know a thatbut contrarygive to the figures theory these enunciatedHowever, by

Malthus—thattenfold. Oraclewealth of their middle-classmultiplied Economicshave States —

the influx of surplus European labour, the United theUnited productivethe labour, powers ofEuropean the humansurplus of race increaseinflux the

spite of immigration, or rather precisely because of of at a muchbecause more precisely rapid ratiorather or than its powersimmigration, of ofspite re-

United States this progress is still more striking. In In production.striking. Themore morestill is thicklyprogress menthis areStates crowdedUnited

tenfold, in the course of the last eighty years. In the onthe In the soil,years. the eighty morelast rapidthe of is thecourse growththe in of theirtenfold,

four-fold, and industrial production more than wealth-creatingthan more power.production industrial and four-fold,

the production of wheat in France has increased Thus,increased althoughhas France thein populationwheat of of Englandproduction hasthe

scription), and speculative commerce and finance, onlyfinance, increasedand fromcommerce 1844 to 1890speculative byand 62 per cent.,scription),

its(con productionblood-tax hasthe grown, eveninterference, at theState lowest estistanding -

mate, notwith at double passing, that rate frequently — to is wit, by 130 agriculture per cent.which very rapid. Notwithstanding the crises through In France,through wherecrises the the population hasNotwithstanding grownrapid. morevery slowly, the increase in production is nevertheless 2 well-being for all

millions of men, and in the two great industries, industries, CHAPTERgreat two the II in and men, of millions

wealth of the country is the work of less than seven seven than WELL-BEINGless of work FORthe is ALL country the of wealth

I agricultural whole The inhabitants. thirty every to

Well-being forproducers all is notactual aten dream.not are It is possible,there realFrance In -

izable, owing to all that our ancestors increasing. have ever doneis to parasites

increase of our swarm powers the ofpass: production.to coming is reverse exact the

instead of this Socialist forecast proving true, true, proving forecast Socialist this of instead —

We know, indeed, that the producers, although tage

they constituteheri lawful hardlyits upon one-thirdenter and of the inhabitmillionaires - few a

ants of civilizeddispossess to countries, evencommunity the now for produce necessary such be only

quantities would ofit goodsthat thatso a certainhands, few degreea in of itself comfort centrating

could becon brought togradually everycapital hearth. of WeInstead know furthermiddlemen. and

that if allidlers thosethe of who squanderranks the in today theincrease fruits of overwhelming

others an ’ toil have were we forcedpowers to employ their leisurewealth-producing our of in ment

ter conditions. For alongside of the rapid develop rapid the of alongside For conditions. ter useful- work, our wealth would increase in propor-

idea of what our wealth might become under bet under become might wealth our what of idea

tion- to the number of producers, and more. Finally,

wefaint know very that a contrarybut togive the theory figures enunciated these byHowever,

Malthus—that Oracletenfold. of middle-classwealth their Economicsmultiplied have — States

the productiveUnited the powerslabour, of the humanEuropean racesurplus of increase influx the

at a muchof morebecause rapid precisely ratio thanrather or its powers ofimmigration, reof - spite

production. In Thestriking. moremore thicklystill is menprogress arethis crowdedStates United

on thethe soil,In theyears. more eighty rapid last isthe theof growthcourse ofthe in their tenfold,

wealth-creating than more power. production industrial and four-fold,

the production of wheat in France has increased Thus, althoughincreased has the populationFrance in wheat of of England hasproduction the

only increasedfinance, and from 1844 commerce to 1890 by 62speculative perand cent., scription),

standing State interference, the blood-tax (con blood-tax the interference, State standing its production- has grown, even at the lowest esti-

hc arclue s rqety asn, notwith passing, frequently is agriculture which

mate,- at double that rate—to wit, by 130 per cent. In France, wherethrough thecrises populationthe has grownNotwithstanding morerapid. very slowly, the increase in production is nevertheless 2 well-being for all

vests! A year of well-directed toil would suffice to to miningsuffice and thewould textiletoil trades,well-directed youof willyear A find vests! that

l-utvtd ad no etl fed, ih n har thein workersrich number fields, less fertile than into two land and one-halfill-cultivated

to work to reclaim waste lands, or to transform millions.transform Butto or the exploiterslands, waste of labour,reclaim to how work many to

How gladly would these millions of men set set are they?men of In the Unitedmillions these Kingdomwould a littlegladly overHow one

million workers—men, women, and children,denied. is are

viduals who ask only for work, but to whom work employedwork whom into allbut the textilework, for trades;only ask lesswho than nineviduals

hundredindi million thousand two workabout of the mines; population much less thanpermanent

and in every civilized nation there is a a is there nation civilized every in and —

two million till the ground, and it appeared fromhalf-time

tories periodically stand idle, others only work thework last only industrial others censusidle, thatstand only a littleperiodically over fourtories

Hundreds of blast-furnaces, thousands of fac million of men, womenthousands and childrenblast-furnaces, of were employedHundreds

in all the industries.name. the 11 So thatworthy the statisticiansclothing no have haverope

lhuh he-ures f h pplto o Eu to of exaggerate all population the the figures of in order three-quarters to establishalthough a

although their wives and children go in rags, and maximumand rags, in ofgo eight millionchildren and producerswives their to forty-fivealthough

sands of weavers are forbidden to work the looms, millionlooms, the inhabitants.work to Strictlyforbidden speakingare theweavers of creatorssands

of Thou the up! goods kept exportedbe must fromcoal of Britainprice tothe all the endsforsooth,

den to work more than three days a week, because, of thebecause, earthweek, a comprise days onlythree fromthan sixmore to work seven to milden -

lionforbid workers.are Andnumber whattheir of is the numberone-half, even of theor sharethird, -

those who are shivering with cold; but too often a a holdersoften too and but middlemencold; with who levyshivering theare firstwho fruitsthose of

and willing to dig out coal every day, and send it to to labourit send fromand farday, and every near, coal andout heapdig to up unearnedwilling and

sary things is limited. Legions of miners are ready gainsready byare thrustingminers of themselvesLegions betweenlimited. is thethings producsary -

er neces and themost consumer?the of production the which in way the

fashion as the oysters. It is enough to remember Norremember is to this all. Theenough is ownersIt ofoysters. capitalthe as constantlyfashion

treated after the same same the after treated — etc. etc., foods, stuffs, —

reduce the output by restraining production. ries We

- luxu one and thousand the of speak not need We

for the rich, from becoming a food for the people. 1 4,013,711people. the nowfor employedfood a in all thebecoming 53 branchesfrom rich, of differentthe for into the sea to prevent a dainty, hitherto reserved industries,reserved includinghitherto the Statedainty, a Ordnanceprevent Works,to sea andthe 241,530into

workers engaged in the Construction and Maintenance of need not speak of the cartloads of oysters thrown Railways,thrown theiroysters aggregateof productioncartloads the of reachingspeak thenot valueneed of £1,041,037,000, and the net output being £406,799,000. 2 well-being for all

mining to and suffice the textilewould toil trades, you willwell-directed of findyear A that vests!

l-utvtd ad no etl fed, ih n har in rich fields, fertile into land ill-cultivated

the - workers number less than two and one-half

millions. But transform the to exploitersor lands, of labour,waste howreclaim to many work to

are they?set Inmen theof Unitedmillions Kingdom these a littlewould overgladly oneHow

million workers—men, women, and children, are denied. is

employed work in allwhom theto textilebut trades;work, for lessonly thanask ninewho viduals

permanent population of about two million indi million two about of population permanent

hundred- thousand work the mines; much less than

and in every civilized nation there is a a is there nation civilized every in and —

two million till the ground, and it appeared from half-time

the last industrialwork only censusothers thatidle, onlystand a little over fourperiodically tories

millionfac men,of womenthousands and children wereblast-furnaces, of employedHundreds

in all the industries.name. 11 Sothe that theworthy statisticiansclothing no havehave rope

lhuh he-ures f h pplto o Eu of population the of three-quarters although

to exaggerate- all the figures in order to establish a

maximum and ofrags, eightin go million producerschildren and towives forty-fivetheir although

million inhabitants.looms, the work Strictlyto speakingforbidden are the creatorsweavers of sands

forsooth, the price of coal must be kept up! Thou up! kept be must coal of price the forsooth,

of thegoods exported from Britain to all the ends

of the earthbecause, compriseweek, a onlydays fromthree sixthan to sevenmore work mil to - den

third, or even one-half, of their number are forbid are number their of one-half, even or third,

lion- workers. And what is the number of the share-

holders a andoften middlementoo but cold; who with levy the firstshivering are fruits who of those

labour to fromit send far and near,day, andevery heapcoal out updig unearnedto willing and

gains by thrustingready are themselvesminers of betweenLegions thelimited. is producthings - sary

the way in which the production of the most neces most the of production the which in way the

er and- the consumer?

fashion as the oysters. It is enough to remember Nor is thisremember all.to The ownersenough is It of capitaloysters. constantlythe as fashion

treated after the same same the after treated — etc. etc., foods, stuffs, —

reduce the output by restraining production. We ries

We need not speak of the thousand and one luxu one and thousand the of speak not need We -

1 4,013,711 nowpeople. employedthe for infood alla the 53 branchesbecoming from of differentrich, the for industries, includingreserved the Statehitherto Ordnancedainty, a Works,prevent andto 241,530sea the into

workers engaged in the Construction and Maintenance of Railways, theirthrown aggregateoysters of productioncartloads reachingthe of the valuespeak not of need £1,041,037,000, and the net output being £406,799,000. 2 well-being for all

or so to plenish our mills and factories with ma multiply with fivefoldfactories theand producemills our of thoseplenish to millions so or of

enough to double the production of useful things, acresthings, in thisuseful of country whichproduction liethe idle nowdouble to as “perma-enough

turer. What is squandered in this manner would be be nent pasture,would ”manner or ofthis thosein dry landssquandered is in theWhat southturer. of

Francemanufac whichthe to now yieldprofitable onlybut about injurious, eight bushelsabsolutely

in producing on the other hand wares which are are of wheatwhich per wares acre. Buthand men,other whothe on would be happyproducing in

inferior article upon him by means of puffery, and toand becomepuffery, of hardy means pioneers by him in soupon manyarticle branchesinferior

sumer to buy what he does not need, or foisting an an of wealth-producingfoisting or need, not activity,does he mustwhat buy remain to idlesumer

becausecon the the ownersforcing in of again, the soil,there themob; mines and thefashionable

caprices of society and the depraved tastes of the factoriesthe of tastes prefer to depraved investthe theirand capitalsociety of —takencaprices in

the retinue of the rich; there, in pandering to the the to first placepandering fromin thethere, communityrich; the of — in Turkishretinue the or

here, in keeping up the stables, the kennels, and Egyptianand bonds,kennels, the or in stables, Patagonian the up goldkeeping mines,in andhere,

—

so makewaste, Egyptiansheer to goes fellahs, that Italianlabour emigrants,the all andaccount

But over and above this we must take into Chineseinto take cooliesmust theirwe this wage-slaves. above and over But

This is the direct and deliberatespeculators. of limitationgroup that of

interest of this or that party, of this politician or of of production;or politician butthis thereof is party, also that a limitationor this of indirectinterest

in the the in ” cooked “

and not of set purpose,news and which press, consists the of in spendingmeans by

millions spent on propagating pernicious doctrines humandoctrines toil on objectspernicious absolutelypropagating on useless,spent or desmillions -

by a considerable diminution of crime; lastly, the tinedthe onlylastly, to satisfycrime; of the dull vanitydiminution of the rich.considerable a by

wretchedness of our great cities is always followed Itfollowed is impossiblealways is tocities reckongreat inour figuresof the extentwretchedness

know that every alleviation, however slight, of the tothe of which slight, wealth is however restricted indirectly,alleviation, every thethat extentknow

spent to no purpose, because we we because purpose, no to spent —

to which energy is squandered, while itjustice might haveso-called

prisons, policemen, and all the paraphernalia of of served to produce,paraphernalia the andall aboveand all to policemen, prepare theprisons,

tivities of the nation; the millions spent on judges, machineryjudges, on necessaryspent millions to the production. nation; the It of is enoughtivities

- ac economic the manipulate to —

to cite the immense sums spent by men Europe rich infew ar-

the right, that is, of a a of is, that right, the — minorities of ” rights “

maments, for the sole purpose of acquiring conthe -

ficials of all sorts, whose function it is to maintain trol maintain of markets,to is it and sofunction forcingwhose hersorts, ownall of goods ficials on

- easier at home; the millions paid every year to of neighbouringto year every territories,paid andmillions makingthe home; exploitation at easier

2 well-being for all

multiplyma fivefoldwith thefactories produceand mills of thoseour millionsplenish to ofso or

acres in thisthings, countryuseful of which lie idleproduction the now as double “ perma-to enough

nent pasture,be would ” or of thosemanner this dryin lands in thesquandered is southWhat of turer.

absolutely injurious, but profitable to the manufac the to profitable but injurious, absolutely

France- which now yield only about eight bushels

of wheat are per which acre. Butwares men,hand whoother wouldthe on be happy producing in

to become and hardypuffery, of pioneersmeans by in sohim manyupon branchesarticle inferior

of wealth-producing an foisting or need, activity, not does must he remainwhat buy idleto sumer

becausecon thethe ownersforcing ofin the soil,again, the there mines mob; and the fashionable

factories the of prefer tastes to investdepraved theirthe capitaland —takensociety of in caprices

the firstthe to place from pandering the in communitythere, rich; — inthe Turkishof orretinue the

Egyptian and bonds,kennels, or inthe Patagonianstables, the goldup mines,keeping andin here,

account all the labour that goes to sheer waste, sheer to goes that labour the all account

so make— Egyptian fellahs, Italian emigrants, and

Chinese into coolies take theirmust wage-slaves.we this above and over But

This is the direct and deliberate limitationspeculators. of ofgroup that

production; of or but therepolitician this is of also a party, limitationthat or indirectthis of interest

cooked “ news and press, the of means by in the the in

and not of set” purpose, which consists in spending

human toil ondoctrines objects pernicious absolutely useless,propagating on orspent desmillions

tined onlythe to satisfylastly, thecrime; of dull vanity diminution of the rich. considerable a by

wretchedness of our great cities is always followed It is impossiblefollowed always to is reckoncities in figuresgreat our of the extent wretchedness

to which the of wealth slight, is restrictedhowever indirectly,alleviation, theevery extentthat know

spent to no purpose, because we we because purpose, no to spent —

to which energy is squandered, while it mightjustice have so-called

served of to produce, paraphernalia and the above all alland to preparepolicemen, the prisons,

machinery judges, necessaryon spent to production.millions the It nation; is enoughthe of tivities

to manipulate the economic ac economic the manipulate to — men rich few

to cite- the immense sums spent by Europe in ar-

the right, that is, of a a of is, that right, the — minorities of ” rights “

maments, for the sole purpose of acquiring con- the

trol of markets,maintain to is and it so forcingfunction herwhose own sorts, goods all of on ficials

easier at home; the millions paid every year to of to year every paid millions the home; at easier neighbouring- territories, and making exploitation

2 well-being for all

social revolution; and both rich and poor recognize chineryrecognize thatpoor theyand wouldrich soonboth and flood the shopsrevolution; social with

finding such a solution. They feel the necessity of a a of all that isnecessity nowthe lackingfeel They to two-thirdssolution. a ofsuch the nation.finding

of possible political changes, would be capable of of Under capable our be presentwould systemchanges, a full quarterpolitical ofpossible theof

ing Governments, nor any which might arise out out producers arise inmight every which nation any arenor forced to be Governments, idle ing for

threeexist the or four neither months that in the year,understand andrich, the the as labourwell

of legislation. No one imagines that. The poor, as as of anotherpoor, The quarter,that. if notimagines of theone half,No has no legislation. better of

But this problem cannot be solved by means resultsmeans by than thesolved amusementbe cannot of theproblem richthis or But the ex-

ploitation of the public. man. of well-being the to

ry: the return to Communism in all that ministers Thus,ministers ifthat weall considerin on theCommunism oneto handreturn thethe rapidry: -

itycentu with whichtwentieth civilizedthe of nationsmen the augmentbefore put theirhas pow-tory

ersHis of production,which problem andthe is on thethen othersuch hand the limitsExpropriation, set to that production, be it directly or indirectly,II

by existing conditions, we cannot but conclude that

the means. the — expropriation end; the —

an economic system a trifle more reasonableall of wouldbeing

permitwell- The them to heap up inEXPROPRIATION. a fewbe yearsmust so manyThere use-

ful products that they would be constrained toall. sayfor —

terests of men may gain from it the greatest good ”Enough!good Wegreatest havethe it enoughfrom coalgain andmay breadmen of and terests rai-

come common property, so that the collective in ment! Letcollective us restthe andthat so consider howproperty, best tocommon use ourcome

fashioned, or invented by our ancestors, must be powers, must how bestancestors, to employour by our leisure.invented or ” fashioned,

This rich endowment, painfully won, builded, No,builded, plentywon, for allpainfully is not a dreamendowment, —thoughrich This it was

a dream indeed in thosepleasure. dayshis at of when man,dispose to for olist all

his pains,monop the couldfor hardlyproperty, win a private few as bushels regarded of wheatbe to

must cease cease must —

from an acre of land,education and had tohighways, fashion byfactories, handlands, all

cities, houses, pastures, arable arable pastures, houses, cities, —

the implements he used in agriculturecapital and indusimmense -

But, if plenty for all is to become a reality, this try.this Nowreality, ita is no longerbecome to is a dream,all for becauseplenty if manBut, has

invented a motormotion. in which, withmachinery a little ironcomplicated andmost a fewthe strong and docile as a horse, and capable of setting sackssetting of coal, givescapable and him thehorse, a masteryas docile of aand creaturestrong

2 well-being for all

chinery that theyrecognize wouldpoor and soonrich floodboth and the shops revolution; with social

all thata of is now lackingnecessity the tofeel two-thirdsThey ofsolution. a the nation.such finding

Under of our presentcapable be systemwould a fullchanges, quarterpolitical of the possible of

producers out inarise every might nation which are any forced nor to be idle forGovernments, ing

well as the rich, understand that neither the exist the neither that understand rich, the as well

three- or four months in the year, and the labour

of another as quarter,poor, The if that. not of theimagines half,one hasNo no better legislation. of

results thanmeans theby amusementsolved be of cannot the rich problem or thethis exBut -

ploitation of the public. man. of well-being the to

ry: the return to Communism in all that ministers Thus, if weministers considerthat all in on the one handCommunism to the rapidreturn -the ry:

ity with whichcentu civilizedtwentieth the nations of men augmentthe theirbefore put pow-has tory

ers of production,His which and problem on thethe is otherthen handsuch the limits Expropriation, set to that production, be it directly or indirectly, II

by existing conditions, we cannot but conclude that

the end; expropriation end; the — all of being the means. the

an economic system— a trifle more reasonable would

permit themwell- The to heap up in a fewEXPROPRIATION. years be so manymust useThere -

ful products that they would be constrained to say—all. for

”Enough! good We havegreatest enoughthe it coalfrom andgain breadmay andmen of rai- terests

come common property, so that the collective in collective the that so property, common come

ment!- Let us rest and consider how best to use our

fashioned, or invented by our ancestors, must be must ancestors, our by invented or fashioned,

powers,- how best to employ our leisure.”

This rich endowment, painfully won, builded, No, plentybuilded, forwon, all is notpainfully a dream—thoughendowment, rich it wasThis

a dream indeed in those dayspleasure. whenhis at man,of fordispose allto olist

to be regarded as private property, for the monop the for property, private as regarded be to

his - pains, could hardly win a few bushels of wheat

— education highways, factories, lands,

from an acrecease ofmust land, and had to fashion by hand all

cities, houses, pastures, arable arable pastures, houses, cities, —

the implements he used in agriculture andcapital indusimmense

try. Nowthis it is noreality, a longer abecome dream,to is all becausefor manplenty if hasBut,

invented a motor which,motion. in with a littlemachinery iron andcomplicated a fewmost the sacks of coal,setting of gives himcapable theand masteryhorse, a as of a creaturedocile and strong

2 well-being for all

- ar and ” do? we shall What “

that this revolution is imminent, thatasking: it mayclubs, breakvised

outimpro in a into few years.crowd they evening the in and men, of

claimed. In the streets wander scores of thousands A greatthousands of changescores in thoughtwander hasstreets takenthe In place durclaimed. -

ingpro is the last halfCommune of the nineteenthtowns large century;several butIn sup-

pressed, as it was, by the propertiedin. ushered classes,is andrevolution de-

places of safety. The people remain. This is how a a niedhow itsis naturalThis development,remain. people thisThe newsafety. spiritof mustplaces

zens pack their trunks and betake themselves to to now break themselves its bondsbetake byand violencetrunks andtheir realizepack itselfzens

- citi Wealthy ”

in a revolution. Government. new the of pleasure

await the the await “

Whence to will the quarters revolution their to come? retire how some willwhile it

” Commune! the live Long “

announce its coming? Nocry: oneto or can answercrowd, the thesebour

questions.bela to Thewhether future isuncertain hidden.are ease, But at those whostanding

without interfering, or join the rebels. The police, watchpolice, andThe thinkrebels. dothe notjoin or misinterpret interfering, the signs:without

have also prudently decamped. The troops stand by by workersstand andtroops exploiters,The Revolutionistsdecamped. prudently andalso Conserhave -

opinion, no longer obeys its commanders, who vatives,who thinkerscommanders, andits men obeys of action,longer allno feel thatopinion, a

the army, hesitating before the tide of popular revolutionpopular of istide at ourthe doors.before hesitating army, the

The former Government having disappeared, Well, disappeared, then, —Whathaving are we goingGovernment to doformer whenThe the

thunderbolt has fallen?return. their for measures devise

fly the country, to plot in safety elsewhere and to to and We have allelsewhere beensafety bentin onplot studyingto thecountry, dramaticthe fly

disappear with a surprising rapidity. Its upholders side of upholders revolutions Its sorapidity. much, andsurprising a the practicalwith workdisappear

” order old the “

of revolutions of so little,masters thatthe we are aptrevolution to see popular onlya

Yet 1848 and 1871 were only insurrections. Before theBefore stage effects, soinsurrections. to only speak, were of these1871 and great1848 moveYet -

a few hours, leaving Paris mistress of her destinies. ments;destinies. theher fightof ofmistress theParis first leaving days; hours, thefew a barricades.

Thiers disappeared, on the 18th of March, 1871, in in But this1871, fight,March, of this first18th the skirmish,on is soondisappeared, ended,Thiers and

The government of of government The ” king. citizen “

it only after the breakdown of the oldher system thatforgotten

making good his escape in a cab, Paris had already the realalready workhad ofParis revolutioncab, a in canescape behis said togood begin.making

of 1848 was no more, and while Louis Philippe was was EffetePhilippe and powerless,Louis while and attacked more, onno allwas sides,1848 theof surrection. In a few days the middle-class monarchy old rulersmonarchy are soon sweptmiddle-class the awaydays byfew a theIn breath ofsurrection. in-

2 well-being for all

- ar and ” do? we shall What “

that this revolution is imminent, that it mayasking: breakclubs, vised

of men, and in the evening they crowd into impro into crowd they evening the in and men, of

out - in a few years.

claimed. In the streets wander scores of thousands A great changethousands of in thoughtscores haswander takenstreets placethe In durclaimed.

In several large towns the Commune is pro is Commune the towns large several In

ing - the last half of the nineteenth century; but sup-

pressed, as it was, by the propertiedin. classes,ushered is and de- revolution

nied a its naturalhow is development,This remain. thispeople newThe spiritsafety. mustof places

now breakto its bondsthemselves by violencebetake and andtrunks realizetheir itselfpack zens

- citi Wealthy ”

in a revolution. Government. new the of pleasure

while some retire to their quarters to to quarters their to retire some while await the the await

Whence will“ the revolution come? how will it

” Commune! the live Long “

announce its coming? No one cancry: to answeror crowd, these the bour

questions.bela to The futurewhether is hidden.uncertain Butare thoseease, at who standing

watch andpolice, thinkThe do rebels. notthe misinterpretjoin or the signs:interfering, without

workers by andstand exploiters,troops The Revolutionistsdecamped. and Conserprudently also - have

vatives, who thinkers and mencommanders, its of action,obeys all feellonger no that a opinion,

revolution popular is atof our tide doors. the before hesitating army, the

The former Government having disappeared, Well, then,—disappeared, What arehaving we going toGovernment do whenformer theThe

thunderbolt has fallen? return. their for measures devise

fly the country, to plot in safety elsewhere and to Weto haveand all beenelsewhere bent onsafety studyingin plot to the dramaticcountry, the fly

side of revolutionsupholders Its so much,rapidity. and the practicalsurprising a with work disappear

the old order old the “ of masters the revolution popular a

of revolutions” so little, that we are apt to see only

the stage Before effects, so to speak,insurrections. only of thesewere great1871 and move 1848 - Yet

ments; the fightdestinies. her of of the mistress firstParis days;leaving the hours, barricades. few a

But thisin fight,1871, this March, firstof skirmish,18th the on is soon ended,disappeared, and Thiers

The government of of government The ” king. citizen “

it only after the breakdown of the old system her that forgotten

the real workalready ofhad revolutionParis cab, a canin be saidescape tohis begin.good making

of 1848 was no more, and while Louis Philippe was Effetewas and powerless,Philippe Louis attackedwhile and on allmore, sides,no was the 1848 of old rulers aremonarchy soon swept awaymiddle-class the by days the breathfew a In of insurrection.

2 well-being for all

an understanding on any serious measure, dragged dentlydragged discuss measure, public affairs.serious any Allon take an interestunderstanding an in

authoritarians, and rascals, incapable of coming to to them; thosecoming of who yesterdayincapable rascals, wereand quite indifferentauthoritarians,

a day. Wrangling, calling each other reactionaries, are perhapsreactionaries, the other most each zealous. calling EverywhereWrangling, thereday. a is

es, in order to create majorities that can but last plentylast but ofcan good-willthat and amajorities keen create desire to to order make in es, vic-

- allianc ephemeral into enter to forced —

tory certain. It is a time when acts of supremeall views, de-

All coming together with diametrically opposed votionopposed are occurring.diametrically Thewith masses oftogether the peoplecoming areAll

and who spurn the crowd whence they are sprung. full sprung. of theare desirethey of goingwhence forward.crowd the spurn who and

the ambitious ones, whose only dream is power power All is this isdream splendid, only sublime;whose ones, but still, it ambitious is notthe a

warfare. Honest men will be huddled together with revolution.with together Nay, it ishuddled onlybe nowwill thatmen the Honest work of thewarfare.

will be thrust together, and waste time in wordy revolutionistwordy in time begins.waste and together, thrust be will

bilists, Collectivists, Radicals, Jacobins, Blanquists, DoubtlessBlanquists, thereJacobins, will beRadicals, acts of vengeance.Collectivists, Thebilists,

WatrinsPossi and therevolution. Thomasesthe of goal willthe payand the penaltybearing, the of

as many different conceptions regarding the scope, theirscope, unpopularity;the regarding but these conceptions are mere different incidents many as of

as it is often said, but but said, often is it as ” chapels, private “

the struggle—not the revolution. many as

not not —

Socialist politicians,representing radicals,together, come neglectedwill schools genius ent -

es differ- of journalism,twenty or ten stump of oratorsmen where — both middle-classCouncils, munal

peopleCom in or and workmenBoards in —will assemble hurry will to they the Town Hall,acclaimed,

and what not. Elected or or Elected not. what and ”

to the Government offices, to takeSafety, possessionPublic of of sioner the

- Commis “ ” Hall, Town the of Governor “ ” Mayor,

vacant seats. Some will decorate themselves with“

” Safety, Public of Committee “ ”

gold and silver lace to their hearts’ content,Government, sional ad-

Provi- “

mire themselvesof names the in ministerialtake will They mirrors, and Government. study of

have not they will seek the sanction of old forms to forms give old ordersof withsanction an the air ofseek importancewill they approprinot have -

To give themselves an authority which they atethey to theirwhich new position.authority an How couldthemselves theygive impressTo

their comrades of the office or the workshopcome. has with-

because revolution revolution because —

out having a red sash,out an carry embroidered to trouble cap,the andtake

issue high-flown worded decrees that nobody will will magisterial nobody gestures!that decrees Othersworded will bury themselveshigh-flown issue make head or tail of them. They will indite laws and inand officiallaws papers,indite will trying,They withthem. of thetail or best ofhead wills,make to

2 well-being for all

dently discussdragged public measure, affairs. serious All takeany on an interest in understanding an

them; to those whocoming of yesterdayincapable were quiterascals, and indifferent authoritarians,

are perhaps the mostreactionaries, zealous.other each Everywherecalling thereWrangling, is day. a

plenty last of good-willbut can andthat a keen majorities desire create to to make vicorder in - es,

forced to enter into ephemeral allianc ephemeral into enter to forced — all views,

tory- certain. It is a time when acts of supreme de-

votion are occurring.opposed The massesdiametrically with of the peopletogether arecoming All

full of the desiresprung. are of they going forward.whence crowd the spurn who and

the ambitious ones, whose only dream is power All thispower isis splendid,dream sublime;only whose but still,ones, it is not aambitious the

revolution. with Nay, ittogether is only huddled now be thatwill themen work ofHonest the warfare.

revolutionist wordy in begins.time waste and together, thrust be will

bilists, Collectivists, Radicals, Jacobins, Blanquists, Doubtless Blanquists, there willJacobins, be acts ofRadicals, vengeance. Collectivists, The bilists,

the bearing, and the goal of the revolution. Possi revolution. the of goal the and bearing, the

Watrins- and the Thomases will pay the penalty of

their unpopularity;scope, the but regarding these are mereconceptions incidentsdifferent of many as

private chapels, private “ many as as it is often said, but but said, often is it as

the struggle—not the revolution.”

ent schools will come together, representing together, come will schools ent not not

Socialist— politicians, radicals, neglected genius-

es of journalism,differ- twenty stump or ten oratorsof men —bothwhere middle-classCouncils, munal

acclaimed, they will assemble in Boards or in Com in or Boards in assemble will they acclaimed,

people- and workmen—will hurry to the Town Hall,

and what not. Elected or or Elected not. what and ”

to the Government offices, to take possessionSafety, Public ofof the sioner

Governor of the Town Hall, Town the of Governor “ ” Mayor, “ - Commis “

vacant seats. Some” will decorate themselves with

Committee of Public Safety, Public of Committee “ ” Government, sional

gold” and silver lace to their hearts’ content, ad-

of Government. They will take the names of of names the take will They Government. of Provi-

mire themselves“ in ministerial mirrors, and study

to give ordersforms old withof an airsanction of the importance seek will approprithey not - have

ate to theirthey newwhich position.authority How an could theythemselves impressgive To

their comrades of the office or the workshop withcome. - has

because revolution revolution because —

out having a red sash, an out embroidered carry to cap,trouble andthe take

magisterial will gestures!nobody that Othersdecrees will buryworded themselveshigh-flown issue in official and papers,laws indite trying,will withThey thethem. bestof tail of or wills,head to make

2 well-being for all

has, before everything, THE RIGHT TO LIVE, and intoand discussionsLIVE, TO aboutRIGHT THE trifles, producingeverything, before nothinghas,

ety, whether strong or weak, capable or incapable, better incapable, thanor bombasticcapable weak, proclamations;or strong allwhether givingety,

themselvessoci old the in an awfulgrade his importancewhatever whileone, theevery realthat

question: We must recognize, and loudly proclaim, strengthproclaim, of theloudly movementand isrecognize, in themust streets.We question:

It seems to us that there is only one answer to this this to All thisanswer mayone pleaseonly is thosethere whothat us like to the seems stage, It but it is not revolution. Nothing has been accomIII -

plished as yet.

”

And meanwhilefound? thebe to people suffer.difficulties Thethese factoriesof out

How is a way way a is How “

are idle, the workshopssay: and closed;suffer will tradepeople is at a standfamily.The -

on the ramparts and at the same time support a a still. Thesupport workertime doessame the notat evenand earn theramparts meagrethe on

fed: that on fifteen pence a day a man cannot fight wagefight whichcannot man was a hisday a before. pence Food goesfifteen on up inthat price.fed:

triumph unless those who fought on its side were Withwere thatside its heroicon devotionfought who whichthose has unless always chartriumph -

failure to understand that the Revolution could not acterizednot could them, andRevolution whichthe that in great crisesunderstand to reachesfailure

this this —

the sublime,error same the this people for be will waitwould it patiently.days, “seventy We

born beneath the Prussian cannon, and lasted only placeonly theselasted and three monthscannon, of wantPrussian the at the servicebeneath born of

cast a reproach at the Paris Commune, which was thewas Republic,which ” theyCommune, said inParis 1848,the at while “theirreproach a reprecast -

to live during the terrible crisis. And could one sentativesone could ” andAnd thecrisis. gentlementerrible ofthe the newduring Governlive to -

labour, without troubling how the people managed ment, managed down topeople thethe meanesthow Jack-in-officetroubling without receivedlabour,

were wrangling over military pensions and prison theirprison salaryand regularly.pensions military over wrangling were

visional Government and the National Assembly TheAssembly people National suffer.the Withand the childlikeGovernment faith,visional

withPro the the goodtrade, of humour ofstoppage the massesgeneral the whofrom believe1848

Constitution. While the worker was suffering in in in their leaders,suffering was they worker think the that While “ yonder,” in theConstitution.

the Jacobins to discuss his treatise on the English House,English inthe theon Town treatise Hall, his in thediscuss Committeeto Jacobins of Pubthe -

their jewels and splendour, Robespierre was urging lic urging Safety, was their welfareRobespierre is beingsplendour, considered.and jewels Buttheir

with luxurious carriages where women displayed “yonderdisplayed ” they arewomen discussingwhere everythingcarriages underluxurious thewith

of misery, although the Champs Elysées were lined sunlined exceptwere the welfareElysées ofChamps thethe people. although In 1793, misery, while of tion; whilst the people were reduced to the depths faminedepths the ravagedto Francereduced were and crippledpeople the thewhilst Revolution; -

2 well-being for all

into discussionsand LIVE, TO about trifles,RIGHT THE producingeverything, nothingbefore has,

better than incapable, bombastic or capable proclamations; weak, or strong all givingwhether ety,

themselvessoci old an the awfulin importancegrade his whilewhatever theone, realevery that

strength of theproclaim, movementloudly and is in therecognize, streets.must We question:

It seems to us that there is only one answer to this All this this to may answer please one thoseonly is whothere likethat theus to stage, seems It but it is not revolution. Nothing has been accom- III

plished as yet.

”

And meanwhile the peoplefound? be to suffer. The difficulties factories these of out

family.The people will suffer and say: say: and suffer will people family.The How is a way way a is How

are idle, the workshops“ closed; trade is at a stand-

still. a The workersupport doestime notsame eventhe at earnand the meagreramparts the on

wage whichfight wascannot hisman before.a day a Foodpence goes upfifteen in on price. that fed:

With thatwere heroicside its devotionon fought which who has those always unless chartriumph

acterized not them,could and whichRevolution the in greatthat crises reachesunderstand to failure

seventy days, it would be for this same error same this for be would it days, seventy this this

the sublime,— the people will wait patiently. “We

place theseonly threelasted monthsand ofcannon, want atPrussian thethe service beneath of born

the Republic,was ”which they said inCommune, 1848,Paris whilethe at “their reprereproach a - cast

sentatives one ” andcould theAnd gentlemencrisis. of terrible the newthe Governduring -live to

ment, down managed to the meanestpeople the how Jack-in-office troubling receivedwithout labour,

their salaryprison regularly.and pensions military over wrangling were

visional Government and the National Assembly The peopleAssembly suffer.National Withthe theand childlike Government faith, visional

1848 from the general stoppage of trade, the Pro the trade, of stoppage general the from 1848

with- the good humour of the masses who believe

in their in leaders,suffering theywas think worker that the “ yonder,While ” in the Constitution.

House, in theEnglish Townthe on Hall, intreatise thehis Committeediscuss to of PubJacobins - the

lic Safety,urging theirwas welfare isRobespierre being considered.splendour, and Butjewels their

“yonder ” theydisplayed are discussingwomen where everything carriages under theluxurious with

sun exceptlined thewere welfareElysées of the people.Champs the In 1793,although while misery, of famine ravageddepths the to France andreduced crippledwere people thethe Revoluwhilst - tion;

2 well-being for all

to take houses houses take to —

that society is bound to sharecommunity the amongst of all,wealth withoutthe of

that right they claim the right to take possession exception,possession thetake meansto right of the existence claim itthey has atright its that dis-

ers claim the RIGHT TO WELL-BEING! In claiming posal.claiming WeIn must acknowledgeWELL-BEING! TO this,RIGHT andthe proclaimclaim ers it

aloud,work the and if act upresult to the it. be will different Very

Affairs must be managed in suchdown. a wayshot be thator

ernment, they were told to go and colonize Africa, fromAfrica, the firstcolonize and daygo to of told the were revolution they theernment, worker

shallGov knowprevious thatthe aof new era isoverthrow openingthe after before him;months

middle classes, till one fine day, in June, 1848, four thatfour henceforward1848, June, in day, nonefine needone till crouch classes, under themiddle

nized by the many methods well known to the bridges,the to whileknown palaceswell are methods hard by,many nonethe by need fastnized

in thedisorga midst of plenty,themselves noneworkers needthe perishand out, with coldcalled

time the cannons were overhauled, the reserves near reserves shops the full of furs;overhauled, thatwere all is forcannons all,the in practime -

- mean the in And ”

tice as well as in theory,food! for and thatstruggle at last,life-long for theyour

here is your 1s. 8d. Rest now, brave toiler, after firstafter timetoiler, in history,brave now, a revolutionRest 8d. 1s. has your been is accomhere -

friends, the Government will see to it; meantime plishedmeantime whichit; to considerssee will the NEEDSGovernment ofthe the peoplefriends,

Patience, Patience, “ was: reply the ” Labour, of Organization

before schooling them in their DUTIES. “

at the rate of 1s. 8d. a day! When they asked the the Thisasked cannotthey beWhen brought day! a about8d. 1s. byof Actsrate of the Parlia at -

ganized, and workmen were sent to drudge there ment,there but drudge only to bysent takingwere immediateworkmen andand effectiveganized,

1848, national and municipal workshops were or possession were of allworkshops that is necessarymunicipal and to ensurenational the1848,

When the workers claimed the right to work in in well-beingwork to ofright all;the this is claimed the onlyworkers reallythe scientificWhen

way of going to work, the only way whichrealized. be canmust be

nise that well-being for all, henceforward possible, understoodpossible, and desiredhenceforward all, byfor the masswell-being of thethat peonise -

ple.recog Weto must courage take the possession,have us Let in thethem. name of themisleading

and which are still resorted to with the hope of of people,hope ofthe the with granaries, to theresorted shopsstill are full of clothingwhich and

with which the people were misled in 1848, 1848, in misled were people the which with ”

and the dwelling houses. Nothing must be wasted.work,

the right to to right the “

We must organize like withoutwords delayambiguous a wayof to feedEnough the

hungry, to satisfy all wants,development. to meetfurther all and needs,life its to that one, but so as to ensure to society as a whole producewhole a as not forsociety theto specialensure to benefitas so but of thisone, onethat or

2 well-being for all

to take houses houses take to —

that society is bound to share amongstcommunity the of all, withoutwealth the of

exception, thepossession meanstake to of existenceright the it hasclaim atthey its disright - that

posal. We mustclaiming In acknowledgeWELL-BEING! this,TO and proclaimRIGHT the itclaim ers

Very different will be the result if the work the if result the be will different Very

aloud,- and act up to it.

Affairs must be managed in such a waydown. thatshot be or

from the Africa, first daycolonize and of go theto revolutiontold were they the worker ernment,

months after the overthrow of the previous Gov previous the of overthrow the after months

shall- know that a new era is opening before him;

that henceforwardfour 1848, June, nonein day, needfine crouchone till under classes, the middle

bridges, the whileto palacesknown arewell hard by,methods nonemany needthe fastby nized

in the midstdisorga of plenty, nonethemselves needworkers perishthe withand coldout, called

near shops reserves full the of furs; that overhauled, all is were for all, incannons practhe - time

your life-long struggle for food! for struggle life-long your - mean the in And

tice as well as in theory,” and that at last, for the

first timeafter in history,toiler, brave a revolutionnow, Rest has8d. been1s. accomyour is - here

plished whichmeantime considersit; to see thewill NEEDS of theGovernment peoplethe friends,

the reply was: was: reply the ” Labour, of Organization “ Patience, Patience,

before schooling“ them in their DUTIES.

at the rate of 1s. 8d. a day! When they asked the Thisthe cannotasked bethey brought When aboutday! a by8d. Acts1s. of Parliarate -the at

ment, butthere only bydrudge takingto sent immediatewere andworkmen effectiveand ganized,

1848, national and municipal workshops were or were workshops municipal and national 1848,

possession- of all that is necessary to ensure the

well-being in work of to all; thisright the is the onlyclaimed reallyworkers scientificthe When

way of going to work, the only way which canrealized. be must

understood possible, and desired byhenceforward theall, for mass of thewell-being peothat - nise

misleading them. Let us have the courage to recog to courage the have us Let them. misleading

ple.- We must take possession, in the name of the

people, of of thehope granaries,the with to the shopsresorted fullstill of are clothing which and

with which the people were misled in 1848, 1848, in misled were people the which with ”

and the dwelling houses. Nothing must be wasted. work,

Enough of ambiguous words like like words ambiguous of Enough the right to to right the

We must organize“ without delay a way to feed the

hungry, to satisfy all wants, to meetdevelopment. all needs,further and to life its produce notwhole a foras the specialsociety to benefitensure to as of so this but one one, or that

2 well-being for all

The astonishing perfection attained by the textile textile the by attained perfection astonishing The

the products of industry is absolutely untenable. to dwelluntenable. in accordingabsolutely is to the needsindustry of of each products family; the

the attempt to claim an Individualist origin for for to socializeorigin the storesIndividualist ofan food andclaim to learn theattempt meanthe -

branch of production is knit up with all the rest, ingrest, ofthe plenty,all with after up havingknit is known famineproduction of too well.branch

when everything is interdependent, when each Theyeach proclaimwhen their right interdependent, to is all social wealtheverything —fruitwhen

But nowadays, in the present state of industry, of theindustry, labourof state of past andpresent presentthe in generationsnowadays, But —and

learn by its means to enjoycommune. thosethe or highervillage pleasuresthe on

live alone, but was dependent in a thousand ways ofways art and sciencethousand a in which havedependent toowas longbut beenalone, molive -

and even in those days a peasant family could not nopolizednot could by family the rich.peasant a days those in even and

fabrics were improved by somebody, all profited; Andprofited; whileall assertingsomebody, by their rightimproved to livewere in comfabrics -

If the looms for weaving or the dyes for colouring fort, theycolouring assert,for dyes whatthe or is still moreweaving important,for looms the their If

hedges which were kept in repair by each and all. all. right and to decideeach by for repair themselvesin kept whatwere thiswhich comforthedges

common toil, the communal pastures enclosed by by shall be, enclosed what mustpastures be producedcommunal the to ensuretoil, it, andcommon

bridges made in common, the swamps drained by by what discardeddrained asswamps nothe longer ofcommon, value. in made bridges

was not quite correct. There were the roads and the the Theand “rightroads the to well-beingwere There ” meanscorrect. thequite possibilnot was -

own soil. But even then this way of looking at things ity things of at living likelooking of humanway beings,this then andeven of But bringingsoil. own up

ments woven in the cottage, as the products of its its childrenof toproducts be the members as ofcottage, a the society in betterwoven thanments

ours,gar whilstwoolen the the or “right reaped, to workand ” onlysowed it meanscorn the

Time was when a peasant family could consider right consider to becould alwaysfamily a wage-slave,peasant a when a drudge,was Time ruled

over andequality. of exploited pursuit bythe the middlesocieties, class ofmodern thein future.dency

Theten right to well-beingpredominant the of is the Socialexpressions Revolution, being thealike

Communism, and Communism to Anarchy, both rightboth to workAnarchy, meansto nothingCommunism butand the TreadmillCommunism, of

lines of Communistic Anarchy. Anarchy leads to to Commercialism.leads Anarchy It is highAnarchy. time for theCommunistic workerof lines to

be forced, we maintain, to organize itself on the assertthe on hisitself right to theorganize to common inheritance,maintain, we forced, and be to

Every society, on abolishing private property will enterwill into property possession private of it. abolishing on society, Every

ANARCHIST COMMUNISM ANARCHIST CHAPTER III CHAPTER

2 well-being for all

The astonishing perfection attained by the textile textile the by attained perfection astonishing The

to dwell in accordinguntenable. to absolutely the is needs ofindustry eachof family;products the

to socialize for theorigin stores of foodIndividualist andan learnclaim to the meanattempt - the

ing of plenty,rest, the afterall havingwith up knownknit is famine tooproduction of well. branch

They proclaimeach when their right to all socialinterdependent, is wealth—fruiteverything when

of the labourindustry, ofof paststate and presentpresent the generationsin —nowadays, andBut

learn by its means to enjoy thosecommune. higherthe or pleasuresvillage the on

of art andways sciencethousand whicha in have toodependent longwas beenbut moalone, - live

nopolized not bycould the rich.family peasant a days those in even and

fabrics were improved by somebody, all profited; And whileprofited; assertingall theirsomebody, by right to liveimproved in comwere - fabrics

fort, they assert,colouring for what dyes is stillthe or more important,weaving for theirlooms the If

right all. to decideand each for by themselvesrepair in whatkept thiswere comfortwhich hedges

shall be,by what mustenclosed be producedpastures tocommunal ensurethe it,toil, and common

what discardedby drained as no longerswamps the of value.common, in made bridges

was not quite correct. There were the roads and the Thethe “rightand toroads well-beingthe were ” meansThere thecorrect. possibilquite not - was

ity of livingthings at like humanlooking of beings,way this and then of bringingeven But upsoil. own

children its of to be membersproducts the as of a societycottage, the betterin thanwoven ments

the corn it sowed and reaped, or the woolen gar woolen the or reaped, and sowed it corn the

ours,- whilst the “right to work” only means the

right to be consider alwayscould a wage-slave,family peasant a a drudge,when was ruledTime

over and exploitedequality. of by thepursuit middlethe classsocieties, of the future.modern in dency

alike being expressions of the predominant ten predominant the of expressions being alike

The- right to well-being is the Social Revolution, the

right to both work meansAnarchy, to nothing but theCommunism Treadmilland of Communism,

Commercialism. to leads It isAnarchy high timeAnarchy. for the workerCommunistic of to lines

assert histhe righton toitself the commonorganize to inheritance,maintain, we and to forced, be

enter intowill possessionproperty of it.private abolishing on society, Every

ANARCHIST COMMUNISM ANARCHIST CHAPTER III CHAPTER

2 well-being for all

desirable, but that existing societies, founded on on or miningfounded industriessocieties, in civilizedexisting that countriesbut is duedesirable,

We hold further that Communism is not only toonly thenot simultaneousis Communism development that further of ahold thousandWe

other industries,labour. greatcommon andof small,fruits the toof the extensioncommon in

bour must necessarily bring with it the enjoyment of the railroadenjoyment the it system,with tobring inter-oceanicnecessarily navigation,must bour

The common possession of the instruments of la toof the manual instruments skill the ofof thousandspossession of workers,common toThe a

” profit-sharing. “

certain standard as it of culturedisguise to reachedattempt bythe theof workspite -

of capitalist production, and will perish with it, in in ingit, classwith as aperish wholewill —and to the labours,production, in short,capitalist of of

It was the necessary condition for the development men in everydevelopment the corner for of thecondition globe. necessary the was It

ownership of the land and the instruments of labour. labour. Theof Italians whoinstruments diedthe and of choleraland the of while makingownership

The wage system arises out of the individual the Suezindividual Canal,the of orout of anchylosisarises insystem the wage St. GothardThe

Tunnel, and the Americans mowed down by shotorganization.

than it can adapt itself to the old forms of political and shellpolitical of whileforms fightingold the to foritself theadapt abolitioncan it than of slav-

side with the old forms of consumption, any more ery,more haveany helped to developconsumption, of theforms cottonold the industrywith side of

new method of production cannot exist side by by France side andexist England,cannot as well asproduction theof work-girlsmethod whonew

property requires a new form of remuneration. A A languish in theremuneration. factoriesof form ofnew Manchester a requires and Rouen,property

and the instruments of production. A new form of of and form the inventornew A who (followingproduction. of the suggestioninstruments the and of

the socialization of land land of socialization the —

some worker) succeeds in improvingcommunism the looms.partial a side

system certainly could not maintain itself along Howitself then, shallmaintain wenot estimatecould the sharecertainly of eachsystem

The migrated individualism of the Collectivist in the richesCollectivist the whichof ALL contributeindividualism to amass?migrated The

from the very outset to abandon all forms of wages. Lookingof forms at all productionabandon to from outset this general,very the synfrom -

principle, such a society would find itself forced theticforced pointitself of find view, would we cannot society a hold such with the Colprinciple, -

labour as a common inheritance. Starting from this lectiviststhis from that paymentStarting proportionateinheritance. common a to as the hourslabour

able in a society which considers the instruments of of of labour renderedinstruments the by eachconsiders wouldwhich be society ana idealin able ar-

rangement,unten us to or evenappears a ideal step in the rightCollectivist the direction.that later,

here, leaving ourselves free to return to the subject subject Without the to discussingreturn to whetherfree exchangeourselves leaving valuehere, of

suffice it to say say to it suffice —

goods is really measuredfollowed inhas existingMarx societiesfootsteps by thewhose ing to the teaching of Adam Smith and Ricardo, in in amountRicardo, of workand necessarySmith Adam of to produceteaching itthe —to according

3 anarchist communism

or mining on industriesfounded in civilizedsocieties, existing countries that but is due desirable,

to the simultaneousonly not is developmentCommunism that of a further thousand hold We

other industries, greatlabour. and small,common of tofruits thethe extensionof common in

of the railroadenjoyment system,the it towith inter-oceanic bring navigation,necessarily must bour

The common possession of the instruments of la of instruments the of possession common The

to the- manual skill of thousands of workers, to a

” profit-sharing. “

certain standard of cultureas it reacheddisguise to by theattempt workthe of - spite

ing classin it, as awith wholeperish — towill the and labours, in production, short, of capitalist of

men in every cornerdevelopment the of for the globe.condition necessary the was It

ownership of the land and the instruments of labour. The Italianslabour. of who diedinstruments ofthe choleraand land while the of making ownership

the Suez Canal,individual orthe ofof anchylosisout arises in the system St. Gothardwage The

Tunnel, and the Americans mowed down by shot organization.

and shell whilepolitical of fightingforms old forthe to the itself abolitionadapt can ofit slav- than

ery, havemore helpedany to developconsumption, theof cottonforms industryold the ofwith side

France by andside England,exist as wellcannot as the work-girlsproduction of whomethod new

languish A in the factoriesremuneration. of of Manchesterform new a and Rouen,requires property

and theof inventorform new whoA (followingproduction. of the suggestioninstruments ofthe and

the socialization of land land of socialization the —

some worker) succeeds in improving the communism looms. partial a side

system certainly could not maintain itself along itself maintain not could certainly system

- How then, shall we estimate the share of each

in the riches whichCollectivist the ALLof contribute toindividualism amass? migrated The

Lookingwages. of at productionforms all fromabandon to this general,outset very synthe - from

thetic pointforced ofitself view, find we cannot would hold society a with the such Col- principle,

lectivists this thatfrom paymentStarting proportionateinheritance. to thecommon a hours as labour

of labour of renderedinstruments bythe each wouldconsiders bewhich an idealsociety a arin - able

later, that the Collectivist ideal appears to us unten us to appears ideal Collectivist the that later,

rangement,- or even a step in the right direction.

here, leaving ourselves free to return to the subject Withoutsubject discussingthe to return whether to free exchangeourselves value leaving of here,

suffice it to say say to it suffice —

goods is really measured in existingfollowed has societiesMarx by footsteps the whose amount in of workRicardo, necessaryand Smith to Adam produce of it—teaching accord- the to ing

3 anarchist communism

- found are arrangements such all —

Individualism, are inevitably impelledstint or in the direcmeasure -

free to all; water supplied to every house without tion without of Communism.house every to The developmentsupplied water ofall; Individuto free -

and gardens open to all; streets paved and lighted, alismlighted, duringand thepaved last threestreets all; centuries to open is explainedgardens and by

braries, free schools, free meals for children; parks theparks efforts ofchildren; thefor individualmeals free to protectschools, himselffree frombraries,

eller for every mile of his journey. Museums, free li thefree tyranny ofMuseums, Capitaljourney. andhis ofof themile State.every Forfor a timeeller

hetrav imagined,the from and thoseexacted still who is expressedtoll a where his thoughtEast, the

and are free to all; so are the high roads, except in in for himexcept declared,roads, high that the he are could so freeall; to himselffree are entireand -

ied in the old days, have become public property ly fromproperty the Statepublic andbecome fromhave society.days, old “ By the means in ied of

The bridges, for the use of which a toll was lev money, was ”toll hea said, which “ I of can use buy the all thatfor I need.bridges, ” ButThe the

individual was on aways. wrongof track,variety a in and modernactivities our his-

munism is constantly appearing, and it influences tory hasinfluences taughtit and him to recognizeappearing, that,constantly is without themunism

helpCom of all,towards he can do tendency nothing, the althoughsystem, his strong-commercial

s minds by the the by minds s ’

boxes are full of men gold. to given turn egoistic narrowly

the present societies could not exist. In spite of the the of In fact,spite In alongexist. thisnot currentcould of Individualism,societies present the we

forms; for without a certain leaven of Communism find in allCommunism of modernleaven historycertain a tendency,without for on the forms; one

spring up under a thousand different different thousand a under up spring —

hand to retain all that remains of the partial Comneeds -

to every man according to his his to according man every to —

munism of antiquity, and, on the other, toprinciple establish same

Meanwhile new organizations, based on the the on Communist based principleorganizations, in thenew thousandMeanwhile devel-

opments ofbalance. modernthe into life.Assword soonheavy asits the communesthrows State

except when the the when except —

of the tenth, eleventh, andsucceeds it twelfth and centuries hadCommunism,

ship still struggles to preserve the last traces of this succeededthis of traces in last emancipating the preserve themselvesto struggles fromstill theirship

lords,town ecclesiasticalrural the But or lay, theirdisappeared. communalhas that All labour

and communallegends. their in consumptionthem of beganmemory the to extendcherish andously

on into the nineteenth century, and the people pi developpeople rapidly.the and The townshipcentury, —andnineteenth notthe privateinto on

citizens. Traces of these institutions have lingered personslingered —freightedhave shipsinstitutions and these equipped of Traces expeditions, citizens.

the townships also bought provisions for all their fortheir theall exportfor of theirprovisions manufacture,bought also and thetownships benthe - to individuals, but was shared by all. At the outset, efitoutset, arisingthe At fromall. by the foreignshared was tradebut did not individuals, accrue to

3 anarchist communism

- found are arrangements such all —

Individualism, are inevitably impelled in thestint or direcmeasure

tion of Communism.without house Theevery developmentto supplied of Individuwater all; to - free

alism duringlighted, theand last threepaved centuriesstreets all; to is explainedopen bygardens and

the effortsparks of the individualchildren; for tomeals protectfree himselfschools, fromfree braries,

eller for every mile of his journey. Museums, free li free Museums, journey. his of mile every for eller

the - tyranny of Capital and of the State. For a time

he imagined,trav the andfrom those whoexacted expressedstill is toll a his thoughtwhere East, the

for himin declared,except thatroads, hehigh couldthe freeare so himselfall; to entirefree are - and

ly from the property State andpublic frombecome society.have “Bydays, meansold the ofin ied

The bridges, for the use of which a toll was lev was toll a which of use the for bridges, The

money,- ” he said, “I can buy all that I need.” But the

individual was on a wrongways. track,of andvariety a modernin hisactivities - our

tory has taughtinfluences it him and to recognizeappearing, that, withoutconstantly is the munism

commercial system, the tendency towards Com towards tendency the system, commercial

help- of all, he can do nothing, although his strong-

narrowly egoistic turn given to men to given turn egoistic narrowly s minds by the the by minds s

boxes are full of gold.’

the present societies could not exist. In spite of the In the fact, of alongspite In this currentexist. not of could Individualism, societies wepresent the

find in all modernCommunism of historyleaven a tendency,certain a on without the for one forms;

spring up under a thousand different different thousand a under up spring —

hand to retain all that remains of the partial Com- needs

to every man according to his his to according man every to —

munism of antiquity, and, on the other, to establishprinciple same

the Communistthe on principlebased in theorganizations, thousandnew develMeanwhile -

opments of modernbalance. the life.Asinto soonsword as theheavy communesits throws State

except when the the when except —

of the tenth, eleventh, and twelfthsucceeds it centuriesand had Communism,

succeeded this of in emancipatingtraces last the themselvespreserve to fromstruggles theirstill ship

All that has disappeared. But the rural town rural the But disappeared. has that All

lords,- ecclesiastical or lay, their communal labour

and communallegends. consumptiontheir in them of began memory to extendthe andcherish ously

on into the nineteenth century, and the people pi people the and century, nineteenth the into on

develop- rapidly. The township—and not private

persons —freightedlingered have ships and equippedinstitutions these of expeditions,Traces citizens.

for the exporttheir all for of their manufacture,provisions bought andalso the bentownships - the efit arisingoutset, fromthe At theall. foreignby tradeshared was didbut not accrue individuals, to

3 anarchist communism

men whom they do not even know. And what need edneed on thewhat principle:And know. “Takeeven whatnot do you they need. ”whom men

raging waves, and sometimes perish, all to save save Theto all tramways perish, and railwayssometimes haveand alreadywaves, introraging -

ship; they launch their boat, risk their lives in the ducedthe in monthlylives their andrisk annualboat, seasontheir tickets,launch they withoutship;

do not ask credentials from the crew of a sinking limitingsinking a of the numbercrew the offrom journeys taken;credentials ask andnot twodo

In the same way, those who man the lifeboat nations,lifeboat the Hungary man andwho Russia,those way, have introducedsame the In on

that is enough. is that —

their railways the zoneidea system,an whichpursuing are permitsYou thefair.

- af own your is that —

holder to travel five hundrednothing invent oror eight machine, hundred

crafts, or work alone if you prefer it. Invent a flying milesflying a for theInvent sameit. price.prefer you Itif is butalone a shortwork or step fromcrafts,

idea; join with fellow workers skilled in various thatvarious to in a uniformskilled charge,workers such fellow as alreadywith join prevailsidea;

please. There are the tools; interest others in your inyour thein postalothers service.interest In alltools; thesethe are innovations, There andplease.

and you are allowed to work there as long as you inyou aas thousandlong as others,there thework to tendency allowed is are not you to meaand -

ments, provided only you know how to use them; surethem; theuse individualto how consumption.know you only One manprovided wantsments,

to instru travel eightscientific hundredand tools miles, anothernecessary the all five lathe, hun-

s bench, a turning turning a bench, s ’

dred. These are personalcarpenter a requirements.place, a given are Thereyou

vention, you go into a special laboratory, where is nowhere sufficientlaboratory, reasonspecial a why oneinto go should you pay twicevention,

At St. Petersburg, if you are elaborating an in as an much as theelaborating otherare becauseyou if his needPetersburg, isSt. twiceAt as

great. Such are the signs whichamateur. appearsimple a evenor nowDarwin, in

saziones to each of its members, whether he be a a ourbe individualisthe whether societies.members, its of each to saziones

its library, its laboratories, and its annual conver Moreover, annual its there and is a tendency,laboratories, its though library, still its a

scientific society opens its museums, its gardens, gardens, feebleits one, tomuseums, consider its theopens needs ofsociety the individual,scientific

the the —

irrespectivepreferred ofis his pastwork of or possiblecontribution servicesa often to thevery

and and —

community. Wecredentials are beginninguniform of to means think By of societycatalogue. as

assistance if you do not know how to manage the athe whole, manage each to parthow of whichknow not is do so intimatelyyou if boundassistance

books, which you require; he even comes to your upyour withto thecomes others even thathe a servicerequire; renderedyou which to onebooks, is

to society before giving you the book, or the fifty afifty servicethe or renderedbook, the to all.you giving before society to

ian does not ask what services you have rendered Whenrendered youhave goyou to a publicservices what library ask —not not does indeed ian

- librar the — the National LibraryLibrary ofBerlin Paris,the or but, say,Museum into theBritish

3 anarchist communism

ed on theneed principle:what And “Takeknow. whateven younot need.do ”they whom men

raging waves, and sometimes perish, all to save Thesave tramways to all andperish, railways havesometimes alreadyand introwaves, - raging

duced the monthly in lives and their annual risk seasonboat, tickets,their withoutlaunch they ship;

limiting thesinking a numberof crew of the journeys from taken; andcredentials ask two not do

nations, Hungarylifeboat the andman Russia,who havethose introducedway, same the onIn

that is enough. is that —

their railways the zone system,idea an which permitspursuing are theYou fair.

machine, or invent nothing invent or machine, - af own your is that

holder to travel five hundred— or eight hundred

miles for flying the a sameInvent price.it. It prefer is butyou if a shortalone stepwork fromor crafts,

that to a uniformvarious in charge,skilled suchworkers as alreadyfellow prevailswith join idea;

in the postalyour in service.others In allinterest thesetools; innovations,the are There and please.

in a thousandyou as others,long as thethere tendencywork to is notallowed toare meayou - and

sure the them; individual use to consumption.how know you Oneonly man wantsprovided ments,

lathe, all the necessary tools and scientific instru scientific and tools necessary the all lathe,

to travel- eight hundred miles, another five hun-

you are given a place, a carpenter a place, a given are you s bench, a turning turning a bench, s

dred. These are personal’ requirements. There

is no sufficientwhere reasonlaboratory, why special one a shouldinto go payyou twice vention,

At St. Petersburg, if you are elaborating an in an elaborating are you if Petersburg, St. At

as much- as the other because his need is twice as

great. Such are the signs which appearamateur. evensimple a nowor in Darwin,

our individualista be he societies.whether members, its of each to saziones

its library, its laboratories, and its annual conver annual its and laboratories, its library, its

- Moreover, there is a tendency, though still a

feeble gardens, one,its to considermuseums, theits needs opens of the individual,society scientific

very often a contribution of work is preferred is work of contribution a often very the the

irrespective— of his past or possible services to the

catalogue. By means of uniform credentials uniform of means By catalogue. and and

community.— We are beginning to think of society as

a whole, the each partmanage to of whichhow isknow so intimatelynot do you if bound assistance

up with your the to otherscomes that even a servicehe renderedrequire; you to onewhich is books,

a service fifty renderedthe or tobook, all.the you giving before society to

ian does not ask what services you have rendered When yourendered go have to ayou public libraryservices what —notask indeednot does ian

British Museum or the Berlin Library Berlin the or Museum British - librar the the National Library— of Paris, but, say, into the

3 anarchist communism

point, they have shaken off the yoke of authority to knowauthority of them? yoke “Theythe off are humanshaken beings,have they and theypoint,

European societies have developed up to a certain needcertain oura to aidup —that is enough,developed have that establishessocieties theirEuropean

marked tendency of human progress. Whenever right—ToWhenever the rescue!progress. ” human of tendency marked

nization we are only giving expression to another Thusanother to we find expression a tendency,giving only are eminentlywe nization commu-

- orga political of ideal our for ” Anarchy “

nistic, springing up on all sides, and in varioustaking In guises, in the very heart of theoretically individuII -

alist societies.

Suppose that one of our great cities, so Liberty. egotis cal -

- Politi and Economic —

tic in ordinary times, wereages the visited to-morrowthroughout manity by

It is the synthesis of the two ideals pursued by hu some by calamitypursued —aideals siege,two forthe of instance—synthesis thatthe is same It

the Communism of the Free. Free. the of Communism the —

selfish city would decide that thegovernment firstwithout needs to

Socialists. It is Anarchist Communism, Communism satisfy wereCommunism those of theCommunism, childrenAnarchist is andIt the aged.Socialists.

and the Phalansteriens, nor of the German State WithoutState askingGerman the whatof nor services they hadPhalansteriens, rendered,the and

But ours is neither the Communism of Fourier or wereFourier of likely to renderCommunism the to society,neither is it wouldours But first of

all feed them. Then the combatants woulddelay. be caredwithout

the present system, will be to realize Communism for, irrespectiveCommunism realize of theto be couragewill or thesystem, intelligencepresent the

revolution shall have broken the power upholding which eachupholding hadpower displayed,the broken andhave thousandsshall of menrevolution

are convinced that our first obligation, when the the and womenwhen wouldobligation, outviefirst eachour that other in unselfishconvinced are

which we shall speak in the following chapters, we we devotion chapters, to the wounded.following the in speak shall we which

ing further the practical side of expropriation, of of This tendencyexpropriation, of exists,side and ispractical feltthe as soonfurther as theing

most consider pressing and needs of indications, each arethese satisfied,Following and in

proportionlife? social of as the principle productiveruling the powerbecomes ofit thetill racetion

(already so powerful), will enlarge its sphere of ac increases.of sphere It its becomes enlarge an will active forcepowerful), everyso time(already a

how can we doubt that this force force this that doubt we can how —

great idea comes to oust the meanall preoccupationsto necessary

of honour in society, produces much more than is is of everydaythan more life.much produces society, in honour of

principles, when labour, having recovered its place place Howits can werecovered doubt,having then,labour, that when when the principles, inof all, when business is conducted on Communist strumentsCommunist ofon productionconducted is are placedbusiness at thewhen serviceall, of

3 anarchist communism

to know them?authority of “ Theyyoke arethe humanoff beings,shaken andhave theythey point,

need our aidcertain a — thatto up is enough,developed that establisheshave societies their European

right —To the Whenever rescue! ” progress. human of tendency marked

nization we are only giving expression to another Thus weanother findto a tendency,expression giving eminentlyonly are we communization

for our ideal of political orga political of ideal our for ” Anarchy “ taking In

nistic,- springing up on all sides, and in various guises, in the very heart of theoretically individu- II

alist societies.

Suppose that one of our great cities, so egotis-Liberty. cal

manity throughout the ages the throughout manity - Politi and Economic

tic in ordinary times, were— visited to-morrow by

some hu calamity by —a pursued siege,ideals for two instancethe of —that synthesis same the is It

the Communism of the Free. Free. the of Communism the —

selfish city would decide that the firstgovernment needs to without

satisfy were thoseCommunism of the childrenCommunism, andAnarchist theis It aged. Socialists.

Without State asking whatGerman the servicesof nor they had rendered,Phalansteriens, the and

or were likelyFourier of to render to Communism society, the it wouldneither is firstours But of

all feed them. Then the combatants would be careddelay. without

for, irrespectiveCommunism of the realize courage to be orwill the intelligencesystem, present the

which each hadupholding displayed,power the and broken thousands have shall of men revolution

and womenthe when would outvieobligation, eachfirst otherour that in unselfishconvinced are

devotion we to the wounded.chapters, following the in speak shall we which

ing further the practical side of expropriation, of Thisof tendency exists,expropriation, of andside is felt aspractical soonthe as thefurther ing

Following these indications, and consider and indications, these Following

most- pressing needs of each are satisfied, and in

proportionlife? associal theof productiveprinciple powerruling the of thebecomes it race till tion

(already so powerful), will enlarge its sphere of ac of sphere its enlarge will powerful), so (already

increases.- It becomes an active force every time a

how can we doubt that this force force this that doubt we can how —

great idea comes to oust the mean preoccupationsall to necessary

of everyday is than life.more much produces society, in honour of

principles, when labour, having recovered its place How place canits we doubt,recovered then,having that labour, when when the in- principles, struments of productionCommunist on are conducted placed is at thebusiness servicewhen all, of

3 anarchist communism

will give rise to at least as many objections as the po andthe substitutedas objections a systemmany as foundedleast at to more rise or give less will on

Assuredly the idea of a society without a State theState a principleswithout of individualsociety a of idea liberty.the And historyAssuredly

shows us thatneighbours. thesehis of periods sympathy of partialthe or generalco-operation,

need felt by each one of us to seek the support, the revolution,the support, whenthe seek the to oldus of governments one each by werefelt overneed -

the result of the the of result the —

thrown, were also periodshabits ofsocial sudden,but progresslaws, longer bothno

which the bonds which bind the individual are are in the economicindividual the andbind the intellectualwhich bonds field.the which So it

We can already catch glimpses of a world in in was afterworld a theof enfranchisementglimpses catch of already the can communes, We

whose monuments, produced bymonopoly. theand free labouroppression, of

to abolish the State, the personification of injustice, the guilds,injustice, of have never beenpersonification the surpassed;State, the so it wasabolish to af-

to reduce Government interference to zero; in fact, terfact, in the greatzero; to peasant uprisinginterference which broughtGovernment reduce about to

conclude that the tendency of the human race is is the race Reformation human the andof imperilledtendency thethe papacy;that andconclude so

the progress made in this direction, we are led to to it wasled againare we with thedirection, society,this in free made for a briefprogress space,the

out the intervention of the State. And in studying whichstudying wasin createdAnd onState. thethe otherof side of theintervention Atlanticthe out

bywith the malcontentssatisfactorily frommore theand Oldeasily world.more arranged

called in question. Things are are Things question. in called today

And, if we observe the present is developmentGovernment

All that was once looked on as a function of the ofthe of civilized function nations, a as on we see,looked mostonce unmistakably,was that All a

movement ever more andStates. more present marked the of tendingfrontiers to

very often disregarding the the disregarding often very —

limit the sphere of action of the object Government, common a andof

law in order to regulate individual interests in view toview allowin moreinterests and moreindividual libertyregulate toto the individual.order in law

comes a pressing need; mutual agreement replaces This evolutionreplaces isagreement going onmutual beforeneed; our eyes,pressing a thoughcomes

independence of each small territorial unit be cumbered unit by theterritorial ruinssmall and each rubbish of of old instituindependence -

dividuals and groups pursuing the same aim. The tionsThe aim. and oldsame superstitions.the pursuing Likegroups all evolutions,and dividuals it

need for organization by free contacts between in only waitsbetween a revolutioncontacts free by to overthroworganization thefor old need ob-

from every form of government and to satisfy their staclestheir whichsatisfy to blockand the way,government thatof itform may findevery from free

men at last attempt to free themselves themselves free to attempt last at men ”

scope in a regenerated society. society, of

obedience without itself ceasing to be the servant Afterservant the havingbe to strivenceasing longitself in vainwithout to solve theobedience

which will constrain the individual to to individual the constrain will which “ insoluble problem—the problem of constructinggovernment a

3 anarchist communism

and substitutedpo the as a systemobjections foundedmany as moreleast at orto lessrise ongive will

the principlesState a of without individual society a liberty.of idea Andthe historyAssuredly

shows us that theseneighbours. periodshis of of partialsympathy the or general co-operation,

revolution, the whensupport, thethe oldseek governmentsto us of one wereeach by overfelt - need

no longer laws, but social habits social but laws, longer no the result of the the of result the

thrown, were also periods— of sudden, progress both

in the are economic individual and the the intellectualbind which field.bonds the So it which

was afterin theworld a enfranchisement of glimpses ofcatch the communes,already can We

whose monuments, produced by the freemonopoly. labourand of oppression,

the guilds, haveinjustice, of never been surpassed;personification the soState, it the was af-abolish to

ter the fact, great in peasantzero; to uprising whichinterference broughtGovernment about reduce to

the Reformationis race andhuman imperilledthe of thetendency papacy;the that and so conclude

it was to againled withare we the society,direction, freethis in for a briefmade space,progress the

which was createdstudying in onAnd the State. other the sideof of the Atlanticintervention the out

arranged more easily and more satisfactorily with satisfactorily more and easily more arranged

by the- malcontents from the Old world.

called in question. Things are are Things question. in called today

And, if we observe the present development is Government

of civilized the of nations,function a weas see,on mostlooked unmistakably,once was that aAll

movement ever more and moreStates. markedpresent tendingthe of to frontiers

very often disregarding the the disregarding often very —

limit the sphere of action of the Government,object andcommon a of

to allow view morein and interests more libertyindividual to theregulate individual.to order in law

This evolutionreplaces is goingagreement on beforemutual ourneed; eyes, thoughpressing a comes

independence of each small territorial unit be unit territorial small each of independence

cumbered- by the ruins and rubbish of old institu-

tions andThe oldaim. superstitions.same the Likepursuing all evolutions,groups and it dividuals

need for organization by free contacts between in between contacts free by organization for need

only- waits a revolution to overthrow the old ob-

stacles whichtheir blocksatisfy to theand way, that government it mayof findform freeevery from

men at last attempt to free themselves themselves free to attempt last at men ”

scope in a regenerated society. society, of

obedience without itself ceasing to be the servant After havingservant the strivenbe to longceasing in vainitself to solvewithout the obedience

which will constrain the individual to to individual the constrain will which “ insoluble problem—the problem of constructing a government

3 anarchist communism

his credit, amply suffice to maintain this relative liticalrelative economythis ofmaintain a societyto withoutsuffice privateamply credit, capital. his

The habit of keeping his word, the desire not to lose Welose to have not all beendesire broughtthe word, uphis from ourkeeping of childhoodhabit The to

impossible were it not based on mutual confidence. regard theconfidence. Statemutual as on a sort based of Providence;not it were all our eduimpossible -

ness transacted by merchants would be absolutely cation, absolutely the be Romanwould history wemerchants learnedby at school,transacted theness

Byzantinebusi codeeveryday the whichthat weyou studiedtell will laterhe under commerce, the

ment. Should you speak to a man who understands name of Romanunderstands who law,man anda to the variousspeak you sciencesShould taughtment.

atagree thehis universities,fulfilling not accustomof usintention to the believe had in Govparties -

could not be appealed to if one of the contracting ernmentcontracting andthe inof the virtuesone if to of the Stateappealed be providential.not could

are carried on in such a way that the Government To maintainGovernment the thisthat superstitionway a such in wholeon systemscarried are

— Exchange the of and commerce of those —

of philosophy have been elaborated and taught;them all

out Government intervention, and the greatest of of politics greatest are the based and on this principle;intervention, and eachGovernment politiout -

cian,with whatevermade are his colours,transactions comesof forwardmillions day and saysEvery

save the heavy taxes they are compelled to pay. topay. theto people, compelled “ Giveare my they party taxes the power;heavy the we cansave

lives without knowing anything about the State, andState, wethe will freeabout you fromanything the miseriesknowing whichwithout presslives

how millions of peasants spend the whole of their sotheir heavilyof uponwhole the you.”spend peasants of millions how

by the Government. Balzac already has remarked Fromremarked thehas cradlealready to theBalzac grave all our actionsGovernment. the by are

ety, we are struck by the infinitesimal part played guidedplayed part by this principle.infinitesimal Openthe by any struck book are onwe sociolety, -

ogysoci at or jurisprudence,glance a throw andwe as you soon will as finditself, therelife to the

And yet as soon as we pass from printed matter Government,matter printed its from organization,pass we as itssoon as acts, yet fillingAnd so

large a place that we ignorance. come our toby believe enlarged that thereshadows, is

been so magnified that humanity is hidden by their nothingtheir by outsidehidden is the Governmenthumanity that and themagnified so world been of

outside the few encumbering personages who have statesmen.have who personages encumbering few the outside

sorrow, who work and consume, think and create create Theand Pressthink teaches usconsume, theand samework inwho every consorrow, -

who grow up and die, who know know who die, and up grow who —

ceivable way. Whole columns aresay devotedto so to parmanity, -

- hu all —

liamentarybeings debates of andnumber to political incalculable intrigues; the of whilethink

And when you read the newspapers, your hardly thehardly vast your everyday lifenewspapers, of athe nationread appearsyou when only And in pages devoted to reports of police and law cases. thecases. columnslaw and givenpolice toof economicreports to subjects, devoted or in thepages

3 anarchist communism

litical economyrelative this of a societymaintain to without suffice private amply capital.credit, his

We havelose allto beennot broughtdesire the up fromword, his our childhoodkeeping of tohabit The

regard the Stateconfidence. as a sortmutual on of Providence;based not it all were our eduimpossible

cation, the Romanabsolutely be historywould we learnedmerchants atby school, thetransacted ness

commerce, he will tell you that the everyday busi everyday the that you tell will he commerce,

Byzantine- code which we studied later under the

name of Roman law,understands andwho theman a variousto sciencesspeak you taughtShould ment.

parties had the intention of not fulfilling his agree his fulfilling not of intention the had parties

at the- universities, accustom us to believe in Gov-

ernment and incontracting thethe virtues of one ofif theto State providential.appealed be not could

are carried on in such a way that the Government To maintainGovernment thisthe superstitionthat way a wholesuch in on systems carried are

— Exchange the of and commerce of those —

of philosophy have been elaborated and taught; all them

politics of are basedgreatest onthe thisand principle; andintervention, each politiGovernment - out

Every day millions of transactions are made with made are transactions of millions day Every

cian,- whatever his colours, comes forward and says

to the pay. people, to “Give mycompelled partyare they the power;taxes weheavy canthe save

and we willState, freethe youabout from the anything miseries whichknowing presswithout lives

so heavily their uponof you.whole ”the spend peasants of millions how

by the Government. Balzac already has remarked From theremarked cradle has to thealready grave Balzac all our actionsGovernment. are the by

guided byplayed thispart principle. Openinfinitesimal anythe by book onstruck sociolare we - ety,

to life itself, as soon as we throw a glance at soci at glance a throw we as soon as itself, life to

ogy- or jurisprudence, and you will find there the

Government, matter its organization,printed from pass we itsas acts,soon fillingas yet And so

large a place that we come toignorance. believeour by that thereenlarged is shadows,

nothing their outsideby thehidden is Governmenthumanity andthat the worldmagnified so of been

statesmen. have who personages encumbering few the outside

sorrow, who work and consume, think and create The Presscreate and teachesthink us the consume, sameand in everywork who consorrow,

who grow up and die, who know know who die, and up grow who —

ceivable way. Whole columns are devotedsay to toso parmanity,

think of the incalculable number of beings of number incalculable the of think - hu all

liamentary— debates and to political intrigues; while

the vast everydayhardly your life of a nationnewspapers, the appearsread you only inwhen And the columnscases. law given and to economicpolice of subjects,reports to or in thedevoted pages

3 anarchist communism

majorities means abandoning all the affairs of the honesty.the of Theaffairs the man all who does abandoning not feelmeans the slightestmajorities

We are beginning to see that government by by remorse whengovernment poisoningthat see to his customersbeginning are withWe nox-

”

ious drugs covered withthem! pompousabout labels,anything thinksknows you he

ing all our spheres of activity, although not one of of is inone honournot boundalthough to keepactivity, hisof engagements.spheres our all Buting if

- regulat laws Make “

this relative morality hasthem, developedto saying underand men present few

difficult, indeed, to see the absurdity of naming a a conditions,naming of when enrichmentabsurdity the see to is the onlyindeed, incentivedifficult,

literary form to the popular dissatisfaction. It is not andnot is It the only aim, candissatisfaction. we doubtpopular the itsto rapidform progressliterary

cal study of them (J. S. Mill, Leverdays), did but give whengive but appropriationdid Leverdays), of theMill, S. fruits (J. ofthem othersof ’ study labour cal

willcriti a no longermade have be thewho basis ofthinkers society?few the that ident,

vices of the representative principle, are so self-ev Another so are strikingprinciple, fact, which especiallyrepresentative the of characvices -

the faults of parliamentarianism, and the inherent terizesinherent ourthe generation,and speaks stillparliamentarianism, moreof infaults favourthe

This impotence is becoming so evident to all; all; of to our ideas.evident so It is the continualbecoming is extensionimpotence This of the

field of enterprise due to private initiative, andparliamentarianism. of the

tury will be quoted as having witnessed the failure prodigiousfailure the developmentwitnessed ofhaving freeas organizationsquoted be will oftury all

kinds.cen We shallnineteenth the discuss come thisto moredays In atit. lengthto inassign theto

tent to discharge all the functions we have sought chaptersought devotedhave we to Freefunctions Agreement.the all Sufficedischarge to tent it to

mentionimpo is that the Government facts are so numerousRepresentative that andproof so cusing -

The history of the last fifty years furnishes a liv a tomary thatfurnishes theyyears are thefifty essencelast the of of the history second The half

s activity. s ’

of the nineteenth century,man evencivilized of thoughfield politicalimmense

these obstacles, and you will see them covering the andthe socialistcovering writersthem see ignorewill them,you and always preferringobstacles, these

appropriation of capital, and in the State. Abolish to talkAbolish to usState. aboutthe in the and functions capital, ofof the Government.appropriation

in the divisions of present society, in the private Theseprivate the in organizations, society, freepresent of and infinitelydivisions the in var-

mountable obstacle in the poverty of the worker, ied, worker, are the so of natural anpoverty outcomethe in of ourobstacle civilization;mountable

theyinsur an expand find sothey rapidly that is andit federatelife, of with so muchmanifestations

If they do not yet spread over the whole of the ease;the of they whole are sothe necessaryover aspread resultyet ofnot thedo continualthey If

tor of growing importance in the life of societies. growthsocieties. of thelife needsthe in of civilizedimportance man; andgrowing of lastly,tor

- terference, that we must recognize in them a fac they a so them advantageously in recognize replacemust we governmentalthat terference, in-

3 anarchist communism

honesty. the of The manaffairs whothe all does not feelabandoning the slightestmeans majorities

remorse by when poisoninggovernment that hissee customersto withbeginning are nox We -

”

ious drugs covered with pompousthem! about labels, thinksanything heknows you

is in honourof one boundnot to keepalthough his engagements.activity, of spheres Butour ifall ing

few men and saying to them, them, to saying and men few - regulat laws Make

this relative morality has“ developed under present

conditions, a naming when of enrichmentabsurdity the is thesee to only incentiveindeed, difficult,

and thenot onlyis It aim, can we dissatisfaction. doubt itspopular rapidthe to progressform literary

when appropriationgive but did of theLeverdays), fruitsMill, ofS. (J. others them ’ labourof study cal

ident, that the few thinkers who have made a criti a made have who thinkers few the that ident,

will- no longer be the basis of society?

Anotherself-ev so striking are fact, whichprinciple, especiallyrepresentative characthe of - vices

terizes our generation,inherent the and speaks still more parliamentarianism, in of favour faults the

of our all; ideas.to It isevident theso continualbecoming is extension ofimpotence theThis

field of enterprise due to private initiative, and the parliamentarianism. of

prodigious failure developmentthe witnessed of free organizationshaving as quoted be of allwill tury

to assign to it. In days to come the nineteenth cen nineteenth the come to days In it. to assign to

kinds.- We shall discuss this more at length in the

chapter devotedsought have towe Free Agreement.functions the all Suffice discharge itto to tent

ing proof that Representative Government is impo is Government Representative that proof ing

mention- that the facts are so numerous and so cus-

The history of the last fifty years furnishes a liv a furnishes years fifty last the of history The

tomary- that they are the essence of the second half

s activity. s ’

of the nineteenth century,man even thoughcivilized of politicalfield immense

and socialistthe writerscovering ignorethem see them,will alwaysyou and preferringobstacles, these

to talk to usAbolish aboutState. thethe functionsin and of thecapital, Government.of appropriation

in the divisions of present society, in the private These private organizations, the in society, free andpresent infinitelyof divisions var-the in

ied, are so worker, natural the of an outcomepoverty the ofin our civilization;obstacle mountable

manifestations of life, it is that they find an insur an find they that is it life, of manifestations

they- expand so rapidly and federate with so much

ease; theythe of are so whole necessary the over a resultspread of theyet continualnot do they If

growth of thesocieties. of needs life ofthe civilizedin man;importance and lastly,growing of tor

terference, that we must recognize in them a fac a them in recognize must we that terference, they- so advantageously replace governmental in-

3 anarchist communism

passers-by asked for their four shillings, which he he which shillings, four their for asked passers-by

through the streets of Frankfort. Three or four countryfour or to Three the tide-waitersFrankfort. of who streets make the up the through ma-

millionaire proceeded as usual to stroll quietly jorities quietly in the stroll to House usual and as in election proceeded committees; millionaire to

Having given due publicity to his promise, our those,our in apromise, word,his to who havepublicity nodue opinion given of theirHaving own.

” Mankind is seekingit. andfor alreadyme asks findinghe if newshillings is-

well, then, I undertake to render to each his four sues.four his The each International to render to Postal Union,undertake I thethen, railwaywell,

of each would only amount to four shillings. Very unions,Very andshillings. the four learned to societiesamount only give uswould exampleseach of

to-morrow among the millions of Europe, the share of share solutions the basedEurope, of on freemillions agreementthe among in place andto-morrow

lated at the expense of others; but if it were divided steaddivided of law.were it if but others; of expense the at lated

- accumu been has fortune my that “ he, said ” Today, when groups scattered far and wide wishmit,

- ad to willing quite am I “ to organize themselves for somestratagem: object orfollowing other,the

threatened by the Revolution of 1848, he hit upon theyupon nohit longerhe 1848, electof an internationalRevolution the by parliamentthreatened of

It is told of Rothschild that, seeing his fortune Jacks-of-all-trades.fortune his seeing Theythat, proceed inRothschild a of different told is way.It Where it is not possible to meet directly or comeI to

an agreement by correspondence, delegates versed EXPROPRIATION in the question at IV issue are sent,CHAPTER and they are told: “Endeavour to come to an agreement on such or such a question, and then return, not with a law in

your pocket, but with a proposition of agreement

which we may or maytime. notsame accept.the at ” found be life cal

touch private property unless a new mode of politi Suchof ismode the methodnew a ofunless the greatproperty industrialprivate comtouch -

corresponding to it, and it would be impossible to to panies, theimpossible learnedbe would societies, it and it, andto numerous assocorresponding -

Every economic phase has a political phase ciationsphase of everypolitical a description,has phase which economic already Every cover

Europe and the United States.history. of Andphase such willeconomic be thenew

groups, a new organization, in harmony with the methodthe with of a freeharmony society.in A societyorganization, foundednew a on serfgroups, -

must seek in free groups and free federations of of dom is in keepingfederations free withand absolutegroups free monarchy; in seek a socimust -

regaining possession of the common inheritance, ety basedinheritance, on the wagecommon the system of and thepossession exploitationregaining pression in parliamentarianism. But a free society, of thesociety, massesfree a byBut the capitalists findsparliamentarianism. itsin politicalpression ex-

3 anarchist communism

passers-by asked for their four shillings, which he he which shillings, four their for asked passers-by

country four toor the tide-waitersThree whoFrankfort. of make upstreets thethe ma- through

jorities in the quietly House stroll to and in usual election as committees; proceeded to millionaire

those, inour a word,promise, whohis haveto no opinionpublicity due of theirgiven own.Having

” Mankind is seeking and it. already for me findingasks he if new is- shillings

sues. Thefour Internationalhis each to Postalrender to Union, theundertake I railwaythen, well,

unions, andVery the learnedshillings. four societiesto giveamount usonly exampleswould each of

of solutions share basedthe onEurope, freeof agreementmillions the in placeamong and to-morrow

stead of law.divided were it if but others; of expense the at lated

- accumu been has fortune my that “ he, said ” Today, when groups scattered far and wide wish mit,

the following stratagem: stratagem: following the - ad to willing quite am I to organize themselves for “ some object or other,

they no longerupon hit he elect an1848, internationalof Revolution parliamentthe by of threatened

Jacks-of-all-trades. fortune his Theyseeing proceedthat, in a differentRothschild of way.told is It Where it is not possible to meet directly or come to I

an agreement by correspondence, delegates versed EXPROPRIATION in the question at issue areIV sent, andCHAPTER they are told: “Endeavour to come to an agreement on such or such a question, and then return, not with a law in

your pocket, but with a proposition of agreement

which we may or may nottime. accept.same ” the at found be life cal

touch private property unless a new mode of politi of mode new a unless property private touch

- Such is the method of the great industrial com-

panies, to the learnedimpossible be societies,would it andand numerousit, to assocorresponding

ciations ofphase every description,political a has whichphase alreadyeconomic coverEvery

Europe and the United States. history. And of suchphase will be theeconomic new

method the of a with free society.harmony in A society foundedorganization, onnew a serfgroups,

dom isof in keepingfederations withfree absoluteand monarchy;groups free in a sociseek - must

ety based on theinheritance, wage systemcommon the andof the exploitationpossession regaining of the massessociety, byfree thea capitalistsBut finds its politicalparliamentarianism. in expression

3 anarchist communism

A little thought would, however, suffice to show show disbursed to with suffice a sardonic however, smile. would, His stratagem thought little sucA -

to inquire whence come the fortunes of the rich. ceeded, rich. the of and the family fortunes the of the come millionaire whence is still inquire to in

error. Those who propound it have never paused possessionpaused never of itshave wealth. it propound who Those error.

But at the root of this argument there is a great great a It is is in muchthere the sameargument fashionthis of root thatthe theat shrewedBut

”

heads among thespectacle! middlefine a be classeswould reason whentravellers on theying

- fir policemen Anarchist —

say, “Ah, Expropriation! I knowthem? whatwith thatbring means.they ey

all who enter your country and confiscate the mon You the take all theconfiscate overcoatsand andcountry layyour thementer in awho heap,all

establish custom-houses on your frontiers to search andsearch everyto one frontiers is freeyour toon help himself andcustom-houses fightestablish for

are you going to to going you are —

the best.” then Well, time. same the at world

You cannot bring about a revolution all over the the over all revolution a about bring cannot You

But such jests are irrelevant as well as flippant.“

What weexpense? wanttheir isat not a redistributionhimself enriching and of overcoats,them ing

- exploit from —

although it must be saidwage-slaves thatand evenlackeys in suchwith a case,himself

you going to prevent such a one from surrounding the shiveringsurrounding from folk one would a such see advantageprevent to ingoing it. Noryou

in China, and then settling amongst you? How are are do weHow wantyou? to divideamongst up thesettling wealththen and of theChina, Rothin -

are you to prevent a person from amassing millions schilds.millions What amassing we dofrom want person is a so to arrangeprevent to you thingsare

have Rothschilds coming in from the outside. How thatHow everyoutside. humanthe beingfrom in borncoming into the worldRothschilds shallhave

but you will will you but “ critics, our say ” good, so far, So

be ensured the opportunity, in the first instance“

of learning some useful occupation, and of becomproduces. he -

for a wage that only represents a fraction of what ingwhat skilledof infraction it;a and next,represents thatonly he shallthat bewage a free for to

No one will then have to sell his working power workpower at his working tradehis withoutsell to have askingthen leavewill one of No master

or owner, and without handing over to exploiters. landlordother

and fed, and there will be no more Rothschilds or or or capitalistRothschilds the lionmore no ’ s sharebe will of whatthere heand produces.fed, and

that day will see the workers clothed clothed workers the see will day that —

As to the wealth held by the Rothschilds or themonopolist

factory produces for the community and not the Vanderbilts,the not and it will servecommunity usthe tofor organize produces our systemfactory

the cultivators, the day when the worker in the ofthe communalin worker production.the when day the cultivators, the

soil for rich harvests are at the free disposal of of The disposal day whenfree the theat labourerare mayharvests tillrich the for ground soil day when the machines necessary to prepare the withoutthe payingprepare to away halfnecessary of whatmachines he the produces, when theday

4 expropriation

disbursed show to with a sardonic suffice smile. however, His stratagem would, thought suc- little A

ceeded, rich. and the the of family of fortunes the the millionaire come is whence still in inquire to

possession paused of its wealth.never have it propound who Those error.

But at the root of this argument there is a great It is ingreat a muchis thethere same fashionargument this thatof theroot shrewedthe at But

ing on travellers would be a fine spectacle! fine a be would travellers on ing

heads among” the middle classes reason when they

- fir policemen Anarchist —

say, “Ah, Expropriation! I know whatthem? thatwith means.bring they ey

all who enter your country and confiscate the mon the confiscate and country your enter who all

You- take all the overcoats and lay them in a heap,

and everysearch oneto is free frontiers to helpyour on himself and fightcustom-houses for establish

world at the same time. Well, then Well, time. same the at world are you going to to going you are

the best.” —

You cannot bring about a revolution all over the the over all revolution a about bring cannot You

But such jests are irrelevant as well as flippant.“

What we want expense? is nottheir aat redistributionhimself of enriching overcoats, and them ing

himself with lackeys and wage-slaves and lackeys with himself - exploit from

although it must — be said that even in such a case,

the shivering folksurrounding wouldfrom one seea advantagesuch prevent in to it. Norgoing you

do we are want How to divideyou? up amongst the wealthsettling ofthen theand Roth-China, in

schilds. Whatmillions we do amassing wantfrom is so toperson a arrange prevent thingsto you are

that everyHow humanoutside. beingthe bornfrom in into thecoming world shallRothschilds have

“ critics, our say ” good, so far, So “

be ensuredwill you thebut opportunity, in the first instance

of learning some useful occupation, and of becom-produces. he

ing skilledwhat of in it; andfraction next,a that herepresents shallonly bethat free wage to a for

work at hispower trade working without his sell askingto have leavethen ofwill masterone No

or owner, and without handing over to landlordexploiters. other

or capitalist or the lionRothschilds ’s sharemore no ofbe whatwill he there produces. and fed, and

that day will see the workers clothed clothed workers the see will day that —

As to the wealth held by the Rothschilds or the monopolist

Vanderbilts, the not it willand serve us tocommunity organizethe for our systemproduces factory

of communal the in production.worker the when day the cultivators, the

soil for rich harvests are at the free disposal of Theof day whendisposal thefree labourerthe at are may till theharvests groundrich for soil without the payingprepare away to half of whatnecessary he produces,machines the thewhen day

4 expropriation

Trans. meaning. his expresses it think I but Vicomte, — ”

Monsieur le le Monsieur s Kropotkin of rendering free somewhat a is it “

them that’ these fortunes have their beginnings in is an expression coined by Carlyle; Carlyle; by coined expression an is Duke a of Shabble 2 ”

the poverty of the poor. When there are no longer“

any destitute, there will no longer be any rich to

burden himself with a lease which absorbed a a exploit them.absorbed which lease a with himself burden

for condescending to sell him a scrap? Would he he LetWould us glancescrap? a for him a momentsell to at the Middlecondescending Ages,for

” Duke a of shabble “ some to £50 pay he would

2 when great fortunes began to spring up.

which the peasant could cultivate if he pleased, Apleased, feudalhe if baron seizescultivate oncould a fertilepeasant valley.the Butwhich as

it not still the same thing? If there were free lands longlands asfree the fertilewere valleythere If is emptything? same of folkthe ourstill baronnot it

is is today

is not rich.And His landAges. bringsMiddle himthe in in nothing;happened he mightthings

ness of the peasants increases. That is how these as these well possesshow is That a property increases. in the moon.peasants the of ness

Whatwretched doesthe as our baron domultiplying to enrichvillages, himself?the upon He

upon him. A whole host of usurers swoop down looksdown out forswoop peasantsusurers of — forhost poor peasants!whole A him. upon

And it is not only the lord of the manor who preys preys If everywho peasant-farmermanor the of lord the had aonly piecenot is it of land,And

s wealth. wealth. s ’

free from rent landlord and the taxes, of if hesource hadthe in additionbecomes theant

toolspeas andthe of the stockpoverty necessarythe barons, for farmthe by labourmade —Wholaws

ter ones elsewhere. Little by little, with the aid of of wouldaid the ploughwith thelittle, landsby ofLittle the baron?elsewhere. Everyoneones ter

these new conditions because he cannot find bet would find look aftercannot he his own.because But there conditions are thousandsnew these

rent. Then he doubles it, and the peasant accepts of destituteaccepts personspeasant the ruinedand it, by wars,doubles he or drought,Then rent. or

gins to tax them. Five years later he increases the pestilence.the increases Theyhe havelater neitheryears Five horsethem. nortax to plough.gins

es, build villages. In nine or ten years the baron be (Iron baron was the very years costlyten or in thenine In Middle Ages,villages. build andes, a

- marsh the drain roads, make They lands. s ’

draught-horse still more so.) baron

So the poor wretches come to settle on the the on All thesesettle to destitute come creatureswretches arepoor tryingthe So to bet-

ter their condition. One daycrosses. theythese seeof on the meaning road the at

on the sign-board, and the peasant understands the confinesunderstands of ourpeasant baronthe ’s estateand a notice-boardsign-board, the on in-

number of years is represented by so many crosses dicatingcrosses bymany certainso by signs adaptedrepresented is toyears theirof comprenumber -

of land rent free for a certain number of years. The hensionThe years. thatof the labourernumber certain whoa for is willingfree rent to land settle of build his cottage and sow his fields, and a portion on portion his a estateand will fields, receive his thesow toolsand andcottage materialshis build to

4 expropriation

Trans. meaning. his expresses it think I but Vicomte, — ”

it is a somewhat free rendering of Kropotkin of rendering free somewhat a is it Monsieur le le Monsieur s “

them that these’ fortunes have their beginnings in is an expression coined by Carlyle; Carlyle; by coined expression an is Duke a of Shabble 2 ” the poverty of the poor. When there are no longer “

any destitute, there will no longer be any rich to

exploit a them. absorbed which lease a with himself burden

for condescending to sell him a scrap? Would he Lethe us glanceWould forscrap? a a moment him sell at to the Middle Ages,condescending for

” Duke a of shabble “ some to £50 pay he would

when2 great fortunes began to spring up.

which the peasant could cultivate if he pleased, A feudalpleased, baronhe if seizes oncultivate a fertilecould valley.peasant Butthe as which

long as thelands fertilefree valleywere isthere emptyIf ofthing? folksame ourthe baronstill not it

things happened in the Middle Ages. And And Ages. Middle the in happened things is is

is not rich. today His land brings him in nothing; he might

as well possessthese how ais property That in the increases. moon. peasants the of ness

What doeswretched ourthe baronas do to enrichmultiplying himself?villages, the He upon

looks outdown for peasantsswoop —forusurers poorof peasants!host whole A him. upon

And it is not only the lord of the manor who preys If everypreys peasant-farmerwho manor the of hadlord a the pieceonly of not land,is it And

ant becomes the source of the landlord the of source the becomes ant s wealth. wealth. s

free from rent’ and taxes, if he had in addition the

laws made by the barons, the poverty of the peas the of poverty the barons, the by made laws

tools- and the stock necessary for farm labour—Who

would of ploughaid the thewith landslittle, ofby the baron?Little Everyoneelsewhere. ones ter

these new conditions because he cannot find bet find cannot he because conditions new these

would- look after his own. But there are thousands

of destitute accepts personspeasant ruinedthe byand it, wars, or doubles drought, he Then or rent.

pestilence. the Theyincreases havehe neitherlater years horseFive nor them. plough.tax to gins

es, build villages. In nine or ten years the baron be baron the years ten or nine In villages. build es,

(Iron- was very costly in the Middle Ages, and a

s lands. They make roads, drain the marsh the drain roads, make They lands. s ’ baron

draught-horse- still more so.)

So the poor wretches come to settle on the All the these on destitutesettle to creaturescome arewretches trying poor to the bet So -

ter their condition. One day theycrosses. see onthese theof road atmeaning the

the confines of understands our baronpeasant ’ s estatethe aand notice-boardsign-board, inthe - on

dicating bycrosses certainmany so signsby adapted torepresented is their compreyears of - number

hension The that years. the of labourernumber who certain is a willingfor free to settlerent land of on his estateportion a willand receivefields, thehis toolssow andand materialscottage his to build

4 expropriation

; ; ” money marry “

third of the produce? can he Wouldmoney his he —onWith the métayerdignitaries.

the local magnates, the civic, legal, and political systempolitical —consentand legal, to givecivic, halfthe of his harvestmagnates, local to the

to to —

landowner?personages other to dinners give to afford can

So he becomes a personage of importance. He He But he hasimportance. of nothing. Sopersonage hea will acceptbecomes he anySo con-

ditions, if only heexploits. canhe keepmen of body andnumber soulthe together,doubling

he will soon increase his income by by income his increase soon will he ”

while he tills the soil and enriches the landlord.talents, ness

busi- “

and if he chooses a lucrative trade, and has Sohas in theand nineteenthtrade, century,lucrative a justchooses he as if in theand

He is thus able to lay by a snug little fortune; Middlefortune; Ages,little thesnug povertya by lay ofto the peasantable thus is is aHe source

of wealth to employs. the he landed proprietor.mill-hand each of out year a £40

he only has average business capacities, will clear clear will capacities, business average has only he

and from the time his mill is started, the owner, if if II owner, the started, is mill his time the from and

dred are required three hundred besiege the doors, Thedoors, landlordthe owesbesiege his richeshundred three to the povertyrequired are of thedred

peasants,hun a Where and the wealththemselves. ofoffer theto capitalisthasten comesworkers

for bread. So, before the factory is well finished, the the from the finished, same well source.is factory the before So, bread. for

are full of needy wretches, whose children clamour Takeclamour the casechildren ofwhose a citizen wretches, of the needy middleof full class,are

quarters of our towns and the neighbouring villages whovillages somehow or otherneighbouring the findsand himselftowns our inof possessionquarters

the poor poor the — well too all it know we —

of £20,000. He could, of course, spend his moneyUnhappily at

the rate of £2,000 a year, a mere bagatellemore? or in thesecrown

ties one produces in a day sell in the market for a a daysfor of fantastic,market the in senselesssell day a in luxury. Butproduces thenone ties he

would commodi have the nothingwhile leftday, a at thecrown a end half of of ten years.wage a at So,

already satisfied, who would work for our capitalist beingcapitalist a “our practical for work person,would ” hewho prefers tosatisfied, keep already his

had their daily bread assured, and their daily needs fortuneneeds daily intact, their andand win forassured, himselfbread a snugdaily littletheir had an-

If all the men and women in the countryside nual incomecountryside the as well.in women and men the all If

This hands. is very easyhundred infive ourof society,labour the for the goodcommand

; and with this round sum he can can he sum round this with and ; ” ability business

reason that the towns and villages swarm with“

other £20,000, especially if he has a reputation for for workers whoreputation a havehas nothe if the wherewithalespecially to£20,000, live other for

- starts a factory. The banks hasten to lend him an a month,him lend or to even a fortnight.hasten banks SoThe our worthyfactory. a citizenstarts

4 expropriation

” money marry “ can he money his With dignitaries.

third ; of the produce? Would he—on the métayer

system —consentpolitical and to givelegal, halfcivic, of histhe harvest magnates, to thelocal the

can afford to give dinners to other personages other to dinners give to afford can to to

landowner?—

So he becomes a personage of importance. He ButHe he has nothing.importance. of So he willpersonage a accept anybecomes conhe So -

ditions, if only he can exploits. keep he bodymen of and soulnumber together,the doubling

he will soon increase his income by by income his increase soon will he ”

while he tills the soil and enriches the landlord. talents, ness

busi- “

So in thehas nineteenthand trade, century,lucrative a just as chooses in he the if and

Middle Ages,fortune; the little poverty snug a ofby the lay peasant to able is a sourcethus is He

of wealth to the landedemploys. he proprietor.mill-hand each of out year a £40

he only has average business capacities, will clear clear will capacities, business average has only he

II if owner, the started, is mill his time the from and

The landlorddoors, the owes hisbesiege riches tohundred the three poverty ofrequired theare dred

workers hasten to offer themselves. Where a hun a Where themselves. offer to hasten workers

peasants,- and the wealth of the capitalist comes

from thethe same source.finished, well is factory the before So, bread. for

are full of needy wretches, whose children clamour Take theclamour case ofchildren a citizenwhose of the wretches, middleneedy class,of full are

who somehowvillages or other findsneighbouring the himselfand intowns possessionour of quarters

we know it all too well too all it know we — Unhappily the poor poor the

of £20,000. He— could, of course, spend his money at

the rate of £2,000 a year, a mere bagatelle inmore? theseor crown

days a of for fantastic,market senselessthe in sell luxury.day a in But thenproduces heone ties

at a wage of half a crown a day, while the commodi the while day, a crown a half of wage a at

wouldhave nothing left at the end of ten years. So,

being a “practicalcapitalist our person,for work ” hewould prefers who to keepsatisfied, his already

fortune intact,needs daily and wintheir forand himselfassured, a snugbread littledaily antheir - had

nual income as countryside well. the in women and men the all If

This is veryhands. easy in hundred our society,five of forlabour thethe good command

; and with this round sum he can can he sum round this with and ; ” ability business

reason that the towns and villages swarm with “

workers for who havereputation a not has the he wherewithalif especially to live £20,000, for other

starts a factory. The banks hasten to lend him an him lend to hasten banks The factory. a starts a month,- or even a fortnight. So our worthy citizen

4 expropriation

byprod andthe by heabove mayand pickover andday, a choose pound placesone for nearly his

his working men and apprentices will bring him in in children,him bring and will later on perhapsapprentices and get somethingmen working goodhis

is to say, if he is keen enough and mean enough, fromenough, the Governmentmean and —enough a contractkeen is forhe if the say, army to is or

that that ” luck, in “

for the police. is His gold breedsshoemaker our if gold;and till at lastshillings, a war,five

receive half a crown a day for work that is worth or worth even is a that rumour work offor war,day a or a speculationcrown a half on thereceive

poor wretches, thankful to to thankful wretches, poor —

Stock Exchange, gives him hismen great opportunity.working three or

then a third apprentice. By and by he will take two two Nine-tenthstake will he by of theand By great fortunesapprentice. madethird a in thethen

and if trade is brisk he soon takes a second, and Unitedand Statessecond, a aretakes (as Henrysoon he Georgebrisk is has trade shown if and in

Meanwhile our shoemaker does not lose by him, hishim, by “ Sociallose Problemsnot does ”) the resultshoemaker our of knaveryMeanwhile on a

large scale,living. his assistedearn to byable theis State.and Intrade Europe,the nine-learned

time his son has has son his time ’

tenths of the fortunesyears madefive in if in ourlucky monarchieshimself andthink

prentice, the child of some poor wretch, who will republicswill who havewretch, the poor same origin.some of Therechild the are not twoprentice,

exploit the poor. Then our shoemaker takes an ap ways an of becomingtakes a shoemaker millionaire. our Then poor. the exploit

i.e., to to i.e., ” labour, employ “

This is the secret of wealth:to about find just theis starvingwho talist and

destitute,capi the to pay them them lends half abank crown,savings andthe makethat themand

pence, thriftily conveys them to the savings bank producebank fivesavings the shillings to them worth in conveys the day, thriftily amass apence, for-

pose our shoemaker, as soon as he has laid by a few tunefew a by by theselaid has means,he as andsoon thenas increaseshoemaker, it our by somepose

luckysup But speculation,made. are made withfortunes thehow helpnot is of thethis State.edly

on during his old age, when he is past work. Assur Needwork. we past go is onhe to speakwhen age, of smallold his fortunesduring on at-

together £800; and he will not have enough to live tributedlive to byenough the have economistsnot will he to and forethought£800; andtogether

Well, at the age of fifty he will not have scraped frugality,scraped have whennot wewill he know fifty that of mereage the savingat inWell, itself

brings inplease! nothing,you so longeverything asand the penceanything saved suppose are

no children; that he does not die of consumption; not used toconsumption; exploitof die thenot famishing?does he that children; no

for economy; that he does not marry or that he has has he Takethat aor shoemaker,marry not fordoes instance.he that Grant thateconomy; for his

does not half starve himself, in spite of his passion workpassion is wellhis of paid,spite thatin he hashimself, plentystarve of half custom, not anddoes

Grant that our shoemaker is never ill, that he he thatthat by ill, dint ofnever strict is frugalityshoemaker he our contrives that toGrant lay by from eighteen pence to two shillingsmonth. a a day, perhapspounds two

4 expropriation

by and byprod hethe may above pick and and over choose day, a placespound forone his nearly

children, in andhim laterbring onwill perhaps getapprentices somethingand men goodworking his

from the Governmentenough, mean and — a contractenough forkeen is the he armyif orsay, to is

five shillings, and if our shoemaker is is shoemaker our if and shillings, five that that ” luck, in

for the police. His“ gold breeds gold; till at last a war,

or even aworth rumouris that of war,work for or aday speculationa crown a onhalf the receive

poor wretches, thankful to to thankful wretches, poor —

Stock Exchange, gives him his great opportunity.men working three or

then a third apprentice. By and by he will take two Nine-tenthstwo take will of he the by greatand fortunesBy madeapprentice. in third the a then

United and States aresecond, a (as Henrytakes soon George he hasbrisk is shown trade inif and

his “Socialhim, by Problemslose not ”) does the result ofshoemaker knaveryour on aMeanwhile

large scale, assistedliving. his byearn theto State.able is Inand Europe,trade the nine- learned

time his son has has son his time ’

tenths of the fortunes madeyears infive ourin if monarchieslucky andhimself think

republics will havewho the samewretch, origin.poor some There of arechild notthe two prentice,

exploit the poor. Then our shoemaker takes an ap an takes shoemaker our Then poor. the exploit

ways- of becoming a millionaire.

talist who is just about to to about just is who talist i.e., to to i.e., ” labour, employ

This is the secret of wealth:“ find the starving and

and that the savings bank lends them to the capi the to them lends bank savings the that and

destitute,- pay them half a crown, and make them

produce bank five shillingssavings the to worth inthem the day,conveys amass thriftily a for- pence,

tune byfew thesea by means,laid has andhe as thensoon increaseas it by shoemaker, someour pose

edly this is not how fortunes are made. But sup But made. are fortunes how not is this edly

lucky- speculation, made with the help of the State.

on during his old age, when he is past work. Assur work. past is he when age, old his during on

- Need we go on to speak of small fortunes at-

tributed live byto the economistsenough have not towill forethoughthe and £800; and together

frugality, whenscraped have we not know will thathe merefifty of savingage the inat itselfWell,

brings in nothing,please! soyou long as theeverything penceand savedanything are suppose

not used to exploitconsumption; theof famishing?die not does he that children; no

for economy; that he does not marry or that he has Takehas ahe shoemaker,that or formarry instance.not does he Grantthat that hiseconomy; for

work is wellpassion paid,his of that hespite in has plentyhimself, of custom,starve half andnot does

that byhe dintthat ofill, strict frugalitynever is he contrivesshoemaker our tothat lay byGrant from eighteen pence to two shillings a day,month. a perhapspounds two

4 expropriation

uct of his own toil. He can then enlarge his business.question.

s return, and you will have the answer to the the to answer the have will you and return, s ’

He will gradually become rich, and no longer havether

dren in rags, living one knows not how till the fa anythe needtill tohow stintnot himselfknows inone the necessariesliving rags, in of life.dren

Hechil willand leavewives a snugtheir at littlelook fortunehomes, to histheir son.Enter

That is whatwaves. the peoplein callperished “beinghave economicalthey until andstill,

gone to the sea in ships, and they will sail in others havingothers in frugal,sail will temperatethey and habits.ships, in ” Atsea bottomthe to itgone is

months of waiting. All their lives long they have nothinghave they morelong norlives less thantheir All grinding waiting. the of face of themonths

happy to be hired for a long voyage, after weeks and poor.and weeks after voyage, long a for hired be to happy

allowed to work on the vessels. Look at these sailors, sailors, Commercethese at seemsLook anvessels. exceptionthe on work toto this rule.allowed

which they besiege from early dawn, hoping to be be “ Suchto a man,hoping ” wedawn, are told,early “buysfrom tea inbesiege China,they bringswhich

to hire themselves, crowding round the dock-gates, it to France,dock-gates, the and realizesround a profitcrowding of thirtythemselves, perhire cent.to

on the quays, and look at these men who have come oncome his originalhave who outlay.men Hethese at has exploitedlook and nobody.quays, the on ”

Go to the seaports, visit the cook-shops and taverns Neverthelesstaverns and thecook-shops casethe isvisit quite similar.seaports, the to If ourGo

? How? Because they are needy and starving. starving. and needy are they Because How? ? ”

merchant had carried his bales on his back, wellwages

starvation starvation “

and good! Infor earlyships medievalhis unload times and thatload wasto exactlywilling

able pittance? How could he find dock labourers howlabourers foreign dock trade find was he conducted, could How and so pittance? no oneable

reachedmiser a for suchlives giddytheir heightsrisk to ofand fortunetoil asslavish in ourand

sea, to travel to China and back, to endure hardship days. hardship Very fewendure to and veryback, and hardlyChina earnedto travel wereto thesea,

Now, how could he find men willing to cross the the gold cross coins to whichwilling men the medievalfind he merchantcould how Now, gained

from a long and dangerous voyage.altogether. it It waslosing or less thetune

case he runs a chance of either doubling his for love his of moneydoubling than theeither of thirst ofchance a travel runs andhe advencase -

to speculate in some novel commodities, in which turewhich thatin inspired hiscommodities, undertakings.novel some in speculate to

six thousand; that is to say, if he has not attempted Nowadaysattempted not thehas he methodif say, to isis simpler.that A merchantthousand; six

thousand pounds he will receive more than five or or whofive has than some more capital needreceive will not he stir frompounds his deskthousand to

his vessel are insured, and if he has expended four becomefour wealthy.expended has Hehe if telegraphsand toinsured, anare agent vessel telling his

even take the risks of the voyage, for his tea and himand tea to buyhis afor hundredvoyage, tonsthe ofof tea;risks he freightsthe take a ship,even ship, the vessels brings him his cargo. He does not andnot indoes a fewHe weeks,cargo. his in threehim monthsbrings if vessels it isthe a sailingship,

4 expropriation

uct of his own toil. He can then enlarge his business. question.

ther s return, and you will have the answer to the the to answer the have will you and return, s

He will gradually become rich, and no longer have’

any needfa the to stinttill himselfhow not in theknows necessariesone living ofrags, life.in dren

Enter their homes, look at their wives and chil and wives their at look homes, their Enter

He will- leave a snug little fortune to his son.

That is what peoplewaves. the callin “beingperished economicalhave they anduntil still,

having frugal,others in temperatesail will they habits.and ” Atships, in bottom sea the it to is gone

nothing have more they nor lesslong thanlives grindingtheir All the facewaiting. ofof the months

poor. and weeks after voyage, long a for hired be to happy

allowed to work on the vessels. Look at these sailors, Commercesailors, these seems at Look an exceptionvessels. the on to thiswork to rule. allowed

“Such abe man,to ” wehoping are told,dawn, “buysearly teafrom in China,besiege bringsthey which

it to France, anddock-gates, realizesthe round a profit ofcrowding thirty per themselves, cent. hire to

on his originalcome have outlay.who Hemen has these exploited at look nobody.and quays, ” the on

Go to the seaports, visit the cook-shops and taverns Neverthelesstaverns and the case cook-shops is quitethe visit similar. seaports, If ourthe to Go

? How? Because they are needy and starving. starving. and needy are they Because How? ? ”

merchant had carried his bales on his back, well wages

willing to load and unload his ships for for ships his unload and load to willing starvation starvation

and good! In early“ medieval times that was exactly

how foreignlabourers tradedock was find conducted, he could and How so no one pittance? able

and slavish toil and to risk their lives for a miser a for lives their risk to and toil slavish and

reached- such giddy heights of fortune as in our

days. Very fewhardship andendure veryto hardlyback, and earnedChina to were travel the to sea,

gold coinsthe cross which to thewilling medievalmen find merchanthe could gainedhow Now,

from a long and dangerous voyage. Italtogether. wasit lesslosing theor tune

case he runs a chance of either doubling his for his doubling either of chance a runs he case

love- of money than the thirst of travel and adven-

ture that which inspired in his undertakings.commodities, novel some in speculate to

six thousand; that is to say, if he has not attempted Nowadaysattempted thenot methodhas he if is simpler.say, to is Athat merchantthousand; six

who or has somefive capitalthan more need notreceive stirwill fromhe his deskpounds to thousand

become four wealthy. Heexpended telegraphshas he if and to an agentinsured, are telling vessel his

him to and buy tea a hundredhis for tons voyage, of tea;the heof freightsrisks the a ship,take even and in not a fewdoes weeks,He in cargo. three his monthshim ifbrings it is a sailingvessels the ship,

4 expropriation

Multiplycustom its examples,stopping and choosesociety, in them whereconfusion youdous

will, tremen consider a theproducing originwhile of alland fortunes,one, no largecontent or

to exhaust itself in half measures, which would small,would whetherwhich arisingmeasures, outhalf ofin commerce,itself finance,exhaust to

the revolutionary impulse arrested in mid-career, manufacturers,mid-career, in or thearrested land. impulse Everywhere yourevolutionary willthe

too small a scale to be lasting. We would not have findhave thatnot thewould wealthWe of thelasting. be wealthy to springsscale a fromsmall too the

going far enough, of carrying out Expropriation on on poverty of theExpropriation poor.out This iscarrying whyof an anarchistenough, far socigoing -

tion is exactly the contrary. We are afraid of not etynot of need notafraid are fear We the adventcontrary. ofthe a Rothschildexactly is whotion

would Expropria settle to in itsregard midst.with Iffear everywe memberwhat Now, of the

”

community knows that after a fewresult. hours of producpermanent no -

and Anarchy, or you will be in danger of achieving tive toilachieving heof will havedanger in a rightbe will to allyou theor pleasuresAnarchy, thatand

great a hurry with your schemes of Expropriation civilizationExpropriation procures,of andschemes toyour thosewith deeperhurry a sourcesgreat

ity cannot be changed in a day, so do not be in to to ofin enjoymentbe not do whichso day, arta andin sciencechanged offerbe to allcannot whoity

- Human far! too go not do you care take “

seek them, he will not sell his strength forus, a starvawarn -

our friends often often friends our ” Still, “

tion wage. No one will volunteerideal. to supreme work the fornot theis

pendent character, and those for whom idleness enrichmentidleness whom of yourfor Rothschild.those and His goldencharacter, guineaspendent

willinde of be onlymen so manyamong piecesimagine to of metalapt are —usefulwe than for

priation in particular find much more sympathy varioussympathy purposes,more much but incapable find of breeding particular in more.priation

The ideas of Anarchism in general and of Expro Inof answeringand thegeneral in above objectionAnarchism of we ideas have The at the same time indicated the scope of ExpropriaIII -

tion. It must apply to everything that enables any

man—be he financier, mill-owner,soon. very soon, or landlordbut —hence, to

for whose coming we look, not two hundred years appropriateyears hundred thetwo productnot oflook, otherswe ’ toil.coming Our whose formu for -

tion; this will be our duty during the Revolution, la is simpleRevolution, andthe comprehensive.during duty our be will this tion;

WeExpropria doof not talk want we to robwhen anymean onewe of hiswhat coat,is butThis

obtain a bare subsistence for himself and his babes. webabes. wishhis toand give tohimself thefor workers subsistence all thosebare a thingsobtain

be forced to sell the strength of his right arm to to the arm lack ofright whichhis of makesstrength themthe fallsell to an easyforced preybe none shall lack aught, that not a single man shall toshall the man exploiter, single a andnot wethat will doaught, ourlack utmostshall thatnone

4 expropriation

dous confusion in society, and stopping its custom its stopping and society, in confusion dous

- Multiply examples, choose them where you

will, considertremen a the originproducing of allwhile fortunes,and one, largeno or content

small, whetherwould arisingwhich out measures, of commerce,half in itself finance,exhaust to

manufacturers, mid-career, orin the land.arrested Everywhereimpulse you willrevolutionary the

find thathave thenot wealthwould of We the wealthylasting. be springsto scale from a thesmall too

poverty on of the poor.Expropriation Thisout is why carrying an of anarchistenough, socifar - going

ety neednot of not fearafraid theare adventWe of a contrary. Rothschild the whoexactly is tion

Now, what we fear with regard to Expropria to regard with fear we what Now,

would- settle in its midst. If every member of the

”

community knows that after a few hoursresult. of produc-permanent no

tive toil he willachieving haveof a rightdanger in tobe all will the pleasuresyou or thatAnarchy, and

civilization procures,Expropriation of and to schemes those your deeperwith sourceshurry a great

of enjoyment to in be whichnot do artso andday, sciencea in offerchanged tobe all whocannot ity

take care you do not go too far! Human far! too go not do you care take “ us, warn

seek- them, he will not sell his strength for a starva-

is not the supreme ideal. ideal. supreme the not is our friends often often friends our ” Still,

tion wage. No one will volunteer“ to work for the

enrichment idleness of yourwhom Rothschild.for those Hisand golden guineascharacter, pendent

than we are apt to imagine among men of inde of men among imagine to apt are we than

willbe only so many pieces of metal—useful for

various sympathy purposes, more but incapablemuch find of breeding particular more. in priation

The ideas of Anarchism in general and of Expro of and general in Anarchism of ideas The

- In answering the above objection we have at the same time indicated the scope of Expropria- III

tion. It must apply to everything that enables any

man—be he financier, mill-owner,soon. orvery landlordsoon, but — to hence,

appropriate years the producthundred two ofnot otherslook, ’ we toil. Ourcoming formuwhose - for

la is simple andRevolution, comprehensive.the during duty our be will this tion;

This is what we mean when we talk of Expropria of talk we when mean we what is This

- We do not want to rob any one of his coat, but

we wish babes. to givehis and to the himself workers for all thosesubsistence thingsbare a obtain

the lackto ofarm whichright makeshis of them strength fallthe an sell easy to preyforced be to the exploiter,shall man andsingle a we not will that do our aught, utmost lack thatshall none

4 expropriation

all these agencies combine nowadays to work work to nowadays combine agencies these all —

ary activities, would have no vital power—wouldtion

merelyproduc of spread generalmachinery the discontentand soil andthe inevitablyimproving

the prevalence of stock-jobbing, the difficulty of of prepare the difficulty way the for the triumph stock-jobbing, of of reaction. prevalence the

try, the industrial exploitation of foreign countries, Therecountries, are,foreign inof fact, in a exploitation modern Stateindustrial the estabtry, -

lishedindus of relationsprotection which itartificial is practicallyThe life. impossiblestirring more

ers of articles of luxury, or by the attractions of a a toof modify if attractions one the attacks by or them luxury, only of in detail.articles of Thereers

are produc wheels the by within wheelstemporarily inpaid our economicwages high of organibait -

attracted to the large manufacturing towns by the zationthe by —thetowns machinery ismanufacturing so complexlarge the to and interdeattracted -

population of country places: the young people are are pendent people that noyoung onethe partplaces: can be modifiedcountry of withoutpopulation

Then again the peasant suffers from the de disturbing the from the whole.suffers This peasant becomes the clearagain as soonThen as

an attempt is made towar. expropriatein result may anything.Africa or Asia

rel arising from the exploitation of some part of of part Let ussome suppose of that inexploitation a certainthe from country arising a limrel -

itedquar formlittle a ofday expropriation any and is effected.markets, the for For example,fighting

because the traders of all nations are perpetually that, as itperpetually hasare been suggestednations all of moretraders than the once, onlybecause

finds it necessary to maintain an expensive army, thearmy, propertyexpensive ofan the greatmaintain landlordsto necessary is socialized,it finds

without its formidable hierarchy of officials, and and whilst the officials, factories of are hierarchy left untouched; formidable its or that,without in

pence. He is taxed by the State, which cannot do do a certaincannot city, which house State, property the by is takentaxed is overHe by thepence.

the labour spent on it, is not worth more than six Commune, than more but everythingworth not is it, elseon is leftspent to privatelabour the

pay half a crown for a spade which, measured by by ownership;measured or that,which, in somespade a manufacturingfor crown a half centre,pay

He is exploited by the tradesman, who makes him thehim factoriesmakes who are communalized,tradesman, the by but the landexploited is is notHe

he is oppressed on all hands by existing conditions. interferedconditions. with.existing by hands all on oppressed is he

not only in having to pay rent to the landlord; landlord; the to rent pay to having in only not

The same result would follow in each caseday —a

to-

ing would be accomplished. The peasant suffers terriblesuffers shatteringpeasant The of the industrialaccomplished. be system,would withing -

outnoth the meansbanker, the of and reorganizing merchant, itthe on new lines.capitalist, the In-

ers, while industry still remained the bond-slave of of dustry andbond-slave financethe wouldremained still be at a deadlock,industry while yeters, a

returnlandown to thegreat firstfrom principlesfreed were of justice agriculture wouldIf not have beenwhole. achieved, andharmonious a society wouldconstruct to find itselfpowerless

4 expropriation

all these agencies combine nowadays to work work to nowadays combine agencies these all —

ary activities, would have no vital power—would tion

improving the soil and the machinery of produc of machinery the and soil the improving

merely- spread general discontent and inevitably

prepare of the way difficulty for the the triumph of stock-jobbing, reaction. of prevalence the

try, the industrial exploitation of foreign countries, There are,countries, in fact,foreign of in a modernexploitation State estabindustrial the - try,

more stirring life. The artificial protection of indus of protection artificial The life. stirring more

lished- relations which it is practically impossible

to modify a of if one attacksattractions the themby or only inluxury, detail.of Therearticles of ers

bait of high wages paid temporarily by the produc the by temporarily paid wages high of bait

are - wheels within wheels in our economic organi-

zation —the theby machinerytowns is so complexmanufacturing large andthe interdeto - attracted

pendent are that people no oneyoung partthe can beplaces: modifiedcountry of without population

disturbingde the the whole.from Thissuffers becomespeasant clearthe as soonagain asThen

an attempt is made to expropriatewar. in anything.result may Africa or Asia

rel arising from the exploitation of some part of Letof us part suppose some of that in a certainexploitation the country from a limarising - rel

fighting for the markets, and any day a little quar little a day any and markets, the for fighting

ited- form of expropriation is effected. For example,

that, as it has beenperpetually are suggested nations moreall of than once,traders the only because

the propertyarmy, of theexpensive greatan landlordsmaintain to is socialized,necessary it finds

whilst and the factories officials, of are left untouched; hierarchy or formidable that, its in without

a certain do city,cannot house which property State, isthe takenby overtaxed is byHe the pence.

the labour spent on it, is not worth more than six than more worth not is it, on spent labour the

Commune,- but everything else is left to private

ownership; by or that,measured in somewhich, manufacturingspade a for crown centre,a half pay

the factorieshim aremakes communalized,who tradesman, butthe theby land is notexploited is He

interfered with.conditions. existing by hands all on oppressed is he

not only in having to pay rent to the landlord; landlord; the to rent pay to having in only not

The same result would follow in each case—a day

ing would be accomplished. The peasant suffers suffers peasant The accomplished. be would ing

terribleto- shattering of the industrial system, with-

the capitalist, the merchant, and the banker, noth banker, the and merchant, the capitalist, the

out - the means of reorganizing it on new lines. In-

dustry of and financebond-slave the would be remained at astill deadlock,industry yet while a ers,

If agriculture were freed from great landown great from freed were agriculture If

return- to the first principles of justice would not have been achieved,whole. and societyharmonious a would construct find to itself powerless

4 expropriation

against agriculture, which is burdenedit. not impose only will by

attack them all. The very success of the Revolution rent, butRevolution by the the of whole success complex very ofThe conditionsall. them in aattack so-

forms, territorial or industrial, it will be obliged to to ciety basedobliged be onwill exploitation. it industrial, Thus,or even if territorial the exproforms, -

will strike at private property, under any one of its its priationof one ofany land wereunder accomplished,property, private andat everystrike onewill

tering the whole. Therefore, on the day a nation werenation a free day to tillthe theon soil and cultivateTherefore, whole. it tothe the besttering

is impossible to reform any one thing without al advantage,without withoutthing one payingany rent,reform to agriculture, impossible evenis

All is interdependent in a civilized society; it it thoughsociety; it shouldcivilized enjoya in —which can byinterdependent no is meansAll be

taken for granted—a1871. momentaryand 1848, prosperity,1815, in wouldFrance in

proscriptions and deportations, such as were seen soonseen fallwere backas intosuch the slough deportations, in whichand it finds itselfproscriptions

villages with shot and shell; indulging in orgies of of today.orgies The in whole thingindulging wouldshell; and have shot to bewith begun overvillages

treading upon the slain, sweeping the towns and again,and withtowns increasedthe difficulties.sweeping slain, the upon treading

olution is bound to take place, and it would come, come, The samewould it holdsand trueplace, take of to industry.bound is Take theolution

- counter-rev the —

converse case: instead ofproduce, turningthey theluxury agriculturalof articles

great manufacturing centres find no buyers for the the labourers for buyers intono peasant-proprietors,find centres makemanufacturing overgreat

the great cities are left without bread, while the the factorieswhile tobread, those without who left workare in them.cities Abolishgreat the

the exchange of produce is slackened; as soon as as the master-manufacturers,soon as slackened; is butproduce leaveof the landlordexchange the

our great centres of commerce. Then, as soon as as his land,soon as the bankerThen, his money,commerce. of the centres merchant great our his

speculate in corn and flour, meat and groceries, in in Exchange;groceries, maintainand meat the swarmflour, and of corn idlersin who livespeculate

who drain the product of our manufacturers, and onand the toil of themanufacturers, workmen,our of theproduct the thousand drain andwho

without interfering with the swarm of middlemen one middlemen,middlemen of theswarm Statethe with its numberlessinterfering without of-

and hand over the mills and factories to the worker, ficials,worker, —the and to industryfactories wouldand mills comethe toover a standstill.hand and

Or, finally, suppose you oust the landowners, Findinglandowners, no the purchasersoust you in the masssuppose of peasants finally, Or, who

wouldwork. remainguaranteed poor;of not promise possessing under theslavery, rawold matethe -

exploit them; they would even consent to return to to rial, andreturn to unable toconsent exporteven theirwould produce,they them; partlyexploit on

willing to submit to the first schemer who came to to accountcame who of the stoppageschemer first of the trade, to andsubmit stillto morewilling so

streets. These starving crowds would be ready and becauseand ready industriesbe would spreadcrowds all overstarving the These world, thestreets. thousands of workers would be thrown upon the manufacturersthe upon thrown wouldbe feelwould unableworkers toof struggle, andthousands

4 expropriation

against agriculture, which is burdened notit. only byimpose will

rent, but by theRevolution wholethe of complexsuccess of conditionsvery The all. in athem so- attack

ciety to based onobliged exploitation.be will it Thus, industrial, even or if the exproterritorial - forms,

priation its of of landone wereany accomplished,under property, and everyprivate at onestrike will

were free nation to a till theday soilthe on and cultivateTherefore, it to thewhole. bestthe tering

advantage,al withoutwithout thing paying one rent,any agriculture,reform to even impossible is

though it it shouldsociety; enjoycivilized — whicha in can by no meansinterdependent is beAll

taken for granted—a momentary1871. and prosperity,1848, 1815, in would France in

soon fallseen backwere into as thesuch slough in whichdeportations, itand finds itself proscriptions

today .of The wholeorgies in thing wouldindulging haveshell; toand be begunshot with over villages

again, withand increasedtowns the difficulties.sweeping slain, the upon treading

olution is bound to take place, and it would come, The come, same holdswould it trueand ofplace, industry.take to Takebound is the olution

articles of luxury they produce, they luxury of articles - counter-rev the

converse case: instead— of turning the agricultural

labourers the for into buyers peasant-proprietors, no find centres make overmanufacturing great

the factoriesthe while to thosebread, who workwithout left in them.are Abolishcities great the

the master-manufacturers,as soon as slackened; is but leaveproduce theof landlordexchange the

his land,as thesoon bankeras Then, his money,commerce. the of merchantcentres hisgreat our

Exchange; in maintaingroceries, and themeat swarm flour, of idlersand corn whoin live speculate

on theand toil of the workmen,manufacturers, our of the thousandproduct the anddrain who

one middlemen,middlemen of the Stateswarm withthe itswith numberlessinterfering of- without

ficials, —andworker, industrythe to wouldfactories comeand mills to athe standstill.over hand and

Finding nolandowners, purchasers the oust in theyou mass ofsuppose peasants finally, who Or,

would remainwork. poor; guaranteed notof possessingpromise theunder raw mateslavery, old - the

rial, andto unablereturn to to exportconsent theireven produce,would they partlythem; on exploit

account to ofcame the who stoppage schemer of trade,first the and to still moresubmit to so willing

because and industriesready be spreadwould all overcrowds the starving world, These the streets. manufacturers the upon wouldthrown feelbe unablewould to struggle,workers of and thousands

4 expropriation

Besides, even if it were desired, it wouldsteam-engine. be the im-

as much a part of production as the fuel burnt by by possibleburnt tofuel confinethe as the changeproduction of to apart a partial much exproas -

matter of luxury, but the food of the worker is just priation.just is Onceworker the theof principlefood the ofbut the “Divineluxury, of Rightmatter of

s feast is indeed a a indeed is feast s ’

Property” is shaken,man norich amountThe of theorizingmetaphysics? willgious

preventreli of relic itsa overthrow,be this Can here byproducer? thethe slavesto of thepensable

field,indis therethings of by thelist slavesthe from of the machine.excluded be work, no

food, without which the human machine could do do Ifcould a great machine town, Parishuman the for example,which without werefood, to

production as the raw material itself. How then can confinecan then itselfHow toitself. taking possessionmaterial raw the as of the dwellingproduction

that the coal burnt in a machine is as necessary to to houses ofnecessary theas is factories, machine ita wouldin beburnt forcedcoal the alsothat to

the just-mentioned distinction, would hardly deny denydeny the hardly right ofwould the bankersdistinction, to levy upon thejust-mentioned Comthe -

ously to food. The so-called economists, who make munemake awho tax amountingeconomists, to £2,000,000,so-called The infood. to the formously

ofobvi interestmore foreven formerapplies loans. Theargument greatsame cityThe would

be obliged to putmachine. itselfthe of in touchrepairing withdaily thethe ruralis man dis-

tricts,work the and of itsrest influenceThe wouldmorrow. the inevitablyof work urgethe for the

place where the nerves and sinews gather strength peasantsstrength to freegather themselvessinews and fromnerves thethe landowner.where place It

of production as the tool or the machine. It is the wouldthe is It be necessarymachine. the toor communalizetool the as the railways,production of

erly heated and lighted, is as much an instrument that theinstrument citizens an mightmuch as is get foodlighted, andand work, andheated lasterly -

ly,prop to preventroom, a the wasteworker, the of for supplies; But and to guardnon-producer.

room, and the house is a home of idleness for the againstthe for the trustsidleness of of home corn-speculators, a is house the likeand thoseroom,

a hearth, and a bed. It is true that the bed, the tothe whombed, the Paristhat Communetrue is It ofbed. a 1793 and fell a prey,hearth, a it

branches. The civilized man needs a roof, a room, wouldroom, a haveroof, a to placeneeds inman the handscivilized ofThe the City thebranches.

live in the woods, without other shelter than the workthe than of stockingshelter its other warehouses without withwoods, commodities,the in live

this subtle distinction. We are not savages who can andcan apportioningwho savages not theare produce.We distinction. subtle this

Popular common sense has got the better of of Somebetter Socialiststhe got has still seek,sense however,common to establishPopular

” property. private remain should —

a distinction. “Of course,” they say, “the soil,dwellings theand

food, clothes, clothes, food, —

mines, the mills, and manufacturersconsumption of mustarticles But be exproerty. -

- priated,prop public these them are the consider instruments should we of right production, is it and

4 expropriation

Besides, even if it were desired, it would be imsteam-engine. - the

possible by to confineburnt fuel the the as change to production a of partial part a expro-much as

priation. just is Once theworker principlethe of offood thethe “Divinebut Rightluxury, of of matter

gious metaphysics? The rich man rich The metaphysics? gious s feast is indeed a a indeed is feast s

Property” is shaken, ’ no amount of theorizing will

pensable to the producer? Can this be a relic of reli of relic a be this Can producer? the to pensable

prevent- its overthrow, here by the slaves of the

field, thereindis by thethings of slaveslist the of the from machine. excluded be work, no

food, without which the human machine could do If do a greatcould town, machine Paris forhuman example,the which were without to food,

confine can itselfthen to How takingitself. possessionmaterial raw of thethe as dwelling production

houses to of the factories,necessary as is it wouldmachine a bein forcedburnt alsocoal tothe that

deny thedeny right ofhardly the bankerswould to levydistinction, upon the Comjust-mentioned - the

mune a taxmake amountingwho toeconomists, £2,000,000,so-called inThe the food. form to ously

The same argument applies even more obvi more even applies argument same The

of interest- for former loans. The great city would

be obliged to put itselfmachine. inthe touchof with repairing the ruraldaily the disis - man

for the work of the morrow. The rest of the work the of rest The morrow. the of work the for

tricts,- and its influence would inevitably urge the

peasants to freestrength themselvesgather sinews fromand the landowner.nerves the where It place

would the be is necessaryIt tomachine. communalizethe or tool the theas railways, production of

that the citizensinstrument mightan getmuch as food is and work,lighted, and and lastheated - erly

non-producer. But for the worker, a room, prop room, a worker, the for But non-producer.

ly, to- prevent the waste of supplies; and to guard

against the thefor trusts idleness of of corn-speculators, home a is house likethe thoseand room,

to whom the thebed, Paristhe Communethat true is ofIt 1793bed. fella a prey,and it hearth, a

would haveroom, a to placeroof, a in theneeds handsman of thecivilized CityThe the branches.

work ofthe stockingthan its shelter warehouses other withwithout commodities,woods, the in live

and apportioningcan who thesavages produce.not are We distinction. subtle this

Popular common sense has got the better of Someof Socialistsbetter the stillgot seek,has however,sense tocommon establish Popular

should remain private property. private remain should — dwellings and

a distinction.” “Of course,” they say, “the soil, the

food, clothes, clothes, food, —

mines, the mills, and manufacturersconsumption of must bearticles exproBut - erty.

and it is right we should consider them public prop public them consider should we right is it and priated,- these are the instruments of production,

4 expropriation

them. But even in these clubs, whether the lead Thethe same withwhether clothing.clubs, these Wein are even not But New Guinthem. -

new Government, and often imposed their ideas on on ea savages.ideas their And if theimposed daintyoften and gowns of ourGovernment, ladiesnew

s clubs kept an eye on the members of the the of members the on eye an kept clubs s ’

must rank as objects of luxury, there is neverthemen -

lesswork a certainthe true is quantity It ofmatters. linen,such cotton,and andliberty, woolencivic

ministration, the separation of Church and State, stuffState, whichand is Church a necessityof of separation life the to the producer.ministration,

chinery of government, the purifying of the ad The the shirt of and trouserspurifying the in which he goesgovernment, of to his work,chinery

usin, uh s h rognzto o te ma the jacket the of he slips on after reorganization the the day as ’s toil such is over, questions, are

ernment occupied itself first of all with political aspolitical necessarywith all toof him as first the hammer itself to occupied the anvil.ernment

mune in 1871. Imbued with Jacobin ideas, this Gov Whetherthis ideas, we likeJacobin it with or not, Imbued this is1871. in what themune

peopleCom Free meanthe by 1848, a revolution.in Labour As1793, soonin as theyRepublic havethe

formed and undertook to organize a new regime: maderegime: a cleannew a sweep organize of to the Government,undertook and they willformed

ment, composed of men more or less honest, was seekwas firsthonest, ofless or all tomore ensuremen of to themselvescomposed ment, decent

dwellingsGovern A and sufficientobscurity. into foodagain andsank clothesthey —freebattle, of

cause. Then, after having borne the brunt of the capitalistthe of brunt rent. the borne having after Then, cause.

s blood for the the for blood s ’

And the peopleheart willtheir be right.spent Theand methodsregime, old of

In each case the people strove to overturn the the peopleoverturn willto be muchstrove morepeople the in accordancecase each In with

science than those of the economistsfeature. whocommon drawone

differ from each other in many ways, but they have sohave manythey distinctionsbut ways, betweenmany in other instruments each from of prodiffer -

have seen in France during the last hundred years ductionyears andhundred articleslast the of consumption.during France in Theseen peoplehave

The three great popular movements which we we understand which that thismovements is justpopular the great pointthree whereThe the

Revolution oughtrequired. are to begin;means andnew theyend, willnew a lay theattain

ings not only by its aim, but also by its methods. To To foundationsmethods. its of by the also only but economicaim, its by scienceonly not worthyings

theupris name—former a all science from which mightdistinguished bebe called:will it “Thetion,

StudyRevolu of theSocial a Needsbe to ofis Humanity,Revolution and ofcoming thethe EcoIf -

nomic Means to satisfy them.” I

FOOD CHAPTER V CHAPTER

4 expropriation

them. But even in these clubs, whether the lead the whether clubs, these in even But them.

- The same with clothing. We are not New Guin-

ea savages. on ideas And their if the daintyimposed gownsoften and of our ladiesGovernment, new

s clubs kept an eye on the members of the the of members the on eye an kept clubs s ’

must rank as objects of luxury, there is neverthemen

civic liberty, and such matters. It is true the work the true is It matters. such and liberty, civic

less- a certain quantity of linen, cotton, and woolen

stuff whichState, isand a necessityChurch of of life toseparation thethe producer. ministration,

The shirtad andthe of trousers inpurifying whichthe he goes to hisgovernment, of work, chinery

usin, uh s h rognzto o te ma the of reorganization the as such questions,

the - jacket he slips on after the day’s toil is over, are

as necessary political with to himall asof the hammer first itself to the anvil. occupied ernment

mune in 1871. Imbued with Jacobin ideas, this Gov this ideas, Jacobin with Imbued 1871. in mune

- Whether we like it or not, this is what the

the Republic in 1793, Labour in 1848, the Free Com Free the 1848, in Labour 1793, in Republic the

people- mean by a revolution. As soon as they have

made a cleanregime: sweepnew a of the organize Government, to undertook they and will formed

seek firstwas of honest, all less toor ensuremore men to of themselvescomposed decent ment,

battle, they sank again into obscurity. A Govern A obscurity. into again sank they battle,

dwellings- and sufficient food and clothes—free of

capitalist the of rent. brunt the borne having after Then, cause.

s blood for the the for blood s ’

And the people will heart be right.their Thespent methodsand ofregime, old

the peoplethe will beoverturn to much morestrove inpeople accordancethe case witheach In

science than those of the economists whofeature. drawcommon one

so many have distinctionsthey but betweenways, many instrumentsin other each of profrom - differ

duction years and articleshundred oflast consumption.the during TheFrance in people seen have

understand we thatwhich this is justmovements the popular point great where three theThe

Revolution ought to required. begin;are andmeans theynew willend, laynew thea attain

foundations To of themethods. its onlyby economicalso but aim, scienceits by worthyonly not ings

tion, it will be distinguished from all former upris former all from distinguished be will it tion,

the - name—a science which might be called: “The

If the coming Revolution is to be a Social Revolu Social a be to is Revolution coming the If

Study- of the Needs of Humanity, and of the Eco-

nomic Means to satisfy them.” I

FOOD CHAPTER V CHAPTER

4 expropriation

Then reaction proudly asserted itself, and ac ers belongedand itself, to theasserted middle orproudly the workingreaction Then classes,

it was always middle-classworst. ideasthe whichawaited prevailed.and hovel

the cause was lost once more. He retreated into his his They into discussedretreated variousHe more. political once questionslost was atcause greatthe

revolutionary had at last to admit to himself that length,that buthimself forgotto toadmit discussto last at the questionhad of bread.revolutionary

And, sick at heart, his patience at an end, the the Greatend, an ideasat sprangpatience uphis at suchheart, at times, sick ideasAnd, that

”

have movedRevolution? theyour by world; gained words you werehave spokenWhat whichfoolery!

Come, enough of this this of enough Come, “

still stir our hearts, at the intervalworkers: the to of moresaid and thanfops a

starving multitude. They dressed up like scented century.scented Butlike up the peopledressed wereThey starving multitude. in the slums.starving

places, and flaunted their luxury in the face of the the of Fromface thethe in very Commencementluxury their flaunted of theand Revoluplaces, -

tionhiding- industrytheir inevitablyfrom cameemerged to acourage, stop —took the rich circula the -

tionary in the ears of the worker. And little by little tionlittle by of producelittle And was checked,worker. the of and ears capital the in concealedtionary

- reac the whispered ”

itself. The master—the employerbefore, ever —hadthan nothingwretched to

much for your vaunted Revolution! You are more fearmore atare suchYou times, he fattenedRevolution! onvaunted hisyour dividends,for much if

So So “

indeed heweary. did grow not to speculatebegan on people the wretchednessthe Then

around; but the wage-earnerhim? to make wasless or reducedmore to livecorpses

forthcoming. What difference could a thousand from handthousand a to mouth.could Wantdifference knocked What at the door.forthcoming.

not live without his wage, and the wage was not not Faminewas wage wasthe abroadand in wage, the landhis —suchwithout faminelive not as

hadcan hardly beenwage-earner seenthe underFor grew. the oldonly regime.want The

“The Girondists are starving us!hopeless. ” was theequally crybeen in

dred dukes and viscounts every day, it would have thehave workmenwould it ’s day, quarters every in 1793,viscounts andand thereupondukes thedred

Girondistshun a wereguillotined guillotined,had they if andBut full powersCoblentz. to weregone

alike, especially servants, for the duchesses had givenhad to “theduchesses Mountainthe for ” and toservants, the Commune.especially Thealike,

servants and duchesses duchesses and servants —

Commune indeed concernedday a itself with fifteen the or question dozen a

and laid the blame at their door. They guillotined of bread,guillotined and They made door. heroictheir effortsat blame to feedthe Paris.laid and At

Then they turned on the royalist conspirators Lyons, Fouché,conspirators androyalist Collotthe on d ’Herboisturned establishedthey Then city

and still the people lacked bread. lacked people the still and —

granaries, but the sums spent on fillinghanged were them flour were efforts to procure corn; the bakers who hoarded woefullyhoarded insufficient.who bakers the The towncorn; councilsprocure to made greatefforts

5 food

ers belongedac and to theitself, middleasserted or the proudly working classes,reaction Then

it was always middle-class ideasworst. whichthe prevailed.awaited and hovel

They discussedhis into variousretreated politicalHe more. questionsonce lost atwas greatcause the

length, that but forgothimself toto discussadmit to the last question at had of bread. revolutionary

And, sick at heart, his patience at an end, the Greatthe ideasend, an sprangat up atpatience suchhis times,heart, at ideassick thatAnd,

”

have moved theRevolution? world;your by words gained were you spokenhave whichWhat foolery!

fops and said to the workers: workers: the to said and fops Come, enough of this this of enough Come,

still stir our hearts, at the“ interval of more than a

century. Butscented thelike peopleup weredressed starvingThey in the slums.multitude. starving

places, and flaunted their luxury in the face of the Fromthe of theface verythe Commencementin luxury their of theflaunted Revoluand - places,

tion industryhiding- inevitablytheir from came toemerged a stop—courage, the circulatook rich - the

tion of producelittle by waslittle checked,And worker. and the capitalof ears concealedthe in tionary

wretched than ever before, ever than wretched - reac the whispered

itself. The master—the employer” —had nothing to

fear at suchmore are times, You he fattenedRevolution! on his dividends,vaunted your for if much

Then the people began to grow weary. weary. grow to began people the Then So So

indeed“ he did not speculate on the wretchedness

around; but the wage-earnerhim? to wasmake reducedless or tomore live corpses

from hand tothousand mouth. a Wantcould knockeddifference at theWhat door. forthcoming.

not live without his wage, and the wage was not Faminenot was was abroadwage the in and the landwage, —suchhis faminewithout aslive not

The want only grew. For the wage-earner can wage-earner the For grew. only want The

had- hardly been seen under the old regime.

“The Girondists are starving us!” was hopeless. the cry equally in been

the workmenhave ’s would quarters it day, in 1793,every and thereuponviscounts and thedukes dred

gone to Coblentz. But if they had guillotined a hun a guillotined had they if But Coblentz. to gone

Girondists- were guillotined, and full powers were

given tohad “the Mountainduchesses the ” andfor to the Commune.servants, Theespecially alike,

servants and duchesses duchesses and servants —

Commune indeed concerned itselfday a with the fifteen question or dozen a

of bread, and madeguillotined They heroic door. effortstheir at to feedblame Paris.the Atlaid and

Lyons, Fouché, andconspirators Collotroyalist d’Herboisthe on establishedturned they cityThen

and still the people lacked bread. lacked people the still and —

granaries, but the sums spent on filling themhanged were were flour woefully insufficient.hoarded who Thebakers townthe councilscorn; madeprocure to great efforts

5 food 74

complished a counter-revolutionary stroke. The

Revolution dead, nothing remained but to trample

its corpse under foot. triumph. will Revolution

and that with this watchword of Bread for All the the All The for WhiteBread Terrorof began.watchword Bloodthis flowedwith that likeand wa-

a right to bread, that there is bread enough for all, all, ter,for the guillotineenough bread wasis neverthere idle,that the bread, prisons to right were a

We have the temerity to declare that all have crowded,have all that while thedeclare to pageant temerity of rankthe andhave fashionWe

resumed its old course, and went on as merrilybread. daily as

we shall have to consider the question of of question the consider to have shall we ”—

before. ers

- dream Utopian “

This picture is the typical we, of all our revolutions.government, of forms In

are engaged in endless discussions on on discussions endless in engaged are ”

1848 the workers of Paris placed “three monthspeople cal of

practi- “ and ” Shops, Talking “

starvation” at the service of thethe Republic,in andrhetoric then,own

men infested with middle-class ideas admire their havingtheir reachedadmire ideas the limit of theirmiddle-class powers,with theyinfested made,men

in work June, and one lastcitizens, desperate effortmiddle-class —anwhile effortAnd all. whichfor

The idea of the people will be to provide bread wasbread drownedprovide to in be blood.will In 1871people the the of Communeidea The per-

great lies rather! lies great ”— principles great “

ished for lack of combatants. It had takenabout measuresrangue

It has always been the middle-class idea to ha for to theidea separation ofmiddle-class Churchthe been and State,always has but It it ne-

glected,food. of alas,want untilfor too pining late, tochild take single measures a not for procharity, -

that haply a coarse loaf may be thrown to her in in vidingher to the peoplethrown be with may bread. loaf And socoarse a it camehaply to passthat

the wearied crowd outside the bakehouse-door, in Paris that bakehouse-door, élégantes the andoutside finecrowd gentlemenwearied the could

bread, not a single woman compelled to stand with spurnwith thestand to confederates,compelled and woman bid themsingle a gonot sell theirbread,

freedom, that there is not a single man who lacks liveslacks forwho a miserableman single a pittance,not is andthere leavethat their “bet-freedom,

lution to the last, in all the provinces fighting for for ters” to feastfighting at theirprovinces easethe inall fashionablein last, the restaurants.to lution

Be it ours to see, from the first day of the Revo Atthe of last day the Communefirst the from sawsee, to its mistake,ours it Be and

opened communal kitchens. But it was too late.liberty!... Its

with official gold lace, and in talking about political dayspolitical wereabout alreadytalking numbered,in and lace, andgold the troopsofficial with of

proclamations, in decorating themselves lavishly Versailleslavishly were onthemselves the ramparts.decorating in proclamations, Let others spend their time in issuing pompous “Bread,pompous it isissuing breadin time that thetheir Revolutionspend others needs!Let ”

5 food 74 complished a counter-revolutionary stroke. The

Revolution dead, nothing remained but to trample

its corpse under foot. triumph. will Revolution

and that with this watchword of Bread for All the Thethe WhiteAll for TerrorBread began.of Bloodwatchword flowedthis likewith wathat - and

ter, theall, guillotinefor enough was neverbread is idle,there thethat prisonsbread, wereto right a

crowded, have whileall that the pageantdeclare to of ranktemerity andthe fashionhave We

resumed its old course, and went on as merrily bread. as daily

we shall have to consider the question of of question the consider to have shall we ”—

before. ers

forms of government, we, the the we, government, of forms - dream Utopian

This picture is typical“ of all our revolutions. In

are engaged in endless discussions on on discussions endless in engaged are ”

1848 the workers of Paris placed “three months ofpeople cal

practi- “ and ” Shops, Talking “

starvation” at the service of the Republic, the in and then,rhetoric own

having reachedtheir theadmire limitideas of their powers,middle-class with they made,infested men

for all. And while middle-class citizens, and work and citizens, middle-class while And all. for

in June,- one last desperate effort—an effort which

was drownedbread in blood.provide to be In 1871will thepeople Communethe of idea perThe -

great lies rather! lies great ”— principles great “

ished for lack of combatants. It had taken measuresabout rangue

It has always been the middle-class idea to ha to idea middle-class the been always has It

for - the separation of Church and State, but it ne-

glected, alas,food. of untilwant toofor late, topining take child measures single a fornot procharity,

viding in theher peopleto withthrown bread.be may And loaf so it camecoarse a to passhaply that

in Paris that élégantesbakehouse-door, the and fineoutside gentlemencrowd couldwearied the

spurn thewith confederates,stand to andcompelled bid themwoman go single sell a theirnot bread,

lives for lacks a miserablewho man pittance,single a andnot is leavethere theirthat “bet- freedom,

ters ” tofor feast at fighting their ease inprovinces fashionablethe all in restaurants.last, the to lution

Be it ours to see, from the first day of the Revo the of day first the from see, to ours it Be

- At last the Commune saw its mistake, and

opened communal kitchens. But it was too late. Its liberty!...

days werepolitical alreadyabout numbered,talking in and and lace, the gold troops ofofficial with

Versailles werelavishly on the ramparts.themselves decorating in proclamations, “ Bread, itpompous is breadissuing thatin thetime Revolutiontheir spend needs!others ” Let

5 food

76 francs, and the charges for it were 121,000,000 francs. 121,000,000 were it for charges the and francs,

3 The municipal debt of Paris amounted in 1904 to 2,266,579,100 II 2,266,579,100 to 1904 in amounted Paris of debt municipal The 3

That we are Utopians is well known. So Utopian

sand years ago; and lastly, because despots, kings, arekings, we thatdespots, we go thebecause lengthlastly, ofand believingago; years that thesand

Revolutionthou four canEgypt in and oughteven and to assureRome, in shelter, food,customary

was was ” beast the taming “

and clothes to all—an idea of extremelymethod displeasingexcellent this to

because because a-head; pounds four or three of tax pal

middle-class3 citizens, whatever their party colour,

- munici its and £80,000,000 of debt its today

for they are quite alive to the fact that it is not easyParis

which cost cost which —

to keep the upperworks handpublic of a peoplethem whosegiving by hungeryears

in contenting the Parisian proletariat for eighteen is satisfied.eighteen for proletariat Parisian the contenting in

sorted to in 1848; because Napoleon III succeeded All thesucceeded III same, we maintainNapoleon because our contention:1848; in to breadsorted

1789 and 1793; because the same means were re mustwere be foundmeans for thesame peoplethe of thebecause Revolution,1793; and and1789

Because national workshops were opened in in the questionopened were of bread mustworkshops take precedencenational Because of all

other questions. If itunemployed. is settledthe to infood the interestsgiving of of themeans

vaunted as a a as vaunted ” works public “ and ”

people, the Revolution will be on the rightworkshops road; tional for

na- “

in solvinghave to the questionexpect of Breadtherefore must we we must and accept thesystem,

we do know that they wish to maintain the wage principlewage the of equality,maintain to whichwish willthey forcethat itselfknow upondo we us

themselves this question in all its nakedness. But toBut the exclusionnakedness. its of all every in other question solution. this themselves

have ever asked asked ever have ” people practical “

It is certain that the coming Revolution —likethemselves

We do not know whether the folk who call incall thatwho respectfolk tothe the Revolutionwhether know of 1848not do — willWe burst

upon us in the middle of a great industrialbread? crisis.with

What is to be done to provide these multitudes Things havemultitudes beenthese seethingprovide to for halfdone be a centuryto is now,What

cades are erected in Europe and the United States. andStates. can onlyUnited the go fromand badEurope toin worse.erected Everythingare cades

tendsbarri the that as waysoon — newas nationsdoubled enteringbe will the lists ofout-of-works in-

laid to a train of gunpowder. The number of the ternationalthe of tradenumber The and fightinggunpowder. forof possessiontrain a to of laid the

Revolution has burst upon us and spread like fire worldfire like ’s markets,spread and wars,us taxesupon everburst has increasing. Revolution Na-

Europe at this moment. It will be still worse when tionalwhen debts,worse thestill insecuritybe will It of the moment. morrow, this at and hugeEurope There are millions of unemployed workers in in colonialworkers undertakings unemployed inof every cornermillions are of the There globe.

5 food

76 francs, and the charges for it were 121,000,000 francs. 121,000,000 were it for charges the and francs,

II 2,266,579,100 to 1904 in amounted Paris of debt municipal The 3

That we are Utopians is well known. So Utopian

are we thatkings, we godespots, the lengthbecause of believinglastly, and ago; that theyears sand

customary in Rome, and even in Egypt four thou four Egypt in even and Rome, in customary

Revolution- can and ought to assure shelter, food,

this excellent method of of method excellent this was was ” beast the taming

and clothes to all—an idea extremely“ displeasing to

because because a-head; pounds four or three of tax pal

middle-class 3 citizens, whatever their party colour,

its debt of £80,000,000 and its munici its and £80,000,000 of debt its today Paris

for - they are quite alive to the fact that it is not easy

which cost cost which —

to keep the upper handworks of a peoplepublic them whose hungergiving by years

is satisfied. eighteen for proletariat Parisian the contenting in

sorted to in 1848; because Napoleon III succeeded All the same,succeeded III we maintainNapoleon our contention:because 1848; in breadto sorted

must bere foundwere for themeans peoplesame ofthe the Revolution,because 1793; andand 1789

the questionin ofopened breadwere must takeworkshops precedencenational of allBecause

other questions. If it is settledunemployed. inthe theto interestsfood giving ofof the means

tional workshops tional vaunted as a a as vaunted ” works public “ and

people, the Revolution will be on the ” right road; for

system, and we must therefore expect to have have to expect therefore must we and system, na-

in solving“ the question of Bread we must accept the

principle wage of equality,the whichmaintain to willwish forcethey itselfthat uponknow usdo we

to the exclusionBut of nakedness. every its all other in solution.question this themselves

have ever asked asked ever have ” people practical “

It is certain that the coming Revolution —like themselves

in that call respect who to folk the Revolutionthe whether of 1848know —willnot burstdo We

upon us in the middle of a great industrial crisis.bread? with

Things have beenmultitudes seethingthese forprovide halfto a centurydone be to now,is What

and can onlyStates. goUnited fromthe badand to worse.Europe in Everythingerected are cades

out-of-works will be doubled as soon as the barri the as soon as doubled be will out-of-works

tends- that way—new nations entering the lists of in-

ternational the of trade andnumber fightingThe for possessiongunpowder. of train ofa theto laid

world ’sfire markets,like wars,spread and taxesus everupon increasing.burst has Na- Revolution

tional debts,when theworse insecuritystill be ofwill theIt morrow,moment. andthis hugeat Europe colonial in undertakingsworkers in everyunemployed of corner ofmillions the are globe. There

5 food

gent communes, keeping strict account of it all, all, and it emperorsof account have strict always employedkeeping thecommunes, rusegent of

throwinginsur the of a scrapfood ofthe foodall of to the peoplepossession to gain timeimmediate

our view, would be that the people should take totake snatchshould up the people whip the — it isthat naturalbe thatwould “practicalview, our ”

Thus the really practical course of action, in in men shouldaction, of extolcourse this methodpractical of really perpetuating the Thus the

wagebasis. system.new a on What needproduction to rack ourreorganize brainsto whenproceed

ation which we ourselves have made untenable, to to we have theuntenable, time-honouredmade have methodourselves we of which the Phaation -

raohssitu a up at ourpatch disposal? to trying of instead and us, awaits

boldly to face the great task which which task great the face to boldly —

Yet should the Revolution be so misguidedproblem asthe to

There is only one really practical solution of of start onsolution this path,practical it wouldreally beone lost.only is There

In 1848, when the national workshopsdone? be to were is

deprived of the means of subsistence. What then openedthen What on Februarysubsistence. 27,of the unemployedmeans the of of Parisdeprived

tion, and during this time millions of men will be be numberedwill men onlyof 8,000;millions a fortnighttime this laterduring theyand hadtion, al-

readyproduc increasedof system tothe 49,000. Theyreorganize to wouldtime soon certain have a

plished in a day, or even in a month; it must take beentake 100,000,must it withoutmonth; a in countingeven or thoseday, a whoin crowdplished -

ed inaccom frombe the provinces.cannot this But people. whole the of

entirety, and to reorganize it to meet the needs needs Yetthe at thatmeet to time it trade andreorganize manufacturersto and entirety, in

will be forced to take production in hand, in its its France in employedhand, in half asproduction manytake handsto asforced today be . Andwill

private enterprise and wage labour. Society itself weitself know thatSociety in timelabour. ofwage Revolutionand exchangeenterprise andprivate

plete disorganization of the system based upon industryupon based suffer mostsystem the fromof the general disorganization upheaval. plete

Wecom havethe onlytrain its toin think,bring indeed,will of theproperty numberupon tack of

out more than fifty years ago, that the smallest at workmensmallest whosethe that labourago, dependsyears fifty directlythan ormore indiout -

It is evident, as Proudhon had already pointed rectlypointed upon exportalready had trade, or Proudhon of theas numberevident, is ofIt hands

employed in producing luxuries,unemployed! whosethe to consumerswork give

by means of new industries created on the spot to to are thespot middle-classthe on created minority.industries new of means by

tion by means of national relief works; that is to say, say, to Ais revolutionthat works; in Europerelief means,national of then,means by the tion un-

- situa terrible truly this avert to seek would ”

avoidable stoppage of at least half the factories andmen

practical practical “ workshops. our It meansAnd millionsstreets. the ofon workersthrown and theirfamilies

5 food

and emperorsall, it of have account always strict employedkeeping the ruse communes, of gent

immediate possession of all the food of the insur the of food the all of possession immediate

throwing- a scrap of food to the people to gain time

to snatch take up theshould whip—people it is the natural that thatbe “practicalwould view, ” our

men shouldin extolaction, of this methodcourse of practical perpetuating really the theThus

wage system.basis. Whatnew a on need to rackproduction our brainsreorganize whento proceed

we haveto the time-honoureduntenable, made have methodourselves of we the Phawhich - ation

awaits us, and instead of trying to patch up a situ a up patch to trying of instead and us, awaits

raohs- at our disposal?

boldly to face the great task which which task great the face to boldly —

Yet should the Revolution be so misguided as toproblem the

start of on this path,solution it wouldpractical be lost.really one only is There

In 1848, when the national workshops weredone? be to is

opened then on FebruaryWhat 27, thesubsistence. unemployedof means the ofof Paris deprived

numbered be will onlymen 8,000;of a fortnightmillions time laterthis they during had and al - tion,

a certain time to reorganize the system of produc of system the reorganize to time certain a

ready- increased to 49,000. They would soon have

been 100,000,take must withoutit countingmonth; a in thoseeven or whoday, a crowdin - plished

of the whole people. But this cannot be accom be cannot this But people. whole the of

ed infrom the provinces.

entirety, and to reorganize it to meet the needs Yet atneeds thatthe timemeet tradeto it and manufacturersreorganize to and in entirety,

France its employedin hand, halfin as manyproduction hands take asto today. forced And be will

we knowitself that inSociety time oflabour. Revolutionwage and exchangeenterprise and private

industry upon sufferbased most fromsystem the the of general upheaval.disorganization plete

tack upon property will bring in its train the com the train its in bring will property upon tack

We - have only to think, indeed, of the number of

out more than fifty years ago, that the smallest at smallest the that ago, years fifty than more out

workmen- whose labour depends directly or indi-

rectly uponpointed export trade,already had or of the numberProudhon as of handsevident, is It

employed in producing luxuries, whoseunemployed! consumersthe to work give

are theto middle-classspot the on minority.created industries new of means by

tion by means of national relief works; that is to say, A revolutionsay, to is that in Europeworks; relief means, then,national of themeans unby - tion

would seek to avert this truly terrible situa terrible truly this avert to seek would ” men

avoidable- stoppage of at least half the factories and

families thrown on the streets. And our our And streets. the on thrown families practical practical workshops. It“ means millions of workers and their

5 food

of Representative Government, national or local, for for that nonelocal, or mightnational be wasted, andGovernment, that by the Representative aid of of

only substitutes the State, that is to say, some form theseform accumulatedsome say, to is resourcesthat State, everythe one mightsubstitutes only be

modifications into the existing order of things. It things. able of to tideorder over theexisting crisis.the Duringinto that time modifications an

wage system, though it introduces considerable agreementconsiderable would haveintroduces it to be madethough with system, the factowage -

Collectivism, as we know, does not abolish the rythe workers,abolish thenot necessarydoes know, rawwe as material givenCollectivism, them,

and the means of subsistence assured fruits. to them,first

were still allowed to direct industry and to take its its whiletake theyto and worked toindustry supplydirect to the needsallowed ofstill the were ag-

consent to certain sacrifices on condition that they riculturalthey that population.condition on For wesacrifices must notcertain to forget thatconsent

wages when prices were high; in brief they would whilewould Francethey brief weaves in high; silks andwere satinsprices towhen deck thewages

which would oblige them to raise raise to them oblige would which ” scale, sliding

wives of German financiers, the Empress of“ Rus-

profits with the workers, or rather to establish a a sia, andestablish theto Queenrather or of the Sandwichworkers, the with Islands, andprofits

concessions; to share, for example, a part of the whilethe of Parispart a fashionsexample, wonderfulfor share, trinketsto and playconcessions; -

nopolize capital would be ready to make certain thingscertain for make rich to folk ready all be the worldwould over,capital two-thirdsnopolize

ofmo thenow Frenchwho peasantrythose havesystem, this not properpreserve lampsTo to

give them light,wares. orthe theof implementsvalue market necessarythe in price for

the risks it may involve, and for the fluctuations of of modern agriculture.fluctuations the for Lastly,and unproductiveinvolve, may it land,risks the of

ing himself for managing the concern, for running whichrunning therefor is plenty,concern, the would havemanaging tofor be turnedhimself ing to

therecoup bestof advantage,pretext under poor soilsprofits, enriched,or value and richsurplus

the employes a fixed wage, and lastly, to pocket the the soils, whichpocket to yet,lastly, underand thewage, presentfixed a system, employes do notthe

with raw material, to organize production, to pay yieldpay to a quarter, production, no, nor a organize tenth to of whatmaterial, theyraw mightwith

he undertakes to supply the factory or workshops produce,workshops wouldor befactory submittedthe supply toto intensive culture,undertakes he

essary capital, starts some industrial enterprise; and tilledenterprise; with as muchindustrial caresome as astarts marketcapital, garden essary or

anec flowerthe pot. It possessing is impossiblemen, of togroup imaginea or man, any A other

practical solution of the problem;this: and,to whetheramounts

ent capitalism is the wage system, which in brief webrief likein it orwhich not, sheersystem, forcewage ofthe circumstancesis capitalism willent

bringpres our it toof pass. characteristic prominent most The III

5 food

that nonefor mightlocal, or be wasted,national and thatGovernment, by the aid of Representative of

these accumulatedform some say, resourcesto is that everyState, onethe might besubstitutes only

able It tothings. tideof overorder the crisis.existing Duringthe thatinto time an modifications

agreement wouldconsiderable have to beintroduces madeit withthough the factosystem, - wage

ry workers, the theabolish necessarynot does raw materialknow, we as given them,Collectivism,

and the means of subsistence assured to them,fruits. first

while its theytake workedto and to supplyindustry thedirect needsto of theallowed agstill - were

ricultural they population.that condition Foron we must sacrifices not forgetcertain to that consent

while Francewould weavesthey brief silksin andhigh; satinswere to prices deck when the wages

which would oblige them to raise raise to them oblige would which ” scale, sliding

wives of German financiers, the Empress of Rus- “

sia, a and the establish Queen to of rather the or Sandwichworkers, Islands,the with and profits

while Paristhe of fashionspart a wonderfulexample, for trinketsshare, to and playconcessions;

things for certain rich folkmake to all theready worldbe over,would two-thirdscapital nopolize

To preserve this system, those who now mo now who those system, this preserve To

of the- French peasantry have not proper lamps to

give them light, or thewares. implementsthe of value necessarymarket the forin price

modern of agriculture.fluctuations Lastly,the for unproductiveand involve, may land, it ofrisks the

which thererunning is for plenty, wouldconcern, the have to bemanaging turnedfor tohimself ing

surplus value or profits, under pretext of recoup of pretext under profits, or value surplus

the - best advantage, poor soils enriched, and rich

soils, whichthe yet,pocket to underlastly, theand presentwage, system,fixed a do notemployes the

yield a pay quarter, to no, norproduction, a tenth oforganize whatto theymaterial, might raw with

produce, wouldworkshops beor submittedfactory the to intensivesupply to culture,undertakes he

and tilled withenterprise; as much careindustrial as some a marketstarts gardencapital, or essary

A man, or a group of men, possessing the nec the possessing men, of group a or man, A

a flower- pot. It is impossible to imagine any other

practical solution of the problem; and, this: whether to amounts

we like itbrief orin not, sheerwhich forcesystem, of circumstanceswage the is willcapitalism ent

The most prominent characteristic of our pres our of characteristic prominent most The

bring- it to pass. III

5 food

will soon realize that when the people are shot theshot individualare people employerthe when of labour.that Underrealize Collectivsoon will -

order, discipline, obedience! And as the capitalists ism it iscapitalists thethe representativesas And ofobedience! the nation,discipline, or of theorder,

— price any at maintained be must ” order “

Commune, and their deputies and officials end whothis are

ie olciim fi fed o eprmn. To to have theexperiment. controlfor of field industry. fair a It is they Collectivism whogive re-

carry all before them, they will be shot down, to to serve down, to themselvesshot be will the they right ofthem, employingbefore all the surcarry -

Then, if the people are not strong enough to to plus of productionenough strong —not in theare interestspeople the of if all. Moreover,Then,

Collectivism drawsbakeries. a verythe subtleplunder butwill verythey far-reachcoming -

ingforth distinctionnot is food betweenif and the longer, work no of thepatient labourerbe will

It will be in vain to preach patience. The people andpeople of theThe man whopatience. has preach learnedto vain ain craft.be Unskilledwill It

the giving of rations. of giving the —

labour in the eyes of the collectivist is simple labour,supplies of

communization communization —

while the work of thecases craftsman,such in the mechanic,demanded always the

period of stress they will demand what they have engineer,have they thewhat man of science,demand will etc.,they is whatstress of Marx callsperiod

rists who uphold the wage system. To tide over the complexthe over labour,tide To andsystem. is entitledwage the to a uphold higher who wage.rists

Buttheo labourersthe oblige andto craftsmen,order in weaversyears for andstarved menhalf of

nor, on the other hand, will the people submit to be be science,to aresubmit all wage-servantspeople the will hand, of theother Statethe —”on allnor, of-

problem is) cannot be accomplished in a few days; ficials,days; few ” asa wasin said lately,accomplished to be gild thecannot pill.is) problem

we shall presently show how tremendous this this Well, then,tremendous the cominghow show Revolution presently could shall render we

the reorganization of industry on a new basis (and no(and greaterbasis servicenew a on to humanityindustry of than by makingreorganization the

This point cannot be too much insisted upon; wageupon; system,insisted in allmuch itstoo forms,be an cannot impossibility, point This and

by renderingout-of-works. Communism,of millions whichthe to is thewages negationpaying for of

money flowing into the Treasury would not suffice wage-slavery,suffice not would the onlyTreasury possible the into solution. flowing money

exchange and production. The millions of public public Forof even admittingmillions The that theproduction. Collectivistand modiexchange -

lay hands upon property will inevitably paralyse ficationparalyse of the inevitably present will systemproperty is possible,upon hands if introlay -

tions of industry, but a revolution where the people ducedpeople graduallythe where during arevolution perioda but of prosperityindustry, of andtions

peacefounda —thoughthe forshaking my partwithout I questionaccomplished itsbe practican -

up with the first call to arms. A political revolution cabilityrevolution even underpolitical A sucharms. to conditions call first —itthe wouldwith up be- the need of feeding hungry millions would spring comespring impossiblewould inmillions a periodhungry of Revolution,feeding of need whenthe

5 food

the individualshot are employerpeople the of labour.when Underthat Collectivrealize soon - will

ism it is the representativescapitalists the as And of the nation,obedience! or of discipline, the order,

— price any at maintained be must ” order “

Commune, and their deputies and officials who areend this

to To have the controlexperiment. offor industry. field fair It a is they who re Collectivism - give

serve to to themselvesdown, shot thebe rightwill ofthey employingthem, thebefore surall - carry

plus ofto productionenough —instrong thenot interests are of people all. Moreover,the if Then,

Collectivism draws a verybakeries. subtlethe but veryplunder will far-reach they - coming

ing distinctionforth not is between food if theand work longer, of theno labourerpatient be will

and of thepeople manThe who haspatience. learnedpreach ato craft.vain in Unskilled be will It

the giving of rations. of giving the —

labour in the eyes of the collectivist is simple labour, supplies of

communization communization —

while the work of the craftsman,cases such thein mechanic,demanded the always

engineer, have the they man ofwhat science,demand etc.,will is whatthey Marxstress callsof period

complex the labour,over tide andTo is entitledsystem. wage to athe higheruphold wage.who rists

half starved for years in order to oblige the theo the oblige to order in years for starved half

But - labourers and craftsmen, weavers and men of

science, be to are all submit wage-servants people the will of thehand, State—”other allthe ofon - nor,

ficials, ” asdays; wasfew a said in lately, to gildaccomplished thebe pill. cannot is) problem

we shall presently show how tremendous this Well,this then, the comingtremendous how Revolution show could presently render shall we

no greater (and servicebasis new to a humanityon thanindustry of by making thereorganization the

wage system,upon; in allinsisted its forms,much too anbe impossibility,cannot point andThis

by rendering Communism,out-of-works. of whichmillions isthe theto negationwages ofpaying for

wage-slavery, suffice not the onlywould possibleTreasury solution.the into flowing money

exchange and production. The millions of public For evenpublic of admittingmillions thatThe the Collectivistproduction. and modiexchange

fication of paralyse the presentinevitably systemwill is possible,property upon if introhands - lay

duced graduallypeople the duringwhere a periodrevolution a of prosperitybut industry, andof tions

can be accomplished without shaking the founda the shaking without accomplished be can

peace- —though for my part I question its practi-

cability evenrevolution under suchpolitical A conditionsarms. to call — it wouldfirst the be-with up come impossiblespring would in a periodmillions of Revolution,hungry feeding of whenneed the

5 food

the quantity of of quantity the —

down by those who1871 of call siege themselvesthe during Revolutionout find -

of its statistical committees, and what it never did did ists, thenever Revolutionit what and itself will becomecommittees, hatefulstatistical its in theof

will know what Paris has not found out yet, in spite eyesspite in of theyet, out masses, found theynot willhas certainlyParis what lendknow theirwill

ly in Paris, then in twenty-four hours the Commune supportCommune tothe the championshours oftwenty-four orderin —then even Paris, thoughin ly

theyname are collectivists.France, in out Inbreaks such a linerevolution ofa conduct,such If the

capitalists will see a warehouse. meansand ofshop hereaftereach of crushingcontents

the task of making a rough general inventory of the the of collectivistsinventory in theirgeneral turn.rough a And ifmaking “of ordertask isthe es-

into bands of volunteers and address themselves to to tablished” themselves in this address fashion,and the consequencesvolunteers of bands into are

zens, men and women both, will form themselves easy to themselves foresee. form Notwill contentboth, withwomen shootingand men downzens,

theciti “marauders,” thewell-intentioned factionThe had. of be “ orderto ” food will the search all

in fact of all the provision stores and of of and stores provision the all of fact in —

out the “ringleaders of the mob.” They will set markets, up

will take possession of the warehouses, the cattle againcattle the law courtswarehouses, andthe of reinstate thepossession hangman.take will

starving the next, the people of the insurgent cities Thecities most ardentinsurgent the revolutionistsof people the willnext, bethe sent to thestarving

shops one day, and and day, one shops ’

scaffold. It will be 1793 overbakers the again. plundering of stead

enough, affairs will take a very different turn. In Doturn. not letdifferent us forgetvery a howtake reactionwill affairs triumphedenough,

And if the impetus of the people is strong in thestrong is last century.people the Firstof the “Hébertistsimpetus the if ” andAnd “the

madmen,evident. ”more wereand guillotinedmore —becomes those whomsolution other Mignet, any

munists is ever increasing, as the impossibility of of with the memoryimpossibility the ofas the struggleincreasing, freshever is upon him,munists

stillcom of called “number Anarchists.the and ”ear, Theour Dantonistsin it breathed soon have fol-

It is not an artificial idea. The people themselves lowedthemselves them;people andThe when idea. the party artificial of an Robespierre not is It

of anarchist Communism will have gained ground. had ground. guillotined gained thesehave will revolutionaries, Communism they inanarchist theirof

and that, when the Revolution takes place, the idea turnidea the had toplace, mounttakes the scaffold;Revolution the whereuponwhen that, theand

the energy of the people will carry them far enough, people,enough, far sick ofthem bloodshed,carry will andpeople seeingthe of the energy revolu the -

u eeyhn cnim u i te eif that tionbelief lost,the threwin us up the sponge, confirms and let the everything reactionBut -

aries do their worst. end. an to come will

be hanged by the reactionaries; and the Revolution If “orderRevolution the is and restored, ” we reactionaries; say,the theby socialhanged dembe - hang the social democrats, and will in their turn ocratsturn their will in hangwill theand anarchists;democrats, thesocial Fabiansthe willhang

5 food

the quantity of of quantity the —

down by those who call1871 of themselves siege the Revolutionduring out - find

ists, thedid Revolutionnever it itselfwhat willand become hatefulcommittees, in thestatistical its of

eyes of spite the in masses,yet, out theyfound willnot certainlyhas Paris lendwhat theirknow will

support to theCommune championsthe hours of ordertwenty-four — evenin then though Paris, in ly

If such a revolution breaks out in France, name France, in out breaks revolution a such If

they- are collectivists. In such a line of conduct, the

capitalists will see a meanswarehouse. of and hereafter shop crushingeach of contents

the collectiviststhe of in inventory their turn.general Andrough a if “ordermaking of is estask - the

tablished to ” in thisthemselves fashion,address theand consequencesvolunteers of arebands into

easy to foresee.themselves Notform contentwill withboth, shootingwomen and downmen zens,

the “marauders,citi ” the factionwell-intentioned The of “orderhad. be ” willto searchfood the all

in fact of all the provision stores and of of and stores provision the all of fact in —

out the “ringleaders of the mob.” They will set up markets,

again thecattle lawthe courts and warehouses, reinstatethe of the hangman.possession take will

The mostcities ardent revolutionistsinsurgent the of people will the be sentnext, tothe the starving

stead of plundering the bakers the plundering of stead shops one day, and and day, one shops

scaffold. It will be 1793 over’ again.

enough, affairs will take a very different turn. In turn. different very a take will affairs enough,

- Do not let us forget how reaction triumphed

in the laststrong century. is Firstpeople the of “ Hébertistsimpetus ” andthe if “theAnd

madmen,” evident. were more guillotinedand more —those becomes whom Mignet,solution other any

with of the memory ofimpossibility thethe struggleas freshincreasing, uponever is him, munists

have breathed it in our ear, and the number of com of number the and ear, our in it breathed have

still- called “Anarchists.” The Dantonists soon fol-

lowed them;themselves andpeople when The the partyidea. of Robespierre artificial an not is It

had guillotinedground. thesegained revolutionaries,have will theyCommunism in their anarchist of

turn hadidea tothe mountplace, thetakes scaffold; Revolution whereupon the when thethat, and

people, sickenough, offar bloodshed,them carry andwill seeingpeople thethe of revoluenergy - the

tion that lost, belief threw the upin the us sponge, and confirms let the reaction everything But -

aries do their worst. end. an to come will

be hanged by the reactionaries; and the Revolution If “order isRevolution restored,the and ” we say, thereactionaries; socialthe by dem-hanged be ocrats willturn hangtheir in thewill anarchists;and thedemocrats, Fabianssocial willthe hang

5 food

sooner it is done the better; the sooner it is done the provisionsthe done is it it contains.sooner the In forty-eightbetter; the done hours is it millionssooner

in order to satisfy the needs of all the citizens. The ofThe copies citizens. will the be all printed of ofneeds thethe tablessatisfy givingto aorder suffiin -

gradually extending Communism to other things, cientlythings, exactother to account of theCommunism available extending food, the placgradually -

sions, beginning with the barest necessaries, and esand where it is necessaries, stored, barest and the the meanswith of distribution.beginning sions,

of circumstances to take possession of all the provi In the everyall of block of houses,possession take into every street,circumstances inof ev-

The people of the great towns will be driven by force eryforce townby ward,driven be groupswill oftowns volunteersgreat the of will havepeople beenThe organized, and these commissariat volunteers willIV

find it easy to work in unison and keep in touch

with each other. If only the Jacobincommittees. bayonetsof number do

four walls by hide-bound theorists sitting on any notany on get in thesitting way; iftheorists only the self-styledhide-bound by “walls scientif- four

infinitely preferable to anything invented between ic” theoristsbetween doinvented not thrustanything to themselves preferable in to darkeninfinitely

taneously, under stress of immediate need, will be be counsel!will Orneed, rather letimmediate themof expoundstress under their muddle-taneously,

headedspon up theoriessprings as which much assystem a they case, like, any providedIn

they have no authority, no power!events. Anddiscussing that admieagerly -

tentedly enough on a bit of bread and cheese while rablewhile spiritcheese of and organizationbread of bit a inherent on inenough the people,tentedly

abovecon dine all incan everyone social gradeRevolution of of thetimes French in nation,besides,

an improvement on their former condition; and, butand, which theycondition; haveformer so seldomtheir on been allowedimprovement toan ex-

much. For the mass of the people it would still be be ercise,still willwould initiate,it evenpeople the inof so hugemass the a cityFor as Paris,much.

or a month, surely that would not matter very andvery in thematter midstnot of a would Revolution, that ansurely immensemonth, a guildor

amount of discomfort and confusion for a fortnight of freefortnight workers,a for readyconfusion to furnishand to eachdiscomfort of and all theamount

And even supposing we had to endure a certain necessarycertain a food.endure to had we supposing even And

Give the people a free hand, and in ten daysBumbledom.

you how superior it is to the official ineptness of of the foodineptness service official will the be to conducted is it withsuperior admirablehow you

lion of starving folk had to be fed, and they will tell tell regularity. will they Onlyand thosefed, be to whohad havefolk neverstarving seenof thelion

- mil a half when strike, ’

people hard at work, only thosedockers whogreat havethe passedduring

in Paris in the days of the barricades, or in London theirLondon livesin or buried amongbarricades, thethe of documents,days the in can Paris doubt in

the people, to those who have seen it it seen have who those to people, the ” it. Speak of the organizing genius of the “Great Misunderstood, -

5 food

provisions the itdone contains.is it Insooner forty-eightthe better; hoursthe millionsdone is it sooner

of copies The will becitizens. printedthe all ofof the tablesneeds the givingsatisfy ato suffi-order in

ciently exactthings, accountother to of the availableCommunism food, theextending placgradually

es where and it is stored,necessaries, and thebarest meansthe ofwith distribution.beginning sions,

of circumstances to take possession of all the provi the all of possession take to circumstances of

- In every block of houses, in every street, in ev-

ery townforce ward,by groupsdriven be of will volunteerstowns willgreat the have of beenpeople The organized, and these commissariat volunteers will IV

find it easy to work in unison and keep in touch

with each other. If only the Jacobin bayonetscommittees. of do number

not getany in on the way;sitting if only thetheorists self-styledhide-bound “by scientif- walls four

ic” theoristsbetween do not thrustinvented themselvesanything to in topreferable darken infinitely

counsel! be Orwill ratherneed, let themimmediate expoundof stress their muddle-under taneously,

In any case, a system which springs up spon up springs which system a case, any In

headed- theories as much as they like, provided

they have no authority, no power! events. And that admidiscussing - eagerly

rable spiritwhile of organizationcheese and bread inherentof bit a on in the people,enough tentedly

besides, in times of Revolution one can dine con dine can one Revolution of times in besides,

above- all in every social grade of the French nation,

but whichand, they havecondition; so seldomformer beentheir on allowed to eximprovement - an

ercise, be willstill initiate,would it even inpeople so the huge of a citymass asthe Paris,For much.

and in thevery midstmatter of anot Revolution, would that an immensesurely guildmonth, a or

of free workers,fortnight a readyfor to furnishconfusion and to each anddiscomfort allof the amount

necessary food.certain a endure to had we supposing even And

Give the people a free hand, and in ten days Bumbledom.

the of food serviceineptness will beofficial conductedthe to is it with admirablesuperior how you

regularity. tell will Onlythey thoseand whofed, be haveto had neverfolk seen starving the of lion

strike, when half a mil a half when strike, ’ dockers great the during

people- hard at work, only those who have passed

their lives buriedLondon in or among thebarricades, documents,the of days canthe doubtin Paris in

the people, to those who have seen it it seen have who those to people, the ” it. Speak of the organizing genius of the “Great Mis- understood,

5 food

nies know that all they have to do is to make known less known miserymake thereto is do will to be andhave thethey lessall strife.that know nies

is any fear of the supply failing, the water compa But uponwater whatthe basisfailing, mustsupply societythe of be organizedfear any is

you please! But during the great droughts, if there in there order if that alldroughts, maygreat havethe theirduring dueBut share please! of foodyou

the consumption of water in each house. Take what produce?what Take Thishouse. is theeach questionin water of that meets usconsumption at the

ning short, no water company thinks of checking outset.checking of thinks company water no short, ning

As long as there is no fear of the supply run We supply answer the of thatfear thereno is are nothere as two wayslong As of it.

There is onlyhouse. one each way to in whichsupplied Communismwater the candance,

beabun establishedin found is equitably,which onlyleast, at one way whichcommodity one satisof -

tem prevails in the great towns in the distribution fies our distribution instincts the in of justicetowns great and the is in at the sameprevails timetem

It is a fact worth remarking that the same sys practical; same the namely, that the systemremarking alreadyworth fact a adopted is It by

the agrarian communes ofCommunism. Europe.natural of system this

lions who inhabit Europe, 200 millions still follow follow Takestill for examplemillions 200 a peasantEurope, commune,inhabit who no matlions -

termil where,350 the Of even inshort. France,run to whereapt or the Jacobinsscarce are havewhich

equal sharing and dividing of those commodities done their commodities best those to of destroy all dividing communal and sharing usage.equal If

what the community possesses in abundance, but thebut communeabundance, possessesin woodspossesses and copses,community the then,what so

In a word, the system is this: no stint or limit to to longlimit asor therestint isno plentythis: is of woodsystem forthe all,word, everya In one

can takeRussia. in as muchcase the as he wants,already is as withoutscarce, other becomes let

household according to its needs, as soon as either or either hindrance as soon as than theneeds, publicits to opinionaccording of his neighhousehold -

allowanced, and the land parcelled out, to each bours.each to Asout, to the timber-trees,parcelled land the whichand are alwaysallowanced,

share of timber or of land. But the timber will be be scarce,will theytimber havethe toBut be carefullyland. of or apportioned.timber of share

s s ’

quire, without any thought of limiting each man The each same withlimiting of the communalthought any pasturewithout land;quire,

them, and cultivating as much of the soil as they re whilethey thereas soil is the enough of andmuch as to spare, nocultivating limitand is putthem,

will find the peasants felling the trees as they need toneed whatthey theas cattletrees the of eachfelling homestead peasants maythe consume,find will

there are great forests and no scarcity of land, you noryou toland, theof numberscarcity ofno beastsand grazingforests upongreat are the pasthere -

And in the countries of Eastern Europe, where tures.where GrazingEurope, groundsEastern of are not divided,countries the in norAnd is fod-

der doled out, unless there is system. scarcity. this All thepractise Swissland, Germany, wherever there is communal pasture communes,pasture and communal scores is of there thousands wherever in France andGermany,

5 food

less miseryknown theremake willto is bedo andto thehave less they strife.all that know nies

is any fear of the supply failing, the water compa water the failing, supply the of fear any is

- But upon what basis must society be organized

in order there that if all maydroughts, have great their the due shareduring But of foodplease! you

produce? what ThisTake is thehouse. questioneach in thatwater meetsof us at theconsumption the

outset. checking of thinks company water no short, ning

Werun answersupply thatthe thereof fear areno nois twothere waysas oflong it.As

There is only one wayhouse. ineach whichto Communismsupplied water the can dance,

be establishedabun in equitably,found is onlywhich oneleast, wayat which satiscommodity -one of

fies our instinctsdistribution ofthe justicein andtowns is great at thethe in same timeprevails tem

practical;sys namely,same the thethat system alreadyremarking worth adopted fact a is by It

the agrarian communes of Europe.Communism. natural of system this

lions who inhabit Europe, 200 millions still follow Take forfollow examplestill amillions peasant200 commune,Europe, inhabit no matwho - lions

which are scarce or apt to run short. Of the 350 mil 350 the Of short. run to apt or scarce are which

ter - where, even in France, where the Jacobins have

done their best commodities to destroy those of all communal dividing and usage. sharing If equal

the communebut possessesabundance, in woods andpossesses copses, then,community the so what

long asto therelimit or is plentystint no of this: wood is forsystem all,the everyword, onea In

can take as muchRussia. in ascase he the wants, already without is as otherscarce, let becomes

or hindrance either as thansoon theas publicneeds, its opinion to of hisaccording neighhousehold

bours. Aseach toto theout, timber-trees,parcelled land which the areand always allowanced,

scarce, be theywill have timber to bethe carefullyBut land. apportioned.of or timber of share

quire, without any thought of limiting each man each limiting of thought any without quire, s s

The’ same with the communal pasture land;

them, and cultivating as much of the soil as they re they as soil the of much as cultivating and them,

while- there is enough and to spare, no limit is put

to what need the cattlethey as of eachtrees the homesteadfelling maypeasants consume,the find will

nor to theyou numberland, of of beastsscarcity no grazingand uponforests thegreat pasare - there

tures. Grazingwhere groundsEurope, areEastern notof divided,countries northe isin fodAnd -

der doled out, unless there is scarcity.system. Allthis the Swisspractise land, communes, pasture and scores communal of is thousands there in Francewherever and Germany,

5 food

s last last s ’

the fact, by meanscivilization are of a shorttable advertisementmess barrack the in theand

s uniform uniform s ’ soldier the whom for —

papers, and the citizens will reduce theirtheorists consumpThe -

tion of waterunderstand. to and notlearn letwill ithe runeven to waste.masses, the with

he is thrown on the street and comes into contact Butcontact ifinto watercomes wereand actuallystreet the scarce, on whatthrown is would he

ways understood it; and even the child of luxury, if if be done?luxury, of Recoursechild the wouldeven beand hadit; to a systemunderstood ofways ra-

this, but the people do understand, and have al tions.have Suchand a measure understand, is sodo natural,people sothe inherentbut this, in

The man who is full-fed does not understand commonunderstand sense,not thatdoes Paris full-fed twice is askedwho toman be The put on

rations during the two sieges which it underwentagreement.

Say that and see if you do not meet with universal in 1871.universal with meet not do you if see and that Say

those who have most need most should be given. given. Isbe it necessaryshould most to goneed intomost details,have towho preparethose

sumption runs short, and has to be doled out, to to tables,out, showingdoled be to howhas theand distributionshort, runs of rationssumption

maycon of work,article to provethat or thatthis if it isthat just andword, a equitable,in Say, in-

finitely more just and equitable than theextremity. existingthat

man dry bread, if the community be reduced to to state of things?reduced be All thesecommunity tablesthe if and detailsbread, dry will notman

the aged the last piece of meat, and to the strong servestrong tothe convinceto and thosemeat, of of thepiece middlelast the classes,aged nor,the

if there is not enough for all. To the children and alas,and thosechildren of thethe workersTo all. for tainted enough with not middle-classis there if

the milk of the cows and goats should be reserved prejudices,reserved be who should regard goats theand peoplecows asthe aof mobmilk of savthe -

that after the sick come the children. For them agesthem readyFor to fallchildren. uponthe andcome devoursick the each other,after that as

should go to sick people and convalescents. Say soonSay as the Governmentconvalescents. and ceasespeople to sick direct to go affairs. Butshould

the entire city, and only one case of sherry, they thosethey onlysherry, whoof havecase neverone only seen and the peoplecity, entire resolve the

that if there are only five brace of partridge in and actpartridge onof theirbrace own initiative five only could are doubt there if forthat a

especially for the sick. Say Say sick. the for especially —

moment that if the masses were mastersfeeble and ofsick thethe sit-

the most tempting delicacies ought to be kept for for uation, kept theybe to wouldought distributedelicacies rationstempting to eachmost andthe

the street corners and in the market places, that allthat in strictestplaces, accordancemarket the in withand justicecorners and equity.street the

hissed. But say at the same gathering, preach at at If youpreach were togathering, givesame utterance,the at say in anyBut gatherhissed. -

given to the sick in the hospitals, you would be be ing of people,would you to the opinionhospitals, the thatin delicaciessick the to —gamegiven ous palates of aristocratic idlers, and black bread andbread such-likeblack and —shouldidlers, be reservedaristocratic of for thepalates fastidious -

5 food

s last last s ’

the fact, by means ofcivilization a shortare advertisementtable mess inbarrack thethe and

s uniform uniform s ’ soldier the whom for —

papers, and the citizens will reduce their consumptheorists The -

tion of water andunderstand. notto let learn it runwill tohe waste.even masses, the with

he is thrown on the street and comes into contact But if watercontact into were comes actually and scarce,street the whaton wouldthrown is he

be done? if Recourseluxury, of wouldchild the be hadeven toand ait; system of raunderstood - ways

tions.al Suchhave a measureand is so natural,understand, do so inherentpeople the but in this,

common sense,understand thatnot Parisdoes twice askedfull-fed is towho be putman onThe

rations during the two sieges which it underwent agreement.

in 1871. universal with meet not do you if see and that Say

those who have most need most should be given. Is it given. necessary be should to gomost into need details, most to have prepare who those

tables, to showingout, doled how be to the has distribution and short, of runs rations sumption

Say, in a word, that if this or that article of con of article that or this if that word, a in Say,

may- work, to prove that it is just and equitable, in-

finitely more just and equitable than the existingextremity. that

state to of things?reduced Allbe these tablescommunity andthe detailsif willbread, notdry man

serve to convincestrong the to thoseand of themeat, of middlepiece classes,last the nor,aged the

alas, thoseand of thechildren workers the To taintedall. for with middle-classenough not is there if

prejudices, whoreserved be regardshould the peoplegoats and as acows mobthe ofof savmilk - the

ages readythem toFor fall uponchildren. andthe devourcome eachsick other,the asafter that

soon asSay the Governmentconvalescents. ceasesand to directpeople sick affairs. to go But should

those onlythey who havesherry, of nevercase seenone theonly peopleand city, resolve entire the

and in act on partridge their of own initiativebrace five could only doubt are for there if a that

especially for the sick. Say Say sick. the for especially —

moment that if the masses were mastersfeeble of theand sitsick - the

uation, for theykept wouldbe to distributeought rationsdelicacies to eachtempting andmost the

all in strictestthat accordanceplaces, market withthe in justiceand and equity.corners street the

hissed. But say at the same gathering, preach at Ifat you werepreach to give gathering, utterance, same the inat anysay gatherBut - hissed.

ing ofbe people, would to theyou opinionhospitals, that the delicaciesin sick —the game to given and such-likebread —black should and be reservedidlers, foraristocratic theof fastidipalates - ous

5 food

word—wouldsuperstition. or like no doubttyranny by to startwarped a regimebrains in of born Na-

morbid ideas ideas morbid —

tional Kitchens andbarrack “Spartanthe or Broth.convent ” Theythe of wouldideas

would be as repugnant to our modern minds as the pointthe as out minds the advantagesmodern our to thereby gained,repugnant as be the econwould -

a duty of taking home our food ready cooked, that omythat in fuelcooked, andready food,food if our such hugehome kitchenstaking of duty were a

But to make a hard and fast rule of this, to make established,make to this, of whererule everyfast and one hard could a comemake to forBut their

rations of soup and bread andsuggest. vegetables.shall taste individual

of the meal, leaving the last touches to be added as as Weadded dobe to not questiontouches last thesethe advantages.leaving meal, Wethe of are

the communal kitchen for the fundamental parts wellparts aware that fundamental important the for economieskitchen have communal already the

custom will no doubt become general of going to to been going achieved of ingeneral this directionbecome doubt —as,no forwill instance,custom

without the risk of being cheated or poisoned, the whenthe the handmill,poisoned, or orcheated quern,being andof therisk bakerthe ’s ovenwithout

established, and people can get their food cooked attachedcooked food to eachtheir houseget can were people abandoned. and We canestablished,

is is — future the of bakehouse common the —

see perfectly well that it would be more economikitchen -

mizing time and fuel. And when the communal cal to cookcommunal broththe forwhen a hundredAnd fuel. familiesand time at once,mizing in-

- econo thus sum, trifling a for s ’

stead of lighting a hundred separatebaker fires.the at We know,baked

can have a joint roasted, or an apple or rhubarb tart besides,tart thatrhubarb or thereapple arean or a thousandroasted, waysjoint a of have prepar can -

likes, and London housekeepers know that they ingthey potatoes,that know but that cookedhousekeepers in one London huge and pot forlikes, a

butcher, and transforms it into whatever soup she hundredshe soup familieswhatever theyinto it would be justtransforms asand good. butcher,

housewife gets the stock for her soup from the the Wefrom know,soup in her fact, for that varietystock the in gets cooking beinghousewife

ple are poisoned nowadays. Already the Parisian a matterParisian the of the seasoningAlready introducednowadays. bypoisoned eachare cookple

orpeo housewife,where the cookingrestaurants, the togetherof place ofthe a hundredtake to -

Naturally large public kitchens will spring up up weight spring of potatoeswill wouldkitchens notpublic preventlarge each cookNaturally or

housewife fromhim. to dressinggood andseemed it servingif themrestaurant, ina anyin

meals with his family, or with his friends, or even wayeven or she pleased.friends, his Andwith weor knowfamily, thathis stockwith mademeals

all, we should wish each one to be free to take his his from take meatto canfree be be to converted one each intowish a hundredshould we differall, -

herself in her own pot on her own fire. And, above entabove soupsAnd, to fire. suit aown hundredher on differentpot own tastes.her in herself

kitchen ready cooked if she prefers to cook them them But cook though to weprefers are she quite if awarecooked of allready these facts,kitchen housewife to take her potatoes from the communal we still communal maintain the from that no onepotatoes her has atake rightto to forcehousewife a

5 food

word—would likesuperstition. noor doubt totyranny startby a regimewarped ofbrains Nain - born

ideas of the convent or the barrack the or convent the of ideas morbid ideas ideas morbid

tional Kitchens and— “Spartan Broth.” They would

point outthe as the advantagesminds modern therebyour to gained, repugnant the as econbe - would

omy in that fuel andcooked, food,ready if suchfood hugeour kitchenshome taking wereof duty a

established, make to wherethis, of everyrule onefast couldand hard come a formake theirto But

rations of soup and bread and vegetables.suggest. shall taste individual

of the meal, leaving the last touches to be added as Weas do notadded be question to thesetouches last advantages.the leaving We aremeal, the of

well awareparts that importantfundamental the economies for havekitchen alreadycommunal the

been to achieved going of in this general direction become —as, doubt for no instance, will custom

when thethe handmill,poisoned, or or quern,cheated and thebeing of bakerrisk ’s the oven without

attached tocooked eachfood housetheir wereget can abandoned.people and We can established,

the common bakehouse of the future the of bakehouse common the — kitchen is is

see perfectly— well that it would be more economi-

cal to cook brothcommunal forthe a hundredwhen And familiesfuel. atand once,time in- mizing

baked at the baker the at baked - econo thus sum, trifling a for s

stead of lighting a hundred separate’ fires. We know,

besides, tart that thererhubarb or are aapple thousandan or waysroasted, of joint prepara have - can

ing potatoes,they that but thatknow cooked in onehousekeepers huge potLondon forand a likes,

hundred she familiessoup they whatever would into it be just as good.transforms and butcher,

housewife gets the stock for her soup from the Wethe know,from in fact,soup thather varietyfor stock in cookingthe gets being housewife

a matter of Parisian the the seasoning Already introducednowadays. by each poisoned cook are ple

to take the place of the restaurants, where peo where restaurants, the of place the take to

or housewife,- the cooking together of a hundred-

weight up of potatoesspring will would notkitchens preventpublic eachlarge cook orNaturally

housewife from dressinghim. to andgood servingseemed it if them in anyrestaurant, a in

way sheeven pleased.or Andfriends, his we knowwith or that family, stock his madewith meals

from meathis take can to be convertedfree be to one into aeach hundredwish differshould we - all,

ent soupsabove to suitAnd, a hundredfire. own differenther on pot tastes.own her in herself

kitchen ready cooked if she prefers to cook them But thoughthem cook weto are quiteprefers awareshe if of allcooked these ready facts, kitchen we still maintaincommunal thatthe nofrom one haspotatoes a righther take to to force a housewife

5 food

not take place. That the Revolution will embrace Whoembrace willwill have a rightRevolution the to theThat foodplace. of thetake comnot -

But all the signs lead us to believe that it will mune?will it that will assuredlybelieve to us be thelead firstsigns the questionall But which

we shallcentury. haveour of to task ask the ourselves. simplify Everyto townshipmuch do willwould

inspire all and sundry. Such a universal rising answerrising for itself,universal a and Such we are convincedsundry. and all that theinspire an-

be general, and that communistic principles should swersshould will all beprinciples dictated by thecommunistic sentimentthat and of justice.general, be

rope should rise at once, that expropriation should Untilshould labour is reorganized,expropriation that asonce, longat asrise the disturbedshould rope

Certainly it would be very desirable that all Eu periodall that lasts, anddesirable whilevery be it is impossiblewould it toCertainly distin-

guish between inveterate idlers and genuinefeatures. workessential -

the Revolution will take, or at least what will be its its ersbe thrownwill outwhat ofleast work,at or the take, available will food oughtRevolution the to

ing to prophesy, we may try to foresee what course be sharedcourse what by all withoutforesee to try exception.may we Those prophesy, who to haveing

been pretend enemieswithout to theand, new orderEurope, of willState hastenthe at of theirglance

We are thus led, before we proceed further, to to own accordfurther, to ridproceed thewe communebefore led, of thus their are presence.We

But it seems to us that the massesmeasures. the of the dictate people,will

means will have to be chosen. The circumstances which havecircumstances alwaysThe beenchosen. magnanimous,be to have will and havemeans

communities in Europe make the attempt, other nothingother of vindictivenessattempt, the make in theirEurope in disposition, willcommunities

procedure would be simplified; but if only a few a be readyonly if to but share their bread simplified; be with all would who remainprocedure

and start with thorough-going Communism, our withour them, conqueredCommunism, and conquerersthorough-going with alike.start It willand

accomplish the Social Revolution simultaneously, be no loss tosimultaneously, the RevolutionRevolution to Social be inspiredthe by suchaccomplish

entire nation, or, better still, if all Europe should an idea,should and,Europe whenall if workstill, is setbetter agoingor, again,nation, theentire an-

the provinces, and in neighbouring countries. If the tagoniststhe If of yesterdaycountries. will neighbouring stand in sideand by sideprovinces, in the

will depend on the character of the Revolution in in same workshops.Revolution the of A society character where the workon is freedepend willwill

tion, but it is obvious that the means resorted to to have nothingresorted tomeans fearthe fromthat idlers. obvious is it but tion,

be supplied with food? We shall answer this ques “Butthis provisionsanswer willshall We run shortfood? inwith a month!supplied ” ourbe

By what means could a city in a state of revolution critics atrevolution onceof exclaim.state a in city a could means what By “So much the better,” say we. It will prove that V for

the first time on record the people have had enough to eat. As tochapter. thenext questionour in of obtainingmeans the freshdiscuss supplies,shall we

5 food

not take place. That the Revolution will embrace Who willembrace havewill a right toRevolution thethe foodThat of theplace. comtake - not

mune? will will it assuredlythat believe be to theus firstlead questionsigns the all whichBut

we shall havecentury. toour askof ourselves.task the Everysimplify townshipto much willdo would

answer forrising itself, anduniversal wea areSuch convinced sundry. thatand theall an- inspire

swers will should all be dictatedprinciples by the sentimentcommunistic that ofand justice. general, be

Until labourshould is reorganized,expropriation asthat long asonce, at the disturbedrise should rope

Certainly it would be very desirable that all Eu all that desirable very be would it Certainly

period- lasts, and while it is impossible to distin-

guish between inveterate idlers and genuinefeatures. workessential

ers thrownits be outwill of work,what least the at availableor take, foodwill ought toRevolution the

be shared course by all what without foresee exception.to try may Thosewe who haveprophesy, to ing

been enemiespretend to thewithout newand, order willEurope, of hastenState ofthe theirat glance

own accordto tofurther, rid the proceed commune we before of theirled, presence.thus are We

But it seems to us that the masses ofmeasures. thethe people,dictate will

which have alwayscircumstances beenThe magnanimous,chosen. be to andhave havewill means

nothing ofother vindictivenessattempt, the in make their disposition,Europe in will communities

be few readya toonly shareif theirbut bread with simplified; all be who would remain procedure

with them,our conqueredCommunism, and conquerersthorough-going alike.with It willstart and

be no loss to the Revolutionsimultaneously, toRevolution be inspiredSocial the by such accomplish

an idea, and,should whenEurope workall if is setstill, agoingbetter again,or, thenation, an- entire

tagonists the If of yesterdaycountries. will stand sideneighbouring in byand side in theprovinces, the

same in workshops. Revolution A societythe of where character work the ison free willdepend will

have nothingto toresorted fear frommeans the idlers. that obvious is it but tion,

be supplied with food? We shall answer this ques this answer shall We food? with supplied be

“- But provisions will run short in a month!” our

critics at oncerevolution exclaim.of state a in city a could means what By “So much the better,” say we. It will prove that for V

the first time on record the people have had enough to eat. As to the questionchapter. next ofour obtainingin means freshthe supplies,discuss shall we

5 food

suggested, that the nations in the vanguard of the Europethe of we dovanguard notthe doubt.in Ifnations onethe of thethat four greatsuggested,

Will it therefore be necessary, as is sometimes continentalsometimes is as capitals —Paris,necessary, be Vienna,therefore Brussels,it Will or

Berlin—rises same. in revolutionthe andeverywhere be overturns not will its Govwealth -

an nations; the point attained in the socialization of of ernment, it socialization is almostthe in certainattained thatpoint thethe three othersnations; an

will Europe follow itsdifferent examplethe of withineach in a few weekscharacter ’ time.different It

ly conclude this much: the Revolution will take a a is, moreover,take will highlyRevolution probablethe much: that this the Peninsulasconclude ly

andsafe evenmay we Londonmerit, andthey St. Petersburgthan wouldimportance notgreater a be

Without, however, attaching to these forecasts long inforecasts followingthese to suit. Butattaching whetherhowever, the RevolutionWithout,

would everywhere exhibit the1848. of samethose characteriswith 1789 -

Russia will probably be a combination of those of of tics isthose highlyof doubtful.combination a be probably will Russia

while the ideas which will inspire the Revolution in in It is moreRevolution thanthe probableinspire will thatwhich expropriationideas the willwhile

ter the birth of her Revolution will be those of 1848; be1848; everywhereof those be carriedwill into effectRevolution her onof a largerbirth the scale,ter

there can be no doubt that the ideas which will fos and will that thiswhich policyideas the carried that outdoubt byno anybe onecan of thethere

and does greater things than France did in 1793, great1793, in nationsdid of EuropeFrance than will influencethings greater all thedoes rest;and yet

survives in England. But, if Germany goes further the further beginnings goes of theGermany if RevolutionBut, willEngland. exhibitin greatsurvives

and the landed aristocracy, whose influence still still local differences, influence and whose its course aristocracy, will vary landed in the differand -

ing as it did at one stroke the power of the throne ent throne countries. the of In 1789-93,power the thestroke Frenchone at peasantrydid it as tooking

fourabolish years to finallyseventeenth, the rid of themselvesRevolution of the English redemp the -

century Revolution in France was an advance on on tion of feudaladvance an rights,was and France the in bourgeois toRevolution overthrowcentury

royalty. eighteenth- Let usThe keep1793. thatin inwent mind, andFrance thereforethan further be

coming Revolution takes place, Germany will go go prepared will to seeGermany the Revolutionplace, takes developRevolution itself somecoming -

There is every reason to believe that, when the whatthe gradually.when that, Letbelieve usto not bereason disheartenedevery is There if here

and there its steps shouldnot. or move lessCommune rapidly. Whethcommunist a -

want above all things a free Commune, whether it be be erit it wouldwhether take an avowedlyCommune, free a socialistthings all characterabove want in

Blanc; while the French people, on the other hand, allhand, Europeanother the nations,on atpeople, any rateFrench at the beginning,while Blanc; is

and of the organization of labour according to Louis doubtful.Louis to Germany,according belabour itof remembered,organization isthe stillof realand - ties see visions of a Jacobin Republic like that of 1848, izing1848, of its that dream like of a UnitedRepublic Empire.Jacobin a of Its advancedvisions see parties -

5 food

Europe the weof do not doubt.vanguard the in If one ofnations thethe fourthat great suggested,

continental capitalssometimes is as —Paris, Vienna,necessary, be Brussels,therefore it orWill

Berlin—rises in revolutionsame. the and overturnseverywhere be not its Govwill - wealth

ernment, of it is almostsocialization certainthe in thatattained the threepoint the others nations; an

different character in each of the different Europe different the of each in character different

will- follow its example within a few weeks’ time. It

is, moreover, a take will highly probableRevolution the that themuch: Peninsulasthis conclude ly

a greater importance than they merit, we may safe may we merit, they than importance greater a

andeven London and St. Petersburg would not be

long in followingforecasts suit.these to But whetherattaching the Revolutionhowever, Without,

would everywhere exhibit the same1848. of characteristhose with - 1789

tics isof highlythose doubtful.of combination a be probably will Russia

while the ideas which will inspire the Revolution in Itin is more thanRevolution probablethe inspire that will expropriationwhich ideas willthe while

be everywhere 1848; of carriedthose be intowill effect onRevolution a her larger of scale,birth the ter

there can be no doubt that the ideas which will fos will which ideas the that doubt no be can there

andthat this policy carried out by any one of the

great nations1793, in ofdid Europe France will influencethan things all the greater rest; yetdoes and

the beginningsfurther ofgoes the RevolutionGermany if But, will exhibitEngland. in great survives

local still differences, influence and its whose course will vary aristocracy, in landed differ the - and

ent countries.throne Inthe 1789-93,of power thethe Frenchstroke peasantryone at did tookit as ing

the English Revolution of the seventeenth, abolish seventeenth, the of Revolution English the

four- years to finally rid themselves of the redemp-

tion ofon feudal rights,advance an andwas the bourgeoisFrance in to overthrowRevolution century

royalty. Let us eighteenth- keep The that 1793. in in mind, went and thereforeFrance than be further

prepared go towill see the RevolutionGermany place, developtakes itself someRevolution - coming

what gradually.the when Letthat, us notbelieve beto disheartenedreason every is if hereThere

and there its steps should movenot. or less rapidly.Commune Wheth- communist a

er it wouldbe it take whether an avowedlyCommune, socialistfree a characterthings all above in want

all Europeanhand, nations,other the aton any ratepeople, at theFrench beginning,the while is Blanc;

doubtful. Louis Germany,to beaccording it remembered,labour of is stillorganization realthe of - and izing its 1848, dream of that of a like United Empire.Republic ItsJacobin a advancedof visions parsee - ties

5 food

consumes every year thousands of tons of grain, movementgrain, of tons shouldof adaptthousands theiryear pace every to those whoconsumes

take the capital itself, for that matter. Paris Paris matter. that for itself, capital the take —

lag behind? Must we wait till the Communist Revotowns -

solved. Take, for example, one of the large French lutionFrench is ripelarge inthe allof civilizedone countries?example, for ClearlyTake, not!solved.

cepted Communism? This is the question to be be Even to if it were question a the thing is to This be desired, it Communism? is not poscepted -

be obtained if the nation as a whole has not ac sible. not Historyhas doeswhole a notas wait nation for thethe if laggards. obtained be

themselves. How are the necessary provisions to to Besides,provisions we do notnecessary believethe are that How in any one counthemselves. -

sider how its citizens can provide foodstuffs for for try the Revolutionfoodstuffs willprovide becan accomplishedcitizens its athow a stroke,sider

incon theand twinklingrevolt, in of ancity eye,our asto some socialistsreturn now dream.us Let 4 It is highly probable that if one of the five orVI six

large towns of France—Paris, Lyons, Marseilles, Lille,

Saint-Etienne, Bordeauxrule. —wereparticular any toto proclaim theconforming

Federation; everywhere more or less Socialism, not Commune,not Socialism, the less others or wouldmore follow itseverywhere example, andFederation;

pects; in one country State Socialism, in another that another many in smaller Socialism, towns State would docountry theone same.in Probpects; -

out everywhere, but revolution under divers as ably alsodivers variousunder mining districtsrevolution but and industrialeverywhere, cenout -

As to other countries, revolution would break tresbreak wouldwould hasten to ridrevolution themselvescountries, of “other ownersto As ” and

“masters,them. to ” anddearer formmuch themselvesso become into freewould groups.mortgages,

of cultivating the land, which, freed from taxes and and Buttaxes manyfrom countryfreed placeswhich, land, havethe not advancedcultivating of

of 1792) they would throw themselves into the task totask thatthe point.into Side bythemselves side withthrow thewould revolutionizedthey 1792) of izes agrarian uprisings (witness the passionate toil toil passionate the (witness uprisings agrarian izes

4 No fallacycharacter morealways harmfulwhich has ever beenenthusiasm spreadpractical than that the

ment of accounts with the local exploiters. But with fallacywith But of a “One-dayexploiters. Revolution,local the ” with which is propagatedaccounts of ment in

- superficialsettle the Socialistdefer pamphletswould they speakingaffairs, of of thestate Revolutionnew the of

the 18th of March at Berlin, supposed (which is absolutely

to the revolutionaries, and thus, while profiting by by wrong) toprofiting have while given thus, Prussiaand its representativerevolutionaries, Governthe to -

the tax-collector, the peasants would not be hostile ment.hostile Webe sawnot well thewould harm madepeasants bythe such fallacies intax-collector, Russiathe

ualist system. Undisturbed by visits of the bailiff or or in 1905-1907.bailiff the Theof truthvisits isby that up to 1871Undisturbed Prussia, system. like Russiaualist

- of theIndivid presentthe on day, hadliving on a scrapgo of paperwould and which couldattitude, beant de-

scribed as a “Constitution,” but it had no representative Gov-

- ernment.expect an Thein Ministryremain imposedwould uponplaces the nation,such up till 1870,communes the budget it chose to propose. 5 food

movement grain, of should tons adaptof their thousands pace year to thoseevery who consumes

towns take the capital itself, for that matter. Paris Paris matter. that for itself, capital the take

lag behind? Must we wait till the Communist Revo— -

lution is ripeFrench in alllarge civilizedthe of one countries?example, Clearlyfor Take, not! solved.

Even if be it to were a thing question the to is be desired, This it is not Communism? pos - cepted

be obtained if the nation as a whole has not ac not has whole a as nation the if obtained be

sible.- History does not wait for the laggards.

themselves. How are the necessary provisions to Besides,to we doprovisions not believenecessary thatthe inare any How one counthemselves.

try thefor Revolutionfoodstuffs will be provide accomplished can citizens at its a stroke,how sider

in the twinklingcon and of anrevolt, eye,in ascity someour socialiststo return dream.now us 4 Let It is highly probable that if one of the five or six VI

large towns of France—Paris, Lyons, Marseilles, Lille,

Saint-Etienne, Bordeauxrule. —were toparticular proclaimany to the conforming

Commune, not the othersSocialism, less would or followmore its example,everywhere and Federation;

that many smalleranother in townsSocialism, would State do the same.country one Probin - pects;

out everywhere, but revolution under divers as divers under revolution but everywhere, out

ably- also various mining districts and industrial cen-

tres wouldbreak hastenwould to rid themselvesrevolution of “countries, owners other ” to and As

“masters,”them. andto formdearer themselvesmuch so into freebecome groups.would mortgages,

of cultivating the land, which, freed from taxes and Butand manytaxes countryfrom freed places which, have land, not the advanced cultivating of

to that task point. the Sideinto by side withthemselves thethrow revolutionizedwould they 1792) of izes agrarian uprisings (witness the passionate toil toil passionate the (witness uprisings agrarian izes

that practical enthusiasm which always character always which enthusiasm practical that

4 No- fallacy more harmful has ever been spread than the

fallacy ofwith a “One-dayBut Revolution,exploiters. local ” whichthe iswith propagatedaccounts of in ment

the new state of affairs, they would defer the settle the defer would they affairs, of state new the superficial- Socialist pamphlets speaking of the Revolution of

the 18th of March at Berlin, supposed (which is absolutely

wrong) by to have profiting given Prussiawhile thus, its and representative Governrevolutionaries, -the to

ment. We sawhostile wellbe thenot harmwould made by suchpeasants fallaciesthe in Russiatax-collector, the

in 1905-1907. or Thebailiff truththe of is thatvisits upby to 1871 Prussia,Undisturbed like Russiasystem. ualist

ant attitude, and would go on living on the Individ the on living on go would and attitude, ant of the- present day, had a scrap of paper which could be de-

scribed as a “Constitution,” but it had no representative Gov-

communes such places would remain in an expect an in remain would places such communes ernment.- The Ministry imposed upon the nation, up till 1870, the budget it chose to propose. 5 food

100

produce, waiting for a rise in the price, or the in 400,000the or headprice, of oxen,the in 300,000rise a for calves, 400,000waiting swine,produce,

their grain for paper-money. They withheld their andtheir more thanwithheld twoThey millions of sheep,paper-money. for besidesgrain greattheir

vest from them, the peasants would not part with quantitieswith part not of game.would This hugepeasants citythe devours,them, from besides, vest

morehar a thanreaped 20 millionhaving poundsafter oflands, butter, 200manorial millionthe of

it had increased. But after having taken possession eggs, andpossession othertaken producehaving inafter likeBut proportion.increased. had it

diminished; indeed, the evidence goes to show that that It show imports to goes flour evidence andthe grain indeed, from thediminished; United

duction of grain in France during 1792-3 had not Statesnot had and from1792-3 Russia,during Hungary,France in Italy,grain of Egypt, andduction

thepro Indies;the that livefact stock fromknown a is Germany, it yet Italy,And Spainolution. —

evenRev the Roumaniakilled and and Russia;towns, large and the as for groceries,starved inces

thereprov the is not a countryRevolution, in theFrench worldgreat thatthe it doesDuring not

lay under contribution. case. the meet will

pias! Let us see if some other form of organization Now, organization let of us seeform howother Parissome orif anysee us otherLet greatpias!

townUto couldJacobin of be revictualledmuch too had by home-grownalready have We pro-

duce,country. suppliesthe upon of whichsystem a couldsuch be readilyimpose to and willtempting -

up in arms defying the city for its arrogance in at inglyin sent inarrogance from its thefor provinces.city the defying arms in up

the villages rising against the towns, all the country Tocountry thosethe all who puttowns, theirthe trustagainst in “rising authorityvillages ” the

a universal uprising, to three or four Vendées, to to questionVendées, willfour appearor three quite to simple.uprising, They woulduniversal a

pendence that is in man. The attempt would lead to to beginlead by establishingwould attempt The a stronglyman. in is centralizedthat Govpendence -

ernment,inde of spirit furnished the withaccount of all out the machineryleaves it of theories, co-

this was proved in 1793; for, like all such such all like for, 1793; in proved was this —

ercion—the police, the army, the guillotine. Thisnothing,

the study, but in contact with reality it comes to to Governmentcomes it wouldreality drawwith up acontact statementin but ofstudy, all the

Pen in hand, one may dream such a dream in in producedream a containedsuch indream France.may one It wouldhand, in dividePen the

country into districts of supply,Utopian! wildly andis It then compractice. -

that it never could by any possibility be put into mandinto put thatbe a prescribedpossibility quantityany by ofcould somenever particular it that

not merely that such a solution is undesirable, but foodstuffbut be sentundesirable, is to suchsolution aa placesuch on suchthat a day,merely andnot

Now, we declare with the fullest conviction, deliveredconviction, at suchfullest a the station, with to be theredeclare we receivedNow, on a given day by a specified official and storedwarehouses. inticular par-

5 food

100

400,000in headthe or of oxen,price, 300,000the in calves,rise a for 400,000 waiting swine, produce,

and moretheir than twowithheld millionsThey of sheep, besidespaper-money. for greatgrain their

quantities with of part game. not Thiswould huge citypeasants devours,the besides,them, from vest

of the manorial lands, after having reaped a har a reaped having after lands, manorial the of

morethan 20 million pounds of butter, 200 million

eggs, and otherpossession producetaken in likehaving proportion.after But increased. had it

diminished; indeed, the evidence goes to show that It importsthat show to flour goes and evidence grain the fromindeed, the United diminished;

States not and fromhad Russia,1792-3 Hungary,during France Italy, in Egypt,grain of and duction

the Indies;pro the live stockthat fact from Germany,known a is it Italy,yet SpainAnd — olution.

inces starved the large towns, and killed the Rev the killed and towns, large the starved inces

even- Roumania and Russia; and as for groceries,

there is prov not the a country inRevolution, the worldFrench thatgreat it doesthe notDuring

lay under contribution. case. the meet will

pias! Let us see if some other form of organization Now, let us organization see of howform Parisother or anysome if othersee us greatLet pias!

We have already had too much of Jacobin Uto Jacobin of much too had already have We

town- could be revictualled by home-grown pro-

duce, suppliescountry. the of whichupon couldsystem a be such readily impose and to willtempting

up in arms defying the city for its arrogance in at in arrogance its for city the defying arms in up

ingly- sent in from the provinces.

the villages rising against the towns, all the country To thosecountry whothe all put theirtowns, trustthe in “against authority rising ” thevillages the

question to will appearVendées, four quiteor three simple. to Theyuprising, would universal a

begin to by establishinglead would a attempt strongly The centralizedman. in is that Gov- pendence

theories, it leaves out of account the spirit of inde of spirit the account of out leaves it theories,

ernment,- furnished with all the machinery of co-

this was proved in 1793; for, like all such such all like for, 1793; in proved was this —

ercion—the police, the army, the guillotine. This nothing,

Government to comes would it drawreality upwith a statementcontact in ofbut all thestudy, the

produce in containeddream a such in France.dream Itmay wouldone dividehand, in thePen

country into districts of supply,Utopian! and thenwildly is It compractice.

mand thatinto aput prescribed be quantitypossibility any ofby somecould particular never it that

foodstuff but be sent to undesirable, such is a placesolution a on suchsuch a day,that andmerely not

delivered at suchconviction, a station,fullest the to bewith there receiveddeclare we onNow, a given day by a specified official and stored inwarehouses. particular

5 food

102

send friendly embassies to the countryfolk and bid bid troduction and of gold.countryfolk Thethe to most rigorousembassies measuresfriendly send of

his produce to this place or that, but let them thethem Nationallet but Conventionthat, or place were this withoutto avail,produce andhis

scarves, to convey to the peasant orders to take hertake executionsto orders failedpeasant to breakthe to up theconvey ring,to or forcescarves,

villages, wearing red, blue, or rainbow-coloured the farmers to rainbow-coloured sell or theirblue, corn. red, For it iswearing a mattervillages, of

Let the towns send no more inspectors to the historythe to that theinspectors commissariesmore no send of thetowns Conventionthe Let

did not scruple to guillotine those whowines! withheldFrench

the English send them to France, in exchange for for their grainexchange fromin the France, market, to them and pitilesslysend English execut the -

spades, rakes, and such-like, instead of waiting till till ed thosewaiting whoof speculatedinstead in foodstuffs.such-like, and Allrakes, the same,spades,

and foundries turn out agricultural implements, the corn implements, was not forthcoming,agricultural out turn and the townsfolkfoundries and

wives. Let the factories factories the Let wives. ’

suffered from famine. gold-magnates African the

dresses for the English and Russian landlords and and But whatlandlords was Russian offered and to theEnglish husbandmanthe for dresses in

clothes for Sunday too, instead of costly evening exchangeevening forcostly hisof hard instead toil? too, Assignats, Sunday scrapsfor ofclothes pa-

clothes for the country folk workaday clothes and perand decreasingclothes in valueworkaday folk every day,country promisesthe for of payclothes -

Let the sewing machines of Paris be set to work on on ment,work whichto set couldbe notParis of be kept. Amachines forty-poundsewing the noteLet

of fashioning geegaws for the wives of rich citizens. wouldcitizens. notrich purchaseof wives a pairthe for of boots,geegaws and the peasant,fashioning of

manufacturing all that the peasant needs, instead veryinstead naturally,needs, was peasant not the anxiousthat all to barter a yearmanufacturing ’s

Let the town apply itself, without loss of time, to to toil fortime, of a pieceloss of paperwithout itself, with whichapply town hethe couldLet not

even buy a shirt. them. buy to money

ful things are beyond his reach; because he has not not Ashas he long as because worthlessreach; his paper-moneybeyond are —whetherthings ful

calleduse assignatsthousand a or labourprivation, notesand —is offeredstruggle of life to thehis

he does not feel the need of them, but because, in in peasant-producerbecause, but them, it willof alwaysneed the befeel thenot same.does Thehe

the peasant is forced to do without, not because countrybecause willnot withholdwithout, do itsto produce,forced is and thepeasant townsthe

ploughs. All these things, under present conditions, will sufferconditions, want,present evenunder if the things, recalcitrant these All peasantsploughs.

miserable rushlight or tallow dip, spades, rakes, arerakes, guillotinedspades, asdip, before.tallow or rushlight miserable

cies of the weather, lamps and oil to replace his his We mustreplace to offeroil and to the lamps peasant inweather, exchangethe of cies for

his toilinclemen notthe worthlessfrom him paper-money, protect to but theclothes manuland, - need. He lacks the proper implements to till the facturedthe till to articles of implements which heproper standsthe inlacks immediateHe need.

5 food

102

troduction bid and of gold. Thecountryfolk mostthe to rigorous measuresembassies friendly of send

the Nationalthem let Conventionbut that, or were withoutplace this to avail, andproduce his

her executionstake to failedorders to breakpeasant upthe theto ring,convey or to force scarves,

the farmers to sell theirrainbow-coloured or corn. blue, For itred, is a matterwearing of villages,

history the thatto the commissariesinspectors more no of thesend Conventiontowns the Let

did not scruple to guillotine those who withheldwines! French

their grainfor fromexchange thein market,France, andto pitilesslythem send executEnglish - the

ed those till who speculatedwaiting of instead in foodstuffs.such-like, Alland the same,rakes, spades,

the corn was notimplements, forthcoming,agricultural andout theturn townsfolkfoundries and

wives. Let the factories factories the Let wives. ’

suffered from famine. gold-magnates African the

dresses for the English and Russian landlords and Butand what waslandlords offeredRussian to and the husbandmanEnglish the for in dresses

exchange forevening his hardcostly of toil? Assignats,instead too, scrapsSunday offor pa- clothes

per decreasingand clothes in value everyworkaday folk day, promisescountry the offor payclothes

ment, on which work couldto set notbe be kept.Paris of A forty-poundmachines notesewing the Let

would not purchasecitizens. rich of a pairwives of the boots, for and thegeegaws peasant, fashioning of

very naturally,instead wasneeds, not anxiouspeasant the tothat barterall a year’s manufacturing

toil forto a piecetime, of ofloss paper withwithout whichitself, apply he couldtown the notLet

even buy a shirt. them. buy to money

ful things are beyond his reach; because he has not As not longhas ashe worthlessbecause paper-moneyreach; his beyond — whetherare things ful

his life of struggle and privation, a thousand use thousand a privation, and struggle of life his

called- assignats or labour notes—is offered to the

peasant-producer in because, but it will them, always of beneed thethe same.feel not The does he

country willbecause withholdnot itswithout, produce,do to andforced theis townspeasant the

will suffer want,conditions, evenpresent if theunder recalcitrantthings, these peasants All ploughs.

are guillotinedrakes, asspades, before. dip, tallow or rushlight miserable

cies of the weather, lamps and oil to replace his Wehis must offerreplace to tooil the and peasant lamps in exchangeweather, the forof cies

land, clothes to protect him from the inclemen the from him protect to clothes land,

his - toil not worthless paper-money, but the manufactured the articlestill to of whichimplements he standsproper inthe immediatelacks He need.

5 food

104

delion in the meadows. In Russia for instance, the themthe in brotherlyinstance, for fashion:Russia In “Bring meadows. us yourthe in produce,delion

anddan takethe like from ouritself, of storesthere and shopsgrows all produce the a manusuch -

which export them have a superabundance, or that facturedthat or articles yousuperabundance, a please.have ”—Thenthem provisionsexport which

kets of western Europe, it is not that the countries would countries pourthe in that on not every is it side. TheEurope, peasantwestern of wouldkets

onlymar withholdthe in whatabound he neededwines for hisHungarian ownor use, andSpanish

sible. If Russian wheat, Italian or Indian rice, and wouldand rice, send theIndian or rest intoItalian the cities,wheat, feelingRussian If for thesible.

firstpos as timelittle inas the coursecountries of historyforeign on that thesedepend to toilinghave

But when the Revolution comes these cities will townsfolkwill cities werethese hiscomes comradesRevolution —histhe brethren,when But and

not his exploiters.meat. and corn of quantities immense also

Paris not only spices, fish, and various dainties, but but We dainties, shall bevarious told, and perhaps,fish, thatspices, thisonly wouldnot Paris ne-

inces, but also from abroad. Foreign countries send cessitatesend a countries completeForeign transformationabroad. from also of but industry.inces,

Well,prov the yes, from that only is truenot ofmeat, certain their departments;and flour, their but

All the great towns, we have said, buy their grain, theregrain, aretheir otherbuy branchessaid, have we which couldtowns, great be rapidlythe All modified in such a way as to furnish the peasantVII

with clothes, watches, furniture, and the simple

implements for which the towns train. makeits in him payfollow

famine in our cities, and reaction and despair will suchwill exorbitantdespair and pricesreaction at and the presentcities, our time.in Weavfamine -

into the towns. If this is not done there will be be ers, will tailors, there shoemakers,done not is tinsmiths,this If cabinet-makers,towns. the into

need. Then the fruits of the land will be poured and poured many be otherwill land trades the of and craftsfruits the could Then easilyneed. di-

things of which he, the tiller of the soil, stands in in rect theirstands soil, energies the of to tiller the the manufacturehe, which of of usefulthings

but offer him in exchange for his produce the very andvery necessarythe produce articles,his for and abstainexchange in fromhim producingoffer but

be the sums inscribed upon them ever so large; merelarge; so luxuries. ever Allthem that upon is needed isinscribed thatsums the the public be

—

mindpaper shouldof scraps be thoroughlywith longer no convincedpeasant ofthe the Cheat ne-

This, then, is our view of the whole question. cessityquestion. of thiswhole transformation,the of view our andis shouldthen, comeThis, to

look uponnow. it are as anthey actas of justicejust and ofcommerce progress,and andduction

session of the profits of industry, and leaves pro thatleaves it shouldand no longerindustry, of allow itself profits the to of be cheatedsession

- of a revolution which confines itself to taking pos by thattaking dream,to itself so dear toconfines the theoristswhich —therevolution dreama of

5 food

104

them inthe brotherlyinstance, fashion:for Russia “ BringIn us yourmeadows. produce,the in delion

such a produce grows there of itself, like the dan the like itself, of there grows produce a such

andtake from our stores and shops all the manu-

factured that articlesor you please.superabundance, a ”—Thenhave them provisions export which

would pour countries in onthe everythat not side. is it The peasantEurope, wouldwestern of kets

Spanish or Hungarian wines abound in the mar the in abound wines Hungarian or Spanish

only- withhold what he needed for his own use, and

would sendand rice, the restIndian intoor the cities,Italian feelingwheat, forRussian theIf sible.

have to depend on foreign countries as little as pos as little as countries foreign on depend to have

first- time in the course of history that these toiling

townsfolk will werecities histhese comradescomes —his brethren,Revolution the when andBut

not his exploiters.meat. and corn of quantities immense also

Paris not only spices, fish, and various dainties, but Webut shall bedainties, told, perhaps,various and thatfish, thisspices, wouldonly nenot - Paris

cessitate send a completecountries transformationForeign abroad. offrom industry.also but inces,

their flour, and their meat, not only from the prov the from only not meat, their and flour, their

Well,- yes, that is true of certain departments; but

there aregrain, othertheir branchesbuy said, whichhave we could betowns, rapidlygreat the All modified in such a way as to furnish the peasant VII

with clothes, watches, furniture, and the simple

implements for which the towns make train. himits in pay follow

such exorbitantwill despair pricesand at thereaction presentand time.cities, our Weavin - famine

ers, tailors,be will shoemakers,there done tinsmiths,not is this cabinet-makers, If towns. the into

and many poured other be tradeswill land and the craftsof couldfruits the easily Then di- need.

rect theirin energiesstands soil, tothe theof manufacturetiller the he, of which useful of things

and necessaryvery the articles,produce andhis abstainfor fromexchange in producing him offer but

mere luxuries.large; so Allever that isthem neededupon is that inscribed the publicsums the be

Cheat the peasant no longer with scraps of paper of scraps with longer no peasant the Cheat

mind— should be thoroughly convinced of the ne-

cessity of thisquestion. transformation,whole the of andview shouldour is comethen, toThis,

look upon it as now. an actare of they justice as just and of progress,commerce and and duction

session of the profits of industry, and leaves pro leaves and industry, of profits the of session

that- it should no longer allow itself to be cheated

of a revolution which confines itself to taking pos taking to itself confines which revolution a of by that- dream, so dear to the theorists—the dream

5 food

106

be within the reach of all. Improved machinery, peasantmachinery, works sixteenImproved all. hours of a day,reach andthe half starveswithin be

Of course, before long, intensive culture would fromwould threeculture to six monthsintensive everylong, year,before in ordercourse, Of to ex-

port the grainRevolution. withGreat the whichof he paysspeaking us the landlordtells andMichelet

”

thelong, State.so Todaycoveted thehad he policewhich appearssoil the in the Russianlandlord the

as in 1792, when the peasant had taken back from villagefrom back as soontaken ashad the harvestpeasant the is gatheredwhen 1792, in,in andas

Never was the land so energetically cultivated cultivated energetically so land the was Never

sells the peasant’s last horse and last cow “ for ar-

rears of taxes and renta-going. set due to themachines landlord,improved unlessand

by his toil. New tracts of land will be cleared, new thenew victimcleared, immolatesbe will land himself of oftracts his New own toil. accord his by by

that he is no longer forced to support the idle rich sellingrich idle thethe grain support to to the exporters.forced longer Usually,no is he ratherthat

crease of production as soon as the peasant realizes thanrealizes part withpeasant histhe as livestocksoon as at a disadvantage,production of crease he

But, on the other hand, there will be an in keepsan be only will a nine-monthsthere hand, ’ supplyother ofthe grain,on andBut, sells

the rest. Then, in order to sustain life until themeat. nextand

grain grain —

harvest, he mixesconsumption birch-barkof articles and taresprincipal withthe of his

would have the effect of decreasing the production flour forproduction threethe months,decreasing ifof it haseffect beenthe a have good year,would

liberty to work only half that time, which of course andcourse forof six monthswhich time, if itthat hashalf beenonly bad, work while to in Lonliberty -

teen hours a day, as he does at present, he will be at at donbe theywill he are eatingpresent, at biscuits does he madeas ofday, a his wheat.hours teen

his bowed back. Instead of working fourteen or fif or But as soonfourteen as theworking of RevolutionInstead comes,back. thebowed Rushis -

will take advantage of the Revolution to straighten sian peasantstraighten to will keepRevolution breadthe of enough advantage for take himself will

the provinces. On the one hand the slave of the soil andsoil the hisof children;slave the thehand Italianone the andOn Hungarianprovinces. peasthe -

It is difficult to predict the course of affairs in in ants affairs will of do thecourse same;the the predict Hindoo, to let usdifficult hope,is It will

profit byEurope. these western good of examples;cities great andthe theinto farmerspouring of

steady and marked diminution of the food supplies Americasupplies willfood hardlythe of be able diminution to covermarked all and the deficitsteady

But this great benefit will manifest itself by a a by in grainitself which manifest Europe will will experience.benefit great Sothis it willBut not

do to count on their contributionsthemselves. free to of races wheat andinferior

and allowing the so-called so-called the allowing and ” civilization, “

maize satisfying all the wants. that acing

tion will confer a boon at the very outset, by men Sinceby alloutset, our very middle-class the at boon civilizationa confer iswill basedtion

- on theRevolu exploitationthe systems, of inferiorindustrial races andadvanced countriesless with

5 food

106

peasant worksmachinery, sixteen hoursImproved aall. day,of andreach half the starves within be

from threewould to six culture months everyintensive year,long, in before order tocourse, exOf -

port the grain withRevolution. whichGreat the heof pays thespeaking landlordus tells and Michelet

the landlord the soil which he had coveted so long, so coveted had he which soil the landlord the

the ” State. Today the police appears in the Russian

village asfrom soonback as thetaken harvesthad ispeasant gatheredthe when in, and1792, in as

Never was the land so energetically cultivated cultivated energetically so land the was Never

sells the peasant’s last horse and last cow for ar-“

rears of taxes and rent duea-going. toset the landlord,machines unlessimproved and

the victimnew immolatescleared, be himselfwill land ofof his owntracts accordNew toil. by his by

selling rich the grainidle the to the support exporters. to forced Usually,longer no rather is he that

than part withrealizes his peasant livestock the as atsoon a as disadvantage,production of he crease

keepsin only an a be nine-months will there ’ supplyhand, of grain,other the and on sellsBut,

the rest. Then, in order to sustain life until the nextmeat. and

of the principal articles of consumption of articles principal the of grain grain

harvest, he— mixes birch-bark and tares with his

flour for threeproduction months,the if it decreasing hasof beeneffect a goodthe have year, would

and for sixcourse monthsof which if it hastime, beenthat bad,half whileonly inwork to Lon - liberty

don theyat be arewill eatinghe biscuitspresent, at madedoes he of as his wheat.day, a hours teen

his bowed back. Instead of working fourteen or fif or fourteen working of Instead back. bowed his

- But as soon as the Revolution comes, the Rus-

sian peasant straighten will to keep breadRevolution enoughthe of for himselfadvantage take will

and hissoil children;the of theslave the Italian hand andone Hungarianthe On peasprovinces. - the

ants in will doaffairs the of same;course thethe Hindoo,predict letto us hope,difficult willis It

profit by theseEurope. good examples;western of cities and great the the farmers into of pouring

America willsupplies hardlyfood the be of able to coverdiminution all themarked deficitand steady

in grain a by whichitself Europemanifest will will experience. benefit So great it willthis notBut

do to count on their contributionsthemselves. offree wheatto races and inferior

and allowing the so-called so-called the allowing and ” civilization, “

maize satisfying all the wants. that acing

tion will confer a boon at the very outset, by men by outset, very the at boon a confer will tion

- Since all our middle-class civilization is based

with less advanced industrial systems, the Revolu the systems, industrial advanced less with on the- exploitation of inferior races and countries

5 food

108

chemicalvege manures,luxuriant with and clothed allbe suchto mattersman, than wouldmore

the intelligent care of man, and of woman even sooneven be suppliedwoman of byand theman, Commune. of care But everythingintelligent the

the soil, thus cleaned and enriched, will only need tendsneed toonly indicatewill thatenriched, at theand outsetcleaned therethus wouldsoil, the be

will quickly do the rough work of preparation, and aand falling off inpreparation, agriculturalof work products,rough the do in Francequickly andwill

service. The steam plough and the steam harrow elsewhere.harrow steam the and plough steam The service.

breath of the wind, will ere long be pressed into into In anypressed casebe itlong wouldere bewill wisestwind, tothe countof uponbreath

Steam, electricity, the heat of the sun, and the suchthe and a fallingsun, the offof of heat contributions the fromelectricity, theSteam, prov-

inces as wellArdennes. asthe fromof abroad.husbandry —Howrude isthe this fallingfrom thing off

chist Commune of Paris would be a very different to be different made very good?a be would Paris of Commune chist

these at its command, the agriculture of the anar Why!the of by setting agriculture to workthe ourselves!command, its Noat needthese to

with all all with —

rack our brainsenergy forand far-fetchedpluck their panaceaspeople, when theParisian

ery; and, finally, with the organizing spirit of the the remedy of spirit lies close atorganizing hand. the with finally, and, ery;

Themachin large towns,improving and as well as themultiplying for villages, use mustcould

deners of Gennevilliers; with all the plant that they undertakethey that toplant tillthe theall soil.with We must returnGennevilliers; of to whatdeners

biologygar market calls the “thelike integrationbotanists of functionspractical ”—botany, afterof

machinery; with inventors, chemists, professors the divisionprofessors of labour,chemists, the takinginventors, up with of it as a wholemachinery; —

the worker accustomed to deal with complicated this is thecomplicated coursewith followeddeal to throughoutaccustomed Nature.worker the

tury; with all the intelligence and technical skill of of skill Besides, philosophytechnical and apart,intelligence thethe forceall ofwith circumtury; -

stancescen the of would bringinventions about thismechanical result. the all Let ParisWith see

that at the end offinanciers? eight Berlin months of wives it willand be runninggrandees,

and amusements of Russian princes, Roumanian short of Roumanian bread, andprinces, Paris Russian will of set to work amusements to growand

would be no longer catering for the luxurious fads wheat.fads luxurious the for catering longer no be would

citizens of Paris turn their attention, when they they Landwhen will not attention, be wanting,their turn for itParis isof round thecitizens

bour be lacking. To what should the two million greatmillion towns,two the and roundshould Pariswhat To especially,lacking. be that thebour

where the soil is dried up by the sun. Nor will la parkswill andNor pleasuresun. the by grounds up ofdried is the soil landed the gentrywhere

productive than the steppes of southern Russia, areRussia, to be found.southern of These steppes thousands the than of acres onlyproductive round Paris with fields infinitely more fertile and and awaitfertile the skilledmore labourinfinitely of thefields husbandmanwith Paris to surround -

5 food

108

chemicalvege manures,luxuriant andwith all suchclothed be mattersto man, wouldthan more

soon be even supplied woman byof the and Commune. man, of Butcare everythingintelligent the

tends toneed indicateonly thatwill at theenriched, outsetand therecleaned wouldthus besoil, the

a falling and off in agriculturalpreparation, of products,work rough inthe Francedo andquickly will

elsewhere. harrow steam the and plough steam The service.

breath of the wind, will ere long be pressed into In anyinto case pressed it wouldbe long be ere wisest will to countwind, the uponof breath

such athe fallingand offsun, ofthe contributionsof heat the from theelectricity, provSteam, -

inces as well as fromArdennes. the abroad.of —Howhusbandry is thisrude fallingthe offfrom thing

to be made good?different very a be would Paris of Commune chist

Why!anar bythe settingof to workagriculture ourselves!the Nocommand, needits at to these

with all all with —

rack our brains for far-fetchedenergy and pluck panaceas their whenpeople, the Parisian

remedy the of lies closespirit at hand.organizing the with finally, and, ery;

could use for multiplying and improving machin improving and multiplying for use could

- The large towns, as well as the villages, must

undertake they tothat till theplant soil.the all We with must return toGennevilliers; whatof deners

of botany, practical botanists like the market gar market the like botanists practical botany, of

biology- calls “the integration of functions”—after

the division ofprofessors labour, thechemists, taking up ofinventors, it aswith a whole— machinery;

this is the coursecomplicated followedwith deal throughout to Nature.accustomed worker the

tury; with all the intelligence and technical skill of Besides,of skill philosophytechnical and apart, the forceintelligence the of all circum with - tury;

With all the mechanical inventions of the cen the of inventions mechanical the all With

stances- would bring about this result. Let Paris see

that at the end of eight financiers? monthsBerlin itof will wives be runningand grandees,

short of bread,Roumanian and Parisprinces, will setRussian toof work to growamusements and

wheat. fads luxurious the for catering longer no be would

citizens of Paris turn their attention, when they Landthey will when not be wanting,attention, their for itturn is roundParis of the citizens

great towns,million andtwo roundthe Parisshould especially,what To thatlacking. thebe bour

where the soil is dried up by the sun. Nor will la will Nor sun. the by up dried is soil the where

parks- and pleasure grounds of the landed gentry

are to beRussia, found. Thesesouthern of thousandssteppes the of acresthan only productive await and the skilledfertile more labour of theinfinitely husbandmanfields with to Paris sur - round

5 food

110

workers in the timber yard, the brick field, and the the tation and —notfield, oncebrick butthe threeyard, or fourtimber timesthe in in the year.workers

erected, decorated and furnished by innumerable Thus, innumerable learning by the artfurnished ofand horticulturedecorated fromerected, ex-

The house was not built by its owner. It was perts,was It and tryingowner. its experimentsby built not inwas different house methodsThe

on small patches of soil reserved for the purpose,houses. to

ought to extend extend to ought ” property of rights “

vying with each other to obtain thethe bestthat returns,again

the people, and nothing will ever convince them findingthem inconvince physicalever will exercise,nothing and withoutpeople, exhaustionthe

This idea has evolved naturally in the minds of of or overwork,minds the in the healthnaturally and strengthevolved has idea which This so of-

ten flagsowners. their inas cities,—men,recognizes womenState the and childrenwhom those willof

that dwelling-houses are in no sense the property gladlyproperty turnthe to thesense labourno in ofare the fields, whendwelling-houses it isthat no

the workers are coming gradually to the conclusion longer aconclusion slavishthe to drudgery,gradually but coming has are become workers a pleathe -

towns of France, and in many of the smaller ones, sure,ones, a festival,smaller the aof renewalmany in of healthand andFrance, joy.of towns

perceptibly arrived at. It is a fact that in the large large “Therethe in arethat no fact barren a is It lands;at. thearrived earth is worthperceptibly

a definite conclusion is being im- being is conclusion definite a —

what man is worth”—that is the last wordpeople ofthe modof -

the housing housing the —

ern agriculture. Ask question of the earth, momentous and one she on will givethat

cialist ideas among the workers must have noticed you bread,noticed have providedmust thatworkers youthe ask aright.among ideas cialist

Those who have closely watched the growth of So of A district,growth the though itwatched were asclosely smallhave as thewho twoThose de-

partments of the Seine and the Seine-et-Oise, andI

with so great a city as Paris toDWELLINGS feed, would be practically sufficient to VI grow uponCHAPTER it all the food supplies, which otherwise might fail to reach it. The combination of agriculture and industry, the husbandman and the mechanic in the same in-

dividual—this is what anarchist communism will in-

evitably lead us to, iffollow. itto startsfail fairnot withwill expropriation.deed bold the

The bold thought first, and and first, thought bold The ” audace. ’

Let the Revolution only get sol far,de and famineencore et

audace, audace, ’ l de audace, ’ l De “

is not the enemy it will have toFrance: fear.to No,cried thehe dangerwhen half-measures. The danger is where Danton saw it it whichsaw will Danton menace where itis lies in timidity,danger The prejudice, andhalf-measures.

5 food

110

tation the — notand oncefield, but threebrick the or fouryard, timestimber in thethe in year. workers

erected, decorated and furnished by innumerable Thus, learninginnumerable theby art of horticulturefurnished and fromdecorated ex- erected,

perts, andwas It trying experimentsowner. its by built in differentnot was methodshouse The

on small patches of soil reserved for the purpose, houses. to

ought to extend extend to ought ” property of rights “

vying with each other to obtain the best returns,the that again

finding them in physicalconvince ever exercise,will withoutnothing and exhaustionpeople, the

or overwork, of minds thethe healthin andnaturally strengthevolved whichhas idea so ofThis -

ten flags inowners. cities,their —as men, womenrecognizes andState childrenthe whom will those of

gladly turn toproperty thethe laboursense ofno thein fields,are when it is dwelling-houses no that

longer a slavishconclusion drudgery,the to butgradually has becomecoming are a pleaworkers - the

sure, a festival,ones, asmaller renewalthe of of healthmany in andand joy. France, of towns

“ Therelarge arethe noin barrenthat fact lands;a is It theat. earth arrived is worth perceptibly

of the people the of a definite conclusion is being im- being is conclusion definite a

what man is worth”—that is the last word— of mod-

ht n n mmnos question momentous one on that the housing housing the

ern agriculture. Ask— of the earth, and she will give

you bread, noticed provided have thatmust you askworkers aright.the among ideas cialist

Those who have closely watched the growth of So of growth the watched closely have who Those

- A district, though it were as small as the two de-

partments of the Seine and the Seine-et-Oise, and I

with so great a city as Paris to feed,DWELLINGS would be practically sufficient to grow uponVI it all theCHAPTER food supplies, which otherwise might fail to reach it. The combination of agriculture and industry, the husbandman and the mechanic in the same in-

dividual—this is what anarchist communism will in-

evitably lead us to, if it startsfollow. to fair fail with not expropriation.will deed bold the

The bold thought first, and and first, thought bold The ” audace. ’

Let the Revolution only get so far, andl faminede encore et

audace, de l de audace, ’ l De “ France: to cried he when audace, audace,

is not the enemy’ it will have to fear. No, the danger which it willsaw menaceDanton it lieswhere inis timidity,danger prejudice,The and half-measures.

5 food

112

not find bailiffs and police-sergeants to throw the the workshop, throw to toiling for dearpolice-sergeants life and at a minimumbailiffs find wage.not

him. True, during the Revolution the landlord can The moneylandlord the spent byRevolution thethe ownerduring was True, not thehim.

ing may be, there is always a landlord who can evict productevict can ofwho his own landlord toil. a It wasalways is amassed,there be, like may all othing -

er dwell riches, his by paying squalid and the workers two-thirds tumble-down however or onlyBut,

er; he must have some sort of roof over his head. a halfhead. his of whatover wasroof theirof sort due. some have must he er;

peace, the worker must be housed somehow or oth or Moreoversomehow —and ithoused isbe here must that theworker enormitythe peace, of

Whether in time of revolution or in time of of the wholetime in or proceeding revolution becomesof time mostin glaringWhether —the

house owesthemselves. its actualconcern valuewill poor to thethe profitwhich whichwith tion the

ownerques first canthe makebe will out it of it. comes, Now, this profitRevolution New resultsthe

decide boldly on the abolition of rent. And when fromwhen theAnd factrent. that of his houseabolition isthe built on in a townboldly —thatdecide

workmen expected the Council of the Commune to to is, in an agglomerationCommune the of ofCouncil thousandsthe ofexpected other housworkmen -

again during the Commune of 1871, when the Paris es,Paris possessingthe when paved1871, of streets, Commune bridges, the quays,during andagain

of the terms demanded by the landlords. It appeared fine appeared publicIt buildings,landlords. the by well lighted,demanded terms andthe of affording

when the cry was for an abatement pure and simple to itssimple inhabitantsand pure a thousandabatement an for comforts was cry andthe convewhen -

its existence very plainly during the siege of Paris, niencesParis, of unknownsiege the in villages;during aplainly townvery in regularexistence comits -

gin to be agreed. The idea of free dwellings showed municationshowed withdwellings otherfree of towns,idea andThe itselfagreed. abe centreto gin of

On that point, as we have said, the workers be industry,workers commerce,the said, science,have we as and art;point, a townthat On which

the work of twenty or thirtyheritage? generationscommon the of has madeportion

then, has the right to sell to any bidder the smallest habitable,smallest the healthy,bidder andany to beautiful.sell to right the has then,

city, without committing a flagrant injustice? Who, Who, A houseinjustice? in certainflagrant a parts of Pariscommitting is valuedwithout city, at

est plot of ground, or the meanest building in such a a manysuch in thousandsbuilding of poundsmeanest the or sterling, ground, notof becauseplot est

thousandstini the ofhimself poundsto ’ worthappropriate ofcan labourthen, haveWho, been

expended on thatnation. particularFrench whole house, the of but becausegenerations it

fruit of eighteen centuries of toil, the work of fifty isfifty inof Paris;work becausethe toil, forof centuriescenturies workmen,eighteen of artists,fruit

eign countries as well as at home; because it is the thinkers,the is it andbecause men ofhome; learningat as well and as letters havecountries coneign -

the names of its streets are household words in for tributed in towords make Parishousehold whatare it isstreets today—its of a centrenames the of cause Paris has a past; because, thanks to literature, industry,literature, to commerce,thanks politics,because, past; art, a andhas science;Paris cause be-

6 dwellings

112

workshop, the toilingthrow to for dear life atpolice-sergeants a minimumand bailiffs wage. find not

him. True, during the Revolution the landlord can landlord the Revolution the during True, him.

- The money spent by the owner was not the

product evict of hiscan ownwho toil. It landlord was a amassed,always is likethere allbe, othmay - ing

u, oee tml-on n suld i dwell his squalid and tumble-down however But,

er riches,- by paying the workers two-thirds or only

a half of head. what his wasover theirroof due.of sort some have must he er;

Moreoveroth or —and somehow it is herehoused thatbe themust enormityworker the of peace,

the wholeof time proceeding in or becomesrevolution of mosttime glaringin —theWhether

house owes its actualthemselves. valueconcern towill the poor profit the whichwhich thewith tion

the New Revolution comes, it will be the first ques first the be will it comes, Revolution New the

owner- can make out of it. Now, this profit results

from the when fact thatAnd hisrent. houseof is builtabolition inthe a on town —boldly that decide

is, in to an agglomerationCommune the of of thousandsCouncil the of otherexpected housworkmen

es, possessingParis the pavedwhen streets,1871, of bridges,Commune quays,the andduring again

fine publicappeared It buildings,landlords. wellthe by lighted, demanded and terms affording the of

to its inhabitantssimple and apure thousand abatement comforts an for andwas cry conve the - when

niences unknownParis, of siege in villages;the during a townplainly in regularvery com-existence its

munication showed with otherdwellings towns,free of andidea itselfThe a centreagreed. be ofto gin

On that point, as we have said, the workers be workers the said, have we as point, that On

industry,- commerce, science, and art; a town which

the work of twenty or thirty generationsheritage? common hasthe madeof portion

habitable, healthy,smallest the andbidder beautiful.any to sell to right the has then,

city, without committing a flagrant injustice? Who, A Who, house in certaininjustice? partsflagrant a of Paris is committing valued atwithout city,

many a thousandssuch in of building pounds sterling,meanest the or not becauseground, of plot est

Who, then, can appropriate to himself the tini the himself to appropriate can then, Who,

thousands- of pounds’ worth of labour have been

expended on that particularnation. French house, whole butthe becauseof it generations

is in Paris;fifty of becausework the for centuriestoil, of workmen,centuries artists,eighteen of fruit

thinkers, the is andit men ofbecause learninghome; at andas letterswell as have concountries - eign

the names of its streets are household words in for in words household are streets its of names the

tributed- to make Paris what it is today—a centre of industry, commerce,literature, to politics,thanks art,because, andpast; a science;has Paris be - cause

6 dwellings

114

people it will be carried into effect in spite of all all workman of spite ’sin rags effect and chattelsinto carried intobe thewill it street, people but

If the idea of expropriation be adopted by the whothe by knows whatadopted be the new Governmentexpropriation of idea will the do If to- morrow? Who can say that it will not call coercionII

to its aid again, and set the police pack upon the

tenant to hound him out of his hovels?it. Have preceding we

not a theatrical make-believe, like so many others notothers seen themany so communelike of Paris make-believe, proclaim thetheatrical a remisnot -

proclaimed, that this Revolution is a real fact, and sionand offact, rentsreal a dueis up to theRevolution firstthis ofthat April only!5proclaimed, Af-

rich and powerful, that Equality has been openly ter openly that, rent been has had to be Equality paid, that though Paris powerful, and was inrich a

bour will no longer have to bear the yoke of the statethe of of chaos,yoke the andbear industryto have at a standstill;longer no will so thatbour

have realized that new times have come, that La the “that federatecome, ” whohave hadtimes takennew armsthat to defendrealized thehave

takes place, on that day, the exploited workers will independencewill workers of Parisexploited hadthe absolutelyday, that on nothingplace, totakes de-

On the day that the expropriation of houses pendhouses uponof —he and hisexpropriation familythe —that but anday allowancethe On of

fifteen pence a day!funds. necessary the first finding

ries about paying compensation to landlords, and and Now thelandlords, workerto must becompensation made paying to seeabout clearlyries

theo- —

that in way refusing their in to pay thrust rent be to a landlordcertainly will or ownerwhich

ate the houses without giving heed to the theories he is theories not the simply to profitingheed giving by thewithout disorganizationhouses the ate of

authority.expropri to He mustproceed understandwill people the that ripe, the is abolitionlabours

to grow in this direction; and when the fruit of their oftheir rentof isfruit a recognizedthe when and principle,direction; sanctioned,this in grow soto to

They will prepare the ground and encourage ideas speak,ideas by popularencourage and assent;ground thatthe to be prepare housedwill rent-They

tion of houses, may become an accomplished fact. freefact. is a right proclaimedaccomplished an aloudbecome bymay the people.houses, of tion

Areexpropria wethe going rent, toof wait till abolition this the measure, that whichmasses,

nest revolutionists will work side by side with the isthe in with harmony side by withside everywork honestwill man’s senserevolutionists nest of

justice,ear the is takenpeople, the up by theamong few people socialists scatteredremaining and

—

among servitude the middleand classauthority elements,of signs of whichoutward the Prothose -

—

visionarybadges and Government uniforms will berefusing composed? why, is If This it were turn of reaction, in fact! in reaction, of turn

- re the till — 5 The decree of thelong 30 March:wait to by thishave decreeshould rents duepeople up tothe theso, terms of October, 1870, and January and April, 1871, were annulled. 6 dwellings

114

workman all of ’s ragsspite in and chattelseffect into into thecarried be street, will it but people

who knowsthe by what theadopted newbe Governmentexpropriation willof doidea to-the If morrow? Who can say that it will not call coercion II

to its aid again, and set the police pack upon the

tenant to hound him out of his hovels? Haveit. we preceding

not seen theothers communemany so like of Paris proclaimmake-believe, the remistheatrical a - not

sion of and rentsfact, duereal upa is to the firstRevolution of this Aprilthat only!5 Af- proclaimed,

ter that, rent openly had been to has be paid, Equality though that Paris was powerful, in and a rich

state ofthe chaos,of yoke and the industry bear to at a have standstill; longer sono thatwill bour

the “federateLa that ” whocome, hadhave takentimes armsnew to that defend therealized have

independence will ofworkers Paris hadexploited absolutelythe day, nothingthat on to deplace, - takes

pend uponhouses — heof and his familyexpropriation —butthe anthat allowance day the ofOn

fifteen pence a day! funds. necessary the first finding

ries about paying compensation to landlords, and Nowand the workerlandlords, to must be madecompensation to seepaying clearlyabout ries

which will certainly be thrust in their way their in thrust be certainly will which theo-

that in refusing— to pay rent to a landlord or owner

he is not simplytheories the profitingto heed by thegiving disorganizationwithout houses ofthe ate

labours is ripe, the people will proceed to expropri to proceed will people the ripe, is labours

authority.- He must understand that the abolition

of rent istheir aof recognizedfruit the principle,when and sanctioned,direction; this soin to grow to

speak, byideas popular assent;encourage and that ground to bethe housedprepare rent-will They

free is afact. right proclaimedaccomplished an aloud bybecome the may people. houses, of tion

masses, that the abolition of rent, the expropria the rent, of abolition the that masses,

- Are we going to wait till this measure, which

is in harmonythe with withside by everyside honestwork will man’s sense ofrevolutionists nest

and remaining people among the people, the ear the people, the among people remaining and

justice,- is taken up by the few socialists scattered

those outward signs of authority and servitude and authority of signs outward those

among— the middle class elements, of which the Pro-

This is why, refusing uniforms and badges and uniforms refusing why, is This

visionary— Government will be composed? If it were turn of reaction, in fact! in reaction, of turn

so, the people should have to wait long wait to have should people the so, - re the till 5 The decree of the— 30 March: by this decree rents due up to the terms of October, 1870, and January and April, 1871, were annulled. 6 dwellings

116

the “insurmountableluxury. of ”homes obstaclesand dens with foetid which large, we and are

and suites of rooms, healthy and unhealthy, small menaced.small unhealthy, and healthy rooms, of suites and

family mansions and villa residences, all the rooms rooms Of the course, all the goodresidences, folkvilla inand new uniforms,mansions seatfamily -

the street and the district of all the flats, tenements, ed in thetenements, officialflats, the arm-chairsall of district of the and Hôtel street de the Ville,

volunteers would have drawn up complete lists for for will lists be sure tocomplete busyup themselvesdrawn have in heapingwould up volunteers ob-

stifled in swarming tenements. In a few days these stacles.these days Theyfew a willIn talk of givingtenements. compensationswarming in stifled to

and might well be used to house those who are are the landlords,who those of house preparing to used statistics,be well andmight drawand -

houses which are too spacious for their occupants ing upoccupants long their reports.for Yes,spacious theytoo wouldare bewhich capablehouses

overcrowded, the unwholesome slums, and the ofthe drawingand upslums, reports long unwholesome enough the to outlast theovercrowded,

houses which are empty and of those which are are hopes ofwhich the those people, of and who, afterempty are waiting which and starvhouses -

undertake to inquire into the number of flats and and ing inflats enforcedof idleness,number the andinto seeinginquire to nothing comeundertake

up in every district, street, and block of houses, and ofand all thesehouses, of official block researches,and street, woulddistrict, lose every heartin up and

tion is fairly started, groups of volunteers will spring faithspring inwill the Revolutionvolunteers of and abandongroups started, the fieldfairly is to tion the

reactionaries.expropria as Thesoon as newthat, bureaucracylikely very wouldseems It end by

making expropriationwhatever. means hatefulother any inby the eyeseffected of be all. not

could be effected by popular initiative, and could could Here,and indeed,initiative, is a rockpopular whichby mighteffected shipwreckbe could

only concerned to demonstrate that expropriation our hopes.expropriation But that if the people demonstrate turn to a deaf earconcerned to theonly

of any particular method of organization. We are are specious We argumentsorganization. usedof to dazzlemethod them,particular andany realof -

ourselves to replying that we are not the upholders ize thatupholders newthe lifenot needsare we newthat conditions,replying to and if theyourselves

declare that the thing is impossible. We confine undertake confine We the task themselves, impossible. is thing then the expropriation that declare

propose to go out of our way to answer those who canwho be effectedthose answer withoutto way anyour greatof out difficulty.go to ” propose

without the intervention of Government. We do not not do ButWe how? How canGovernment. of it be done?” intervention youthe ask us. without We

ner by which expropriation might be accomplished shall try toaccomplished replybe tomight this question,expropriation but withwhich by a ner res-

ervation.man the We haveindicate no merely intention shall we of tracingThus out theforehand.

simpler methods than those dictated to him be plans him ofto expropriation dictated inthose theirthan smallestmethods details. simpler We

greater things, and accomplish them better and by by knowand beforehandbetter them that all thataccomplish anyand man,things, or groupgreater by the reality when it comes. Man will accomplish of men, accomplish could will suggestMan todaycomes. it wouldwhen be far reality surpassed the by

6 dwellings

116

the “insurmountableluxury. ”of obstacleshomes withand whichdens foetid we arelarge, and

menaced. small unhealthy, and healthy rooms, of suites and

family mansions and villa residences, all the rooms Of course,rooms the theall good folkresidences, in newvilla uniforms,and seatmansions - family

ed in the officialtenements, arm-chairsflats, the all of of thedistrict Hôtelthe and de Ville,street the

will befor surelists to busy complete themselves up drawn in heapinghave would up ob- volunteers

stacles. these They days willfew a talk In of giving tenements. compensation swarming in to stifled

the landlords,are who of those preparing house to statistics,used be andwell drawmight - and

ing up long reports.occupants their Yes,for they spacious wouldtoo are be capablewhich houses

of drawing the and up reportsslums, long enoughunwholesome to the outlast the overcrowded,

hopes are of the which people, those who,of afterand waitingempty are and starvwhich - houses

ing inand enforced flats of idleness,number andthe seeinginto nothinginquire to come undertake

of all theseand officialhouses, of researches,block and wouldstreet, lose district, heart andevery in up

faith in thespring Revolutionwill andvolunteers of abandon groups the fieldstarted, to fairly theis tion

It seems very likely that, as soon as expropria as soon as that, likely very seems It

reactionaries.- The new bureaucracy would end by

making expropriationwhatever. hatefulmeans inother theany eyesby of all.effected be not

could be effected by popular initiative, and could Here,could indeed,and is a rockinitiative, whichpopular mightby shipwreckeffected be could

our hopes. But if expropriation the peoplethat turn ademonstrate deafto ear to theconcerned only

specious are argumentsWe usedorganization. toof dazzle them,method and particular real -any of

ize that new lifeupholders needsthe not neware we conditions, that andreplying to if they ourselves

undertake confine the task We themselves, impossible. is then thing expropriation the that declare

can be effectedwho those withoutanswer anyto greatway our difficulty.of out go ” to propose

without the intervention of Government. We do not Butnot how?do We How can it beGovernment. done?of ” you askintervention us.the We without

shall try to replyaccomplished tobe this question,might but withexpropriation a which res by - ner

forehand. Thus we shall merely indicate the man the indicate merely shall we Thus forehand.

ervation.- We have no intention of tracing out the

simpler methods than those dictated to him be him to dictated those than methods simpler

plans- of expropriation in their smallest details. We

know by beforehandand better thatthem all that anyaccomplish man,and or groupthings, greater of men, could suggestaccomplish will todayMan wouldcomes. it be farwhen surpassedreality the by

6 dwellings

118

over. Rarely has appeal been made to the good in Freelygood the communicatingto made been withappeal eachhas other,Rarely theseover.

veniences, the little inequalities will be easily tided volunteerstided easily be wouldwill soon haveinequalities theirlittle statisticsthe comveniences, -

plete.incon Falsetrifling statisticsthe canclasses, be manufacturedmiddle the of in boarddwellings

the inhabitants of the slums into the half-empty rooms andhalf-empty the offices, into butslums the true of and exactinhabitants statisticsthe

streets, districts, and parishes, undertake to move mustmove to begin withundertake the individualparishes, and and mountdistricts, up fromstreets,

But if the people themselves, organized by by the simpleorganized to the complex.themselves, people the if But

Then, without waiting for anyonereason. ’s leave,without not thoseand

—

citizensraised is willcry probablyand hue go and findtremendous a theirone, comradesany to

recriminations. If the smallest advantage is given whogiven is were livingadvantage in miserablesmallest the If garrets and hovelsrecriminations.

board. The least inequality causes wranglings and andand will say towranglings themcauses simply: “Itinequality is a realleast RevolutionThe board.

a case of who is the most influential person on the the this on time, person comrades, andinfluential nomost mistakethe is aboutwho of it. Comecase a

deed all the evil passions spring up, and it becomes to suchbecomes it a placeand up, this spring evening; passions all evil the the neighbourall deed -

cies of officialism in any shape or form. Then in hoodform. will or be there;shape weany are goingin to redistribute officialism of thecies

dwelling-houses.mer tender the to If fact, you in are tired ofcommittee, youror slum-garboard any -

fine such questions as the housing of the people to to ret, comepeople the andof choosehousing onethe ofas the flatsquestions of fivesuch roomsfine

thatcon to arebe to bewould disposedinstincts of, andthese when nourish you and have oncerevive

aware of it. But we contend that the very way to to movedway invery youthe shallthat stay, nevercontend we fear. But Theit. peopleof aware are

tistic instincts in isolated individuals. We are quite upquite in arms,are We and he whoindividuals. would isolated venture in to evictinstincts youtistic

willego of have toplenty answerare tothere them.that ” deny not do We

“Butfire. or everyfood one willwithout wantday the a finepass to househave or a would spa-

patient waiters knew full well that the last comers ciouscomers flat!last ” wethe arethat told.well —No,full youknew are quitewaiters mistaken.patient

by the foreign Press correspondents; and yet these It these is notyet theand people’s way tocorrespondents; clamourPress for foreign the the moon. by

in 1871 was constantly presented for admiration On the contrary,admiration for every presented time we haveconstantly seenwas them1871 in set

tience and resignation which prevailed among them aboutthem repairingamong a wrongprevailed wewhich have beenresignation struckand by tience the

or during the terrible years of 1792-1794? The pa good The sense and 1792-1794? instinct of foryears justiceterrible whichthe animatesduring or

rations of bread or firewood during the two sieges thesieges masses.two the Have during we ever knownfirewood or thembread demandof therations fighting among themselves while waiting for their impossible?their for waiting Have while we ever seenthemselves the peopleamong of Parisfighting

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Freelyin communicatinggood the to made withbeen eachappeal other,has theseRarely over.

volunteers tided wouldeasily be soonwill have theirinequalities statisticslittle the comveniences,

plete. Falseincon statisticstrifling canthe be manufacturedclasses, middle the inof board dwellings

rooms and offices,half-empty the butinto trueslums the andof exact statisticsinhabitants the

must beginmove to with the individualundertake andparishes, mountand up fromdistricts, streets,

the simpleby to theorganized complex. themselves, people the if But

Then, without waiting for anyone’reason. s leave, thosewithout not and

—

citizens willraised is probably cry and go andhue find theirtremendous a comrades one, any to

who weregiven livingis in miserableadvantage smallest garrets the If and hovels recriminations.

and willand say to themwranglings simply:causes “It is a realinequality Revolutionleast The board.

this time,the on comrades,person and no mistakeinfluential most aboutthe is it. who Come of case a

to such a placebecomes it thisand up, evening;spring all thepassions neighbourevil the all - deed

cies of officialism in any shape or form. Then in form. or shape any in officialism of cies

hood- will be there; we are going to redistribute the

any board or committee, in fact, to the tender mer tender the to fact, in committee, or board any

dwelling-houses.- If you are tired of your slum-gar-

ret, cometo andpeople choosethe of one ofhousing thethe flatsas of fivequestions roomssuch fine

revive and nourish these instincts would be to con to be would instincts these nourish and revive

thatare to be disposed of, and when you have once

moved to in youway shallvery stay,the neverthat fear.contend Thewe peopleBut it. of are aware

up in arms,quite andare We he who wouldindividuals. ventureisolated toin evict youinstincts tistic

We do not deny that there are plenty of ego of plenty are there that deny not do We

willhave to answer to them.”

“But everyfire. or one food will wantwithout a fineday the housepass to or a have spa- would

cious flat!”comers we arelast told.the —that No, youwell full are quiteknew mistaken.waiters patient

It is not thethese yet people and ’s way to clamourcorrespondents; forPress the moon.foreign the by

On the contrary,admiration everyfor time wepresented have seenconstantly themwas set 1871 in

about repairingthem among a wrong weprevailed havewhich been struckresignation by theand tience

or during the terrible years of 1792-1794? The pa The 1792-1794? of years terrible the during or

good- sense and instinct for justice which animates

the masses.sieges Havetwo the we everduring known themfirewood or demandbread of the rations impossible? their for Have wewaiting everwhile seen the peoplethemselves ofamong Paris fighting

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stincts of the masses—only asproperty. a last resort,individual at to saveblow

no means easy to turn it. It will have struck a fatal thefatal a sinkingstruck shiphave in will times It it. of revolutionturn to easy —butmeans neverno

and started on a course from which it will be by by hasbe suchwill it an appealwhich beenfrom madecourse a inon vain; thestarted heroand -

assumed a communistic character from the first, ism, first, the the self-devotion from character of the toiler has communistic a never failedassumed

then the Revolution will have have will Revolution the then —

to respond to it. And thus it will be indwelling the comingdecent a

nalizing of houses and the right of each family to to Revolution.family each of right the and houses of nalizing

- commu the —

But, when all islodgings saidfree and done,proclaim someand inequalihouses -

If the people of the Revolution expropriate the ties,the some inevitableexpropriate injustices,Revolution the of undoubtedlypeople the If will

”

remain. There yours. arebe individualswill they in ourhumanity; all societies to els

whommod as no greatserve will crisis spirit, can lift outcollective of thethe of deep mireproducts of

revenues. These monuments erected to its citizens, egoismcitizens, its in to which theyerected are sunk.monuments The question,These howrevenues. -

anarchist Commune does not build with an eye to to ever,eye isan notwith whether build therenot does will be injusticesCommune or anarchist no,

long to those who have most need of them. The butThe ratherthem. of how toneed limitmost the numberhave who of them.those to long

the ground of our enfranchised city. They will be will Now allThey history,city. all the enfranchised experience our of of ground the the hu-

the capitalists built for themselves will spring from manfrom race,spring andwill all social psychology,themselves for built unite incapitalists showthe -

tience, comrades! Palaces fairer and finer than any any ing thatthan thefiner bestand and fairer fairest wayPalaces is to trustcomrades! thetience, de-

Pa- “

cision say: toto thoseable whombe will it concernsCommune most nearly.anarchist the It

And to those who are not yet comfortably housed is theyhoused alone whocomfortably canyet considernot are andwho allowthose to for theAnd

. . today

hundred of andthose one than details whicharranged must necessarilyconveniently more be

homes will have sprung up, infinitely healthier and and overlooked healthier in any merelyinfinitely up, officialsprung redistribution.have will homes ing shelter to several families, and in a few months months few a in and families, several to shelter ing

sorbed the time of a whole staff of servants, for giv III for servants, of staff whole a of time the sorbed

a day. They will adapt the fine houses, which ab Moreover,which ithouses, is by fine no the means adapt necessary will They to make day. a

better than to work at their old trades a few hours straightwayhours few a an absolutelytrades old their equalat redistributionwork to than ofbetter all

daily bread is secured to them, they will ask nothing the dwellings.nothing ask will Therethey willthem, to no doubtsecured beis somebread incondaily -

are concerned in house building, know that their veniencestheir that at know first, but building, mattershouse in will soon be concerned rightedare When the masons, and carpenters, and all who inwho a all society and which hascarpenters, adoptedand expropriation.masons, the When

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120

stincts of the masses—only as a lastproperty. resort, to individual save at blow

the sinkingfatal a ship struck in timeshave ofwill It revolution it. turn to — buteasy nevermeans no

has suchby be an appealwill it beenwhich madefrom in vain;course a on the herostarted - and

ism, the first, self-devotion the from of the character toiler has never communistic a failed assumed

then the Revolution will have have will Revolution the then —

to respond to it. And thus it will be in the comingdwelling decent a

Revolution. to family each of right the and houses of nalizing

- commu the —

But, when all is said andlodgings done,free someproclaim inequaliand - houses

ties, somethe inevitableexpropriate injustices,Revolution undoubtedlythe of people willthe If

els to all humanity; they will be yours. be will they humanity; all to els

remain. There ” are individuals in our societies

whom nomod greatas crisisserve will can liftspirit, out of thecollective deep the mireof of products

egoism in whichcitizens, its to they areerected sunk. The question,monuments These howrevenues.

ever, to is noteye whetheran with therebuild willnot bedoes injusticesCommune or no, anarchist

but ratherThe howthem. toof limitneed the numbermost have of them.who those to long

the ground of our enfranchised city. They will be will They city. enfranchised our of ground the

- Now all history, all the experience of the hu-

man race,from and allspring socialwill psychology,themselves for unitebuilt in showcapitalists - the

ing thatany thethan best andfiner and fairest fairer way is Palaces to trust thecomrades! de- tience,

the anarchist Commune will be able to say: say: to able be will Commune anarchist the Pa-

cision “ to those whom it concerns most nearly. It

is they alonehoused who can comfortably consider yet not andare allowwho forthose theto And

more conveniently arranged than those of of those than arranged conveniently more . .

hundredtoday and one details which must necessarily be

overlooked and in anyhealthier merely officialinfinitely up, redistribution.sprung have will homes ing shelter to several families, and in a few months months few a in and families, several to shelter ing

sorbed the time of a whole staff of servants, for giv for servants, of staff whole a of time the sorbed

III -

a day. They will adapt the fine houses, which ab which houses, fine the adapt will They day. a

Moreover,- it is by no means necessary to make

straightway hours anfew a absolutely trades old equal their redistribution at work to ofthan all better

the dwellings.nothing ask There will willthey no doubtthem, to be somesecured is inconbread - daily

veniences their at first,that know but mattersbuilding, will house soon in be rightedconcerned are in a societywho all whichand has adoptedcarpenters, expropriation.and masons, the When

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122

of rooms all to himself, and some poor woman lives lives For thewoman expropriationpoor some and of dwellingshimself, to all containsrooms of in

Or again, suppose that the landlord has a score germscore a thehas whole sociallandlord the revolution.that Onsuppose the again, manner Or of

its accomplishmentthat! all dependsabolished has the characterSocialism of all thatcollectors;

Stay where you are, but rent free. No more duns and follows.and duns Eithermore No we shallfree. startrent but on aare, goodyou roadwhere leadingStay

need not pay his former landlord any more rent. straightrent. more to any anarchist landlord communism, former his orpay wenot shallneed re-

the people will make the lodger understand that he he mainthat sticking inunderstand the mudlodger ofthe despoticmake individualism.will people the

ings, suppose he has empty rooms in his house; then then It is house; easy his toin see therooms numerousempty has objectionshe suppose —theo-ings,

reticlodg onlets thehe one hand,suppose But practicalbe. need onif thehand other—helping with a

nay, they will lend him him lend will they nay, — him hinder not will ” boys

which we are sure to be met. As it will be a question“

there. Let him work in his little garden, too; our ofour maintainingtoo; garden, iniquitylittle his at in any price,work ourhim opponentsLet there.

enough for his family, by all means let him stay willstay ofhim courselet protestmeans all “by in the namefamily, his of for justice. ” enough “Is

street! Certainly not. If his house is only just large it large not ajust cryingonly is shame,house ” theyhis If willnot. exclaim,Certainly “that thestreet!

of his hard-earned happiness, to turn him into the peoplethe into ofhim Paristurn shouldto take possessionhappiness, ofhard-earned all his these of

to hold his family. And we are going to deprive him finehim houses,deprive to whilegoing theare peasantswe And in thefamily. countryhis hold haveto

tion has contrived to buy a house just large enough onlyenough tumble-downlarge just hutshouse a tobuy liveto in?” Butcontrived dohas not tion let

uspriva makeof dint a mistake.by who Thesefellow enthusiastspoor some of forcase justicehard

formidable either. We are bidden to consider the forget,the byconsider a lapseto of memorybidden are We to whicheither. they are subformidable -

The so-called practical objections are not very ject,very thenot “are crying shameobjections ” whichpractical they themselvesso-called The are

tacitly defending. They forget that in thiswrong? same cityancient

inequality, shall we stay our hand from righting an an the worker,righting withfrom hishand wifeour andstay children,we shall suffocatesinequality,

State. In order to avoid an accidental and transitory in a noisometransitory and garret, accidental whilean fromavoid to his order window In State. he

farmer, the merchant, the money-lender, and the seesthe and the rich man’s palace.money-lender, the They forgetmerchant, the that wholefarmer,

peasant has ceased to be the beast of burden of the generationsthe of burden perishof beast in crowdedthe be to slums,ceased starvinghas peasant for

will not fail to improve its dwellings as soon as the airthe as and sunlight,soon as anddwellings thatits to redressimprove to thisfail injusticenot will

that will right itself from day to day; for the village oughtvillage tothe befor the day; first to taskday offrom the Revolution.itself right will that

the Revolution will be transitory and of a nature nature Do a notof letand these disingenuoustransitory be will protests Revolution hold the us ist between town and country in the early days of of back.days We early know the thatin any country inequality and town which maybetween ist ex-

6 dwellings

122

of rooms all to himself, and some poor woman lives For lives the expropriationwoman poor some of dwellingsand himself, contains to all in rooms of

germ thescore wholea has social revolution.landlord the that On the suppose manner again, ofOr

its accomplishmentthat! all depends theabolished characterhas ofSocialism all that collectors;

follows. and Eitherduns we more shall No startfree. onrent a goodbut roadare, you leadingwhere Stay

straight rent. to anarchistmore any communism,landlord former or wehis shallpay not re - need

main stickinghe that in the mudunderstand of despoticlodger the individualism.make will people the

ings, suppose he has empty rooms in his house; then It is then easy tohouse; seehis thein numerousrooms empty objections has he —theo-suppose ings,

a helping hand if need be. But suppose he lets lodg lets he suppose But be. need if hand helping a

retic- on the one hand, practical on the other—with

nay, they will lend him him lend will they nay, — him hinder not will ” boys

which we are sure to be met. As it will be a question “

of maintaining our too; iniquitygarden, at little any his price, in ourwork opponentshim Let there.

will of coursestay him protestlet “means in theall by name offamily, justice.his for ” “Is enough

it not a cryinglarge just shame,only is ” theyhouse willhis If exclaim, not. “that Certainly the street!

people the of Parisinto shouldhim turn taketo possessionhappiness, of all thesehard-earned his of

fine houses,him whiledeprive to the peasantsgoing are we in theAnd countryfamily. his have hold to

only tumble-downenough large hutsjust to house live a in?buy ”to But do notcontrived lethas tion

hard case of some poor fellow who by dint of priva of dint by who fellow poor some of case hard

us make- a mistake. These enthusiasts for justice

forget, the by a lapseconsider ofto memorybidden toare whichWe theyeither. are subformidable

ject, thevery “cryingnot are shame ” whichobjections they themselvespractical so-called areThe

tacitly defending. They forget that in this samewrong? city ancient

the worker,an withrighting hisfrom wifehand andour children,stay we suffocatesshall inequality,

in a noisometransitory garret,and while accidental froman hisavoid windowto order In he State.

sees thethe richand man’s palace.money-lender, Theythe forget thatmerchant, wholethe farmer,

generations the of perishburden of in crowdedbeast the slums,be to starvingceased has for peasant

air andthe sunlight,as soon as and that todwellings redressits thisimprove to injustice fail not will

ought to bevillage thethe firstfor taskday; to of theday Revolution.from itself right will that

the Revolution will be transitory and of a nature Do notnature leta theseof and disingenuoustransitory be protestswill hold usRevolution the back. of We knowdays thatearly the anyin inequalitycountry and which town may ex-between ist

6 dwellings

124

nearaccom bybe withto five childrengrooves old inthe oneof room.out Inclimb that dous case

the peopletremen this wouldexpect seewho whether,those and with life, some alteraeveryday -

every revolution means a certain disturbance to to tions, thesedisturbance empty roomscertain a couldmeans not be convertedrevolution every

Moreover, we must not blink at the fact that intothat afact suitablethe at homeblink fornot themust poor we woman andMoreover, her

five children. Would notpeasants? that beHindoo or more justRussian and than fair

be less intelligent and less capable of organization than to leaveorganization of the mothercapable less andand her fiveintelligent littleless onesbe

that the inhabitants of a great European city would languishingwould city in a European garret, great a while of Sir Gorgeousinhabitants the Midasthat

its quarrels into courts of law. And are we to believe sat atbelieve histo easewe are in anAnd emptylaw. of mansion?courts into Besides,quarrels goodits

sonal property holds sway, and is for ever carrying Sir Gorgeouscarrying ever wouldfor is and probably sway, hastenholds to doproperty it of sonal his

ownper accord;where than his wife willCommune be delightedRussian the of to be freedagement

employ? Fewer fields change hands under the man from the half herunder big,hands unwieldy change housefields whenFewer there isemploy? no

intelligence and good sense of the methods they longerthey a staffmethods ofthe servantsof sense to keepgood it and in order.” intelligence

the allotments so little that one can only praise the the So praise you only are can goingone tothat turnlittle everythingso allotments upside the

redistributing fields and disturbing the owners of down,owners ”the say the defendersdisturbing and of law and fields order. “Thereredistributing

Have we not the example of the village communes will be nocommunes end tovillage thethe evictionsof andexample removals.the not we WouldHave

with the least possible friction and disturbance. it not be disturbance. better and to startfriction fresh bypossible turning least everybodythe with

shake down amicably into the available dwellings out of dwellings doors andavailable redistributingthe into theamicably housesdown by lot?shake ”

palace by the help of an armed escort. People would Thuswould our critics;People escort. but wearmed arean firmlyof help persuadedthe by palace that

s s ’ Dives in Lazarus install or point, s ’

if no Government interferes in the matter,bayonet if allthe theat

There would be no need to conduct Dives to a garret changesgarret a to are Dives entrusted conduct toto theseneed no free be groupswould whichThere

in the kitchen. Gradually people would shake down. havedown. sprungshake upwould to undertakepeople theGradually work,kitchen. thethe evicin -

find that palaces were not well adapted to self-help tionsself-help andto removalsadapted well willnot be were less numerouspalaces that thanfind

seek less luxurious dwellings. The fine ladies would thosewould whichladies takefine placeThe in onedwellings. year underluxurious theless presseek -

cuat wud on id hmevs ocd to entforced system, owingthemselves to the find rapacity soon of would landlords. occupants

such houses without a large staff of servants. Their Their In the firstservants. of place,staff therelarge a are in allwithout large houses townssuch al-

” up keep “

most enough not emptycould housesOne andcould. flatsthey if to lodgethem in all live the of fine apartments, many working people would not not inhabitants would ofpeople the slums.working Asmany to the palacesapartments, and suitesfine of

6 dwellings

124

near by withaccom fivebe to childrengrooves in old one room.the of Inout that caseclimb dous

everyday life, and those who expect this tremen this expect who those and life, everyday

the - people would see whether, with some altera-

tions, to these emptydisturbance rooms certain could a notmeans be convertedrevolution every

into a suitablethat fact homethe at for blink the not poor womanmust we and herMoreover,

five children. Would not that peasants? be moreHindoo justor and fairRussian than

than to leave theorganization of mother capable and less her and five little intelligent onesless be

languishing would incity a garret,European whilegreat Sira of Gorgeous Midasinhabitants the that

sat at his easebelieve to inwe an are empty And mansion?law. of Besides,courts into good quarrels its

Sir Gorgeouscarrying wouldever for probably is and hastensway, toholds do it of hisproperty sonal

own accord;per hiswhere wifethan will be delightedCommune Russian to the be of freed agement

from halfman herthe big,under unwieldy hands housechange whenfields thereFewer is no employ?

longer athey staff of servantsmethods the of to keepsense it ingood order.and ” intelligence

the allotments so little that one can only praise the So the you arepraise goingonly can to one turn that everythinglittle so upsideallotments the

down, of ”owners say thethe defenders disturbing of lawand and order. fields “There redistributing

will be no end communes to the evictionsvillage the of and removals.example the Wouldnot we Have

it not be better disturbance. to startand fresh friction by turningpossible everybodyleast the with

out of doors dwellings and redistributingavailable the into the housesamicably by lot?down ” shake

Thus our would critics; People but weescort. are firmlyarmed an of persuadedhelp the by that palace

s point, or install Lazarus in Dives in Lazarus install or point, s ’ bayonet the at s s

if no ’ Government interferes in the matter, if all the

changes aregarret a entrustedto Dives to theseconduct to freeneed groupsno be whichwould There

have sprungdown. upshake to undertakewould people the work,Gradually the evickitchen. -the in

tions and self-help removals to willadapted well be lessnot numerouswere palaces thanthat find

those whichwould takeladies placefine inThe one yeardwellings. under theluxurious presless - seek

ent to system,forced owing to thethemselves rapacity find of soon landlords. would occupants

such houses without a large staff of servants. Their In theTheir first place,servants. of therestaff are large in a all largewithout townshouses al- such

live in them if they could. One could not not could One could. they if them in live ” up keep

most enough“ empty houses and flats to lodge all the inhabitants not would of the slums.people As working to the many palaces and suitesapartments, fine of

6 dwellings

126

- hav without spare, to and garments, new enough

shoulders of some fat bourgeois; and there will be be plishedwill withoutthere and so muchbourgeois; as fat jarringsome theof dishes shoulders on

a new coat to one that has already graced the theirthe dinnergraced tablesalready willhas findthat themselvesone to coat mistaken.new a

deprive him of them, for most folk would prefer It isprefer true thatwould Governmentsfolk most for can them, change of him without deprive dis-

it is highly improbable that any one will want to to turbingwant worthywill one citizensany that at dinner, improbable but thehighly crimesis it

nay, if he have ten coats coats ten have he if nay, —

of society towards those whostill it have nourishedkeep coat a andhas

equal wit and ingenuity, suggest. Let him who supported who him Let it are not suggest. to be redressed ingenuity, and by wit any suchequal

a heap and draw lots for them, as our critics, with politicalwith sleightcritics, our as of parties.them, for lots draw and heap a

all citizens of their coats, to put all the garments in in Undoubtedlygarments the all thereput to will becoats, a disturbance,their of citizens butall it

Obviously we shall not need for that to despoil mustdespoil notto bethat onefor of pureneed not loss; itshall mustwe be minimized.Obviously

And again—it is impossiblefood. and to lay houses too of much stressnalization

- commu the of corollary necessary a is —

on this maxim—it will be by addressing ourselvesoutfitters

stores, or to have it made for him at the tailors and toand the interestedtailors the at him parties, for andmade it nothave toto boardsor andstores,

of each to take what he needs from the communal committees,communal the thatfrom we shallneeds besthe succeedwhat take into reducingeach of

the right right the —

the sum of inconveniencesclothing of for everybody.communalization The needs.

open the doors to all, so that each can take what he he Thewhat peopletake can commiteach that blunderso all, to on blunderdoors the whenopen

es where clothing is sold or stored, and to throw theythrow haveto and to choosestored, or by ballotsold is some clothing hare-brained where es

candidatewarehous whoand solicitsshops the theall of honour people, of representingthe of name

possible solution will be to take possession, in the them,the in and takespossession, upontake himselfto be will to know solution all, to dopossible all,

demand consideration next, and again the only andonly tothe organizeagain all.and But next, when they takeconsideration upon themdemand -

to be taken. The question of clothing will of course selvescourse of to organizewill clothing what of they know,question The whattaken. touchesbe to

ly supply of food, another forward step will have themhave will directly, step they forward do it betteranother thanfood, of all thesupply “talk-ly

tage of the citizens, and when each man has his dai ing-shops his has ” putman together.each when Is notand the Pariscitizens, the Commune of tage

anheri instancecommon in point?the andbecome the have great dockershouses the ’ strike?When and have we not constant evidence of this factI in

every village commune?

CLOTHING CHAPTER VII CHAPTER

6 dwellings

126

- hav without spare, to and garments, new enough

plished be withoutwill there so muchand as jarringbourgeois; fat the some dishes of on shoulders

their dinnerthe tablesgraced willalready findhas themselvesthat one to mistaken.coat new a

It is true thatprefer Governmentswould folk most can for change them, withoutof him dis- deprive

turbing to worthywant will citizens one any at dinner,that but theimprobable crimeshighly is it

nay, if he have ten coats coats ten have he if nay, —

of society towards those who havestill nourishedit keep andcoat a has

supported who it him are Let not to be suggest. redressed ingenuity, by any and such wit equal

political with sleightcritics, of parties.our as them, for lots draw and heap a

all citizens of their coats, to put all the garments in Undoubtedlyin garments therethe all willput beto a disturbance,coats, their of but it citizens all

must not bedespoil oneto ofthat purefor loss;need itnot mustshall be we minimized. Obviously

And again—it is impossible tofood. layand too muchhouses of stress nalization

is a necessary corollary of the commu the of corollary necessary a is — outfitters

on this- maxim—it will be by addressing ourselves

to the and interested tailors the parties,at him andfor notmade toit boardshave to or and stores,

committees, thatcommunal wethe shallfrom bestneeds succeedhe what in reducingtake to each of

needs. The communalization of clothing of communalization The needs. the right right the

the sum of inconveniences— for everybody.

open the doors to all, so that each can take what he Thehe peoplewhat committake can blundereach that so on all, blunder to doors when the open

they havethrow toto chooseand by stored, ballot or somesold is hare-brainedclothing where es

name of the people, of all the shops and warehous and shops the all of people, the of name

candidate- who solicits the honour of representing

them, andthe in takes uponpossession, himselftake to tobe knowwill all, to dosolution all, possible

and to organizeonly the all.again But and when theynext, take uponconsideration them - demand

selves to organizecourse of will what theyclothing of know, whatquestion The touchestaken. be to

them directly,have will theystep do it betterforward thananother all food, the of “talk-supply ly

tage of the citizens, and when each man has his dai his has man each when and citizens, the of tage ing-shops- ” put together. Is not the Paris Commune

When the houses have become the common heri common the become have houses the When

an instance- in point? and the great dockers’ strike? and have we not constant evidence of this fact in I

every village commune?

CLOTHING CHAPTER VII CHAPTER

6 dwellings

128

Later on it can exist without appealing to the spirit ingspirit recoursethe to to second-handappealing without wardrobes.exist can it on Later

ciety will have need of this wave of brotherly love. love. If we werebrotherly of to wave take this anof inventoryneed have ofwill all theciety

slavery and oppression, that the new anarchist so clothes andanarchist stuffnew forthe clothingthat accumulatedoppression, and in theslavery

the shards and refuse, accumulated by centuries of of shops andcenturies storesby of the largeaccumulated towns,refuse, weand shouldshards findthe

It is just to wash the earth clean, to sweep away probablyaway sweep thatto in clean, Paris, earth Lyons,the Bordeaux,wash to just is andIt Mar-

seilles,need. we all there is wasthat enoughand first, to the enableat aid the their commune expect

inspired by such exalted enthusiasms, but we may tomay offerwe garmentsbut to allenthusiasms, the citizens,exalted such ofby both sexes;inspired

cannot hope that our daily life will be continuously and if all continuously were be notwill suitedlife daily at once,our that the hope communal cannot

ing over the first and most difficult moments. We We outfittersmoments. would difficult soon most make and goodfirst thesethe shortcomover ing -

not asking too much if we expect their aid in tid ings. in Weaid knowtheir how expect rapidly we if our much great too tailoringasking andnot

we would found our ideal of society. But we are are dressmaking we But establishmentssociety. of ideal workour nowadays,found would prowe -

by such noble passions, nor is it upon them that videdthat asthem theyupon are it withis machinerynor passions, speciallynoble adaptedsuch by

We do not wish to exaggerate the part played for played production part the on a largeexaggerate scale.to wish not do We

“But every one will want aonwards. sable-linedhumanity coat orsweeps a

that the spring-tide of enthusiasm enthusiasm of spring-tide the that —

velvet gown!” exclaim our adversaries. individuals to

as natural to societies as as societies to natural as —

Frankly, we do not believerevival it. Everyspiritual of womantimes

amples of this kind, and it is always during such doessuch not during dote onalways velvet is it norand doeskind, everythis manof dreamamples

The great Revolution of 1793 abounds in ex of in sable linings.abounds Even1793 of now, if weRevolution were great to askThe each

woman to choose her gown, we shouldbrave. and find somegenerous to

spite of themselves to admire, if not to imitate, the preferthe a imitate, simple, to not practicalif admire, garmentto to allthemselves theof fantasspite -

be ashamed of hanging back, and will be drawn in in tic trimmingsdrawn be will the and fashionable back, worldhanging of affects. ashamed be

noble deeds beget their like; even the egotists will will Tastesegotists changethe even with like; the times,their beget and thedeeds fashionnoble

hand of jobbers. Self-devotion will spring up, and inand vogueup, at spring the timewill of the RevolutionSelf-devotion jobbers. will of certainhand -

is in the the in is today

ly make for simplicity.which power Societies,the gain likewill individuals,nature ous

havegener of their Men hours of cowardice,enthusiasm. and but alsogreatness of their ments he-

roicmo its moments;has It andcome. thoughcrises thegreat societywhen air of today cutsdifferent personal interests and second-rate ideas, it wears a a a verywears it poor ideas, figure sunksecond-rate inand the pursuitinterests ofpersonal narrow

7 clothing

128

ing recoursespirit the toto second-handappealing wardrobes.without exist can it on Later

ciety will have need of this wave of brotherly love. If welove. were tobrotherly takeof anwave inventorythis of need of allhave thewill ciety

clothesso and stuffanarchist fornew clothingthe that accumulatedoppression, inand the slavery

shops of and storescenturies ofby the large towns,accumulated werefuse, shouldand findshards the

probably away that insweep Paris,to Lyons,clean, earth Bordeaux,the wash to and just Maris It -

seilles, need. there we wasall is enoughthat and to enablefirst, the theat communeaid their expect

to offer may garmentswe but to all the citizens,enthusiasms, exalted of bothsuch sexes;by inspired

and if all were notcontinuously be suitedwill atlife once,daily theour communalthat hope cannot

outfitters We wouldmoments. soon difficult make most good and these first shortcomthe over - ing

ings. Wetid in know aid howtheir rapidlyexpect ourwe greatif tailoringmuch too andasking not

dressmaking are we establishmentsBut society. of workideal nowadays,our found prowould - we

vided asthat they arethem withupon it machinery is nor speciallypassions, adaptednoble such by

for productionplayed part on athe large scale.exaggerate to wish not do We

“But every one will want a sable-linedonwards. coat humanity or a sweeps

that the spring-tide of enthusiasm enthusiasm of spring-tide the that —

velvet gown!” exclaim our adversaries. individuals to

as natural to societies as as societies to natural as —

Frankly, we do not believe it. revival Every womanspiritual of times

does notsuch dote onduring velvetalways nor is it does and every kind, man this dreamof amples

The great Revolution of 1793 abounds in ex in abounds 1793 of Revolution great The

of sable- linings. Even now, if we were to ask each

woman to choose her gown, we should findbrave. someand to generous

prefer the a simple,imitate, practicalto not if garmentadmire, to to all the fantasthemselves of - spite

tic trimmings in drawn thebe fashionablewill and back, world affects.hanging of ashamed be

noble deeds beget their like; even the egotists will Tasteswill changeegotists withthe theeven times,like; andtheir thebeget fashiondeeds noble

in vogue and atup, the timespring ofwill the RevolutionSelf-devotion will certainjobbers. of - hand

today which power the gain will nature ous

ly make the in for is simplicity. Societies, like individuals,

ments of greatness and enthusiasm. Men of gener of Men enthusiasm. and greatness of ments

have- their hours of cowardice, but also their he-

different air when great crises come. It has its mo its has It come. crises great when air different

roic- moments; and though the society of today cuts a very a poorwears it figure ideas, sunk in second-rate theand pursuit interests of narrow personal

7 clothing

130

of self-sacrifice,community. the becauseto itreturned willbe to have eliminatedpropriated,

Capital in the hands of private owners would be ex- oppression,be would and thusowners createdprivate of a newhands worldthe in instinctCapital

land, machinery, factories, means of transport, etc. etc. with all thetransport, feelingsof means of solidarity.factories, machinery, land,

—

absolutely needed for production; that is to say Besides,to is that should theproduction; characterfor ofneeded the Revoluabsolutely -

would be compelled to take possession of what is is tion what beof such as wepossession havetake to sketched here,compelled be the freewould

life can be so extended as to include luxuries), it it initiativeluxuries), of individualsinclude to as would findextended so be an can extensivelife

shall see how the conception of the necessaries of of field of actionnecessaries the inof thwarting conception the the efforts how ofsee the shall ego-

the necessaries of life to its inhabitants (and we we tists. (and Groups wouldinhabitants springits to uplife of in every streetnecessaries andthe

If a society, a city or a territory were to guarantee quarterguarantee toto undertakewere theterritory a chargeor city ofa the clothing.society, a If

They would make inventories of all that the cityI

possessed, and wouldMEANS findAND out approximatelyWAYS what were the resourcesVIII at their disposal.CHAPTER It is more than likely that in the matter of clothing the citizens would adopt the same principle as in the matter of

provisions—that is to say, they would offer freely

from the commonmillionaires. storeof everythingfortunes the whichamass to wasthem to

most artistic tastes of its citizens without allowing be foundallowing in abundance,without citizens andits of dole outtastes whateverartistic wasmost

show how an Anarchist society could satisfy the limitedthe satisfy in quantity.could society Anarchist an how show

reasonings on what already exists, we are going to to Notgoing beingare we ableexists, to offeralready to eachwhat on man a sable-reasonings

we reply. And, still basing our our basing still And, reply. we ” not, Certainly “ ”

lined coat and to every woman a velvet gown,art. so-

mity and the end of everything beautiful in life and cietyand life wouldin probablybeautiful distinguisheverything of end between the and the mity su-

- unifor grey means this “ urged, be may it ” But,

perfluous and the necessary, and, provisionally“ at

least class sablecitizens. and velvetordinary of among the superfluiconsumption daily -

such special articles, as would not enter into the tiesthe ofinto life, enter ready not to letwould timeas provearticles, whetherspecial whatsuch

ered as luxuries, and to procure for the less robust is arobust luxuryless the today for may notprocure to becomeand commonluxuries, as toered all

to-morrow.consid Whileprovisionally the necessarythings, those clothingfeeble wouldand sick be it would be left to private activity to provide for the guaranteedthe for provide to to each inhabitantactivity private ofto theleft anarchistbe would city,it

7 clothing

130

of self-sacrifice, becausecommunity. the to it willreturned be have to eliminated propriated,

oppression,ex- be andwould thus createdowners aprivate newof worldhands instinctthe in Capital

with alletc. the feelingstransport, of of solidarity.means factories, machinery, land,

—

Besides,say to shouldis that the characterproduction; for of the needed Revolu - absolutely

tion is be suchwhat of as we havepossession sketchedtake to here, thecompelled freebe would

initiative it of individualsluxuries), include wouldto as find extended an so extensivebe can life

field of of action innecessaries thwartingthe of the effortsconception the of thehow egosee - shall

tists. Groupswe (and would springinhabitants its up to in everylife of street andnecessaries the

quarter to undertakeguarantee to were the chargeterritory a ofor thecity a clothing. society, a If

They would make inventories of all that the city I

possessed, and would findMEANS out approximatelyAND WAYS what were the resources at theirVIII disposal.CHAPTER It is more than likely that in the matter of clothing the citizens would adopt the same principle as in the matter of

provisions—that is to say, they would offer freely

from the common storemillionaires. everythingof fortunes whichthe wasamass to to them

be found in allowing abundance, without and dolecitizens its outof whatevertastes wasartistic most

limited the in quantity.satisfy could society Anarchist an how show

reasonings on what already exists, we are going to Notto beinggoing ableare we to offerexists, to eachalready manwhat on a sable- reasonings

we reply. And, still basing our our basing still And, reply. we ” not, Certainly “ ”

lined coat and to every woman a velvet gown, so- art.

ciety wouldand life probablyin beautiful distinguish everything betweenof end thethe suand - mity

this means grey unifor grey means this “ urged, be may it ” But, “

perfluous- and the necessary, and, provisionally at

least class sable and velvetcitizens. amongordinary of the superfluiconsumption - daily

ties of the life, into ready enter to letnot timewould prove as whetherarticles, whatspecial such

is a luxuryrobust todayless maythe for not becomeprocure to commonand toluxuries, allas ered

sick and feeble those things, provisionally consid provisionally things, those feeble and sick

to-morrow.- While the necessary clothing would be guaranteed the for to eachprovide inhabitantto activity of theprivate anarchistto left be city, would it

7 clothing

132

from the effects of competition amongst the capi Thethe great harmamongst done bycompetition bourgeoisof effects society,the from as

in consequence of natural displacement of work, or or we havework, of already mentioned,displacement natural is of not only thatconsequence capiin -

come to a standstill on account of speculations, or or talists seize aspeculations, largeof shareaccount ofon the profitsstandstill a to of eachcome in-

of short-lived trades, have we not seen decline or or dustrialdecline andseen commercialnot we enterprise,have trades, thus enablingshort-lived of

without mentioning all sorts sorts all mentioning without —

themselves to live without working,etc. sugar, but iron, that tiles, all

- tex the —

production has takenindustries a wrongimportant direction,many How as it is nottitution.

carrieddes or on withpoverty of a viewyears to and securing months well-beingwith toenjoyed all.

they will pay for the period of comfort they have Therehave isthey the reasoncomfort of why itperiod mustthe befor condemned.pay will they

deprive these privileged men of their work, and and It iswork, absolutelytheir of impossiblemen thatprivileged mercantilethese prodeprive -

improvidence, or the greed of their employers, will ductionwill shouldemployers, betheir carriedof greed on the in or the interest of improvidence, all.

a few, is it secure? To-morrow, maybe, negligence, To desirenegligence, it wouldmaybe, be to expectTo-morrow, the capitalistsecure? it is tofew, a go

even this well-being, which is the exclusive right of of beyondright his provinceexclusive the is and towhich fulfil dutieswell-being, thatthis he even can-

minority that is pointed out to us with pride. But notBut fulfilpride. withoutwith us to ceasing out to be pointed whatis hethat is—a privateminority

obtained under the present system. It is always this manufacturerthis always is It seekingsystem. his ownpresent enrichment.the under Capitalobtained -

tain special branches of industry which has been istbeen organization,has which basedindustry onof the personalbranches interestspecial tain of

eachcer in individualskilled employerworkmen, ofrobust labour,young hasof givencategory to

mind us of the comparative well-being of a certain societycertain a allof that couldwell-being be expectedcomparative ofthe of it: us it hasmind in-

Economists, as is their wont, will not fail to re creasedto fail thenot productivewill wont, forcetheir is ofas Labour. The Economists, capital-

ist, profiting by the revolution effected in industryproduction.

ciety must itself take possession of all means of of by steam,means all by of the sudden possession development take itself of chemistrymust ciety

of labour, so as to guarantee well-being to all, So and all, machinery,to andwell-being by otherguarantee inventionsto as so of ourlabour, cenof -

it is evident that to utilize this high productivity tury, has workedproductivity high in this his ownutilize interestto that to increaseevident is theit

industries, and to apply it to the general good. But yieldBut ofgood. humangeneral labour,the to it and inapply ato greatand measure industries, he

greater productivity, which is limited to certain has certain succeeded to solimited is far. Butwhich to attribute otherproductivity, dutiesgreater

It now remains for society, first, to extend this this to him extend would to befirst, unreasonable.society, for For example,remains now It to ex-

pect that he shouldcharity. useon thisbased superiorbe yieldcannot of labourenterprise philanthropy and charity of him, and a capitalist in the capitalist interest a and of societyhim, of as a whole,charity and would be to philanthropy ask

8 ways and means

132

from the effects of competition amongst the capi the amongst competition of effects the from

- The great harm done by bourgeois society, as

we haveor alreadywork, of mentioned,displacement is not natural onlyof that capi-consequence in

talists or seize a largespeculations, shareof of theaccount profitson of standstill eacha to income

dustrial or and commercialdecline seen not enterprise,we have thustrades, enabling short-lived of

without mentioning all sorts sorts all mentioning without —

themselves to live without working,etc. but thatsugar, alliron, tiles,

titution. How many important industries important many How titution. - tex the

production has— taken a wrong direction, as it is not

carrieddes onor with a viewpoverty of to securingyears and well-beingmonths with to all. enjoyed

There is have the reasonthey whycomfort itof must beperiod condemned.the for pay will they

deprive these privileged men of their work, and It isand absolutelywork, impossibletheir of men that mercantileprivileged these prodeprive

duction will should be employers, carried their of on in greed the the interestor of all. improvidence,

To desire it wouldnegligence, be tomaybe, expect theTo-morrow, capitalistsecure? it to is go few, a

beyond of hisright province exclusive and the tois fulfil which duties that well-being, he canthis - even

not fulfilBut withoutpride. ceasingwith us to to out be what pointed he is —a privatethat minority

manufacturer this always seeking is It his ownsystem. enrichment.present the Capitalunder - obtained

ist organization, been has basedwhich on theindustry personalof interestbranches ofspecial tain

category of young robust workmen, skilled in cer in skilled workmen, robust young of category

each- individual employer of labour, has given to

society all certain thata of could be well-being expected of it:comparative itthe hasof us in - mind

Economists, as is their wont, will not fail to re to fail not will wont, their is as Economists,

creased- the productive force of Labour. The capital-

ist, profiting by the revolution effected in industry production.

by steam, of by means the all sudden of developmentpossession take of chemistryitself must ciety

of labour, so as to guarantee well-being to all, So all, to well-being guarantee to as so labour, of

and- machinery, and by other inventions of our cen-

tury, has workedproductivity in hishigh ownthis interestutilize to increasethat theevident is it

yield ofBut humangood. labour,general andthe to init a greatapply to measureand he industries,

has succeededcertain to so far. limited But is to attributewhich other dutiesproductivity, greater

to himthis would extend be to unreasonable. first, society, Forfor example,remains to now ex It -

pect that he should use thischarity. on superiorbased be yield ofcannot labour enterprise in the interestcapitalist a of societyand him, as aof whole, charity would and be to ask philanthropy

8 ways and means

134

produce what bids fair to bring them in the largest talistslargest themselves!the in them If thebring to chieffair textilebids andwhat mechaniproduce -

the owners of the land and the machine are free to to cal free industries are hadmachine tothe passand throughland the suchof a crisisowners the as

vating land or putting machinery into action, and theyand haveaction, passedinto throughmachinery in 1886,putting weor hardlyland needvating

mentionculti of theright smallthe for trades, holders all of whichproperty to have theirtribute

few. As long as men are compelled to pay a heavy periodsheavy a ofpay standstill.to compelled are men as long As few.

long as the instruments of production belong to the the to What,belong too, shall weproduction of say to the priceinstruments the whichas long is

bour is capable of producing: But this evil will last as as paidlast forwill theevil relativethis But well-beingproducing: of of certaincapable is categobour -

bour produces, and still more so, of what their la ries oftheir workmen?what of so, Unfortunately,more still and it is paid forproduces, by thebour

to sell their labour for a small part of what this la ruinthis of agriculture,what of part thesmall a shameless for labour exploitationtheir sell to of

men, women and children are compelled by hunger the hunger peasants, by the compelled misery are of thechildren masses.and In women compari men, -

for, that a surplus-value should exist, means that sonthat withmeans the feebleexist, minorityshould of workerssurplus-value a whothat enjoyfor,

simple surplus not consumed by each generation; a certaingeneration; comfort,each by how manyconsumed millionsnot surplus of humansimple

possibility of a surplus-value existing, instead of a a beingsof liveinstead from handexisting, to mouth,surplus-value withouta of a securepossibility

a consequence of deeper causes. The evil lies in the wage,the in readylies evil to The go wherevercauses. theydeeper of are wanted;consequence howa

the capitalist system; the surplus-value itself is but but many is peasantsitself work fourteensurplus-value the hourssystem; a day forcapitalist a poorthe

ing the Socialist conception and the general view of of pittance!view Capitalgeneral the depopulatesand theconception country,Socialist exploitsthe ing

the coloniesnarrow thus andsaid, theMarx countriesand whereRodbertus industriesas capitalist, are

of production goes to the the to goes production of ” surplus-value “

but little developed, dooms the immense majoritythe that

The evil of the present system is therefore not not of workmentherefore is to remainsystem withoutpresent technicalthe of evil education,The

to remain mediocrelife. of even incomforts their limited own trade.certain obtain

system, workers in a few privileged industries may may This is notindustries merely privileged accidental, few a in it is a necessityworkers system, of

ed by the West, in order that, under the capitalist the capitalistcapitalist the system.under that, In orderorder in well toWest, remuneratethe by ed

certainexploit are classes state of workmen,backward a in peasantslands mustEastern becomewage!

made by tailors who are satisfied with a starvation the beastsstarvation a ofwith burden of satisfied society; are thewho countrytailors by mustmade be

cloth may be sold to ill-paid workers, garments are are deserted forgarments the town;workers, smallill-paid to tradessold be must may agglomcloth -

within reach of buyers with small salaries. That bad eratebad That in the foulsalaries. suburbssmall with of largebuyers cities,of andreach manuwithin - so as to bring the goods of the greater industries factureindustries a thousandgreater the little of thingsgoods forthe nextbring toto nothing,as so

8 ways and means

134

talists themselves!largest the in If thethem chiefbring textileto fair andbids mechaniwhat - produce

cal industriesto free are had to passmachine throughthe and suchland the a of crisis asowners the

they haveand passedaction, throughinto in 1886,machinery we hardlyputting or needland vating

tribute to property holders for the right of culti of right the for holders property to tribute

mention- the small trades, all of which have their

periods ofheavy standstill.a pay to compelled are men as long As few.

long as the instruments of production belong to the What,the to too, shallbelong we sayproduction toof the price whichinstruments the isas long

paid foras thelast relativewill evil this well-being But of certainproducing: of categocapable is - bour

ries ofla workmen?their what Unfortunately, of so, more itstill is paidand for by theproduces, bour

to sell their labour for a small part of what this la this what of part small a for labour their sell to

ruin- of agriculture, the shameless exploitation of

the peasants,hunger by the miserycompelled of theare masses.children Inand compariwomen - men,

son withthat the feeblemeans minorityexist, should of workers whosurplus-value a enjoy that for,

a certain comfort,generation; howeach by many millionsconsumed not of humansurplus simple

beings a of live frominstead hand toexisting, mouth, withoutsurplus-value a aof secure possibility

wage, readythe in tolies goevil whereverThe theycauses. aredeeper wanted;of how consequence a

many peasantsbut is itself work fourteensurplus-value hoursthe a daysystem; for a poorcapitalist the

pittance! of Capitalview depopulatesgeneral the and the country,conception exploitsSocialist the ing

capitalist, as Rodbertus and Marx said, thus narrow thus said, Marx and Rodbertus as capitalist,

the - colonies and the countries where industries are

of production goes to the the to goes production of ” surplus-value “

but little developed, dooms the immense majority the that

of workmen not to remaintherefore is withoutsystem technicalpresent the education,of evil The

to remain mediocre life. even of in theircomforts own trade.limited certain obtain

system, workers in a few privileged industries may Thismay is not merelyindustries accidental,privileged few it a is in a necessityworkers of system,

the capitalistcapitalist system.the Inunder orderthat, wellorder toin remunerateWest, the by ed

wage! Eastern lands in a backward state are exploit are state backward a in lands Eastern wage!

certain- classes of workmen, peasants must become

the beasts of starvation burden a with of society;satisfied theare countrywho musttailors by be made

deserted are for thegarments town; smallworkers, tradesill-paid to mustsold agglombe may - cloth

erate inbad the That foul suburbssalaries. ofsmall largewith cities,buyers andof manureach - within facture a thousandindustries littlegreater thingsthe of for goods next the to nothing,bring to as so

8 ways and means

136

work could procure procure could work ’

profits—rather than the greatesthalf-days 6 amountthan less of usefulculture,

commoditiesagri intensive —to well-being recourse can took only we beif temporarilythat days,

guaranteednowa toobtained a veryresults few;by it isprove onlyalso to beshall boughtWe by

the poverty of a large section ofpeople. society. five of It is notfamily a suf-

and to work 30 half-days to guarantee the same to to ficientsame tothe distributeguarantee theto profits half-days realized 30 work by ato tradeand in

of five hours each, to have bread for a whole year; equalyear; parts,whole a iffor at thebread samehave timeto thousandseach, hours of five other of

the same conditions for 30 hours, say 6 half-days workershalf-days 6 aresay exploited.hours, 30 It for is a case ofconditions PRODUCINGsame the

Thus it would suffice for a man to work under THEunder GREATESTwork to man AMOUNT a for OF GOODSsuffice NECESSARYwould it Thus TO

THE WELL-BEINGyear. whole a OF ALL,during WITH homes THE their LEAST at POSSIpeople -

all that is necessary to deliver the bread of 10,000 BLE10,000 WASTEof OFbread HUMANthe ENERGY.deliver to necessary is that all

English acres a day, 100 men can produce in a year year a Thisin generalizedproduce can aimmen cannot100 day, be a the aimacres of a English pri-

machines which enable two men to plough four vatefour owner;plough to and thismen istwo why societyenable which as a whole,machines if

in the Eastern States. And nevertheless, thanks to to it takesthanks this view of nevertheless, production And asStates. its ideal,Eastern willthe in be

the yield of European farms or of American farms compelledfarms toAmerican expropriate of or farms all that enhancesEuropean of well-beyield the -

per English acre are obtained; that is to say, half inghalf whilesay, to producingis that wealth.obtained; It are will haveacre to takeEnglish posper -

of civilized countries, only 10 to 15 English bushels sessionbushels of land,English 15 factories,to 10 only mines, meanscountries, of commucivilized of -

miles, but have a poorer soil than the manured soil nication,soil etc.,manured the and besides,than soil it willpoorer a have have to studybut whatmiles,

Western America, some of which cover 30 square productssquare 30 willcover promotewhich of generalsome well-being,America, as wellWestern

. In the great farms of of farms great the In . today

as the ways and means of an adequatedoes mostly production.he as soil

of throwing seed haphazard in a badly ploughed ploughed badly a in haphazard seed throwing of

when he cultivates it in a reasonable way, instead II instead way, reasonable a in it cultivates he when

see what the earth can be made to yield to man Howman to manyyield hoursto amade daybe willcan manearth havethe to workwhat see to

In speaking of agriculture further on, we shall produceshall we on, nourishing further food, a comfortableagriculture of home,speaking In and

necessaryrapidly. clothingmore far forand histoo, family? Thisaugmented questionhas hasduction

oftenpro of preoccupiedpower the now, Socialists, greater is and theycomfort generallyof need

min Franklin fixed the limit at five hours; and if the the cameif and to thehours; conclusionfive at thatlimit the four orfixed five hoursFranklin a min day

- wouldBenja suffice,century, last onof condition,end the At be it work. well men understood,all that

8 ways and means

136

work could procure procure could work ’

profits—rather than the greatest amounthalf-days 6 than of usefulless culture,

commoditiesagri —well-beingintensive to can onlyrecourse betook temporarilywe if that days,

guaranteednowa to a veryobtained few; itresults isby only toprove be also bought shall byWe

the poverty of a large section of society.people. It isfive notof suf- family a

ficient to to distributesame the the profitsguarantee to realizedhalf-days by30 a tradework to in and

equal parts,year; ifwhole at a thefor samebread timehave thousands to each, of otherhours five of

workers are half-days exploited. 6 say It hours, is a30 casefor of PRODUCINGconditions same the

THE GREATESTunder work AMOUNTto man a OFfor GOODS suffice NECESSARY would it TOThus

THE WELL-BEINGyear. OF ALL,whole a WITHduring THE LEASThomes their POSSIat - people

BLE WASTE10,000 OFof HUMANbread the ENERGY.deliver to necessary is that all

English acres a day, 100 men can produce in a year Thisyear generalizeda in produce aim can cannot men be100 theday, aima of aacres pri- English

vate owner;four andplough thisto is men why two society enable as a whole,which if machines

it takes to this viewthanks of productionnevertheless, And as its ideal,States. willEastern be the in

compelled farms to expropriateAmerican of or all thatfarms enhancesEuropean well-beof yield - the

ing whilehalf producingsay, to is wealth.that It willobtained; haveare toacre take posEnglish - per

session of land,bushels factories,English 15 to mines,10 only means of countries, commu-civilized of

nication, soil etc., andmanured besides,the than it willsoil havepoorer toa studyhave whatbut miles,

products willsquare 30 promotecover generalwhich of well-being,some asAmerica, well Western

. In the great farms of of farms great the In . today

as the ways and means of an adequate does production.mostly he as soil

of throwing seed haphazard in a badly ploughed ploughed badly a in haphazard seed throwing of

II instead way, reasonable a in it cultivates he when

How manyman to hoursyield a to day willmade be man can have earth to workthe towhat see

produce shall nourishingwe on, food,further a comfortableagriculture of home, andspeaking In

necessary clothingrapidly. more forfar his family?and too, This questionaugmented has has duction

need of comfort is greater now, the power of pro of power the now, greater is comfort of need

often- preoccupied Socialists, and they generally

came the to if theand conclusionhours; five that at fourlimit orthe five fixed hours a dayFranklin min

that all men work. At the end of last century, Benja century, last of end the At work. men all that would- suffice, on condition, be it well understood,

8 ways and means

138

bread, meat,cotton. vegetables,with mixed andstuffs evenwoolen luxurious fruitmanufacture

to sew with, and thread to weave cloth with, so as to to foras aso wholewith, family.cloth weave to thread and with, sew to

we should have thread besides; that is to say, cotton cotton Again,say, to ifis we studythat thebesides; cost ofthread workmenhave ’sshould dwellwe -

work, say 10 half-days of 5 hours each. And And each. hours 5 of half-days 10 say work, ’

ings, built in large towns today, we can ascertainhours

yards a year at most, this would be equivalent to 50 50 thatto to obtain,equivalent be in a largewould this English most, at city, year aa semi-deyards -

ton in 10 hours. Admitting that a family needs 200 tached200 needs little house,family a that as they areAdmitting built forhours. 10 workmen in ton

of nine and one-half hours each, say 40 yards of cot for of £250,yards from40 1400say toeach, 1800hours half-daysone-half ’ workand ofnine fiveof

work work ’

hours woulddays 300 a beby sufficient.obtained are And asalone a housegoods of cotton that

thread. On the average, more than 12,000 yards of of kind yards lasts 5012,000 yearsthan at more least, it average, follows the On that 28thread. to

yards of cotton goods, besides a great quantity of of 36 half-daysquantity ’ workgreat a a yearbesides wouldgoods, providecotton of well-furyards -

ing), 175,000 men and women produce 2,033,000,000 nished, healthy2,033,000,000 quarters,produce women withand all men necessary175,000 coming), -

fortweav forand a family.spinning Whereas(for mills whencotton hiring751 in the sameStates,

A few examples will suffice. Thus in the United apartmentUnited the in fromThus an employer,suffice. will a workmanexamples few A pays

from 75 to 100 days’ workquickly. and per year.cheaply both goods of

it is possible to manufacture an incredible amount Markamount that incredible these an figures manufacture represent to possible theis it maxi-

What is certain is that with present machinery mum ofmachinery what a housepresent with coststhat inis Englandcertain is todayWhat , being

given the defective organization of our societies.represents. shop In

coat that you pay £3 or £4 for in a large London Belgium,London workmenlarge a in for ’s houses£4 or £3 in thepay citésyou ouvrièresthat coat

- over an work ’

have been built atdays a muchmany smallerhow say cost.to So that, takimpossible -

each article of clothing. That is why it is perfectly ing everythingperfectly is it why into is consideration,That clothing. of we are article justified each

what we pay to a whole swarm of capitalists for for in affirmingcapitalists thatof in swarm a well-organizedwhole a to pay societywe 30what or

mission agents, and we shall get then an idea of of 40 half-daysidea an ’ then work get a yearshall willwe sufficeand toagents, guaranteemission a

perfectlycom and comfortablesellers home.clothes, ready-made in dealers

by the railway companies, mill-owners, weavers, Thereweavers, now remainsmill-owners, clothing,companies, the exactrailway the valueby

chants, and all their intermediate agents, then ofthen which isagents, almost impossibleintermediate their to all fix, and because chants, the

profitsmer wool realizedthe byowners, a swarmsheep ofthe middlemenlandowners, cannotthe add up all the tribute levied on every yard of it by by beit estimated.of yard Letevery uson takelevied cloth, tribute for the example, all up andadd

8 ways and means

138

bread, meat, vegetables,cotton. with andmixed evenstuffs luxuriouswoolen fruit manufacture

for a wholeto as so family.with, cloth weave to thread and with, sew to

we should have thread besides; that is to say, cotton Again,cotton if wesay, studyto is thethat cost ofbesides; workmenthread ’shave dwell-should we

work, say 10 half-days of 5 hours each. And And each. hours 5 of half-days 10 say work, ’

ings, built in large towns today, we can ascertain hours

that to50 obtain,to in aequivalent largebe Englishwould this city,most, aat semi-deyear a - yards

tached 200 little house,needs family as a theythat are built Admitting for workmenhours. 10 in ton

of nine and one-half hours each, say 40 yards of cot of yards 40 say each, hours one-half and nine of

for - £250, from 1400 to 1800 half-days’ work of five

work work ’

hours would bedays sufficient.300 a by Andobtained asare a housealone of goods that cotton

kind of lasts 50yards years12,000 at least,than more it followsaverage, thatthe 28On to thread.

36 half-days of ’ workquantity agreat yeara wouldbesides providegoods, well-furcotton of - yards

nished, healthy 2,033,000,000 quarters,produce with allwomen necessaryand men com175,000 - ing),

States, in 751 cotton mills (for spinning and weav and spinning (for mills cotton 751 in States,

fort- for a family. Whereas when hiring the same

apartment United fromthe in an Thus employer, suffice. awill workmanexamples paysfew A

from 75 to 100 days’ work perquickly. year.and cheaply both goods of

it is possible to manufacture an incredible amount Mark thatamount these incredible figures an representmanufacture to the possible maxi- is it

mum of what amachinery house costspresent with in Englandthat is todaycertain ,is beingWhat

given the defective organization of our societies. represents. In shop

Belgium, workmenLondon large a ’s housesin for £4 in or the £3 citéspay ouvrièresyou that coat

work an over an work ’ days many how say to impossible

havebeen built at a much smaller cost. So that, tak-

ing everythingperfectly is intoit consideration,why is That we areclothing. of justifiedarticle each

in affirming for thatcapitalists inof a well-organizedswarm whole a societyto pay 30we or what

40 half-days of idea ’ workan athen yearget will shall suffice we and to guaranteeagents, a mission

dealers in ready-made clothes, sellers and com and sellers clothes, ready-made in dealers

perfectly- comfortable home.

by the railway companies, mill-owners, weavers, There nowweavers, remains clothing,mill-owners, thecompanies, exact valuerailway the by

of which then is almostagents, impossible intermediate to fix,their becauseall and the chants,

the landowners, the sheep owners, the wool mer wool the owners, sheep the landowners, the

profits- realized by a swarm of middlemen cannot be estimated.by it of Letyard us takeevery on cloth,levied for example,tribute the all and up add

8 ways and means

140

As to the results obtainednow. by weavingproduced are alone,that thegoods

four or even three hours a day, to produce all the officialthe all statisticsproduce to of day, thea Unitedhours Statesthree teacheven or us four that

ity of a nation. In fact, work could be reduced to to in 1870,reduced if workmenbe could workedwork fact, 13In or 14 hoursnation. a of a day,ity

they madeproductiv the 10,000 yardsimmensely of whiteaugment to cotton forces, goodsthose in

to every ten or even six inhabitants, and to utilize a year;utilize to sixteenand years laterinhabitants, six (1886) even theyor ten wove 30,000every to

in the administrations which occupy one official yards official by one working occupy only 55 which hours a week. administrations the in

rich families with the scores of useless servants, or or Evenservants, in printeduseless of cottonscores the goods with they obtained,families rich

waste of human energy which is going on in the weavingthe in on and printinggoing is included,which energy 32,000 yardshuman of in 2670waste

tion decreasing. And it would suffice to reduce the the hours ofreduce workto a yearsuffice —saywould it aboutAnd 12 yards andecreasing. hour.tion

Thusproduc to havewithout yourday a 200 yardshours 5 of whitework to andhave printedonly

economize human energy, those 20 people would cottonwould goodspeople 20 17 hoursthose ’ workenergy, a yearhuman would suffice.economize

ful commodities, and if society took the trouble to to It is necessarytrouble the totook remarksociety thatif rawand material reachescommodities, ful

theseuse factoriesproducing in in about occupied the samewere 20 statemen, as10 it comesevery

real producers could be doubled. And if, instead of of from theinstead if, fields, And and thatdoubled. thebe transformationscould producers gonereal

dlemen, we see that in each nation the number of of throughnumber bythe the piecenation beforeeach in itthat is see converted we intodlemen,

goodsmid areuseless completedonly are in themany coursehow oflastly, theseand 17 hours.appear,

how many work at harmful trades, doomed to dis But to to buy doomed these 200trades, yards harmful from at thework tradesman,many how a

in the so-called civilized nations, produce nothing, well-paidnothing, workmanproduce mustnations, give atcivilized the very leastso-called the 10in to

other way. When we take into account how many, 15 many, days ’how work of 10account hoursinto each,take we say 100When to 150way. hours.other

approximative, but they can also be proved in an And in as to theproved be English also peasant,can they hebut would have to toilapproximative,

It is evident that these calculations are only foronly a month,are or a littlecalculations more,these tothat obtain thisevident is luxury.It

wine, sugar, coffee, tea, furniture, transport, etc. By this exampletransport, wefurniture, alreadytea, seecoffee, that sugar, by workwine, -

—

inglife of 50 half-daysnecessaries per yearother for inof a well-organizeduse made be socicould -

work which which work ’

ety we could dress half-days better 150 thanstill the remain lower There middle

classes do todayholidays. . deduct we if working-days 300 of

s work, as the year consists consists year the as work, s ’

But with all this we have year only a requiredhalf makes 60 half-only the earth, 40 for housing, and 50 for clothing, which dayswhich ’ work ofclothing, 5for hours50 and each to obtainhousing, for 40 the fruitsearth, the of

8 ways and means

140

As to the results obtained now. by weavingproduced alone,are thethat goods

official the statisticsall ofproduce theto Unitedday, a Stateshours teachthree useven thator four

in 1870, to if workmenreduced be workedcould 13work or fact, 14 In hours anation. day,a of ity

those forces, to augment immensely the productiv the immensely augment to forces, those

they- made 10,000 yards of white cotton goods in

a year; sixteenutilize to yearsand later (1886)inhabitants, six they even wove or 30,000ten every to

yards by working official one only 55 occupy hours which a week. administrations the in

rich families with the scores of useless servants, or Evenor in printedservants, cottonuseless of goodsscores the they with obtained,families rich

weaving the andin printingon going included,is which 32,000energy yards inhuman 2670of waste

hours the of workreduce ato year—saysuffice aboutwould it 12 yardsAnd an hour.decreasing. tion

Thus to haveproduc your 200without yardsday a of hours white 5 andwork to printed have only

cotton goodswould 17 people hours 20 ’ workthose a yearenergy, wouldhuman suffice. economize

It is necessaryto trouble to remarkthe took that rawsociety if materialand reachescommodities, ful

every 10 men, 20 were occupied in producing use producing in occupied were 20 men, 10 every

these- factories in about the same state as it comes

from of the fields,instead if, andAnd that the doubled. transformations be could goneproducers real

through of by thenumber piecethe beforenation each it isin convertedthat see we into dlemen,

appear, and lastly, how many are only useless mid useless only are many how lastly, and appear,

goods- are completed in the course of these 17 hours.

how many work at harmful trades, doomed to dis to doomed trades, harmful at work many how

But- to buy these 200 yards from the tradesman, a

well-paid workmannothing, mustproduce givenations, at the verycivilized least 10so-called to the in

15 days ’ workmany, ofhow 10 hoursaccount each,into saytake 100we to 150When hours.way. other

approximative, but they can also be proved in an in proved be also can they but approximative,

And- as to the English peasant, he would have to toil

for a month,only are or a little more,calculations to these obtain that this luxury.evident is It

By thisetc. exampletransport, we alreadyfurniture, seetea, that coffee, by worksugar, - wine,

could be made use of for other necessaries of life of necessaries other for of use made be could

ing 50— half-days per year in a well-organized soci-

work which which work ’

ety we could dress betterhalf-days than150 thestill lower remain middle There

classes do today. holidays. deduct we if working-days 300 of

s work, as the year consists consists year the as work, s ’

But with all this we have only requiredyear a half 60 half-makes only days ’ workwhich of 5 hoursclothing, for each50 toand obtain housing, thefor fruits40 ofearth, the

8 ways and means

142

of an employer who will exploit them; women and and women them; exploit will who employer an of

see capable workmen dangling their arms for want want Afterfor studyingarms their all thesedangling facts together,workmen wecapable maysee

this execrable society, in which we can every day arrive,day every then, can atwe the followingwhich in conclusion:society, Imagineexecrable this a

first of all, to give bread to everyone; to transform society,transform comprisingto everyone; ato few millionbread give inhabitants,to all, of first en-

If we wish for a Social Revolution, it is no doubt, gageddoubt, no inis agricultureit andRevolution, a Social great a for varietywish we ofIf indus-

tries—Paris, for example, with the Departmenttastes? dividual of

never obtain a single pleasure according to his in Seine-et-Oise.his to Supposeaccording thatpleasure in thissingle a societyobtain all chilnever -

worth living, if, besides daily work, man could drencould learnman to workwork, withdaily their besides hands if, as wellliving, as withworth

life, with all its inevitable drudge and sorrows, be be their brains.sorrows, and Admit thatdrudge all adults,inevitable its save all women,with life, en-

notony of existence and make it agreeable. Would gagedWould in the educationagreeable. it make of theirand children,existence of bind themnotony -

but it is precisely these trifles that break the mo selves the to workbreak 5that hours trifles a day fromthese the ageprecisely is of it twenty but

ascetic may disapprove of these desires for luxury; or twenty-twoluxury; for desires to forty-fivethese of or fifty,disapprove andmay that ascetic they

lectual or material enjoyment. A Christian or an an follow or occupationsChristian A they haveenjoyment. chosen material themselves or lectual in

anyintel onesome ofor those branchesgratification, of humanparticular worksome whichobtain

themselves necessaries to acquire mere trifles, to to in thistrifles, city aremere consideredacquire to necessary.necessaries Such a socithemselves -

we see men and women denying denying women and men see we today

ety could in return guarantee well-being toEven all its

members,varied. be a well-beingdesires will moremore the substantialand thandeveloped, thatbe

more society is civilized, the more will individuality enjoyed todayindividuality will by themore middlethe classes.civilized, is And, moreover,society more

they vary with each and every individual; and the eachthe and worker belongingindividual; every to and this societyeach with wouldvary havethey

forward. These needs are of the greatest variety; at hisvariety; disposalgreatest at leastthe of 5 hoursare a needs day whichThese he couldforward.

as of an artistic character, will thrust themselves devote tothemselves science,thrust art,will and individualcharacter, needsartistic an of which as

needs, which, generally speaking, may be described do notdescribed comebe undermay the categoryspeaking, ofgenerally necessities,which, butneeds,

As soon as his material wants are satisfied, other willother probably satisfied, do are so later wants on, when material man his as ’s productiv soon As -

eating, drinking, and providing a shelter for himself. ity willhimself. for have augmented,shelter a andproviding thoseand objectsdrinking, willeating, no

Man is not a being whose exclusive purpose in life is is longerlife in appearpurpose luxuriousexclusive or inaccessible.whose being a not is Man

THE NEED FOR LUXURY FOR NEED THE CHAPTER IX CHAPTER

8 ways and means

142

of an employer who will exploit them; women and and women them; exploit will who employer an of

see capable workmen dangling their arms for want Afterwant studyingfor arms all thesetheir factsdangling together,workmen we maycapable see

arrive, day then, atevery thecan followingwe which conclusion:in society, Imagine execrable a this

society, comprisingtransform to a feweveryone; millionto bread inhabitants, give to all, of en - first

gaged in doubt, agriculture no is it and a Revolution, great varietySocial a for of wish indus we If -

tries—Paris, for example, with the Departmenttastes? of dividual

never obtain a single pleasure according to his in his to according pleasure single a obtain never

Seine-et-Oise.- Suppose that in this society all chil-

dren learncould to workman withwork, theirdaily hands besides as wellif, as withliving, worth

their brains.be Admitsorrows, and that all drudge adults, saveinevitable women,its all enwith - life,

gaged in theWould educationagreeable. it of theirmake children,and bindexistence themof - notony

selvesmo to workthe 5 break hours that a day fromtrifles thethese age of twentyprecisely is it but

or twenty-two luxury; for to forty-fivedesires these orof fifty, anddisapprove thatmay they ascetic

follow an occupationsor Christian they A have chosenenjoyment. themselvesmaterial or in lectual

obtain some particular gratification, or some intel some or gratification, particular some obtain

anyone of those branches of human work which

in thisto city aretrifles, consideredmere acquire necessary.to Suchnecessaries a socithemselves

we see men and women denying denying women and men see we today

ety could in return guarantee well-being to all itsEven

members, avaried. well-beingbe desires morewill substantialmore the and than that developed, be

enjoyed today byindividuality thewill middlemore classes.the And,civilized, moreover,is society more

each workerthe and belongingindividual; to thisevery societyand each would with havevary they

at his disposalvariety; at leastgreatest 5 hoursthe of a are day whichneeds heThese could forward.

devote to science,themselves art,thrust andwill individualcharacter, needs whichartistic an of as

do not come described under be themay categoryspeaking, of necessities,generally which, but needs,

will probablyother do so satisfied, later are on, when wants man material ’s productiv his as - soon As

ity will havehimself. augmented,for shelter a and thoseproviding objectsand willdrinking, no eating,

longer is appearlife in luxuriouspurpose or inaccessible.exclusive whose being a not is Man

THE NEED FOR LUXURY FOR NEED THE CHAPTER IX CHAPTER

8 ways and means

144

bread and meat which the commune can offer to to childrenoffer can wandering commune shelterless the which at night;meat wholeand famibread -

the possibility of obtaining anything besides the liesthe reducedbesides to dry bread;anything men,obtaining women,of and childrenpossibility the

finite variety of human tastes. And you suppress dyingsuppress for you want And of care tastes. and evenhuman forof want ofvariety food. Itfinite is

in short, the many things that minister to the in to putthe to an end tominister thesethat iniquitiesthings thatmany wethe rebel.short, in

—

Butjewelry we expectartistic morefurniture, from theluxurious Revolution. instruments, We

but you will not have beautiful pictures, optical optical pictures, beautiful have not will you but

see that the worker, compelled to struggle pain“ -

he says to us, us, to says he ”

fully for bare existence,all, for isbread reducedhave to ignoreperhaps themay

In your communal stores you you stores communal your In “

higher delights, the highest within aim. mansole ’s reach,their as of

ies with having the material life of each individual science,individual andeach especiallyof life of scientificmaterial the having discovery; with ies of

art,societ and especiallyCommunist of artisticidealist the creation. Itreproaches is inhe orderson

torea obtainthis for for and all ofless, usor joys thatmore aretastes nowhis reservedsatisfying to

profession. Still he cherishes the hope of some day aday few; some in of order hope to givethe leisurecherishes andhe theStill possibilityprofession. of

capital which will enable him to take up a liberal developingliberal a up everyonetake to him ’s intellectualenable will capacities,which thatcapital

hard work appropriates to himself an intellectual the socialintellectual revolutionan himself mustto guaranteeappropriates dailywork breadhard

unless he is heir to a large fortune, or by dint of of to all.dint Afterby or bread hasfortune, beenlarge a secured,to heir is leisure he is theunless

man who has artistic needs cannot satisfy them supremethem aim.satisfy cannot needs artistic has who man

all. In our present, poor capitalistic society, the the No doubt,society, nowadays,capitalistic whenpoor hundredspresent, our andIn thouall. -

on. The tastes vary, but the artistic needs exist in in sandsexist of humanneeds beingsartistic the arebut in needvary, of tastes bread, The coal,on.

clothing,accordi an and with shelter, pleased luxury is is a another crime; while to satisfypiano,

ual has no other ambition than to possess a good it,good thea workerpossess ’to s childthan must goambition withoutother no bread! has Butual

in a individ society in particular which A all havepictures. thelike necessarysome foodstatues,

scope to studying the starry heavens. Some like andlike shelter,Some the needsheavens. whichstarry the we considerstudying to luxuriesscope

todaymicro a will be thethrough morethings keenly felt.examine to And asprefer all menwho

even if learning were general, there are people do notpeople andare cannotthere resemblegeneral, onewere anotherlearning if (the varieven -

Everybody does not need a telescope, because, ety ofbecause, tastes andtelescope, needsa need is thenot chiefdoes guaranteeEverybody of hu-

man progress) there direction. will alwaysparticular be, andsome in it is desirviduals -

- ableindi that thereordinary of shouldthose alwaysbeyond go be, menwill anddesire womenwhose

9 the need for luxury

144

children to wanderingoffer can shelterlesscommune the at night;which wholemeat famiand - bread

lies reducedthe to drybesides bread; men,anything women,obtaining andof childrenpossibility the

dying for wantsuppress ofyou careAnd and eventastes. for wanthuman of of food.variety It is finite

in short, the many things that minister to the in the to minister that things many the short, in

to put- an end to these iniquities that we rebel.

instruments, luxurious furniture, artistic jewelry artistic furniture, luxurious instruments,

But— we expect more from the Revolution. We

but you will not have beautiful pictures, optical optical pictures, beautiful have not will you but

see that the worker, compelled to struggle pain- “

may perhaps have bread for all, for bread have perhaps may he says to us, us, to says he

fully for bare existence,” is reduced to ignore the

In your communal stores you you stores communal your In “

higher delights, the highest within man ’aim. s reach,sole of their as

science, and individual especially each of oflife scientificmaterial the discovery;having with of ies

art, and especiallysociet of artisticCommunist creation.idealist the It is in orderreproaches he son

to obtainrea forthis allfor of usand joysless, thator aremore now reservedtastes his to satisfying

a few; inday ordersome toof givehope leisurethe and thecherishes he possibility Still of profession.

developing liberal a everyone up take ’s to intellectual him enable capacities, will which that capital

the social revolutionintellectual an musthimself guaranteeto dailyappropriates breadwork hard

to all. of Afterdint breadby or has beenfortune, secured,large a to leisureheir is is he the unless

supreme them aim. satisfy cannot needs artistic has who man

all. In our present, poor capitalistic society, the Nothe doubt, nowadays,society, whencapitalistic hundredspoor andpresent, thouour In - all.

sands in of humanexist beingsneeds areartistic inthe needbut of vary, bread, tastes coal,The on.

piano, while another is pleased with an accordi an with pleased is another while piano,

clothing,- and shelter, luxury is a crime; to satisfy

it, the workergood a ’s childpossess to mustthan go withoutambition bread!other no Buthas ual

statues, some like pictures. A particular individ particular A pictures. like some statues,

in a- society in which all have the necessary food

and shelter,like theSome needs whichheavens. westarry considerthe luxuriesstudying to scope

who prefer to examine things through a micro a through things examine to prefer who

today- will be the more keenly felt. And as all men

do not andpeople cannotare resemblethere onegeneral, anotherwere (thelearning vari if - even

ety of tastesbecause, and needstelescope, isa the chiefneed not guaranteedoes of huEverybody -

man progress) there will alwaysdirection. be, andparticular it issome desirin - viduals

whose desire will go beyond those of ordinary indi ordinary of those beyond go will desire whose able- that there should always be, men and women

9 the need for luxury

146

day day ’

all, andhours the10 a drabis it linenhours; in5 whichof allconsist yournot ladydoes cititoil -

s work of a man accustomed to to accustomed man a of work s ’

zens will be dressed.” day the But

These are the objectionssociety. to which allcomfort communistguarantee

man could easily produce all that is necessary to to systems havenecessary is to consider,that all andproduce whicheasily the founderscould man

or 5 hours a day till the age of forty-five or fifty, fifty, of or new societies,forty-five of established age the till in Americanday a hours deserts,5 or

We have already mentioned that by working 4 4 never understood.working by that They believedmentioned already that have if theWe com-

munity needs. could procureartistic and sufficientintellectual his cloth all to satisfy dressto all

shall, in a few words, explain how man can contrive its members,contrive can aman music-roomhow explain in whichwords, thefew a “in brothers shall, ”

faculties and all passions, and ignores none, we we could strumnone, a pieceignores ofand music, orpassions, actall a playand from timefaculties

lies precisely in that that it understands all human to time,human all it was enough.understands it Theythat forgotthat in that the precisely feeling lies

needs besides food, and as the strength of Anarchy for artAnarchy existedof instrength thethe agriculturistas and food, as wellbesides as in theneeds

But as we must recognize that man has other burgher,other has and,man notwithstandingthat recognize thatmust thewe as expressionBut

of artistic feeling varies according to theon. differencelater vet

bread to begin with, we shall see to china and vel in culture,and china in to the see main shall it remainswe with, the same.begin to In vainbread

We are tempted to answer: Let us make sure of of did sure the communitymake us Let guaranteeanswer: to the commontempted are We neces-

saries of life, in vain did it suppressdress? velvet alla educationor china

individuals desirous of possessing a piece of Sèvres thatSèvres wouldof piece tend a to developpossessing of individuality,desirous in vainindividuals

whose members are properly fed, to satisfy certain did itcertain eliminatesatisfy to allfed, reading saveproperly are the Bible. members Individual whose

discuss the question: How will men act in a society, tastessociety, a brokein act forth,men andwill causedHow generalquestion: discontent;the discuss

ing the streets begging for work, we are loth to to quarrelsloth are arosewe whenwork, somebodyfor begging proposedstreets tothe buying a

pianowalk or scientificworker the of cry instruments; heartrending andthe thehear we elements

of poverty and suffering that surrounds us, when of when progress us, flagged.surrounds Thethat societysuffering couldand only existpoverty of on

We frankly confess that when we think of the abyss conditionabyss the of thatthink it crushedwe when allthat individualconfess feeling,frankly We all artistic tendency, and all development. II

Will the anarchist Commune be impelled by the

same direction?—Evidently mind. not, if human it understandsthe of tions

- that whilemanifesta all it producessatisfy to all thatstrive isalso necessarymust it tolife, material -

9 the need for luxury

146

day day ’

all, and the drabhours 10 linena is it in whichhours; 5 of all yourconsist ladynot citidoes - toil

s work of a man accustomed to to accustomed man a of work s ’

zens will be dressed.” day the But

These are the objections whichsociety. to all communistcomfort guarantee

systems to have tonecessary consider, is that andall whichproduce the founderseasily could man

of newfifty, societies,or establishedforty-five of age in the American till day a deserts,hours 5 or

never 4 understood.working by Theythat believedmentioned that ifalready the have com We -

munity could needs. procure artistic sufficientand clothintellectual his toall dress allsatisfy to

its members, contrive a music-roomcan man how in whichexplain the words, “brothersfew a in ” shall,

could strumwe anone, piece ofignores music, and or act a passions, play all fromand time faculties

to time, it human was all enough. Theyunderstands it forgot that thatthat thein feelingprecisely lies

for art existedAnarchy of in the agriculturiststrength the as and as wellfood, as in thebesides needs

burgher, other and, has notwithstandingman that thatrecognize themust expression we as But

of artistic feeling varies according to the differenceon. later vet

bread to begin with, we shall see to china and vel and china to see shall we with, begin to bread

in culture,- in the main it remains the same. In vain

did theof communitysure make us guaranteeLet answer: the to commontempted necesare We -

saries of life, in vain did it suppress dress? all educationvelvet a or china

that wouldSèvres tendof topiece a develop individuality,possessing of desirous in vain individuals

did it eliminatecertain allsatisfy readingto fed, save theproperly Bible.are Individualmembers whose

tastes brokesociety, a forth,in act and men causedwill generalHow discontent;question: the discuss

quarrels to aroseloth are when we somebodywork, for proposedbegging to buystreets athe ing

we hear the heartrending cry of the worker walk worker the of cry heartrending the hear we

piano- or scientific instruments; and the elements

of progress when flagged.us, Thesurrounds societythat could suffering onlyand exist onpoverty of

condition abyss thatthe of it crushedthink we all individualwhen that feeling,confess allfrankly We artistic tendency, and all development. II

Will the anarchist Commune be impelled by the

same direction?—Evidently not, ifmind. it understandshuman the of tions

rial life, it must also strive to satisfy all manifesta all satisfy to strive also must it life, rial that- while it produces all that is necessary to mate-

9 the need for luxury

148

posing-sticks and type; they will know the pleasure for 300pleasure daysthe a year,know will and they lasts type; all hisand life. Of course,posing-sticks

whencom a manhandling isof harnessedart the tolearn a machine,soon will his healthadmirers

to do it for them, then the authors as well as their istheir soon as underminedwell as authors and the his intelligencethen them, for isit blunted;do to

have to work with their hands, there being no one butone no when being man hasthere thehands, possibilitytheir with of varyingwork to occuhave -

with manual labor has disappeared, when all will pations,will all andwhen especially ofdisappeared, alternatinghas labor manualmanual withwith

of diversion? But when the opprobrium connected intellectualconnected work, heopprobrium canthe remainwhen occupiedBut withoutdiversion? of

type, for has he not a gymnasium or games by way fatigue,way by andgames evenor with pleasure,gymnasium a not forhe 10has or for 12 hourstype,

to them to see an author setting up his own book in in a day.book Consequently,own his up thesetting manauthor whoan willsee to havethem doneto

bour a mark of inferiority, it will appear amazing the 4 amazing or 5 hoursappear ofwill manualit workinferiority, thatof aremark necessarya bour

So long as men consider fustian and manual la for his manual existence, and willfustian have beforeconsider men himas 5 orlong 6So hours

which he will seekpoetry. totheir employand accordingprose their out to his tastes.bring to

among themselves and with the printers, in order Andorder thesein 5 or printers, 6 hoursthe a with day willand fully enablethemselves himamong to

and scientific men will be compelled to combine combine procureto for himself,compelled be if hewill associates men with others, scientific and all

and to communicate to others, then the authors he wishesauthors the for, then in additionothers, to to the necessariescommunicate to guarand -

have his own ideas to put down in black and white anteedwhite and to all.black in down put to ideas own his have

will be educated, and will will and educated, be will today

He will discharge first hisof task inworker the field,exploited the

ready to sell their work for a pittance, when the factory,the when and so on,pittance, a whichfor hework owestheir to societysell to as ready his

But when there will be no more starvelings contributionstarvelings tomore theno generalbe will production.there when And But he will

employ the second halfthem? of his replace day, to his week,wretches or poor his

the machine dies of anæmia, are there not other year,other tonot satisfythere hisare artistic oranæmia, scientificof dies needs,machine orthe his

from lead-poisoning, and if the child who sees to to hobbies.sees who child the if and lead-poisoning, from

a printing office is like. If the compositor suffers suffers Thousandscompositor ofthe societies If like. willis spring office up to gratify printing a

ing of his books; but he hardly cares to know what everywhat tasteknow to and everycares possiblehardly he but fancy. books; his of ing

of a few shillings a day, he can entrust the print Some,the for entrust example,can he willday, a give theirshillings hoursfew a of of

beast of burden, the worker, to whom, for the sum leisuresum the tofor literature.whom, to Theyworker, willthe then formburden, of groupsbeast

Nowadays an author knows that there is a a comprisingis there authors,that knows compositors, author an printers, Nowadays engrav- ers, draughtsmen,them. to dear all pursuingare that a ideas common of aim—thepropagation

9 the need for luxury

148

for 300 dayspleasure a year,the andknow lastswill allthey his type; life.and Of course, posing-sticks

admirers will soon learn the art of handling com handling of art the learn soon will admirers

when- a man is harnessed to a machine, his health

is soon underminedtheir as well as and hisauthors intelligencethe then is them, blunted; for it do to

but whenone no man hasbeing thethere possibilityhands, oftheir varyingwith occuwork to - have

pations, will andall especiallywhen of alternatingdisappeared, has manuallabor withmanual with

intellectual work,connected he can remainopprobrium the occupiedwhen But without diversion? of

fatigue, way andby evengames withor pleasure,gymnasium fora 10not orhe 12 has hours for type,

a day. in Consequently,book own his theup mansetting who willauthor an havesee to done them to

the 4 or 5 hoursamazing of manualappear will it work that areinferiority, of necessary mark a bour

for hisla existence,manual and will havefustian before himconsider 5men oras 6 hourslong So

which he will seek topoetry. employ their accordingand prose to histheir tastes.out bring to

And theseorder 5 in or 6 hoursprinters, a daythe willwith fullyand enable himthemselves to among

procure combine forto himself, ifcompelled he associates be will withmen others, all scientific and

he wishes for,authors inthe additionthen toothers, theto necessaries guarcommunicate to - and

anteed towhite all. and black in down put to ideas own his have

will be educated, and will will and educated, be will today

He will discharge first his task inof the field,worker the exploited

factory, the and sowhen on, whichpittance, a hefor owes work to societytheir sell as to his ready

contribution tostarvelings the generalmore no production.be will there And hewhen willBut

employ the second half of histhem? day, hisreplace week,to or hiswretches poor

year, to satisfyother not his artisticthere are or scientificanæmia, of needs,dies or hismachine the

hobbies. to sees who child the if and lead-poisoning, from

a printing office is like. If the compositor suffers Thousandssuffers ofcompositor societies the If will springlike. is up to office gratify printing a

every tastewhat andknow everyto possiblecares hardly fancy.he but books; his of ing

of a few shillings a day, he can entrust the print the entrust can he day, a shillings few a of

- Some, for example, will give their hours of

leisure sum to literature.the for Theywhom, to will thenworker, the form groupsburden, of beast

comprising a is authors,there that compositors,knows printers,author an engravNowadays - ers, draughtsmen,them. allto pursuingdear are a commonthat ideas of aim—the propagation

9 the need for luxury

150

written.

They have already been discovered since the above lines were were lines above the since discovered been already have They

of coming together—all admirers of the work to6 be

printed—to set up the type, to shape it into pag-

branches of learning. This member of the Society es, toSociety takethe of it in its virginalmember This purity learning. from of the press.branches

of the globe, to other societies, cultivating the same Thesesame the beautiful machines,cultivating societies, instrumentsother to ofglobe, torturethe of

are not for sale; they are sent gratis to all quarters to thequarters childall to who gratis attendssent are on themthey fromsale; for mornnot are till

periodicals, apart from a limited number of copies, night,copies, of will be anumber sourcelimited ofa enjoymentfrom apart for those whoperiodicals,

periodicals of these societies are not paid, and the willthe makeand paid, use not of themare in ordersocieties tothese giveof voice to theperiodicals

lishing their works. The authors who write for the thoughtsthe for write of theirwho favouriteauthors The author. works. their lishing

of learning, and associated for the purpose of pub of Will literaturepurpose the losefor by it? Willassociated theand poet belearning, lessof

tary groups of men, interested in certain branches a poetbranches after havingcertain in workedinterested out ofmen, doorsof orgroups helpedtary

withvolun hisbut hands nothing to multiplyare hissocieties work?these Willand the novcieties; -

already hundreds of learned, literary, and other so elist loseother hisand knowledgeliterary, of humanlearned, of naturehundreds after havalready -

tributing each his share of manual work? We have inghave rubbedWe shoulderswork? manual withof othershare his men each in the foresttributing

orcon theby factory,choice, intheir theof layingworks outthe of a roadpublish to or onbine a

- com would men —

railway line? Canso theredo to be twoleisure answershaving toall theseand

cation that enables them to cultivate science or art, art, questions? or science cultivate to them enables that cation

ing become producers, all having received an edu an Maybe somereceived bookshaving all will be lessproducers, voluminous;become ing

- hav all —

but then, morewhich in will besociety a said on fewerconceive to pages.dream a Maybeit Is fewer waste-sheets will be published; but the matIII -

ter printed will be more attentively read and more

appreciated. The book will appeal to a largercentury. circleteenth

of seven better the in educated as readers,letters, whomovable willusing be morelonger comno -

ress printing would have already made! We should petentshould toWe judge.made! already have would printing ress

his share in the printing of his works! What prog Moreover,What theworks! arthis of of printing,printing thatthe in has soshare littlehis

What a pity every author does not have to take progressedtake to have sincenot Gutenberg,does author is stillevery inpity a its infancy.What It

be discovered. be

takes two hours to compose in type6 what is written multiplying thought are being sought after and will inwill tenand minutes,after butsought morebeing are expeditious thought methodsmultiplying of

9 the need for luxury

150

written.

They have already been discovered since the above lines were were lines above the since discovered been already have They of coming together—all admirers of the work to be 6

printed—to set up the type, to shape it into pag-

es, to takeSociety it inthe itsof virginalmember purityThis from thelearning. of press. branches

These beautifulsame the machines,cultivating instrumentssocieties, other ofto tortureglobe, the of

to the childquarters whoall to attends gratis onsent themare fromthey mornsale; for tillnot are

night, willcopies, beof a sourcenumber of enjoymentlimited a from for thoseapart who periodicals,

will makethe useand of paid, them not inare order to societies give voicethese of to the periodicals

thoughts the offor theirwrite favouritewho author.authors The works. their lishing

Willpub literatureof purpose lose the by for it? Will theassociated poetand be less learning, of

a poet after branches having workedcertain in out ofinterested doorsmen, orof helpedgroups tary

cieties; and these societies are nothing but volun but nothing are societies these and cieties;

with- his hands to multiply his work? Will the nov-

elist loseso hisother knowledgeand ofliterary, humanlearned, natureof afterhundreds havalready

ing rubbedhave shouldersWe work? with manual other of menshare inhis the each forest tributing

bine to publish the works of their choice, by con by choice, their of works the publish to bine

or the- factory, in the laying out of a road or on a

men would com would men — so do to leisure having all and

railway- line? Can there be two answers to these

questions? art, or science cultivate to them enables that cation

ing become producers, all having received an edu an received having all producers, become ing

- Maybe some books will be less voluminous;

Is it a dream to conceive a society in which in society a conceive to dream a it Is - hav all

but then, more— will be said on fewer pages. Maybe fewer waste-sheets will be published; but the mat- III

ter printed will be more attentively read and more

appreciated. The book will appeal to a larger circlecentury. teenth

no longer be using movable letters, as in the seven the in as letters, movable using be longer no

of better- educated readers, who will be more com-

petent to judge.should We made! already have would printing ress

his share in the printing of his works! What prog What works! his of printing the in share his

- Moreover, the art of printing, that has so little

progressed take to sincehave Gutenberg,not does is stillauthor in itsevery infancy.pity a ItWhat

be discovered. be

takes two hours to compose in type what6 is written in ten minutes,will and after but moresought expeditiousbeing are methodsthought of multiplying

9 the need for luxury

152

should have worked in common; but something in in may insertsomething in itsbut review common; a one-pagein worked notehave summariz should -

readers readers ’

ing his observations;printers and anotherprinters, may publishauthors, thereinvolunteer

work, it would have been necessary that many anmany extensive that work, necessary the resultsbeen ofhave long yearswould it of study;work,

For this dictionary to be a really collective while otherscollective willreally a confinebe to themselvesdictionary tothis consultingFor

the review as a starting-pointwork. individual forof furtherplace the research.taking

in such tentative co-operation, which is gradually It doesgradually notis matter:which all these authorsco-operation, and tentative readers such in are

we not guess that the future is announcing itself associateditself for theannouncing is productionfuture the of worksthat inguess whichnot we all

have a very limited knowledge of humanity could of could them take humanity an of interest. knowledge limited very a have

the same spirit is breaking forth, and we should should It iswe trueand that forth, a learnedbreaking society,is spirit like thesame indithe -

his lifetime. In all branches of human intelligence vidual author,intelligence goeshuman of to a printingbranches all office In wherelifetime. workhis -

years a work which one man could not complete in in men arecomplete engagednot could to doman theone printing.which work Nowadays, a years

libraries, to take notes, and to accomplish in a few thosefew a in who belongaccomplish toto theand learnednotes, societiestake to despiselibraries,

es, spontaneously and gratuitously, to ransack the manualthe labourransack to which indeedgratuitously, and is carried on spontaneously under es,

veryservic badtheir conditions;offered butmen a communitythousand a and whichto, wouldpealed

this work, was not waited for. Volunteers were ap give were a generous Volunteers philosophic for. waited andnot scientificwas work, educathis -

the birth of a Littré, who would devote his life to to tionlife tohis all its devote members, would wouldwho knowLittré, a of how tobirth orgathe -

of a complete dictionary of the English language, nize manuallanguage, labourEnglish the inof such a waydictionary that it wouldcomplete a of be

, when England felt the need need the felt England when , today

the pride of humanity. Its learned societiesEven wouldmoving.

This is the direction in which progress is already becomealready is associationsprogress ofwhich explorers,in direction loversthe is of science,This

and workers—all knowing a manual tradework. andcommon all

dred, but ten thousand readers interested in their interestedtheir in in science.interested readers thousand ten but dred,

their works appear, they will find not only a hun a If, foronly example,not find thewill Societythey is studyingappear, works geology,their

exploration, in winter to indoor work. And when allwhen will And contribute work. to indoor the to explorationwinter in of the earthexploration, ’s

in summer to to summer in —

strata; each memberleisure willtheir takegive his sharethey will in research,gladness

grave designs, compose, and print the books. With andWith ten books. thousand the print observers,and wherecompose, we havedesigns, nowgrave

in different trades, will be ready to draw maps, en only amaps, hundred,draw to will ready do be more will in a yeartrades, than wedifferent canin published, ten thousand men and women, skilled do inskilled twentywomen, years.and Andmen when theirthousand worksten are topublished, be

9 the need for luxury

152

may insertin in its something review but a one-pagecommon; in note summarizworked have - should

volunteer authors, printers, and printers and printers, authors, volunteer readers readers

ing his observations;’ another may publish therein

an extensive many work,that the resultsnecessary ofbeen long yearshave of would study; it work,

while others collective will confinereally a be themselves to to dictionary consulting this For

the review as a starting-pointwork. for furtherindividual of research.place the taking

It does not matter:gradually is all thesewhich authors andco-operation, readerstentative are such in

associated itself for the productionannouncing is offuture worksthe inthat whichguess allnot we

of them takecould an interest.humanity of knowledge limited very a have

the same spirit is breaking forth, and we should It is trueshould we that and a learnedforth, society,breaking is like thespirit indisame - the

vidual author, goesintelligence to ahuman printingof officebranches all whereIn worklifetime. - his

men in are engagedcomplete not to do could the man printing. one Nowadays,which work a years

those whofew a in belong to theaccomplish learnedto and societiesnotes, take despiseto libraries,

manual the labour ransack whichto indeed isgratuitously, carriedand on underspontaneously es,

pealed to, and a thousand men offered their servic their offered men thousand a and to, pealed

very- bad conditions; but a community which would

this work, was not waited for. Volunteers were ap were Volunteers for. waited not was work, this

give- a generous philosophic and scientific educa-

tion toto alllife itshis members,devote wouldwould knowwho howLittré, a toof orgabirth - the

nize manual language, labour inEnglish suchthe of a way that dictionary it would becomplete a of

, when England felt the need need the felt England when , today

the pride of humanity. Its learned societies wouldEven moving.

become associationsalready is ofprogress explorers,which in loversdirection of science,the is This

and workers—all knowing a manual trade andwork. all common

interested their in science. interested readers thousand ten but dred,

their works appear, they will find not only a hun a only not find will they appear, works their

- If, for example, the Society is studying geology,

all will contributewhen And towork. the explorationindoor to ofwinter thein earth’s exploration,

in summer to to summer in —

strata; each member will takeleisure histheir sharegive inthey research,will gladness

and ten With thousand books. observers,the print and where wecompose, have nowdesigns, grave

in different trades, will be ready to draw maps, en maps, draw to ready be will trades, different in

only- a hundred, will do more in a year than we can do in twentyskilled years.women, Andand whenmen their worksthousand areten to be published,

9 the need for luxury

154

We know this from Playfair, who mentioned it at Joule’s death. Joule’s at it mentioned who Playfair, from this know We 7

this direction is done already in the Socialist Press,

by working in poverty, and often in great straits, whichstraits, offersgreat in us examplesoften and of manualpoverty, in and intellecworking by -

and Lyell, or by men who undermined their health tualhealth worktheir combined. Itundermined happenswho men in by our or newspapersLyell, and

rich enough to remain independent, like Darwin thatDarwin a Socialistlike authorindependent, composesremain to in lead enough his ownrich

side academies and universities, either by men article.men by True,either such attemptsuniversities, areand rare, but theyacademies indiside -

cateout in made which been directionhave evolutionscience, is going. revolutionizing ies

Theydiscover all show the roadresearches, of liberty.great all In why future, was It when a

” ” unscientific. “ it finding heat, of equivalent ical

7 man will have something useful to say—a word that

- mechan the determined he which in paper, s ’

goes beyond the thoughts of his century, he willJoule

how the Royal Society of London refused to publish not havepublish to to lookrefused for anLondon editorof whoSociety mightRoyal advancethe how

Petersburg treated Mendeléeff with contempt, and theand necessarycontempt, capital.with He willMendeléeff look fortreated collaboratorsPetersburg

France repudiated Darwin, how the Academy of St. St. amongof thoseAcademy whothe knowhow theDarwin, printing trade,repudiated andFrance

Let us remember how the Academy of Sciences of of who approveSciences of the ideaAcademy ofthe his how new work.remember Togetherus Let

promises ostensibly to keep to the beaten track? theytrack? will publishbeaten the theto newkeep bookto or journal.ostensibly promises

in a hundred, and which only he may obtain who who Literatureobtain may andhe journalismonly which willand cease hundred, to a bein a

the State, which can only be given to one candidate means candidate of money-makingone to given be andonly livingcan atwhich the State, cost the of

researches that interest him? Should he ask help of of others.help ask But he is thereShould anyhim? one whointerest knowsthat literatureresearches

to make make to today

and journalism of from within,scientist the andhas whomeans does What not ar-

dently desire that literature shouldthem. at laststifles be ablewhich

State, of Capital, and of the bourgeois mediocrity to free mediocrity itself frombourgeois thosethe of who and formerlyCapital, of protected State,

in emancipating themselves from the yoke of the it,the andof whoyoke nowthe exploitfrom it, andthemselves from the multitude,emancipating in

free men. Only on this condition will they succeed which,succeed withthey rarewill exceptions,condition this payson forOnly it inmen. proporfree -

Literature, science, and art must be cultivated by by tion to its cultivated mediocrity, be must art or toand the easescience, with whichLiterature, it adapts itself to the bad taste o£ the greater number?IV

Letters and science will only take their proper

place in the work of humanthem. developmentlove who those when,for clusively cultivated by those who love them, and freedand fromthem, alllove mercenarywho those bondage,by theycultivated will beclusively ex-

9 the need for luxury

154

We know this from Playfair, who mentioned it at Joule’s death. Joule’s at it mentioned who Playfair, from this know We 7

this direction is done already in the Socialist Press,

which offersstraits, usgreat examplesin often of and manual andpoverty, in intellec-working by

tual work health combined. their It happensundermined inwho ourmen newspapersby or Lyell, and

that a SocialistDarwin like author composesindependent, in remain lead to his ownenough rich

article. True,men by such either attempts are rare,universities, and but they indiacademies - side

cate in out which made direction been evolutionhave isscience, going. revolutionizing ies

It was why all great researches, all discover all researches, great all why was It

- They show the road of liberty. In future, when a

” ” unscientific. “ it finding heat, of equivalent ical

man will7 have something useful to say—a word that

s paper, in which he determined the mechan the determined he which in paper, s ’ Joule

goes- beyond the thoughts of his century, he will

not have topublish lookto for anrefused editorLondon whoof mightSociety advanceRoyal the how

the necessaryand capital.contempt, Hewith will look forMendeléeff collaboratorstreated Petersburg

among St. thoseof whoAcademy knowthe thehow printingDarwin, trade, repudiated and France

who approveof theSciences of idea of hisAcademy newthe work.how Togetherremember us Let

they will publishtrack? beaten the newthe to bookkeep orto journal. ostensibly promises

in a hundred, and which only he may obtain who Literaturewho obtain and may journalism he only willwhich ceaseand to be hundred, a a in

means of money-makingcandidate one to given and be livingonly atcan the costwhich ofState, the

others. of Buthelp is ask there he any Should one whohim? knowsinterest literaturethat researches

today of scientist the has means What

and journalismmake to from within, and who does not ar-

dently desire that literature should at lastthem. be ablestifles which

to free itself frommediocrity thosebourgeois whothe formerlyof and protectedCapital, of State,

it, and the who of nowyoke exploitthe it,from and from themselves the multitude, emancipating in

which, withsucceed rarethey exceptions,will payscondition forthis on it in proporOnly men. - free

tion toby its mediocrity,cultivated be or must to theart easeand with science, which it Literature, adapts itself to the bad taste o£ the greater number? IV

Letters and science will only take their proper

place in the work of human developmentthem. love who when,those for freed fromand allthem, mercenarylove who bondage,those by they willcultivated be exclusively

9 the need for luxury

156

man who has only lent the capital pockets the losingthe endlesspockets timecapital forthe wantlent ofonly a laboratory,has who andman

ventor sells his patent for a few pounds, and the unablethe and to procurepounds, few thea for instruments patent his or sells books necventor -

been tried, and we know with what results. The in essaryThe to continueresults. what theirwith researches,know we and but persevertried, been -

that everybody is convinced are bad? Patents have inghave againstPatents hope,bad? andare often dyingconvinced is before theyeverybody hadthat

But what are we to do to alter the conditions reachedconditions thethe end inalter view.to do Theirto we nameare is what legion. But

Altogether, the system ofcivilization. helpour grantedof pride by themate

Statelegiti is sotruly badthe thatare sciencewhich has alwaysinventions endeavouredwith dustry

history of nearly all those who have enriched in to emancipateenriched have itselfwho fromthose it. all For thisnearly veryof reasonhistory

of tools and materials for experiments, this is the therethe is arethis thousands ofexperiments, learnedfor societiesmaterials and organizedtools of

Sleepless nights, families deprived of bread, want andwant maintainedbread, of by volunteersdeprived families in Europenights, and AmerSleepless -

sufferings nearly all great inventions have cost? ica,cost? —somehave having developedinventions great all to suchnearly a degree thatsufferings

have said of scientists. Who does not know what allwhat the resourcesknow not does of subventionedWho scientists. societies,of said andhave

We may say the same about inventors, that we we all thethat wealth ofinventors, millionaires,about same wouldthe say notmay buyWe their

treasures. No governmentalco-operation. institutionperfect more a is is as richneeded

Zoological Society) on their cards. In a word, what is is as thewhat Zoologicalword, a In Societycards. their of on London, Society) which is supZoological -

than to put the cabalistic letters F.Z.S (Fellow of the portedthe of by voluntary(Fellow F.Z.S contributions.letters cabalistic the put to than

many have no other incentive to joining the society society It doesthe not joining buy to the animalsincentive whichother no in thousandshave many

are not recognized as members of the Society, while peoplewhile its gardens:Society, the of they aremembers sentas by otherrecognized societiesnot are

ers and numerous employes of this large institution and by institution collectors large this ofof the entireemployes world. Thenumerous Zoologiand ers -

- keep the that work; in paid be cannot fee s ’

cal Society of Bombay will send an elephant asmember a

London, and in other kindred societies, is that the gift;the anotherthat is timesocieties, a hippopotamuskindred other in or aand rhinocerosLondon,

What is defective in the Zoological Society of of is offeredSociety by EgyptianZoological the naturalists.in defective And is theseWhat mag-

nificent presentsinstitution. areimmense pouringthat of in every day,maintenance arrivingthe for

paid by visitors, and they are numberless, suffices fromsuffices all quartersnumberless, of are the globethey —and birds, reptiles,visitors, by paid col-

cause he is sure it will be cared for. The entrance fee fee lections ofentrance insects,The for. etc.cared Suchbe will consignmentsit sure is he oftencause

he would love a child, will give it to the Society be compriseSociety animalsthe to it thatgive couldwill notchild, a be boughtlove would for he all

s peril, and now loves it as as it loves now and peril, s ’ the gold in the world; thus alife travellerat animal who an has captured -

9 the need for luxury

156

losing the endless timepockets forcapital want the of lent a laboratory,only has andwho man

unable the to procureand thepounds, instrumentsfew a for orpatent bookshis sells nec - ventor

essaryin to The continue results. theirwhat researches,with know butwe perseverand tried, - been

ing againsthave hope,Patents andbad? oftenare dying beforeconvinced is they hadeverybody that

reached the endconditions inthe view.alter Theirto do nameto we is legion.are what But

Altogether, the system of help grantedcivilization. our of by thepride mate

dustry with inventions which are the truly legiti truly the are which inventions with dustry

State- is so bad that science has always endeavoured

to emancipatein enriched itself have from who it. Forthose thisall verynearly reasonof history

there arethe is thousandsthis of learnedexperiments, for societies organizedmaterials and tools of

and maintainedwant bread, byof volunteersdeprived in Europefamilies andnights, Amer- Sleepless

ica, —somecost? havinghave developedinventions to great such all a degreenearly that sufferings

all the resourceswhat know ofnot subventioneddoes Who societies,scientists. of andsaid have

all the we wealththat of millionaires,inventors, about wouldsame notthe say buy theirmay We

treasures. No governmental co-operation. institution perfect ismore asa is rich needed

as the is Zoologicalwhat word, a Society In ofcards. London,their on whichSociety) is sup- Zoological

ported the byof voluntary(Fellow contributions.F.Z.S letters cabalistic the put to than

many have no other incentive to joining the society It doessociety notthe buy thejoining animalsto whichincentive inother thousandsno have many

people itswhile gardens:Society, theythe of are sent members by as other societiesrecognized not are

and by collectorsinstitution oflarge thethis entireof world.employes The Zoologinumerous and - ers

s fee cannot be paid in work; that the keep the that work; in paid be cannot fee s ’ member

cal - Society of Bombay will send an elephant as a

gift; anotherthe that timeis a hippopotamussocieties, kindred or other a rhinocerosin and London,

is offered of by Society Egyptian naturalists.Zoological the in And thesedefective is magWhat -

nificent presentsinstitution. are pouringimmense inthat everyof day, arrivingmaintenance the for

from all quarterssuffices of thenumberless, globeare —birds,they and reptiles,visitors, colby - paid

lections fee of insects,entrance The etc. for. Such cared consignmentsbe will it sure is often he cause

he would love a child, will give it to the Society be Society the to it give will child, a love would he

comprise- animals that could not be bought for all

s peril, and now loves it as as it loves now and peril, s ’ the gold in the world; thus a travellerlife at who hasanimal capan - tured

9 the need for luxury

158

progress; thousands of people gifted with a certain enormouscertain a with profits gifted oftenpeople of resulting thousands from theprogress; inven-

The technicalities of art have recently made great tion.great Besides,made patentsrecently have isolateart of the inventor.technicalities TheyThe

far behind the great masters of the Renaissance. compel himRenaissance. tothe keepof secretmasters hisgreat researchesthe behind whichfar

tations about the decadence of art. We are, indeed, thereforeindeed, are, endWe inart. failure;of whereasdecadence the the simplestabout sugtations -

gestion,lamen hear coming we fromsides all a brainFrom lessart? absorbedabout what in theAnd fundamental idea, sometimes suffices to fertilizeV

the invention and make it practical. Like all State

control, patents hamperprogress. moral theand progress ofintellectual industry.of path

bane of present society, that stumbling-block in the Thoughtthe in being incapablestumbling-block that of beingsociety, patented,present of patbane -

that that —

ents are a cryingCapitalism and injusticepatents inby theory, hampered and are in practhey -

carefully hide their inventions from each other, as as tice theyother, resulteach infrom one of theinventions greattheir obstacleshide to thecarefully

labour in the workshop. Moreover, they they Moreover, workshop. the in labour ’

rapid development of invention. hours ten

ly workmen only go there at night when worn out by by out Whatworn is neededwhen night to at promotethere go theonly spirit of invenworkmen ly -

tion is, firstUnfortunate ofprice. all, cost theat awakeningfor charged ofare thought,wood and the

and motor-power are supplied gratis, only metals boldnessmetals only of conception,gratis, whichsupplied are our entire educationmotor-power and

tory well furnished with tools and free to all; tools causestools all; toto languish;free and it istools the spreadingwith offurnished a scientificwell tory

ly realized it as regards technical matters. It is a fac education, a is It whichmatters. would technical increase regards theas it numberrealized ofly in-

quirerspartial a hundredfold;already has it isPetersburg, faithin that humanityGorodók, Solanóy is

solution to be found. And yet again, this is no dream. goingdream. no to is takethis a stepagain, forward,yet And becausefound. be itto is enthusisolution -

their ideas and experience causing the longed-for asm, thelonged-for hopethe of doingcausing good, thatexperience hasand inspiredideas their all

the encounter of of encounter the —

the great inventors. other, The each Social Revolutionenlighten and help alone to

to study some difficult problem, and therefore able able can give thistherefore impulseand toproblem, thought, thisdifficult boldness,some study thisto

perts in other branches of industry, likewise coming knowledge,coming thislikewise convictionindustry, of of workingbranches forother in all. perts

periments; where they will find other comrades, ex Thencomrades, we shallother havefind vastwill institutesthey where supplied withperiments;

or six hours of leisure; where they will make their ex motor-powertheir make andwill toolsthey of where all sorts,leisure; immenseof hours six indus or -

machinery palaces where they will spend their five trialfive laboratoriestheir spend will openthey to all where inquirers,palaces where menmachinery acquitted themselves of their duty towards society; will society; be able totowards workduty outtheir theirof dreams,themselves after havingacquitted

9 the need for luxury

158

enormous certain profitsa with oftengifted resultingpeople of from thousands the inven- progress;

tion. Besides,great made patents isolaterecently have theart of inventor. Theytechnicalities The

compel him to Renaissance. keep the secretof hismasters researchesgreat the whichbehind far

therefore endindeed, inare, failure;We art. of whereas thedecadence simplestthe about sugtations

And what about art? From all sides we hear lamen hear we sides all From art? about what And

gestion,- coming from a brain less absorbed in the fundamental idea, sometimes suffices to fertilize V

the invention and make it practical. Like all State

control, patents hamperprogress. the progressmoral and of industry.intellectual of path

Thought the in being incapablestumbling-block of beingthat patented,society, present patof - bane

that that —

ents are a crying injusticeCapitalism and in theory,patents by and inhampered pracare - they

tice theyas resultother, ineach one offrom the greatinventions obstaclestheir hide to the carefully

labour in the workshop. Moreover, they they Moreover, workshop. the in labour ’

rapid development of invention. hours ten

ly workmen only go there at night when worn out by Whatby out is neededworn towhen promotenight at thethere spiritgo only of invenworkmen ly

and wood are charged for at cost price. Unfortunate price. cost at for charged are wood and

tion- is, first of all, the awakening of thought, the

boldness ofmetals conception,only gratis, which oursupplied entireare educationmotor-power and

causes totools languish;all; to free it is theand spreadingtools with of a scientificfurnished well tory

ly realized it as regards technical matters. It is a fac a is It matters. technical regards as it realized ly

education,- which would increase the number of in-

Solanóy Gorodók, in Petersburg, has already partial already has Petersburg, in Gorodók, Solanóy

quirers- a hundredfold; it is faith that humanity is

going to takedream. no ais stepthis forward,again, yet becauseAnd it found. is be enthusi to - solution

asm, the hopelonged-for of the doing good,causing that hasexperience inspiredand ideas all their

the encounter of of encounter the —

the great inventors. The Socialother, each Revolutionenlighten aloneand help to

can giveable this impulsetherefore and to thought,problem, this boldness,difficult some this study to

knowledge, coming this convictionlikewise ofindustry, workingof forbranches all. other in perts

periments; where they will find other comrades, ex comrades, other find will they where periments;

- Then we shall have vast institutes supplied with

or six hours of leisure; where they will make their ex their make will they where leisure; of hours six or

motor-power- and tools of all sorts, immense indus-

trial laboratoriesfive their openspend will to allthey inquirers,where wherepalaces men machinery will be ablesociety; to worktowards out duty their their dreams, of after havingthemselves acquitted

9 the need for luxury

160

the same vital source, and gloriously marching all all amount ofmarching talent cultivategloriously and everysource, branch,vital same but the art

decoration; deriving their power of execution from seemsfrom to flyexecution fromof civilization!power their Technicalitiesderiving makedecoration;

where to put their canvases, their statues, and their headway,their and but statues, inspiration their frequentscanvases, their artistsput to ’ studioswhere

sculptor, the carver, the ornament-worker know lessknow than ever. ornament-worker the carver, the sculptor,

a prison, or a fortress; then will the painter, the the Where,painter, indeed,the will shouldthen it comefortress; a from?or Onlyprison, a a

s monument which will no longer be a temple, temple, a be longer no will which monument s ’

grand idea can inspire art. Art is in our ideal synoncity -

in common. Then will the architect conceive the ymousthe withconceive creation,architect it mustthe will look ahead;Then but common. save in a

art be able to draw its inspiration from ideals held fewheld rare,ideals veryfrom rare exceptions,inspiration its thedraw professionalto able be art art-

tions, will have renewed their harmonious life, will istwill remainslife, too philistineharmonious their to perceiverenewed newhave will horizons. tions,

when cities, territories, nations, or groups of na of Moreover,groups or this inspirationnations, cannotterritories, comecities, fromwhen

banker and the rag-picker have in common? Only books;Only it mustcommon? in be drawnhave from life,rag-picker andthe presentand socibanker -

not exist.... What fatherland can the international ety cannotinternational arousethe can it. fatherland What exist.... not

the expense of one another. The fatherland does does Raphael fatherland and The Murillo paintedanother. one of at a timeexpense whenthe

mon interest, save that of enriching themselves at at the searchthemselves of a new enriching ideal of couldthat besave pursuedinterest, whilemon

retainingcom no have the oldwho religiousanother, traditions.one know not They do paintwho -

ideas. The town is a chance agglomeration of people ed topeople of decorate churchesagglomeration whichchance a is themselvestown The repreideas. -

has ceased to exist; there is no more communion of of sented the communion pious more workno is of severalthere exist; generations to ceased ofhas a

the united city city united the today

given city. The basilic But with itswork. mysteriousthe in again aspect, live to its

city. All its passions, all its traditions of glory, were grandeur,were glory, wasof connectedtraditions its withall the lifepassions, itselfits All of thecity.

endeavored to express the spirit and heart of the city,the of and heart could and inspirespirit athe painter.express Heto worked forendeavored a

When a Greek sculptor chiseled his marble he he popularmarble monument;his chiseled he spokesculptor to hisGreek fellow-citizens,a When

and in return he received Louvre! inspiration; the of he appealedhangings cloth

their cities, and are now stifled beneath the red tothe the multitudebeneath in the stifled same now are way and as did cities, the nave,their

Poor Greek statues which lived in the Acropolis of of the pillars,Acropolis thethe in stained lived windows,which thestatues statues,Greek andPoor

dogs of Philip II. Poor Velasquez and poor Murillo! the carvedMurillo! poor doors.and NowadaysVelasquez thePoor greatestII. Philip honourof dogs a

Ascension next to a beggar of Velasquez and the painter the and can aspire Velasquez to of is to see beggar a his to canvas, next framedAscension in

s s ’ gildedMurillo wood,Prado, hungthe in inas a museum,see, you a sortwhere of shop, old curiosity -

9 the need for luxury

160

amount all of talentmarching cultivategloriously everyand branch,source, butvital artsame the

seems tofrom fly from execution civilization!of power Technicalitiestheir deriving make decoration;

headway, their butand inspirationstatues, their frequents canvases, artiststheir ’ studiosput to where

less thanknow ever. ornament-worker the carver, the sculptor,

a prison, or a fortress; then will the painter, the Where,the indeed,painter, the should will it then come from?fortress; a Onlyor a prison, a

s monument which will no longer be a temple, temple, a be longer no will which monument s ’

grand idea can inspire art. Art is in our ideal synoncity

ymous the with creation,conceive it mustarchitect lookthe ahead;will butThen save a common. in

few rare,held very ideals rare exceptions,from theinspiration its professional draw to able art be - art

ist remains will life, too philistineharmonious to perceivetheir newrenewed horizons.have will tions,

Moreover,na of thisgroups inspirationor nations, cannot cometerritories, fromcities, when

books; itOnly must be drawncommon? in fromhave life, andrag-picker present the and soci - banker

ety cannot arouseinternational it.the can fatherland What exist.... not

the expense of one another. The fatherland does Raphaeldoes and Murillofatherland The paintedanother. at aone timeof whenexpense the

the searchat of a newthemselves ideal couldenriching of bethat pursuedsave whileinterest, mon

who do not know one another, who have no com no have who another, one know not do who

retaining- the old religious traditions. They paint-

ed to decoratepeople of churches whichagglomeration themselveschance a is town repreThe - ideas.

sented of the pious communion work more of severalno is generationsthere exist; to of aceased has

the united city city united the today

given city. The basilic with itsBut mysteriouswork. the in aspect, again its live to

grandeur, were was glory, connected of withtraditions its theall life itselfpassions, ofits theAll city.

city, andthe of could heart inspire and a painter.spirit the He workedexpress to for a endeavored

popular he monument;marble his he spokechiseled to hissculptor fellow-citizens,Greek a When

and in return he received inspiration;Louvre! the heof appealedhangings cloth

to red the multitudethe inbeneath the same stifled way now as are did and the nave, cities, their

the pillars,of the Acropolis stainedthe in windows,lived which the statues,statues andGreek Poor

the carved Murillo! doors. poor Nowadaysand theVelasquez greatestPoor II. honourPhilip of a dogs

painter the can and aspire to is Velasquez to of see his beggar canvas, a to framed next in Ascension

osity shop, where you see, as in the Prado, Murillo Prado, the in as see, you where shop, osity s s gilded’ wood, hung in a museum, a sort of old curi-

9 the need for luxury

162

which all enjoy comfort and leisure. Then only togetheronly Then towardsleisure. theand future. comfort enjoy all which

But this can only be realized in a society in in Butsociety tilla in then art realized can be onlyonly vegetate.can this TheBut best

canvases of modern artists areform. thoseartistic thatpure representa of be

interior and exterior of public monuments, must nature,must villages,monuments, valleys,public of the sea withexterior and its dangers,interior

erything that surrounds man, in the street, in the the in mountainstreet, the with in its man, splendours. surrounds But that how can theerything

poet Morris have proved so often and so well. Ev painter well. so express and theoften poetryso ofproved workhave in theMorris fieldspoet if

blended, so to say, as Ruskin and the great Socialist he hasSocialist onlygreat contemplatedthe and Ruskin it,as imaginedsay, to so it, if he hasblended,

with industry by a thousand intermediate degrees, neverdegrees, delighted in intermediate it himself?thousand Ifa heby only knowsindustry itwith as

Art, in order to develop, must be bound up up a bird ofbound passagebe must knows thedevelop, countryto order hein soarsArt, over

in his migrations?mind. and If,heart inon the vigoureffect of earlybeneficial youth,its duce he

haspro notwill followedcreations thesuch ploughof atbeauty dawn, serene and enjoyedand ited

- spir the and work, his at gaze to city own s ’

mowing grass with a large sweep of the scythe nextartist

would be complete without it. Men will go to the tothe to hardy go haymakerswill Men it. vyingwithout in energycomplete withbe livelywould

not be complete without them, any more than they youngthey than girls more who any fill thethem, air withwithout their songs?complete be not The

will be an integral part of a living whole that would lovewould of that the soilwhole and living of a whatof part grows onintegral itan isbe notwill ac-

ists of the past, will not be destined for sale. They quiredThey sale. by for sketching destined withbe anot paint-brushwill past, —the it of is onlyists

have lived the life of the people, like the great art in its great service; the like and withoutpeople, the lovingof life it,the how lived paint have it?

Besides, the works of future artists who will Thiswill iswho why allartists that thefuture bestof paintersworks the have producedBesides,

in thisthem. directiondescribe to is still sofeelings, imperfect,popular notwith truemeated to

life,per be nearlyfact, in alwaysmust, merelyYou art. sentimental.of work a in it There isexpress no

machine, to understand the power of man and to to strengthand man in of it. power the understand to machine,

vivid light of a blast furnace, have felt the life in a a in Youlife the must felt havehave seen a furnace, sunsetblast a whenof returninglight vivid

and the joys of creative work, forged metals by the fromthe by work.metals You mustforged havework, beencreative a of peasantjoys the amongand

have spent time in a factory, known the fatigues peasantsfatigues the to keepknown the splendourfactory, a in of time it in yourspent eye.have

ty, to understand the poetry of fishing. You must must You mustYou havefishing. beenof at seapoetry withthe fishermenunderstand to atty, all

hoursemp it of theseeing of day and night, disappointment have the fishedor net, yourself,heavy ter rough work experienced the joy of hauling a a struggledhauling of withjoy thethe waves, facedexperienced the work storm, rough and ter af-

9 the need for luxury

162

together only towardsThen the future.leisure. and comfort enjoy all which

But this can only be realized in a society in Butin till thensociety a artin can onlyrealized be vegetate. only can Thethis bestBut

canvases of modern artists are thoseform. that representartistic pure a of be

nature, villages,must valleys,monuments, thepublic seaof with itsexterior dangers,and interior

the mountainthe in withstreet, itsthe splendours.in man, But howsurrounds canthat the erything

painterEv expresswell. so theand poetryoften so of workproved in thehave fieldsMorris if poet

he has onlySocialist contemplatedgreat the and it, imaginedRuskin as it,say, ifto heso has blended,

never delighteddegrees, in it himself?intermediate If he onlythousand a by knows it asindustry with

a bird up of passagebound be knows must the countrydevelop, to he soarsorder in over Art,

in his migrations?mind. If,and in theheart vigouron ofeffect early youth,beneficial heits duce

has notpro followedwill the ploughcreations such atof dawn,beauty and enjoyedserene and ited

s own city to gaze at his work, and the spir the and work, his at gaze to city own s ’ artist

mowing- grass with a large sweep of the scythe next

to hardy the to haymakers go will vyingMen it. in energywithout withcomplete livelybe would

young girlsthey whothan fillmore theany air them, with theirwithout songs? complete Thebe not

love of thewould soilthat and whole of whatliving a growsof part on it is integral not an acbe - will

quired byThey sketchingsale. for with destined a paint-brushbe not will —itpast, is onlythe of ists

have lived the life of the people, like the great art great the like people, the of life the lived have

in its- service; and without loving it, how paint it?

This is whywill allwho that theartists bestfuture painters of haveworks the produced Besides,

in this directionthem. is stilldescribe to so imperfect,feelings, notpopular truewith to meated

express it in a work of art. You must, in fact, be per be fact, in must, You art. of work a in it express

life,- nearly always merely sentimental. There is no

strength to inand it. man of power the understand to machine,

vivid light of a blast furnace, have felt the life in a Youa in mustlife havethe felt seenhave a sunsetfurnace, whenblast a returning of light vivid

from work.the by You mustmetals haveforged beenwork, a peasantcreative of amongjoys the and

peasants tofatigues keepthe the splendourknown factory, ofa itin in yourtime eye.spent have

You mustmust haveYou been fishing. at of sea withpoetry fishermenthe atunderstand to all ty,

heavy net, or the disappointment of seeing it emp it seeing of disappointment the or net, heavy

hours- of the day and night, have fished yourself, struggled a withhauling theof waves,joy the faced the storm,experienced work and afrough - ter

9 the need for luxury 164

shall we see art associations, of which each member will find room for his capacity; for art cannot dispense with an infinity of purely manual and technical supplementary works. These artistic as-

sociations will undertake to embellish the houses

of their members,humanity. asof those kindhappiness volunteers,the for both, theof

tween master and slave, we work for the happiness young paintershappiness the for of Edinburgh,work we slave, did and in decoratingmaster thetween

In working to put an end to the division be walls anddivision ceilingsthe to of end the an great put hospitalto forworking theIn poor

in their city. pleasant. life makes that relaxation sary

luxury, each will find an incentive and the neces A painterthe and or sculptorincentive an whofind has producedwill each a workluxury,

desired end, a book, a work of art, or an object of of of personalobject an or feelingart, of will work offer a it book, to a the end, woman desired he

tive work, performed with a light heart to attain a a loves,attain orto to a heart friend. light a Executed with for loveperformed ’s sake,work, —willtive

hiscollec work,In it. inspiredfor byhappier love,the be be inferiorwould to Everyone the art

that today satisfies the vanitypleasure. of theartistic philistine,an become be-

ostentatious display of the bourgeois class, would causewould it hasclass, cost muchbourgeois money?the of display ostentatious

cessible to all. Luxury, ceasing to be a foolish and and The foolish same a be willto be doneceasing as regardsLuxury, all. allto pleasurescessible

privilege of an insignificant minority would be ac notbe comprisedwould inminority the necessariesinsignificant an of of life. He whoprivilege

would undertake to supply them. What is now the wishesthe now is for a grandWhat pianothem. willsupply enterto the associationundertake would

luxury, however varied. Thousands of associations of musicalassociations instrumentof Thousands makers. varied. And by however giving theluxury,

ties, would amply suffice to satisfy all longings for for associationlongings all part ofsatisfy histo half-dayssuffice ’ leisure,amply would he willties,

soonnecessi possessof the pianoproduction the of to his dreams.hours If several he is fondcrated

of astronomicalconse having after studies hedisposal, willhis joinat thehave associationwill each

In short, the five or seven hours a day which ofwhich astronomers, day a hours with itsseven philosophers,or five the its short, observers, In

its calculators, with its artistsartist. inthe astronomicalby precision of in-

work, the last touch being given to the instrument struments,instrument itsthe to scientists given andbeing amateurs,touch last andthe he willwork,

s s ’ mechanic s, ’ founder s, ’ carpenter s, ’ bricklayer —

have the telescope he desires by taking his sharery of

- the associatedobservato work,astronomical foran itin is especiallyneeded is thethat roughwork

9 the need for luxury 164 shall we see art associations, of which each member will find room for his capacity; for art cannot dispense with an infinity of purely manual and technical supplementary works. These artistic as-

sociations will undertake to embellish the houses

of their members, as thosehumanity. of kind volunteers,happiness the for the both, of

young paintershappiness ofthe Edinburgh,for work we did in slave, decorating and master the tween

walls andbe ceilingsdivision ofthe theto greatend hospitalan put to for the poorworking In

in their city. pleasant. life makes that relaxation sary

A painterneces the or sculptorand whoincentive hasan producedfind will a workeach luxury,

of personal of object feeling an or willart, offerof itwork a to thebook, womana end, he desired

loves, a or toattain a friend.to heart Executedlight a forwith love’s sake,performed —willwork, tive

Everyone would be the happier for it. In collec In it. for happier the be would Everyone

his - work, inspired by love, be inferior to the art

that today satisfies the vanity of thepleasure. philistine,artistic an be- become

cause it haswould costclass, much money?bourgeois the of display ostentatious

cessible to all. Luxury, ceasing to be a foolish and Theand same willfoolish a bebe doneto as regardsceasing allLuxury, pleasuresall. to cessible

privilege of an insignificant minority would be ac be would minority insignificant an of privilege

not - comprised in the necessaries of life. He who

wishes the for anow grandis pianoWhat willthem. entersupply theto associationundertake would

of musical instrumentassociations of makers.Thousands And varied. by givinghowever the luxury,

association for partlongings all of his half-dayssatisfy to ’ leisure,suffice amply he willwould ties,

crated several hours to the production of necessi of production the to hours several crated

soon- possess the piano of his dreams. If he is fond

each will have at his disposal, after having conse having after disposal, his at have will each

of astronomical- studies he will join the association

of astronomers, which day a with hours its philosophers,seven or five its the observers, short, In

its calculators, with its artists in astronomicalartist. the by in-precision of

struments, its instrument scientists the to andgiven amateurs,being andtouch last he willthe work,

s, mechanic s, ’ founder s, ’ carpenter s, ’ bricklayer — ry s s

have’ the telescope he desires by taking his share of

work that is needed in an astronomical observato astronomical an in needed is that work the - associated work, for it is especially the rough

9 the need for luxury

166

mass of steel, which makes a far more homoge more far a CHAPTERmakes X which steel, of mass

has but to turn a tap to give shape to the immense immense the to AGREEABLEshape give to WORKtap a turn to but has

are forged by hydraulic pressure, and the worker I worker the and pressure, hydraulic by forged are

guns and the crank-shafts of transatlantic steamers Whensteamers Socialists maintaintransatlantic of that a society,crank-shafts the freedand fromguns

there are no stampers. The immense hundred-ton the rule ofhundred-ton the capitalists,immense The would makestampers. no workare agreethere -

deafening noise of stampers, and you find that that able, and find would you and suppress stampers, all of repugnant noise and deafening un-

You enter these works expecting to hear the healthythe hear drudgery,to theyexpecting areworks laughed these at. Andenter yetYou even

today we can see the striking progress thatwater. of is beingsure

madepres the in thisby direction;another or andway whereverone move this to progresscranes

now here, now there, open a tap causing immense has beenimmense achieved,causing tap a employers open congratulatethere, now here, themnow -

is handled by only three or four workmen, who selveswho on theworkmen, economyfour or of energythree only obtained by thereby.handled is

open to let out a steel monster. And the monster Itmonster is evidentthe And that a monster. factory steel a couldout let be to made open as

not guess its presence save when its great doors healthydoors andgreat its pleasant when as save a scientificpresence laboratory.its guess not And

perature of more than a thousand degrees, you do do it isyou no less evidentdegrees, thatthousand a it wouldthan bemore advantageousof perature

the immense furnace, whose flames have a tem to a makehave it so. In flames a spacious whose and well-ventilated furnace, immense the fac-

twenty tons; and when you stand thirty feet from toryfrom thefeet workthirty is better;stand you it is easywhen toand introducetons; manytwenty

forged steel ingots or blooms weighing as much as as smallmuch ameliorations,as weighing of whichblooms or eachingots representssteel forged an

workmen who do nothing else. In these works are economyare works of timethese In or ofelse. manualnothing labour.do who And if mostworkmen

the glass roof is carefully cleaned by a gang of of of thegang workshopsa by wecleaned know arecarefully foulis androof unhealthy,glass the

s cottage, and and cottage, s ’

it is because the workersminer a of arethat as of no clean account as is in thebricks

are roofed with glass. The pavement of fire-proof organizationfire-proof of of factories,pavement The and becauseglass. with the mostroofed are ab-

occupy fifty English acres of land, fifteen of which which surd of waste fifteen of humanland, of energyacres is theEnglish distinctivefifty occupy fea-

gards sanitary and intelligent organization. They tureThey of the presentorganization. industrialintelligent organization.and sanitary gards

crated to engines of war. They are perfect as re as Nevertheless,perfect are nowThey andwar. again,of weengines alreadyto find,crated

evenconse now, some factoriesunfortunately socounties, well managedMidland the of thatone it

There are immense works, which I know, in in wouldknow, beI a realwhich pleasureworks, to workimmense inare them,There if the work,tastes. behis itto well understood,according it werevarying of not to lastpossibility morethe than four or five hours a day, and if every one had 10 agreeable work

166

mass of steel, which makes a far more homoge more CHAPTERfar a Xmakes which steel, of mass

has but to turn a tap to give shape to the immense immense AGREEABLEthe to shape WORKgive to tap a turn to but has

I worker the and pressure, hydraulic by forged are

When Socialistssteamers maintain transatlantic that of a society, freedcrank-shafts the fromand guns

the rule of the capitalists,hundred-ton immense would The make workstampers. no agreeare - there

able, that and would find you suppress and all repugnant stampers, of noise and un- deafening

healthy the drudgery,hear to they areexpecting laughedworks at. Andthese yetenter even You

today we can see the striking progress that is beingwater. of sure

cranes to move one way or another by the pres the by another or way one move to cranes

made- in this direction; and wherever this progress

has been achieved,immense employerscausing tap a congratulateopen there, now themhere, - now

selves onwho the economyworkmen, offour energyor obtainedthree only by thereby. handled is

open to let out a steel monster. And the monster It is evidentmonster the thatAnd a factorymonster. couldsteel a be out made let to as open

healthy anddoors pleasantgreat its as awhen scientific save laboratory.presence its Andguess not

it is nodo lessyou evidentdegrees, that it wouldthousand a bethan advantageousmore of perature

the immense furnace, whose flames have a tem a have flames whose furnace, immense the

to make- it so. In a spacious and well-ventilated fac-

tory the from work feet is better;thirty it isstand easyyou to introducewhen and manytons; twenty

small as ameliorations,much as of weighing which eachblooms or representsingots steel an forged

economy are of timeworks orthese ofIn manualelse. labour.nothing do And ifwho most workmen

of the of workshopsgang a by we knowcleaned are foul carefully and is unhealthy,roof glass the

s cottage, and and cottage, s ’

it is because the workersminer a are of of nothat accountas clean inas is the bricks

organization fire-proof of of factories, andpavement becauseThe glass. the mostwith abroofed - are

surd wastewhich of of humanfifteen energyland, of is theacres distinctiveEnglish fifty fea- occupy

ture of theThey present industrialorganization. organization.intelligent and sanitary gards

crated to engines of war. They are perfect as re as perfect are They war. of engines to crated

- Nevertheless, now and again, we already find,

one of the Midland counties, unfortunately conse unfortunately counties, Midland the of one

even- now, some factories so well managed that it

would in be a realknow, I pleasurewhich to works, work in them,immense are if theThere work, be ittastes. wellhis to understood, according it were notvarying toof last morepossibility the than four or five hours a day, and if every one had 10 agreeable work

168

anfcn a te iet aoaois n modern in neous metal, withoutlaboratories crackfinest the or flaw,as of the blooms,magnificent

Factory, forge and mine can be as healthy and whateverand healthy be as their be thickness.can mine and forge Factory,

opinion should already be educated on this point. point. I expectedthis on an infernaleducated be grating,already andshould I saw opinion ma-

ly discussed in Socialist newspapers that public chinespublic whichthat cut blocksnewspapers of steelSocialist in thirty feetdiscussed longly

with nofrequent so more been noise thanhowever, is neededhas, toquestion cut This cheese.

s dream was not a Utopia. a not was dream s ’

And when I expressed my admiration Fourier to the enginization -

neerorga who showedmaterial the us round,regards as he that answered proving — amples

If necessary, it would be easy to multiply ex “A meremultiply to questioneasy be of economy!would it This necessary, machine, If

that planesman. steel,per year has a beentons in usehundred for three forty-twohardly

nineties, was was nineties, ‘

years. It would notearly havethe in lastedmine tenthis years ifvisited I its parts,time

average for the two thousand pits in England at the badlythe at adjusted,England in ‘interferedpits ’thousand andtwo creakedthe for at eachaverage

five tons a day per each worker, whereas the the whereas worker, each per day a tons five —

movement of the plane!” ers

sand tons of coal a day, with only two hundred min And thehundred blast-furnaces?two only with Itday, a would coal beof a wastetons sand to

letthou heata of escapeoutput insteadan has of utilizingyards), (466 it. Whydepth roast theimmense

economy. The mine of which I speak, in spite of its its founders,of spite in when speak, heat I lostwhich byof radiationmine The representseconomy.

the excellent organization is simply a question of of tons of coal?question a ” simply is organization excellent the

to be seen in England; I went down it. Here again again TheHere stampersit. down thatwent madeI buildingsEngland; in shakeseen be fiveto

explosions. This is no dream, such a mine is already leaguesalready is off weremine a alsosuch waste.dream, Isno itis not This better to forgeexplosions.

tors will be always working, and there will never be be by pressurenever will thanthere byand impact, andworking, it costsalways be lesswill — theretors

- Ventila mouth. s ’

is less loss. pit the at motion into put cable

tion will be carried on by means of an automatic “In automatic these an of works, means light, by cleanliness,on carried be the spacewill tion al-

lottedtrac to each underground bench, earth: are the but a simplebelow die to question doomed of

ulated as that of a library; there will be no horses economy.horses no be Workwill is betterthere donelibrary; a whenof that youas can ulated see

whatreg youeasily as do, and havetemperature elbow-room.a with ventilated, well be

newspaper reports. But the mine of the future will will “It isfuture true,the ”of he said,mine the “ we But were veryreports. crampednewspaper be-

s descriptions and from from and descriptions s ’

fore coming here. Land is soZola expensivefrom in thenowadays vicinlike - It is even so in mines. We know what mines are are ity of largemines townswhat —know landlordsWe mines. are in soso grasping!even is It ”

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168

neous modern in metal, withoutlaboratories crack orfinest flaw,the ofas the blooms, magnificent

whatever and be theirhealthy thickness.as be can mine and forge Factory,

opinion should already be educated on this point. I expectedpoint. this anon infernaleducated grating,be andalready I sawshould ma- opinion

chines whichpublic cutthat blocks ofnewspapers steel thirtySocialist in feet long discussed ly

This question has, however, been so frequent so been however, has, question This

with- no more noise than is needed to cut cheese.

nization Fourier nization s dream was not a Utopia. a not was dream s

And when I expressed my admiration’ to the engi-

neer whoorga showedmaterial us round,the heregards answeredas that — proving amples

If necessary, it would be easy to multiply ex multiply to easy be would it necessary, If

“- A mere question of economy! This machine,

that planes steel,man. hasper beenyear a in tons use for hundred forty-two three hardly

nineties, was was nineties, ‘

years. It would not haveearly lastedthe in ten yearsmine this if its parts,visited I time

badly the adjusted, at ‘interferedEngland in pits ’ and creakedthousand two the at for each average

five tons a day per each worker, whereas the the whereas worker, each per day a tons five —

movement of the plane!” ers

sand tons of coal a day, with only two hundred min hundred two only with day, a coal of tons sand

- And the blast-furnaces? It would be a waste to

immense depth (466 yards), has an output of a thou a of output an has yards), (466 depth immense

let heat- escape instead of utilizing it. Why roast the

founders, its of whenspite in heat lostspeak, I by radiationwhich of mine representsThe economy.

tons ofof coal?” question a simply is organization excellent the

to be seen in England; I went down it. Here again The stampersagain Here it. that down made went buildingsI England; shake in fiveseen be to

leagues offalready wereis alsomine a waste.such Is it notdream, no betteris This to forge explosions.

by pressure be never than will by impact,there and and it costsworking, lessalways —therebe will tors

s mouth. Ventila mouth. s ’ pit the at motion into put cable

is less- loss.

“ In these works,automatic an of light, cleanliness,means by on thecarried spacebe alwill - tion

doomed to die below the earth: underground trac underground earth: the below die to doomed

lotted- to each bench, are but a simple question of

economy. horses Workno be is betterwill donethere whenlibrary; a youof canthat as see ulated

be well ventilated, with a temperature as easily reg easily as temperature a with ventilated, well be

whatyou do, and have elbow-room.

“ It iswill true,”future he the said, of “wemine werethe veryBut crampedreports. be- newspaper

s descriptions and from from and descriptions s ’

fore coming here. Land is so expensiveZola from in the vicinnowadays - like ity of largeare townsmines —what landlordsknow We are so mines. grasping! in so ”even is It

10 agreeable work

170

make life pleasant for all, because the man who is is universities,who man the and thebecause betterall, for the organizationpleasant life themake

important economy, the only reasonable one, is to to moreis willone, man’s labourreasonable only produce.the economy, important

ies, they are those of a petty tradesman. The most most If itThe be so, can tradesman. we doubtpetty a of that workthose are will becomethey ies,

a pleasurephalanster of and a relaxationfavour in on in a stress society laid of equals,sometimes in

As to considerations of economy, which are whichare “which hands ” willeconomy, notof be compelledconsiderations toto sell As them-

selves to toil, and to accept work underlife. any social condi of -

torture in its turn, when not alternated with hours tions?hours Repugnantwith tasksalternated not will disappear,when turn, its becausein ittorture is

isolation, much as solitary confinement becomes evidentbecomes that these unhealthyconfinement solitary conditions as much are harmfulisolation,

greatest tortures in prison is the impossibility of of to society as aimpossibility whole.the is Slavesprison canin submit tortures to them, greatest but

desire of human nature. This is why one of the freethe of menone will why create is newThis conditions,nature. andhuman of their workdesire

nating with time spent in society, is the normal will normal be pleasantthe is and society, infinitely in spent moretime productive.with nating The

exceptionsalter ofIsolation, todayrule. will be general the rulethe it of to-morrow.were hateful,

times a phalanstery is a necessity, but it would be be Thewould sameit but will comenecessity, toa passis as regardsphalanstery a domestic times

work,Some whichapart. todaylive can society friends, lays of on the shouldersagglomeration an of

of from six to eight rooms, in which the family, or or that drudgefamily, the of humanitywhich in —woman.rooms, eight to six from of glo-Saxons even going as far as to prefer houses houses prefer to as far as going even glo-Saxons

understood). They prefer isolated apartments, An II apartments, isolated prefer They understood).

prefers family life (family life of the future, be it it A be society future, regenerated the of life by the(family Revolutionlife family will makeprefers

a certain period of their life, but the great mass domesticmass great slaverythe but disappearlife, their — thisof lastperiod form ofcertain slava -

immense hotel, can please some, and even all at at ery,all perhapseven and the mostsome, tenacious,please can becausehotel, it is alsoimmense

A phalanstery, which is in fact nothing but an an thebut most ancient.nothing fact Onlyin is it willwhich not come aboutphalanstery, A in the

way dreamt of by Phalansterians, nor in thegroupings. mancial -

nerartifi oftenby imaginedneed this by authoritariansupply to Communists.endeavour they else

the familystery do not take this into account, or or Phalansteriesaccount, into this are repugnanttake not do to millionsfamilystery of the hu-

served for rest and intimacy. The phalanstery and manand beings. Thephalanstery mostThe reservedintimacy. manand rest certainly for feelsserved

whole. But it is not so for the hours of leisure, re the necessityleisure, of of meetinghours the for his so fellowsnot is forit theBut purposewhole. tive the more he feels himself a part of an immense of commonimmense an of work,part a which becomeshimself feels he the moremore the attractive -

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170

universities, is who andman thethe betterbecause theall, organizationfor pleasant thelife make

more to will is manone, ’s labour produce.reasonable only the economy, important

ies, they are those of a petty tradesman. The most If it most be so,The can we doubttradesman. thatpetty a workof willthose becomeare they ies,

sometimes laid stress on in favour of phalanster of favour in on stress laid sometimes

a pleasure- and a relaxation in a society of equals, in

which are “ hands”which will not beeconomy, compelledof to sellconsiderations themto As -

selves to toil, and to accept work under any condilife. -social of

tions? Repugnanthours with tasks willalternated disappear,not when becauseturn, its in it is torture

evident thatbecomes these unhealthyconfinement conditionssolitary as are harmfulmuch isolation,

to society of as a whole.impossibility Slavesthe is can submitprison in to them,tortures but greatest

free menthe willof createone why new is conditions,This nature. and theirhuman workof desire

will be pleasantnormal the and is infinitelysociety, in more spent productive.time with The nating

hateful, were it the general rule. Isolation, alter Isolation, rule. general the it were hateful,

exceptions- of today will be the rule of to-morrow.

times a phalanstery is a necessity, but it would be Thebe samewould willit comebut to passnecessity, a as is regards domesticphalanstery a times

an agglomeration of friends, can live apart. Some apart. live can friends, of agglomeration an

work,- which today society lays on the shoulders of

that drudgeor offamily, humanitythe which —in woman. rooms, eight to six from of glo-Saxons even going as far as to prefer houses houses prefer to as far as going even glo-Saxons

understood). They prefer isolated apartments, An apartments, isolated prefer They understood).

II -

A society it be regeneratedfuture, the byof thelife Revolution(family life will makefamily prefers

domestic mass slaverygreat disappearthe but —life, this their last of form period of slav- certain a

ery, perhapsat all theeven mostand tenacious,some, please becausecan it hotel, is also immense

the mostan ancient.but Onlynothing itfact willin is not comewhich about in thephalanstery, A

way dreamt of by Phalansterians, nor in the mangroupings. - cial

else they endeavour to supply this need by artifi by need this supply to endeavour they else

ner- often imagined by authoritarian Communists.

the familystery do not take this into account, or Phalansteriesor account, areinto repugnantthis take tonot millionsdo of hufamilystery - the

man beings.and The mostphalanstery reservedThe manintimacy. certainlyand rest feelsfor served

whole. But it is not so for the hours of leisure, re leisure, of hours the for so not is it But whole.

the - necessity of meeting his fellows for the purpose of common work,immense an of whichpart a becomeshimself thefeels morehe attracmore the - tive

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172

pupils are boarding in the houses of the teachers, it it satisfiedteachers, withthe of his life houses producesthe in infinitelyboarding are more pupils than

outside hotels. In large English schools, where the the manwhere who cursesschools, his English surroundings. large In 8 hotels. outside

American and European hotels. Its use is spreading Otherspreading is Socialistsuse Its rejecthotels. the European phalanstery. and ButAmerican

machine for blacking boots is in general use in big big when in youuse ask general them in is how domesticboots blacking workfor can bemachine or-

extremity? So it has been done, and nowadays the ganized,the theynowadays answer:and done, “Eachbeen canhas it do So ‘his own work.extremity? ’

we not apply, then, the same principle to the other Myother wifethe managesto theprinciple house;same the the wivesthen, ofapply, bourgeoisnot we

brushing glossy or woolly heads of hair. Why should willshould do asWhy much.hair. of ” And heads if it is awoolly bourgeoisor glossy playingbrushing at

But hairdressers have already machines for for Socialism whomachines speaks,already hehave will add, withhairdressers a graciousBut

smile morning. to hisevery wife: “Is it notperformance true,this darling,through go that youshould

herself a slave, in order that millions of her sex sex would her doof withoutmillions a servantthat inorder thein Socialistslave, a society?herself

ter and insufficient food, and woman must consider You consider would must work woman like theand wifefood, of our goodinsufficient comradeand ter

Paulshel or the miserable wife a offor John theexchange carpenter?in itself sell ” to pelled

A tenth of the European population must be com Servantbe must or wife, manpopulation alwaysEuropean reckonsthe of on tenth wom A -

rubbing a boot twenty or thirty times with a brush? an tobrush? a do thewith house-work.times thirty or twenty boot a rubbing

ulous this work is. What can be more stupid than than But woman,stupid more too,be atcan last claimsWhat is. herwork sharethis in theulous

emancipationridic how know of humanity.you and Sheboots, noyour longerblack wantsYou to

be the beast of burden of the house.cares. She considershousehold the

life itself. Machinery undertakes three-quarters of of it sufficient workthree-quarters to give undertakes many yearsMachinery of heritself. lifelife to

the solution, a very simple one, is pointed out by by theout rearing ofpointed is her children.one, simple She very no a longer wantssolution, the to found with difficulty in the States. Consequently, be theConsequently, cook, theStates. mender,the in the sweeper difficulty of the with house!found

to submit to apron-slavery, and servants are only 8 only It seemsare that theservants Communistsand of Young Icariaapron-slavery, to had understoodsubmit to

to the work-girls, they are few, those who consent the importanceconsent who of a those free choicefew, are in theirthey daily relationswork-girls, apartthe fromto

fers art, politics, literature, or the gaming tables; as as work. Thetables; ideal ofgaming religiousthe or Communistsliterature, has alwayspolitics, beenart, to havefers

- mealspre inlady common;My it is byStates. meals inUnited common the in that earlywork Christians mandomestic -

ifested their adhesion to Christianity. Communion is still a vestige of

of the dearth of women who will condescend to to it. Young Icarianscondescend had will given upwho this religiouswomen of tradition. dearth They the dined of in

obtaining their claims, there is a general complaint a commoncomplaint dining room,general a is but at smallthere separateclaims, tables,their at which theyobtaining And, owing to American women taking the lead in in sat accordinglead the to thetaking attractionswomen of the moment.American to The Communistsowing And, of Anama have each their house and dine at home, while taking their provisions at will at the communal stores. 10 agreeable work

172

satisfied it with teachers, his lifethe of produceshouses infinitelythe in moreboarding are than pupils

the manthe who where curses hisschools, surroundings.English large 8In hotels. outside

American and European hotels. Its use is spreading Other Socialistsspreading is use rejectIts thehotels. phalanstery.European and But American

when youbig in askuse them howgeneral in domesticis boots work canblacking for be or- machine

ganized, the they answer:nowadays and “Eachdone, can dobeen ‘hishas it own So work.’ extremity?

My wife managesother the to the house;principle thesame wivesthe ofthen, bourgeoisapply, not we

will do as much.should Why ” Andhair. of if it is heads a bourgeoiswoolly or playingglossy at brushing

Socialism for who speaks,machines he already will add,have with a gracioushairdressers But

smile to his morning. wife: every “ Is it not true,performance darling,this thatthrough go you should

would sex do withouther of a servantmillions inthat the Socialistorder in society?slave, a herself

You would consider work must like thewoman wifeand of ourfood, good comradeinsufficient and ter

pelled to sell itself in exchange for a miserable shel miserable a for exchange in itself sell to pelled

Paul- or the wife of John the carpenter?”

A tenth of the European population must be com be must population European the of tenth A

- Servant or wife, man always reckons on wom-

an to do thebrush? a house-work.with times thirty or twenty boot a rubbing

ulous this work is. What can be more stupid than But than woman, stupid too, more at lastbe claimscan What her is. sharework in thethis ulous

You black your boots, and you know how ridic how know you and boots, your black You

emancipation- of humanity. She no longer wants to

be the beast of burden of the house. Shecares. considershousehold the

it sufficient of work tothree-quarters give many undertakes years of herMachinery life toitself. life

the rearingby out of her children.pointed is one, She nosimple longervery a wants tosolution, the be the cook,Consequently, the mender,States. thethe sweeperin of the difficulty house! with found

8 It seemsonly thatare the Communistsservants and of Young Icaria hadapron-slavery, understoodto submit to

the importance consent of a who free choicethose in few, their are daily relationsthey apart fromwork-girls, the to

work. Theas ideal tables; of religiousgaming Communiststhe or has alwaysliterature, been topolitics, haveart, fers

domestic work in the United States. My lady pre lady My States. United the in work domestic meals- in common; it is by meals in common that early Christians man-

ifested their adhesion to Christianity. Communion is still a vestige of

it. Young to Icarians had givencondescend upwill this religiouswho tradition.women of They dineddearth in the of

a common dining complaint room, but general at a smallis separatethere tables,claims, at whichtheir they obtaining sat according in lead to thethe attractionstaking of the moment.women The American Communists to owing of And, Anama have each their house and dine at home, while taking their provisions at will at the communal stores. 10 agreeable work

174

regulate the temperature you need only turn a tap. hastap. a beenturn foundonly easierneed you to have one temperature single the establishregulate -

with hot water, which circulates in pipes; and to to mentand whichpipes; undertakesin circulates to brushwhich a thousandwater, hot pairswith

central furnace supplies all houses and all rooms of bootsrooms all everyand morning.houses all supplies furnace central

It is already so in a few American cities. A great great AsA to washingcities. up!American Wherefew a canin so we findalready a is houseIt -

of a whole district and spares the lighting of fires. wifefires. of who haslighting notthe a horrorspares and of this longdistrict andwhole a dirtyof

heating apparatus that sends heat into each room work,room thateach isinto usuallyheat donesends bythat hand, solelyapparatus becauseheating

To the future, on the contrary, belongs the common the workcommon the of the domesticbelongs slavecontrary, the is ofon no account.future, the To

third for washing linen, and so on, in each house. house. In Americaeach in on, they so doand better.linen, There arewashing alreadyfor third a

ing machine, a machine for washing up plates, a a numberplates, ofup cities inwashing whichfor hot watermachine a is conveyedmachine, ing to

thebrush housesa have as not cold watershall we is infuture Europe.the in Underfact, In these

conditions the problemseparately. did was athey simplewhat one, andcommon in a

they begin to associate with other households to do do womanto —Mrs. households Cochraneother —with solved it.associate to Her machinebegin they

are emerging from their present state of isolation; washesisolation; twelveof state dozen platespresent their or dishes,from wipesemerging themare

brought about by small machines only. Households and driesHouseholds them,only. in less thanmachines threesmall by minutes.about A factobrought -

But emancipation from domestic toil will not be be ry innot Illinoiswill toil manufacturesdomestic from these machinesemancipation andBut sells

them at a price within reachduties. and of the averagepatents, sale, middle-ture,

class purse.manufac Andmaterial, whyraw shouldland, noton small householdsspeculated have

gentlemen who wish to live in grand style and who sendwho and their style crockery grand in to anlive to establishment wish who as wellgentlemen as

orbitant tax is levied upon every machine by the theirthe by boots? machine It is evenevery probableupon levied that is thetax two funcorbitant -

are not in general use, and chiefly because an ex tions,an brushingbecause andchiefly washingand use, up, will begeneral undertakenin not are

we still pay very much for them, it is because they bythey the samebecause is association.it them, for much very pay still we

Such machines cost little to manufacture. If If Cleaning,manufacture. rubbing to little the skincost off yourmachines handsSuch when

washing and wringingeffort. linen;muscular sweepingwithout them floorswork to and

of motor-power in private houses will enable people brushingpeople carpets,enable will therebyhouses raisingprivate in clouds ofmotor-power dustof

be introduced into households, and the distribution which afterwardsdistribution the and occasion muchhouseholds, troubleinto to dislodgeintroduced be

better done by machinery. Machines of all kinds will fromwill thekinds all placesof whereMachines they havemachinery. settledby done down,better all slave, but it tends to disappear as it can be infinitely this workinfinitely be is can stillit as done becausedisappear to womantends it remainsbut slave, a

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174

has beentap. a foundturn easieronly toneed haveyou one single temperature establish the - regulate

ment to which and undertakespipes; in to brushcirculates a thousandwhich water, pairshot with

of boots everyrooms all morning.and houses all supplies furnace central

It is already so in a few American cities. A great As togreat washingA cities. up! WhereAmerican canfew wea in find so a housealready -is It

wife whofires. hasof not alighting horrorthe ofspares thisand long anddistrict dirtywhole a of

work, thatroom is usuallyeach into doneheat by hand,sends that solely becauseapparatus heating

the work of common the the domestic belongs slave is ofcontrary, nothe account.on future, the To

third for washing linen, and so on, in each house. In Americahouse. each theyin doon, better.so and Therelinen, are alreadywashing for a third

number a of citiesplates, up in whichwashing hotfor water ismachine conveyed a tomachine, ing

the housesbrush a as coldhave waternot isshall inwe Europe.future Underthe in thesefact, In

conditions the problem wasseparately. a did simplethey one,what and a common in

woman do —to Mrs. Cochranehouseholds —other solved with it. Herassociate machineto begin they

washes twelveisolation; of dozen state plates orpresent dishes,their wipesfrom thememerging are

and dries them,Households in lessonly. than threemachines minutes.small by A about facto - brought

ry in Illinoisbe not manufactureswill toil thesedomestic from machines and emancipation sells But

them at a price within reach ofduties. the and average middle-patents, sale, ture,

have speculated on land, raw material, manufac material, raw land, on speculated have

class- purse. And why should not small households

send theirwho crockeryand style to angrand in establishment live to wish aswho well as gentlemen

their boots?the by It is evenmachine probableevery upon that thelevied is two tax funcorbitant

are not in general use, and chiefly because an ex an because chiefly and use, general in not are

tions,- brushing and washing up, will be undertaken

by the samethey association.because is it them, for much very pay still we

Such machines cost little to manufacture. If Cleaning,If rubbingmanufacture. theto skinlittle off cost your handsmachines whenSuch

washing and wringingeffort. linen; sweepingmuscular without floors them and work to

brushing people carpets, enable therebywill raisinghouses private clouds in of dust motor-power of

which afterwardsdistribution occasionthe and much troublehouseholds, into to dislodge introduced be

from thewill placeskinds all whereof theyMachines have settledmachinery. down,by done all better this work isinfinitely stillbe donecan it as because womandisappear to remainstends it but a slave,

10 agreeable work

176

woman. —

And should you care to have a blazing fire in drudge any

which they have put on the shoulders of that particularthat of roomshoulders youthe can on lightput the gashave speciallythey supwhich -

” arrangements, kitchen those of “

plied for heating purposes from a centralthink to reservoir.dignity

and consider it beneath their superior masculine All the masculine immense superior worktheir of cleaningbeneath it chimneysconsider andand

cluded woman in their dream of emancipation, keeping upemancipation, firesof —anddream womantheir in knows whatwoman timecluded it

who want to emancipate mankind have not in takes not —is disappearing.have mankind emancipate to want who

time at what pertains to cooking? Because those those Candles,Because lamps, andcooking? evento gas havepertains hadwhat theirat day.time

three or four servants obliged to spend so much Theremuch so are entirespend to cities obliged in which servants it is four sufficient or three to

count? Why in every family are the mother and pressand a buttonmother the for are light tofamily burst forth,every in and,Why indeed,count? it

- ac any of been never work s ’

is a simple question of economy andwoman of knowledgehas Why to

give yourselfto. theable luxuryare you of as electric light.beautifully as And it lastly,nize

have a single kitchen with a single fire and orga also and in America, fire they single a speak with of forming kitchen societies single a have for

to your taste if you prefer a particular sauce! But theBut almostsauce! completeparticular a suppression prefer you ofif householdtaste your work.to

roasted if you are particular. Season the vegetables It wouldvegetables onlythe be necessarySeason toparticular. createare ayou departmentif roasted

vegetables? Choose your own beef or mutton to be be forto every blockmutton or of beef houses. own A cartyour wouldChoose come to eachvegetables?

suffice to cook all these pieces of meat and all these doorthese all andand takemeat the of bootspieces to bethese blacked, all cook theto crockerysuffice

fires, when two people and one single fire would would to be washedfire single up, one the linenand to people be washed,two when the smallfires,

a few cups of coffee and a simple meal! Why fifty thingsfifty Why to be meal! mended simple a (if itand were worthcoffee of while),cups few a the

fifty women waste their whole morning to prepare carpetsprepare to to be brushed,morning whole and thetheir nextwaste morningwomen wouldfifty

you like; but only think yourself, why should these bringthese backshould the why things entrustedyourself, think to it,only all but well cleaned.like; you

at home, at your own table, with your children, if if A few hourschildren, lateryour yourwith hottable, coffeeown andyour yourat eggshome, doneat

Dine Dine ” suffice! would one where “

to a nicety would appear on your table. day, It is a factother thatthe

wrote an American woman woman American an wrote ” burn, fires Fifty

between twelve and two o’clock there are more“ than

twenty million Americans and asdishes. many Englishmendifferent dozen

which, taking all households, represents at most a a whomost eatat roast beefrepresents or mutton, boiledhouseholds, all pork,taking potatoeswhich,

million women spend their time preparing a meal andmeal a a seasonablepreparing vegetable.time their And spend at the lowestwomen figuremillion to roast this meat and cook these vegetables; eight eighteight million vegetables; fires these burn cook duringand twomeat or this threeroast hoursto

10 agreeable work

176

woman. —

And should you care to have a blazing fire in any drudge

particular that roomof you canshoulders lightthe on the gasput speciallyhave they sup - which

” arrangements, kitchen those of “

plied for heating purposes from a central reservoir.think to dignity

All the immensemasculine worksuperior of cleaningtheir chimneysbeneath it andconsider and

keeping up fires—emancipation, and of womandream knowstheir in what timewoman it cluded

takes—in is disappearing.not have mankind emancipate to want who

time at what pertains to cooking? Because those Candles,those lamps,Because and evencooking? gasto have hadpertains theirwhat day.at time

There aremuch entireso citiesspend to in whichobliged it is sufficientservants four or to three

press a and button formother lightthe toare burst forth,family and,every in indeed,Why it count?

- ac any of been never work s ’

is a simple question of economy and of knowledgewoman has toWhy

give yourself the luxuryto. able of are electricyou as light. Andbeautifully lastly,as it nize

also inorga America,and they fire speak single a of forming with societies kitchen single for a have

the almostBut completesauce! suppressionparticular a ofprefer householdyou if work.taste your to

It would only vegetables be necessarythe Season to createparticular. a departmentare you if roasted

for everybe to block ofmutton houses.or beef A cartown wouldyour comeChoose to each vegetables?

door andthese takeall theand bootsmeat of to be pieces blacked, these all the crockerycook to suffice

to be washedwould fire up, thesingle linenone toand be washed,people two the smallwhen fires,

things tofifty be Why mended meal! (if it simple werea and worth coffee while), of thecups few a

carpets to prepare be to brushed, morning and thewhole nexttheir morningwaste wouldwomen fifty

bring backthese the thingsshould why entrusted yourself, to it, allthink wellonly cleaned.but like; you

A few if hours laterchildren, youryour hotwith coffee table, and yourown eggsyour at done home, at

hr oe ol suffice! would one where “ day, other the Dine Dine

to a nicety ” would appear on your table. It is a fact that

wrote an American woman woman American an wrote ” burn, fires Fifty

between twelve and two o’clock there are more than “

twenty million Americans and as manydishes. Englishmendifferent dozen

who a eat roastmost at beef or mutton,represents boiled households, pork, all potatoestaking which,

and a seasonablemeal a vegetable.preparing time And their at the lowestspend figurewomen million eight millioneight fires vegetables; burn duringthese cook twoand or threemeat this hoursroast to

10 agreeable work

178

is even so with history. We know the least details of of Todetails emancipateleast the woman,know We is nothistory. onlywith toso openeven theis

have not intervened in it in some way or other. It It gatesother. of or the university,way some in theit in law courts, intervened or thenot parliahave -

lives remain ignored by newspapers if Governments ments to her,Governments if for the “emancipatednewspapers by ignored ” womanremain willlives al-

but, apart from literature, theatre, or sport, their waystheir throwsport, or her domestictheatre, toil onliterature, to anotherfrom apart woman. but,

or hate one another, work, or live on their incomes; To emancipateincomes; their on womanlive or is to work, free her fromanother, one the brutalhate or -

Three hundred and fifty million Europeans love izinglove toil ofEuropeans kitchen million and washhouse;fifty and it hundred is to organizeThree

your householdscene. the on in such appeared a wayhave as to enablepolice the if her to reartioned

hermen children,be only ifwill she be sorebellion, minded,of act an while stilldrama, retainfamily -

is because they are connected with the police. A A ing sufficientpolice. the leisurewith to takeconnected herare sharethey of socialbecause life.is

divers, a favorite column in the French papers), it it It willpapers), come.French Asthe wein have said,column thingsfavorite area alreadydivers,

(Faits (Faits ” Events Sundry “

improving. Only let us fully understandheading, a is thatthere a revowhere -

or almost nothing! Even Even nothing! almost or —

lution, intoxicated with the beautifulNothing words, prescription! Liber al -

ty, Equality,ministeri Solidarity,without develop would and notup, be agrow revolutionup, spring if

find nothing in the paper about institutions that it maintainedinstitutions about slavery paper at home.the in Half humanitynothing subfind -

done in Europe save by order of some master. You jectedYou to master. the slaverysome of of order the by hearthsave wouldEurope stillin havedone

of the Stock Exchange transactions, nothing gets togets rebel againstnothing the othertransactions, half. Exchange Stock the of reading it, would believe that, with the exception exception the with that, believe would it, reading

and to political jobbery. A man from another world, world, another from man A jobbery. political to and

are entirely devoted to Government transactions transactions Government to devoted entirely are

If you open a daily paper you find that its pages pages its that find you CHAPTERpaper XIdaily a open you If

FREEtutelage. AGREEMENTgovernmental under achieved

law, and attain results infinitely superior to those I those to superior infinitely results attain and law,

themselves freely, without any intervention of the Accustomedthe of as weintervention areany by hereditywithout freely, prejudices andthemselves

and thousands of human groupings which form ourform unsoundwhich educationgroupings andhuman training of to representthousands and

tion. And with our eyes shut we pass by thousands ourselvesthousands by the beneficialpass we shut handeyes ofour Government,with And tion. leg-

islationrevolu a and magistracyduring everywhere,overthrown were we haveauthority come if eye off him; that absolute chaos would come about to about believe come that would man wouldchaos tearabsolute histhat fellow-manhim; off eye to pieces like a wild beast the day the police took his 11 free agreement

178

is even so with history. We know the least details of Toof emancipatedetails least woman,the know is notWe only history. to openwith so the even is

gates It of theother. university, or way thesome lawin it courts,in or the intervened parlia not - have

ments to her, forGovernments theif “emancipatednewspapers by ” womanignored will alremain - lives

ways throwtheir hersport, domesticor toiltheatre, on to anotherliterature, from woman. apart but,

To emancipate incomes; womantheir on is live to or free herwork, from theanother, brutalone -hate or

izing toillove of kitchenEuropeans and washhouse;million fifty and it is to organizehundred Three

your householdscene. inthe suchon a way asappeared to enablehave herpolice tothe rearif tioned

her children,men be if sheonly bewill so minded,rebellion, of whileact an still retaindrama, - family

ing sufficientA police. leisurethe towith take her shareconnected are of socialthey life. because is

divers, a favorite column in the French papers), it Itit will come.papers), As weFrench havethe in said, thingscolumn are alreadyfavorite a divers,

(Faits (Faits ” Events Sundry “

improving. Only let us fully understandheading, a thatis a revothere - where

al prescription! Nothing prescription! al or almost nothing! Even Even nothing! almost or

lution, intoxicated with the beautiful— words, Liber-

spring up, grow up, and develop without ministeri without develop and up, grow up, spring

ty, Equality,- Solidarity, would not be a revolution if

it maintained that institutions slavery about at home.paper Halfthe humanityin nothing sub - find

jected toYou the slaverymaster. ofsome theof hearthorder by wouldsave still Europe have in done

to rebel gets against thenothing other half.transactions, Exchange Stock the of reading it, would believe that, with the exception exception the with that, believe would it, reading

and to political jobbery. A man from another world, world, another from man A jobbery. political to and

are entirely devoted to Government transactions transactions Government to devoted entirely are

If you open a daily paper you find that its pages pages its that CHAPTERfind you XIpaper daily a open you If

FREE AGREEMENTtutelage. governmental under achieved

I those to superior infinitely results attain and law,

Accustomed the of as we areintervention by heredityany without prejudicesfreely, and themselves

our unsoundform educationwhich andgroupings traininghuman of to representthousands and

ourselves thethousands beneficialby pass we handshut of eyes Government, our with legAnd - tion.

if authority were overthrown during a revolu a during overthrown were authority if islation- and magistracy everywhere, we have come to believe about thatcome man wouldwould chaos tear his fellow-manabsolute that him; tooff eye pieces like a wild beast the day the police took his 11 free agreement

180

ways. A Napoleon, a Bismarck, or some potentate the lifepotentate of a kingsome or or of a parliament;Bismarck, a all goodNapoleon, A and badways.

This result might have been obtained in two speechestwo in pronouncedobtained been by have the politiciansmight result haveThis been

preserved:paper. “of speechesbit a on that have destination never its had writing the leastthan

Asia, without more formality needed for sending it it influencesending for on the voteneeded of a singleformality member,more ” aswithout an oldAsia,

tion will find its addressee anywhere, in Turkey or or parliamentarianTurkey in said.anywhere, Royal visits,addressee its the find good will or badtion

press). More than that: a parcel deposited at a sta humour a at of politicians,deposited parcel theira jokesthat: andthan intrigues,More press). are

even changing carriages (when you travel by ex all by carefully travel recordedyou (when for posterity.carriages But we changing have even the

Calais to Constantinople, without delays, without greatestwithout difficultydelays, to reconstitutewithout a cityConstantinople, of to the MiddleCalais

east to west, from Madrid to Petersburg, and from Ages,from toand understandPetersburg, theto mechanismMadrid from of thatwest, immenseto east

you can nowadays travel from north to south, from commercefrom south, to that wasnorth carriedfrom ontravel betweennowadays Hanseaticcan you

over 175,000 miles long, and that on this network cities,network or tothis knowon that how and the citylong, of Rouenmiles built175,000 itsover ca-

We know that Europe has a system of railways, thedral.railways, of If a scholarsystem a spendshas hisEurope life that in studyingknow We these

questions,them. to his return works now remainwill we unknown,and andrailways, parliationed -

mentarymen historiesalready have —we that isview to say,our of the defectivesupport In ones,

as they only treat Government. of onewith side of socialdispense to life—multiply;thought, ally

theyusu is arethan circulated,easier theymuch be are taughtwould it in schools.therefore that

part in which we only act by free agreement; and and In this wayagreement; wefree doby notact evenonly we perceive which in the propart -

remains in our life, taken as a whole, a very great digiousgreat very work,a accomplishedwhole, a as taken everylife, our day in by spontaremains -

authoritarian individualism which stifles us, there neousthere us, groupsstifles of men,which which constitutesindividualism the chiefauthoritarian

What we have to do is to show that, in spite of the workthe of of ourspite in century.that, show to is do to have we What

over, present society could not possibly give us. us. Wegive thereforepossibly not propose could to pointsociety out present someover, of

thesemore mostwhich, strikingand manifestations,followed, blindly be andmight to showwhich

But what concerns us is not to give examples how men,examples asgive soonto asnot is their us interestsconcerns do notwhat absoluteBut -

ly clash, actaim. in concert,execrable not harmoniously, if mean, a andhave performthey ten

agreements are not always perfectly free, and of collectiveand free, work of aperfectly very complexalways not nature.are agreements

facts of this kind are necessarily limited; limited; necessarily are kind this of facts —

It is evident that in present society, based ualism on

- individualindivid propertyfoolish —thattherefore and is to say, on plunder,narrow-minded, a andon

11 free agreement

180

the life of a kingpotentate or ofsome aor parliament;Bismarck, a all good andNapoleon, badA ways.

speeches two pronouncedin obtained by thebeen politicianshave might haveresult beenThis

preserved: “speechespaper. of bit that a on have never destination had its the leastwriting than

influence it on sending the for vote of needed a single member,formality more ” as an oldwithout Asia,

parliamentarian or Turkey in said. Royalanywhere, visits, theaddressee goodits orfind badwill tion

humoursta a of at politicians, deposited their jokesparcel a andthat: intrigues,than More are press).

even changing carriages (when you travel by ex by travel you (when carriages changing even

all carefully- recorded for posterity. But we have the

greatest difficultywithout todelays, reconstitutewithout a city of the Constantinople, Middleto Calais

Ages, to understandfrom and the mechanismPetersburg, to ofMadrid thatfrom immensewest, to east

commerce from thatsouth, wasto carriednorth onfrom betweentravel Hanseaticnowadays can you

cities, or to network know this howon thethat cityand of Rouenlong, builtmiles its ca175,000 - over

thedral. If a railways, scholar of spendssystem a hishas life inEurope studyingthat theseknow We

questions, histhem. to works return remainnow unknown,will we and and parliarailways, - tioned

In support of our view we have already men already have we view our of support In

mentary- histories—that is to say, the defective ones,

as they only treat of one Government. side ofwith social lifedispense —to multiply;thought, ally

that therefore it would be much easier than is usu is than easier much be would it therefore that

they- are circulated, they are taught in schools.

part in which we only act by free agreement; and In thisand way weagreement; do notfree by evenact perceiveonly we the which proin - part

digious work,great very accomplisheda whole, a as everytaken daylife, byour spontain - remains

neous groupsthere us, of men,stifles whichwhich constitutesindividualism the chief authoritarian

work ofthe ourof century.spite in that, show to is do to have we What

over, present society could not possibly give us. Weus. thereforegive proposepossibly not to could point outsociety some present of over,

which might be blindly followed, and which, more which, and followed, blindly be might which

these- most striking manifestations, and to show

how men, as examples soon give as to their not interestsis us do notconcerns absolutewhat But -

ly clash, act in concert,aim. harmoniously,execrable not if mean, and a performhave they ten

agreements are not always perfectly free, and of and free, perfectly always not are agreements

collective- work of a very complex nature.

facts of this kind are necessarily limited; limited; necessarily are kind this of facts —

It is evident that in present society, based on ualism

on a narrow-minded, and therefore foolish individ foolish therefore and narrow-minded, a on individual- property—that is to say, on plunder, and

11 free agreement

182

havingtraf the conqueredregulating Europe,for only it would were from Paris, BerGovernment, -

we can never do without a central central a without do never can we “

lin, or Rome, draw a railway map and regulatethat thepretend

So we ask the believers in the State, who hourswho ofState, thethe trains.in The Russianbelievers the Tsarask we Nicholas So I.

dreamt of such a power. When he was shownagreement. roughfree

even a directing committee! Everything is done by by draftsdone ofis railways betweenEverything Moscowcommittee! and Petersburg,directing a even

no dictator, not even a continental parliament, not henot seized a parliament, ruler and drewcontinental a on even thenot map of dictator, Russia no

ment of Railways! Nothing! No minister of railways, a straightrailways, of line betweenminister No theseNothing! two capitals,Railways! of sayment -

ing, Govern “ Here isCentral the plan.”European Andno is the roadthere wasthat is, built inzation a

straightorgani this line, in fillingthing in deep ravines,interesting most buildingthe And bridg-

”

es of a giddy height, whichit. hadenforce to bealone abandonedcan tator,

- dic ’ iron ‘

a few years an later,with after the Government, railway central hadA costtale. aboutfairy

dred companies listen to reason! It is a Utopia, a a £120,000Utopia, a tois £150,000It perreason! to English listen mile. companies dred

will you be able to make the shareholders of a hun a Thisof is one way,shareholders butthe happilymake to thingsable be wereyou manwill -

Never Never “

aged differently.said: have Railwayswould wereThey constructedmad. or idiotic piecehim

years ago, our grandfathers would have thought by piece,thought have the pieceswould were joinedgrandfathers our together, ago, andyears

agreement. If somebody had foretold it eighty theeighty hundred it differentforetold had companies,somebody If to whom theseagreement.

the nineteenth century; and it is the result of free piecesfree of belonged,result the is graduallyit and camecentury; to an understandnineteenth the -

to, no doubt constitutes the most striking trait of of ing trait concerning striking themost arrivalthe and departureconstitutes doubt ofno theirto,

together, and the enormous traffic it has given rise rise trains, given andhas theit runningtraffic of carriagesenormous the onand their rails,together,

This immense network of railways connected from allconnected countries,railways withoutof unloadingnetwork merchandiseimmense This

as it passes from onemembers. networkrefractory to the another. against armies

to agree in the end, without invoking the help of of Allhelp thisthe was doneinvoking by without free end, agreement,the in agree by to ex-

vinced. But a common interest compelled them changethem of letterscompelled and proposals,interest common and a byBut congresses vinced.

atcon whichbe not delegateswould who met men to discussobstinate well were specifiedThere

Of course difficulties were met in the way. specialthe in points,met andwere to come to an difficulties agreement course Of about

them, but not to makerejected. laws.or Afteraccepted thebe congressto wascontract companies, not with a law, but with the draft of a a over,of thedraft the delegates with but returnedlaw, a towith theirnot respectivecompanies,

11 free agreement

182

having traf conquered the Europe,regulating for wouldonly it from were Paris, Ber- Government,

pretend that that pretend we can never do without a central central a without do never can we

lin, or Rome, draw a railway map and regulate“ the

hours ofwho the trains.State, the Thein Russianbelievers Tsarthe Nicholasask we I.So

dreamt of such a power. When he was shown roughagreement. free

drafts by of railwaysdone is betweenEverything Moscow andcommittee! Petersburg,directing a even

he seizednot a ruler andparliament, drew oncontinental thea mapeven ofnot Russia dictator, no

a straight linerailways, of betweenminister theseNo twoNothing! capitals,Railways! sayof - ment

ing, “Here Govern is the plan.Central ” And theEuropean no road is wasthere builtthat inis, a zation

And the most interesting thing in this organi this in thing interesting most the And

straight- line, filling in deep ravines, building bridg-

”

es of a giddy height, which hadit. to beenforce abandonedalone can tator,

- dic ’ iron ‘

a few years later, an afterwith the railwayGovernment, had costcentral A abouttale. fairy

£120,000 a to £150,000Utopia, a is It per Englishreason! to mile.listen companies dred

will you be able to make the shareholders of a hun a of shareholders the make to able be you will

- This is one way, but happily things were man-

him idiotic or mad. They would have said: said: have would They mad. or idiotic him Never Never

aged differently.“ Railways were constructed piece

by piece, thethought pieceshave werewould joined together,grandfathers our andago, years

the hundredeighty it different foretold companies,had to whomsomebody If these agreement.

pieces belonged,free of result graduallythe is it cameand to ancentury; understandnineteenth - the

ing concerningof trait thestriking arrivalmost andthe departureconstitutes of theirdoubt no to,

trains, rise and thegiven has running it oftraffic carriagesenormous on the theirand rails, together,

from all countries,connected withoutrailways of unloadingnetwork merchandiseimmense This

as it passes from one networkmembers. to another.refractory the against armies

to agree in the end, without invoking the help of Allof thishelp wasthe done byinvoking free agreement,without end, the byin ex-agree to

change ofthem letters andcompelled proposals,interest and bycommon congresses a But vinced.

There were obstinate men who would not be con be not would who men obstinate were There

at which- delegates met to discuss well specified

specialway. the points, in andmet to comewere to an agreement difficulties about course Of

them, but not to make laws.rejected. Afteror the congressaccepted be to was contract over, a theof delegatesdraft the returnedwith but law, to a theirwith respectivenot companies,

11 free agreement

184

fic,” depreci we to ask not them: as so “ But how doaccidents, Europeanrailway railwaysmention

railway magnates as far as to forbid the Press to to managePress withoutthe forbid them?to as Howfar as do they continuemagnates railway to

in Russia), has it not extended the privilege of the conveythe of millionsprivilege the of travellersextended andnot it mountainshas Russia), of lugin -

during the first trials (quite lately we saw it still it gagesaw acrosswe a continent?lately (quite If companiestrials first owning the railduring -

sent its soldiers against railwaymen on strike? And waysAnd havestrike? beenon able to railwaymen agree, whyagainst shouldsoldiers its railwaysent

it not created concessions, guarantees? Has it not workers,not it Has who wouldguarantees? take possessionconcessions, ofcreated railways,not it

. Has Has . today

not agree likewise?possess they And if which theus Petersburg-Warsawupon rights those

has given to the companies that monopoly and Companyand andmonopoly thatthat of Paris-Belfortcompanies the canto actgiven in harhas -

precisely the State, the would-be benefactor, that mony,that withoutbenefactor, giving themselveswould-be the State, thethe luxury ofprecisely a

these abuses of power will be perpetuated? It is is commonIt commander,perpetuated? be why,will in power the of midst abuses of ourthese so-

over again, that as long as there are capitalists, cieties, capitalists, consisting are there of groupsas long ofas free that workers, again, shouldover

But have we not said and repeated over and weand needover a Government?repeated and ”said not we have But ” public! the and workers the tect

IIpro to intervene should State the that is, way only

and ill-use their employees and the travellers! The WhenThe we endeavourtravellers! the and to proveemployees by examplestheir ill-use thatand

Do you not see how the railway companies oppress oppress companies railway the how see not you Do

even today, in spite of the iniquitous organization“

the worshippers of the bourgeois State, to say to us: us: ofto societysay to as a State, whole, men,bourgeois providedthe of their interestsworshippers the

among the railway companies, we expect them, bethem, not diametricallyexpect we opposed,companies, agreerailway withoutthe theamong in-

When we speak of the accord established terventionestablished of authority,accord the weof do notspeak ignorewe theWhen objec-

continue to exist. to continue —

tions that will be putState forth. the by created artificially

vate capital and poverty, two-thirds of which are are All which such of examplestwo-thirds have theirpoverty, defectiveand capital side, vate be-

pri- —

cause it iscauses impossibleprimal the to quotewhile a single organizationexploitation to end

They forget to prove us that it is possible to put an an exemptput to from thepossible is exploitationit that us ofprove theto weakforget by theThey

proletarians and delivering them up to exploiters. strong,exploiters. the to poorup by them the rich. Thisdelivering isand why the Statistsproletarians

tributed towards the existing order by creating will notcreating failby to tellorder us withexisting theirthe wontedtowards logic: “Youtributed

seecon thathas theitself interventionState the ofextent the Statewhat to isus necessarytell not Only they forget the lessons of history; they do do to putthey an endhistory; toof this exploitation!lessons the forget ” they Only

11 free agreement

184

fic,” we askdepreci them:to not “ Butas howso do Europeanaccidents, railwaysrailway mention

manage to withoutPress the them?forbid Howto as dofar theyas continuemagnates to railway

convey the millionsof of privilege travellers the andextended mountainsnot it has of lug-Russia), in

gage still it acrosssaw we a continent? lately If companies(quite trials owning first the rail - during

ways haveAnd beenstrike? ableon to agree,railwaymen why shouldagainst railwaysoldiers its sent

workers, not it whoHas would takeguarantees? possession ofconcessions, railways,created not it

those rights upon us which they possess possess they which us upon rights those . Has Has .

not agree likewise?today And if the Petersburg-Warsaw

Company and and thatmonopoly of Paris-Belfortthat companies can the act to in hargiven - has

mony, withoutthat givingbenefactor, themselveswould-be the the luxuryState, the of a precisely

common is It commander,perpetuated? why,be inwill the midstpower of of ourabuses so - these

cieties, consistingcapitalists, are of groupsthere as of freelong workers,as that shouldagain, over

we needand a Government?over repeated ” and said not we have But tect the workers and the public! the and workers the tect ”

only way is, that the State should intervene to pro to intervene should State the that is, way only

II -

When weThe endeavourtravellers! the to proveand by examplesemployees their thatill-use and

Do you not see how the railway companies oppress oppress companies railway the how see not you Do

even today, in spite of the iniquitous organization “

of society us: to as say a whole,to State, men, providedbourgeois the theirof interestsworshippers the

be not diametricallythem, expect we opposed, agreecompanies, withoutrailway thethe inamong

tervention of authority,established accord we dothe notof ignorespeak thewe objecWhen -

continue to exist. to continue —

tions that will be put forth.State the by created artificially

vate capital and poverty, two-thirds of which are Allare such exampleswhich of have two-thirds their defectivepoverty, and side, becapital - vate

end to exploitation while the primal causes primal the while exploitation to end pri-

cause it is— impossible to quote a single organization

exempt an fromput to the exploitationpossible is it that ofus the weakprove to by theforget They

strong, the poorexploiters. to by theup rich.them This is whydelivering theand Statists proletarians

will not fail creating to tellby us withorder theirexisting wonted the logic:towards “You tributed

not tell us to what extent the State itself has con has itself State the extent what to us tell not

see - that the intervention of the State is necessary to put do an endthey to thishistory; exploitation!of lessons the ” forget they Only

11 free agreement

186

its competitors by cheap fares, it is often enabled to to ate theenabled sharesoften is it it guaranteed?fares, cheap Hasby it not favouredcompetitors its

that concerns railroads. Thus, if a company ruins theruins monopolycompany a whichif hasThus, anointedrailroads. the Vanderbiltsconcerns that

scandalous fraudulency has crept into everything and theeverything Polyakoffs, into crept thehas directors of fraudulency the P.L.M., thescandalous

authoritarians hold up to us as an ideal, the most C.P.R.,most the the St.ideal, Gothard,an as us “to the up kingshold of our days”? authoritarians

In the United States, in the Democracy that that Therefore,Democracy if the we in give asStates, an exampleUnited the theIn tacit

agreementmore. earn comehim tomake to between best railwaytheir do will companies, ministers, it

puts capital in a railway, his faithful subjects, the isthe by no meanssubjects, asfaithful anhis ideal of railway, economical a in capital manage puts -

When Rothschild, creditor to all European States, ment,States, nor evenEuropean anall idealto of technicalcreditor organization.Rothschild, When

play to forward the interests of wealthy financiers. It is to financiers. show thatwealthy of if capitalists,interests the withoutforward anyto otherplay

tional Mail monopoly, everything was brought into aiminto thanbrought thatwas of augmentingeverything theirmonopoly, dividendsMail tional at

otherInterna peoplethe ’s expense,received which can exploitcompanies railwayslines, sucdized -

cessfullysubsi lines, without Strategic establishing same. the an Internationalexactly did lation De-

partment,legis —Railway societiessalary. of workingwhat matter menno willfor be ablework to to

dustrial employers battalions of men, compelled do it justcompelled as men, well, of and evenbattalions better, withoutemployers nomidustrial -

peasant to poverty, and deliver over to wealthy in nating awealthy Ministryto over of Europeandeliver and railways.poverty, to peasant

in its power to ruin the small industries, drive the the Anotherdrive objectionindustries, issmall raisedthe thatruin to is morepower seriousits in

shown long since how English legislation did all all at firstdid sight. legislation We may beEnglish toldhow that thesince agreementlong shown we

The early English and French Socialists have speakhave of is notSocialists perfectlyFrench and free, thatEnglish the largeearly The compa-

nies ones. lay downsmall the law tooppress the smallcompanies ones.large It mightthe that be

to monopoly created by the State in their favour, mentioned,favour, their forin example,State the thatby a certaincreated rich Germanmonopoly to

is also owing to the support given them by the State, company,State, the by supportedthem given by thesupport State,the to compelowing travelalso is -

But oppression does not result from Capital only. It It lers only. who goCapital fromfrom Berlinresult to Bâlenot todoes pass via Cologneoppression But

exists, the Greater Capital will oppress the lesser. andlesser. Frankfort,the insteadoppress will of takingCapital theGreater Leipzig the route;exists,

Our answer will be the same: As long as Capital or thatCapital as suchlong aAs companysame: the carriesbe will goodsanswer a hundredOur

and thirty milesVanderbilt. in a aof roundaboutpocket the wayinto (onflow a longmay

travel impossibly circuitous routes so that dollars distance)dollars that toso favour routes its influentialcircuitous shareholders,impossibly travel and travellers and goods are sometimes compelled to to thus ruinscompelled the secondarysometimes lines.are Ingoods the and United Statestravellers

11 free agreement

186

ate theto sharesenabled it guaranteed?often is it fares, Has itcheap notby favoured competitors its

the monopolyruins whichcompany a hasif anointedThus, the Vanderbiltsrailroads. concerns that

and the Polyakoffs,everything into the directorscrept has of the P.L.M.,fraudulency the scandalous

C.P.R., themost St.the Gothard,ideal, an “theas us kings to up of ourhold days”? authoritarians

In the United States, in the Democracy that Therefore,that if weDemocracy givethe asin an exampleStates, theUnited tacitthe In

agreementmore. comeearn tohim betweenmake to railwaybest their companies,do will it ministers,

is by nothe means subjects, as an idealfaithful ofhis economicalrailway, a in managecapital - puts

ment, norStates, even an idealEuropean all ofto technicalcreditor organization.Rothschild, When

It is to show financiers. that if capitalists,wealthy of withoutinterests the any otherforward to play

aim thaninto that ofbrought augmentingwas everything their dividendsmonopoly, Mail at tional

dized lines, companies which received the Interna the received which companies lines, dized

other- people’s expense, can exploit railways suc-

cessfullysubsi withoutlines, establishingStrategic ansame. Internationalthe exactly did De - lation

to work for no matter what salary. Railway legis Railway salary. what matter no for work to

partment,- —societies of working men will be able to

do it just as well,compelled andmen, of even better,battalions without employers nomi - dustrial

peasant to poverty, and deliver over to wealthy in wealthy to over deliver and poverty, to peasant

nating- a Ministry of European railways.

in its power to ruin the small industries, drive the Anotherthe drive objection isindustries, raisedsmall thatthe is moreruin to seriouspower its in

at first all sight.did We may legislation be told thatEnglish thehow agreementsince long we shown

speak ofhave is not perfectlySocialists free,French thatand the largeEnglish compaearly The -

nies lay downones. thesmall lawthe to the smalloppress ones. Itcompanies mightlarge bethe that

mentioned, favour, for example,their in State that the a certainby richcreated German monopoly to

company, State, supportedthe by them by thegiven State,support compelthe to travelowing - also is

lers whoIt goonly. from BerlinCapital from to Bâleresult tonot passdoes via Cologneoppression But

and Frankfort,lesser. the insteadoppress of takingwill theCapital LeipzigGreater route;the exists,

or that suchCapital as a companylong As carriessame: the goodsbe will a hundredanswer Our

and thirty miles in a roundaboutVanderbilt. a of pocket way the (on into a longflow may

distance) todollars favourthat so its influentialroutes shareholders,circuitous impossibly and travel thus ruinsto the secondarycompelled lines.sometimes Inare the Unitedgoods and States travellers

11 free agreement

188

ernment can be very well dispensed with here as as do sohere becausewith it is reimburseddispensed well byvery landbe givencan to iternment by

theGov Statethat for a gratuity.demonstrated Documentsagain has life recentlyreal But pub-

”

lished concerning the AmericanGovernment? wheatthe not tradeif havetraffic

have to stand by. Who, then, would regulate the fullythe shownregulate up thewould partthen, playedWho, byby. the stand State to in thehave

while wheat, needed in another commune, would exploitationwould ofcommune, the weakanother in by the strong.needed Here,wheat, too,while

perhaps block the canal in order to carry stones, thestones, powercarry ofto accumulatedorder in canal capital the hasblock increasedperhaps

to make their barges pass before others, they might tenfoldmight they and a hundredfoldothers, before pass by meansbarges oftheir Statemake help.to

a certain commune, or a group of communes, want Sowant that, whencommunes, weof see group syndicatesa or of railwaycommune, certain com a -

Should Should “

panies (a productinstance: for of freesaid, be agreement)might it Still, succeedingfanciful.

Let us confess the supposition to be somewhat in protectingsomewhat be to their smallsupposition companiesthe confess againstus Let big

”

ones, wereason? to are him astonishedforce will at who the intrinsicboats, of forcethousands of

to put his barge across a canal and obstruct obstruct and canal a across barge his put to ’

free agreement that can hold its own against rades all-

com- ‘

powerful CapitalAnarchist favouredyour of one byof the State.mind the enter it

ulation of canal traffic in the future society? Should Should It is a factsociety? thatfuture little the companiesin traffic exist,canal of in spiteulation of

- reg the undertake will then, Who, “

the State’s partiality. If in France, land of centralizaSocialists: loving -

tion,State- of we only writings see the fivein orread six not large we companies,have often thereHow are more than a hundred and ten in Great BritainIII

who agree remarkably well, and who are certainly

better organized for the rapid transitstay. to of travellerscome has

timidly introduced into the customs of Europe, but andbut goodsEurope, thanof the Frenchcustoms the andinto German companies.introduced timidly

parliamentarian. It is an innovation that has been been Moreover,has that that isinnovation notan is theIt question. Largeparliamentarian.

principle, monarchical or republican, absolute or or Capital, absolute favoured byrepublican, the or State, can always,monarchical if itprinciple, be

ple that differs completely from all governmental to its advantage,governmental all crushfrom the lessercompletely one.differs Whatthat isple of

importanceprinci new a is to It us is this: Theconstituents. agreementtheir to betweenlaws, not

discuss among themselves, and submit proposals, hundredsproposals, of capitalistsubmit and companiesthemselves, to whomamong the raildiscuss -

means of congresses composed of delegates, who wayswho of Europedelegates, of belong, composed was establishedcongresses of withoutmeans the law to the divers societies; it has subsisted by by interventionsubsisted has of it a central societies; government divers the toto laylaw downthe

11 free agreement

188

do so as because here it iswith reimburseddispensed bywell landvery givenbe tocan it by ernment

the StateGov forthat a gratuity. Documentsdemonstrated again has recently life real pubBut -

”

lished concerning the American wheatGovernment? tradethe not haveif traffic

fully shownthe up theregulate partwould playedthen, by theWho, by. State instand theto have

exploitation would of the weakcommune, by theanother in strong.needed Here, too,wheat, while

the powerstones, of accumulatedcarry to order in capital canal hasthe increasedblock perhaps

tenfold andmight a they hundredfold others, bybefore meanspass of barges State their help. make to

So that, want when we seecommunes, of syndicatesgroup a or of railwaycommune, com- certain a

fanciful. Still, it might be said, for instance: instance: for said, be might it Still, fanciful. Should Should

panies (a product“ of free agreement) succeeding

in protecting somewhat theirbe to small companiessupposition the againstconfess us bigLet

”

ones, we arereason? astonishedto him force at thewill intrinsicwho boats, forceof of thousands

to put his barge across a canal and obstruct obstruct and canal a across barge his put to ’

free agreement that can hold its own against all- rades

it enter the mind of one of your Anarchist Anarchist your of one of mind the enter it com-

powerful‘ Capital favoured by the State.

ulation of canal traffic in the future society? Should It is aShould fact thatsociety? little companiesfuture the in exist,traffic in spitecanal of of ulation

Who, then, will undertake the reg the undertake will then, Who, “ Socialists: loving

the - State’s partiality. If in France, land of centraliza-

tion, we State- only of see fivewritings orthe sixin largeread companies,not we have thereoften How are more than a hundred and ten in Great Britain III

who agree remarkably well, and who are certainly

better organized for the rapid transit of travellersstay. to come has

and goodsbut thanEurope, theof Frenchcustoms andthe Germaninto companies.introduced timidly

parliamentarian. It is an innovation that has been Moreover,been has thatthat is not innovation thean is question. It Large parliamentarian.

Capital, or favouredabsolute by the State,republican, or can always, monarchical if it be principle,

to its advantage, governmental crush all thefrom lesser one.completely Whatdiffers is ofthat ple

not laws, to their constituents. It is a new princi new a is It constituents. their to laws, not

importance- to us is this: The agreement between

hundreds of capitalistproposals, submit companiesand to whomthemselves, theamong raildiscuss

ways ofwho Europe belong,delegates, of was establishedcomposed withoutcongresses of means intervention by of subsisted a centralhas it governmentsocieties; todivers laythe downto law the

11 free agreement

190

terfere with it. Let us not forget either, that these elsewhere.these that Freeeither, agreement,forget not us freeLet organization,it. with terfere re-

patronage of the State that surely did not fail to in placeto fail that not noxiousdid andsurely costlythat system,State the of and do better.patronage

nopoly, especially where it receives the precious Weprecious knowthe whatreceives canalsit meanwhere to Holland.especially Theynopoly,

aremo a its highways.become to We alsotendency knowa also how has much trafficsyndicate

too greater capital oppresses lesser. Maybe the therethe is Maybe on thelesser. canals. Whatoppresses is carriedcapital alonggreater ourtoo

It is, however, more than probable that here highroadshere that and railroadsprobable than is more transported however, is, on It canal-

boats in Holland. There you could findgovernments. with causemon to

fight,com in in ordernought tohave makeand your boatsadherents, pass beforevolunteer ing oth-

ers. recruit There freely, the up Government sprung have might reallyassociations interfereThese

certain harmony in the chassé-croisé of vessels. to keepvessels. of the traffic in chassé-croisé order. the in harmony certain

regulate traffic in the Baltic, and to bring about a a about Yet itbring is notto so.and TheBaltic, Dutch the in settled traffic matters inregulate a

sia, have also joined these syndicates, in order to to moreorder practicalin way,syndicates, long these ago, byjoined foundingalso have guilds,sia,

orRus syndicatesas well as of boatmen.Scandinavia, Theseand were Germany free associabetween -

a number of shipowners, whose sailing-vessels ply ply tions sprung fromsailing-vessels the whose very needs ofshipowners, navigation.of number Thea

coming to an international understanding. Besides, rightBesides, of way for the boatsunderstanding. was adjustedinternational an byto the ordercoming

sponding to the length of the title. They preferred of inscriptionpreferred They in atitle. navigationthe of register;length the to they hadsponding to

followcorre one sleeves, another his on in turn.stripes Nobodygold of was allowednumber a with to

Councillor of the General States Canal Navigation), get aheadNavigation), of theCanal othersStates under General pain the ofof being excludCouncillor -

s Rath (Supreme Head Head (Supreme Rath s ’

ed from the guild. None could Navigation station Canal moreStaats thaneral a

certainGen numberHaupt Ober ofan days alongappoint to theand quay; andGermany, if theto

did not wait for a great Bismarck to annex Holland ownerHolland foundannex to no goods Bismarck to carrygreat a duringfor wait thatnot time,did

Weser, the Oder, and as far as Berlin. The boatmen so muchboatmen theThe worseBerlin. foras far him; as heand had toOder, departthe withWeser,

vantages that they spread also along the Rhine, the histhe emptyRhine, bargethe along to leavealso roomspread forthey newcomers.that vantages Ob-

Moreover, these syndicates offered such great ad struction great wassuch thusoffered avoided, evensyndicates thoughthese the comMoreover, -

their business, but most of them elected to join it. it. petitionjoin to betweenelected thethem privateof most ownersbut of thebusiness, boatstheir

could adhere or not to the syndicate. That was continuedwas That to exist.syndicate. Werethe to the latternot or suppressed,adhere thecould It is unnecessary to add that the shipowners agreementshipowners wouldthe that have add beento only the moreunnecessary is cordial.It

11 free agreement

190

elsewhere. these Freethat agreement,either, forget freenot organization,us Let it. with re- terfere

patronage of the State that surely did not fail to in to fail not did surely that State the of patronage

place- that noxious and costly system, and do better.

nopoly, especially where it receives the precious We knowprecious whatthe canalsreceives meanit towhere Holland. especially They nopoly,

syndicate has also a tendency to become a mo a become to tendency a also has syndicate

are - its highways. We also know how much traffic

there isthe on theMaybe canals.lesser. What is carriedoppresses alongcapital ourgreater too

highroads here andthat railroadsprobable is than transported more on however, canal- is, It

boats in Holland. There you could find governments. cause with to mon

fight, incom orderin to nought make have yourand boats passadherents, before othvolunteer - ing

These associations have sprung up freely, recruit freely, up sprung have associations These

ers.- There the Government might really interfere

to keep thevessels. trafficof in order. chassé-croisé the in harmony certain

regulate traffic in the Baltic, and to bring about a a Yet it about is not bring so. to Theand DutchBaltic, settled the in matterstraffic in a regulate

more to practical order in way, long syndicates, ago, bythese foundingjoined also guilds, have sia,

between Germany and Scandinavia, as well as Rus as well as Scandinavia, and Germany between

or syndicates- of boatmen. These were free associa-

tions sprungply from thesailing-vessels very needswhose of navigation.shipowners, of The number a

right of wayBesides, for the boats wasunderstanding. adjusted byinternational thean orderto coming

of inscription preferred in a They navigation title. the register;of length theythe to had to sponding

with a number of gold stripes on his sleeves, corre sleeves, his on stripes gold of number a with

follow- one another in turn. Nobody was allowed to

get ahead of theNavigation), othersCanal underStates pain ofGeneral beingthe of exclud- Councillor

s Rath (Supreme Head Head (Supreme Rath s ’

ed from the guild. None could stationNavigation moreCanal than Staats a eral

to Germany, and to appoint an Ober Haupt Gen Haupt Ober an appoint to and Germany, to

certain- number of days along the quay; and if the

owner foundHolland no goodsannex to to carryBismarck duringgreat a thatfor time,wait not did

so much theboatmen worseThe for him;Berlin. as hefar hadas toand departOder, withthe Weser,

his emptythe bargeRhine, tothe leavealong roomalso for spread newcomers. they that Ob- vantages

Moreover, these syndicates offered such great ad great such offered syndicates these Moreover,

struction- was thus avoided, even though the com-

petition it. betweenjoin to theelected privatethem of ownersmost ofbut the boatsbusiness, their

continued was toThat exist. Weresyndicate. thethe latter to suppressed,not or adhere the could agreement wouldshipowners havethe beenthat add only to the more cordial.unnecessary is It

11 free agreement

192

their enterprise to a successful issue they must have syndicateshave must representthey issue associationssuccessful a to whose membersenterprise their

the Government. They understood that to bring havebring to only that private interestsunderstood atThey stake, and thatGovernment. ifthe at

These men, not being Jacobins, did not turn to to the sameturn not timedid each shipownerJacobins, being werenot compelledmen, These —by

the socializinguse. of be of production,could they consumption,wherever coasts, andthe

constructing boats, and for stationing them along exchangealong them —to belongstationing tofor federatedand Communes,boats, orconstructing to

in their venture, to collect the necessary funds for for a hundredfunds othernecessary associationsthe collect to for the satisfyingventure, their in of

sizing, and they set to work to interest the public hispublic needs,the thingsinterest wouldto work have to aset differentthey and aspect.sizing, A

groupcap or of shipowners,pieces to torn powerfulbeing without on sea,storm a would feelweather

tors themselves, they invented a lifeboat that could weakcould onthat land, andlifeboat a they wouldinvented they be obliged tothemselves, lessentors

theirnaviga claimsand in sailors order good to comeBeing to termswheel. the withto railders -

ways,shoul factories,their put and goodwill other of groups.men few a end this To

At any rate, withoutyear. every discussingsaved be to thelives future,man

remains a thousand ships and several thousand hu here is anotherthousand spontaneousseveral and ships associationthousand a that hasremains

warnings have diminished them greatly, but there dispensedthere but withgreatly, Government.them Letdiminished us have quote morewarnings

alties. Lighthouses, signals, charts, meteorological examples. meteorological charts, signals, Lighthouses, alties.

done something to diminish the number of casu Asof we arenumber talking the of shipsdiminish andto boats, letsomething us mendone -

No doubt the State and men of science have tionhave one ofscience theof mostmen splendidand State organizationsthe doubt No that

the nineteenth century has brought forth,distress. in onecrews of

ism, displayed by woman as well as by man, to save thosesave to we man, mayby as with well rightas be proudwoman by of—the displayed Englishism,

Lifeboathero of Association.legends its has shore sea the along hamlet

too often finding a watery grave themselves. Every Every It is knownthemselves. thatgrave everywatery year a morefinding than often a thoutoo -

and went to the rescue of shipwrecked sailors, only sandonly shipssailors, are wreckedshipwrecked onof the shoresrescue the ofto England.went and At

Seeing a ship in distress, they launched their boats seaboats a goodtheir ship seldomlaunched they fears a storm.distress, in Itship isa near theSeeing

their cargoes, they always strove to save the crew. coastscrew. the thatsave danger to threatensstrove always —roughthey seas thatcargoes, shattheir -

der to attract vessels on to reefs, in order to plunder ter herplunder to stern-post,order in squallsreefs, to on that carryvessels off herattract to mastsder

among inhabitants of the coasts to light fires in or andin sails,fires currentslight to thatcoasts renderthe of her unmanageable,inhabitants among Even in olden times, when it was a custom reefscustom anda sandwas it bankswhen on whichtimes, sheolden runs in aground.Even

11 free agreement

192

syndicates have representmust they associationsissue successful whose a to membersenterprise their

have onlybring privateto that interests atunderstood stake,They and that if atGovernment. the

the sameto timeturn not each did shipownerJacobins, werebeing compellednot men, —byThese

the socializing ofuse. production,of be could consumption,they wherever andcoasts, the

exchange along —to belongthem to federatedstationing for Communes,and boats, or to constructing

a hundred for otherfunds associationsnecessary the for collect the to satisfyingventure, of their in

his needs,public thingsthe wouldinterest haveto awork differentto set aspect.they and A sizing,

group ofcap or shipowners, pieces to powerfultorn being on sea,without wouldstorm a feel weather

weak on could land, that and theylifeboat a would beinvented obligedthey to lessenthemselves, tors

their claimsnaviga inand order sailors to comegood to Being terms wheel. with the railto - ders

ways, factories,shoul their andput other groups.goodwill of men few a end this To

At any rate, withoutyear. discussingevery saved thebe to future, lives man

remains a thousand ships and several thousand hu thousand several and ships thousand a remains

hereis another spontaneous association that has

dispensed there withbut Government.greatly, them Let us quotediminished have more warnings

examples. meteorological charts, signals, Lighthouses, alties.

done something to diminish the number of casu of number the diminish to something done

- As we are talking of ships and boats, let us men-

tion onehave of the science most of splendidmen and organizationsState the doubt that No

the nineteenth century has brought forth, onedistress. in of crews

those wesave mayto withman, by rightas bewell as proud ofwoman —by the Englishdisplayed ism,

hamlet along the sea shore has its legends of hero of legends its has shore sea the along hamlet

Lifeboat- Association.

too often finding a watery grave themselves. Every It isEvery known that themselves. every grave year morewatery a than afinding thouoften - too

sand shipsonly are wreckedsailors, on theshipwrecked shoresof ofrescue England.the to Atwent and

sea a goodboats shiptheir seldom fearslaunched they a storm. distress, It isin nearship a the Seeing

coasts thatcrew. dangerthe save threatensto strove —roughalways seasthey that shatcargoes, - their

ter her stern-post,plunder to squallsorder in thatreefs, to carryon off vessels her mastsattract to der

among inhabitants of the coasts to light fires in or in fires light to coasts the of inhabitants among

and- sails, currents that render her unmanageable, reefs and sandcustom a bankswas it on whichwhen shetimes, runs aground.olden in Even

11 free agreement

194

the co-operation,interferes. thewise enthusiasm,no in the local correspondence, knowl for -

The Central Committee, which is more of a centre edge,centre a andof especiallymore is thewhich self-sacrificeCommittee, of Central theThe local

lifeboatmen, and people interested in the work. sailors.work. the They in also understoodinterested people that and to find men lifeboatmen, who

cally, and are composed exclusively of volunteers, at the firstvolunteers, of signal wouldexclusively launch theircomposed are boatand at night,cally,

in a chaoshierarchi of waves,organized notnot sufferingare groups themselveslocal and totees be

deterredcommit of by darknesshundreds orthese breakers,that andrepeat us strugglingLet

five, six, ten hoursscience. of againstmen by the tide predicted before reachingweather of

warns the parties concerned of the sudden changes a vesselchanges in distresssudden the of — men readyconcerned to riskparties theirthe liveswarns

shops. It propagates meteorological knowledge, and toand save thoseknowledge, of others—theremeteorological must be propagates a It feelingshops. of

price three times less than their sale price in private solidarity,private in a price spirit sale of sacrificetheir than less not to times be boughtthree price with

the fishermen and sailors excellent barometers at a a at galloon. It barometers was thereforeexcellent a sailors perfectly and spontaneousfishermen the

us note that every year the Association sends to to movement,sends sprungAssociation fromthe agreementyear every andthat individualnote us

tion of twenty additional boats. As we proceed, let let initiative.proceed, Hundredswe As ofboats. local groupsadditional arosetwenty alongof thetion

coasts.construc Thethe initiatorsin hadresulted the commonagitation the sensesand notgroups, to

tered their names, organized themselves into local poselocal asinto masters. Theythemselves looked organized for sagacitynames, intheir the fishtered -

ing perished at sea, hundreds of new volunteers en ermen’s hamlets,volunteers new andof when hundreds a richsea, at man sentperished £1,000ing

tohav a villagemen their on all the coastwith to erectlifeboats a three lifeboat 1886, In station,

and hisbeings. offer washuman accepted,32,671 saved he has leftit the choicefoundation ofits a

saved 601 shipwrecked sailors and 33 vessels. Since siteSince to the vessels. local 33 fishermenand sailors and sailors.shipwrecked 601 saved

sociation possessed 293 lifeboats. The same year it it year Modelssame ofThe new boatslifeboats. were293 not submittedpossessed to thesociation

As to the results, here they are: In 1891 the As Admiralty. the 1891 WeIn readare: inthey a Reporthere ofresults, thethe Association:to As

“As it is of importance that life-boatmen shouldsubscriptions.

in a year they may receive £40,000 in spontaneous have full spontaneous confidence in £40,000 in thereceive may vessel they theyyear a man,in the

Moreover, they ask nothing of the ratepayers, and Committeeand willratepayers, makethe of a pointnothing ofask constructingthey andMoreover,

Oh, Anarchists! Anarchists! Oh, —

equipping the boats accordingagreement! and to theaid life-boatmutual -

organizing in committees and local groups; by by men ’s expressedgroups; local wish.and ” In consequencecommittees in every yearorganizing The work is wholly conducted by volunteers brings withvolunteers by it new improvements.conducted wholly is work The

11 free agreement

194

the co-operation, the enthusiasm,interferes. wise no in the local knowlcorrespondence, - for

edge, andcentre especiallya of more theis self-sacrificewhich ofCommittee, the Central local The

sailors. Theywork. the also in understoodinterested that topeople findand men who lifeboatmen,

at the first signalvolunteers, of would launchexclusively their boatcomposed are at night,and cally,

tees and local groups are not organized hierarchi organized not are groups local and tees

in a- chaos of waves, not suffering themselves to be

deterred bycommit darknessof orhundreds breakers,these that and strugglingrepeat us Let

five, six, ten hours againstscience. of themen tideby before predicted reaching weather of

a vessel in changes distress sudden — menthe of ready to riskconcerned theirparties livesthe warns

to save and those of othersknowledge, —there mustmeteorological be a feelingpropagates It of shops.

solidarity, private a spiritin ofprice sacrificesale their notthan to less be boughttimes withthree price

galloon. a at It was thereforebarometers aexcellent perfectly sailors spontaneousand fishermen the

movement, to sends sprung fromAssociation agreement the year and every individual that note us

initiative. let Hundredsproceed, we ofAs local groupsboats. aroseadditional alongtwenty theof tion

groups, and the agitation resulted in the construc the in resulted agitation the and groups,

coasts.- The initiators had the common senses not to

pose as masters.local into They lookedthemselves for sagacityorganized innames, the fishtheir - tered

ing perished at sea, hundreds of new volunteers en volunteers new of hundreds sea, at perished ing

ermen- ’s hamlets, and when a rich man sent £1,000

In 1886, three lifeboats with all their men hav men their all with lifeboats three 1886, In

to a- village on the coast to erect a lifeboat station,

and his offerbeings. was accepted,human 32,671 he leftsaved thehas it choice of a foundation its

site to theSince local fishermenvessels. 33 and and sailors sailors. shipwrecked 601 saved

sociation possessed 293 lifeboats. The same year it Modelsit year of newsame boatsThe were lifeboats. not 293 submitted possessed to the sociation

As to the results, here they are: In 1891 the As the 1891 In are: they here results, the to As

Admiralty.- We read in a Report of the Association:

“As it is of importance that life-boatmen should subscriptions.

have full confidencespontaneous in in £40,000 the vesselreceive may theythey man,year thea in

Committee and will makeratepayers, athe pointof of constructingnothing ask they and Moreover,

Oh, Anarchists! Anarchists! Oh, —

equipping the boats according agreement! to theand life-boataid - mutual

men ’sby expressed groups; wish.local ” Inand consequencecommittees everyin year organizing brings with it newvolunteers by improvements.conducted wholly is work The

11 free agreement

196

predictions were realized. The devotion of the the of It is true devotion that The when a realized. voting were on some quespredictions -

ble of ruling the world with a rod, none of their tiontheir of of educationnone rod, a or localwith taxationworld the takesruling placeof ble in

a capa district, ones theseonly committeesthe be to of the themselves National Lifebelieving -

s courage, good sense, and intelligence, and and intelligence, and sense, good courage, s ’

boat Association do not, as such, take part in themen

As to the prophets ever ready to deny other deliberationsother deny to —a modesty,ready ever which unfortunatelyprophets the to As the

members of elected bodiesperformed. do notwork imitate.the of But,mensity on

Moynier, and you will be really struck by the im the the other by hand,struck thesereally bravebe menwill doyou notand allow thoseMoynier,

the war! Only consult La Croix Rouge, by Gustave who Gustave have by neverRouge, facedCroix a stormLa to consult legislate Only forwar! themthe

to help in the tillage of departments devastated by by about savingdevastated life. At the departments first of signaltillage ofthe distressin help theyto

draught, even steam-ploughs with their attendants rush to attendants their their boats, with and go ahead.steam-ploughs Thereeven are no draught, em-

voys of food, clothing, tools, grain to sow, beasts of of broideredbeasts uniforms,sow, to grain but muchtools, goodwill.clothing, food, of voys

wounded. The English committees sent entire con Let entire us takesent another committees society English of theThe same kind,wounded.

and medicaments for the the for medicaments and

that of the Red Cross. The namelinen, mattersprovisions, little; lances, let

us ambu examine it.carrying started were trains organized;

es. Thousands of hospitals and ambulances were were Imagine somebodyambulances and sayinghospitals fiftyof years ago:Thousands “Thees.

State,servic capabletheir asoffered it is of women massacringand Men twentywork. to thouset -

when the war of 1870-1 broke out, the volunteers sand menvolunteers inthe a day,out, andbroke of wounding1870-1 of fiftywar the thousandwhen

in all countries, in thousands of localities; and more,and is incapablelocalities; of of helpingthousands in its own victims;countries, all conin -

cieties organized themselves freely, everywhere, sequently,everywhere, as longfreely, as war existsthemselves privateorganized initiativecieties

Now we know what happened. Red Cross so must Cross intervene, Red and happened. men ofwhat goodwillknow we mustNow orga-

nize internationallystrain? this forin thisforth humanehold men work!heard ” Whatnot

equalled by the number of speakers. Who of us has mockeryhas us of wouldWho not havespeakers. of met thenumber manthe by who wouldequalled

Such disheartening remarks would have only been havebeen daredonly tohave speakwould thus! Toremarks begin with, hedisheartening wouldSuch

”

havehelp. beenany calledwithout adie Utopian,to soldiers and ifpoor thatthe didcause notwill si-

pians like you forget the national rivalries which lencewhich him herivalries would national havethe beenforget told:you “Whatlike nonpians -

sense!Uto Your volunteersambulances. the in will bewanting foundbe will wanting preeverything - hospitals will be centralized in a safe place, while ciselywhile whereplace, theysafe a arein most needed,centralized be yourwill volunteerhospitals

11 free agreement

196

predictions were realized. The devotion of the It isthe trueof that whendevotion The a voting realized. on somewere quespredictions

tion of educationtheir of none or localrod, a taxationwith world takes the placeruling inof ble

a district,capa theseones committeesonly the be ofto the Nationalthemselves Life- believing

s courage, good sense, and intelligence, and and intelligence, and sense, good courage, s ’

boat Association do not, as such, take part in the men

deliberations other —deny a modesty,to ready whichever unfortunatelyprophets the to the As

members of elected bodies do notperformed. imitate.work the But,of on mensity

Moynier, and you will be really struck by the im the by struck really be will you and Moynier,

the - other hand, these brave men do not allow those

who have neverGustave by faced Rouge, a stormCroix toLa legislateconsult forOnly themwar! the

about by saving life. devastated At the first signaldepartments of of distresstillage the in theyhelp to

rush to their boats,attendants their and gowith ahead. Theresteam-ploughs are noeven em- draught,

broidered of uniforms,beasts sow, to but muchgrain goodwill.tools, clothing, food, of voys

wounded. The English committees sent entire con entire sent committees English The wounded.

- Let us take another society of the same kind,

lances, provisions, linen, linen, provisions, lances,

that ofthe thefor Red Cross. Themedicaments nameand matters little; let

organized; trains were started carrying ambu carrying started were trains organized;

us examine- it.

es. Thousands of hospitals and ambulances were Imaginewere somebodyambulances sayingand fifty hospitals years of ago: “TheThousands es.

set to work. Men and women offered their servic their offered women and Men work. to set

State,- capable as it is of massacring twenty thou-

sand men in a volunteers day, the andout, of woundingbroke 1870-1 fifty of thousandwar the when

more, isand incapablelocalities; ofof helping its thousands own in victims; concountries, -all in

sequently, as longeverywhere, as warfreely, exists privatethemselves initiativeorganized cieties

Now we know what happened. Red Cross so Cross Red happened. what know we Now

must- intervene, and men of goodwill must orga-

nize internationally forstrain? thisthis in humaneforth work!hold men ” Whatheard not

mockery has us would of notWho have metspeakers. of the mannumber whothe wouldby equalled

have daredbeen toonly speakhave thus!would To beginremarks with, he woulddisheartening Such

will cause the poor soldiers to die without any help. any without die to soldiers poor the cause will

have” been called a Utopian, and if that did not si-

lence himwhich he wouldrivalries have national been the told: forget “ Whatyou nonlike - pians

everything will be wanting in the ambulances. Uto ambulances. the in wanting be will everything

sense!- Your volunteers will be found wanting precisely wherewhile theyplace, aresafe mosta in needed, yourcentralized be volunteerwill hospitals

11 free agreement

198

- in Why “ child: s ’

Red Cross volunteerspoet wasthe beyondlike all ourselves praise. ask Theymay

be put to the service of so bad a cause, and we we were and only toocause, a eagerbad so to of occupy service the the most to dangerput be -

We may regret that such great efforts should ous should posts; andefforts whereasgreat such the that salaried regret doctorsmay We of the

Napoleonic State fled with their staffnationality. of whention the

Prussiansdistinc approached,without work to theset all Red they Cross volunteersnations; all of

other by the hair as was foreseen by the Jacobinists continuedJacobinists the their by work foreseen underwas as fire,hair the enduringby other the

Once on the spot, they did not get hold of one an brutalities one of ofhold Bismarckget not did ’s andthey Napoleonspot, the ’son officers,Once

by the initiative of volunteers from each country. lavishingcountry. theireach carefrom on the volunteers wounded of of initiative all nationthe by -

bulances were carried on to the battlefield. It was was alities. It Dutch, battlefield. Italians, the to Swedes,on Belgians,carried were even Japbulances -

pitals rose on the invaded territory and that am anese that andand Chinese territory agreed remarkablyinvaded the on well.rose Theypitals

distributedhos that theirministry hospitals andinternational an theirof ambulancesorder by not

selves to send help to the wounded in 1871. It was accordingwas It 1871. toin the needswounded ofthe theto occasion.help send Theyto viedselves

withthem one anotherbestirred especiallyChinamen, inand the hygieneSwedes of theirJapanese,

national Directing Committee that Englishmen and hospitals.and AndEnglishmen therethat is manyCommittee a FrenchmanDirecting whonational

stillInter speaksan of withorder deepthe by gratitudenot was it of thecase, tenderany In care

he received fromit. thewith Dutch meddle or Germannot did volunteersState the if

tims of war. And this devotion would be far greater in thegreater Redfar be Crosswould ambulances.devotion this But And what war. isof thistims to

the devotion of all those who try to help the vic an authoritarian?the help to try Hiswho ideal those is theall of regiment devotion doctor, the

tees of each nation; to the activity of individuals, to to salaried byindividuals, theof State.activity Whatthe to does henation; careeach of for thetees

Red Crosscommit local and its hygienicthousand the to hospitals,is It due. ifis the nursesnization

beorga notthe functionaries!of success the that patronage this to not

ishly patronize the national committees. But it is is it HereBut is then ancommittees. organization,national the sprungpatronize up butishly

call princes of the blood. Emperors and queens lav yesterday, queens andand which reckonsEmperors blood. itsthe membersof princes by huncall -

mittees are presided over by those whom flunkeys dredsflunkeys of thousands;whom those by possesses over ambulances,presided are hospimittees -

talcom trains, directing elaborates The it. newseize to processesit on hands for laid treatinghave

something to do with this organization. Yes, States wounds,States Yes, and so on, andorganization. isthis due with to do the to spontaneoussomething Perhaps we shall be told that the State has initiativehas State ofthe a fewthat devotedtold be men.shall we Perhaps

11 free agreement

198

Why in Why “ child: s ’ poet the like ourselves ask may

Red- Cross volunteers was beyond all praise. They

were onlywe and too eagercause, a to bad occupy so of the mostservice the danger to -put be

ous posts; should and whereasefforts great the salariedsuch that doctorsregret ofmay theWe

Napoleonic State fled with their staff nationality. when of the tion

of all nations; they all set to work without distinc without work to set all they nations; all of

Prussians- approached, the Red Cross volunteers

continued theirJacobinists workthe by underforeseen fire,was as enduringhair the by the other

Once on the spot, they did not get hold of one an one of hold get not did they spot, the on Once

brutalities- of Bismarck’s and Napoleon’s officers,

lavishing theircountry. careeach onfrom the woundedvolunteers of of all nationinitiative -the by

alities. was Dutch,It Italians,battlefield. Swedes,the to on Belgians,carried evenwere Jap- bulances

anese am and Chinesethat and agreedterritory remarkablyinvaded the well.on Theyrose pitals

distributedhos that their hospitalsministry and theirinternational an ambulances of order by not

according was It to the1871. needsin of thewounded occasion.the to help Theysend viedto selves

Japanese, Swedes and Chinamen, bestirred them bestirred Chinamen, and Swedes Japanese,

with- one another especially in the hygiene of their

hospitals. and And thereEnglishmen isthat many a FrenchmanCommittee Directing who national

In any case, it was not by the order of an Inter an of order the by not was it case, any In

still- speaks with deep gratitude of the tender care

he received from the Dutchit. with or Germanmeddle not volunteersdid State the if

in the Redgreater Crossfar be ambulances.would Butdevotion whatthis isAnd thiswar. toof tims

the devotion of all those who try to help the vic the help to try who those all of devotion the

an authoritarian?- His ideal is the regiment doctor,

salaried to by the State.individuals, of Whatactivity doesthe to he carenation; for each the of tees

nization is due. It is to the thousand local commit local thousand the to is It due. is nization

Red- Cross and its hygienic hospitals, if the nurses

not to this patronage that the success of the orga the of success the that patronage this to not

be not- functionaries!

ishly patronize the national committees. But it is Hereis it is But then an organization,committees. national sprungthe up butpatronize ishly

call princes of the blood. Emperors and queens lav queens and Emperors blood. the of princes call

yesterday,- and which reckons its members by hun-

dreds of thousands;flunkeys whom possessesthose by ambulances,over presided hospiare - mittees

have laid hands on it to seize it. The directing com directing The it. seize to it on hands laid have

tal - trains, elaborates new processes for treating

wounds, andStates soYes, on, and is dueorganization. tothis thewith spontaneousdo to something initiative has of aState few the devoted that men.told be shall we Perhaps

11 free agreement

200

flictState. woundsmore no ifbe youwill are tothere healwhen themfuture afterwards?the in us ”

a glimpse of what free government has in store for for In strivingstore in tohas destroy thegovernment powerfree ofwhat capitalistof glimpse anda

main. And yet, the facts we have quoted give us only middle-classonly us give authority,quoted have we workfacts the to putyet, anAnd endmain. to

Everywhere free organization trespasses on its do the its massacreson calledtrespasses wars, andorganization we wouldfree far ratherEverywhere

doning its holy functions to private individuals. see the Redindividuals. Crossprivate volunteersto putfunctions forthholy its their activdoning -

ityaban to bringand about abdicating (with is us)State thethe suppression Everywhere of war;

but we had to mentionlaunches. thissteam immenseand organizationmotorcars private

Corps, and the new organizations of of organizations new the and Corps, ’

as another illustration of results produced Bicyclists by freethe

as well as the appeals made to the commercial fleet, agreementfleet, andcommercial freethe to aid. made appeals the as well as

s coasts, coasts, s ’

If we wishedEngland of to multiplydefence the examplesfor takenorganization, fromof

Artillery Association, and the Society, now in course thecourse artin ofnow exterminatingSociety, the and men we shouldAssociation, neverArtillery

the 300,000 British volunteers, the British National end. National Suffice British tothe quote thevolunteers, numerousBritish 300,000 societiesthe to

mountain passages, the Aeroplane Corps of France, whichFrance, of the GermanCorps armyAeroplane owesthe its force,passages, that doesmountain

Corps of Switzerland who study in detail the the detail in study who Switzerland of Corps ’

not only depend on discipline, as is generally phers be-

lieved.Topogra I mean theVolunteer societiesthe whosemention us aimlet is to propaassertion -

ment is thus appealed to; and to further prove our gateour militaryprove knowledge.further to and to; appealed thus is ment

Even in matters pertaining to war, free agree At onefree ofwar, theto last congressespertaining ofmatters thein MilitaryEven Al-

liance (Kriegerbund),individuals. of delegatesinitiative free the fromto and 2,452 groups feder of -

more certain the more it is left to the free agreement ated societies,agreement free comprisingthe to left is it 151,712more the members,certain weremore

success in this branch is the the is branch this in success ”

present. But there are besidesState, verythe of numerousMission

Great Great “

Shooting, the Militarybeing Games, Strategicalorganization military Games,of spite Topo in -

the Empire. But what concerns us, is to point out that, graphicalthat, out point Studiesto is us, Societiesconcerns —thesewhat But are theEmpire. workthe -

Their aim is execrable. It is the maintenance of of shops in whichmaintenance thethe is technicalIt knowledgeexecrable. is aim of theTheir Ger-

man army is developed, not in regimentalarmy. German schools.the of

free associations that go to make the real backbone It is a backbone formidable real the networkmake to go of allthat kinds of societies,associations free

and explore the country. It is these voluntary and includingand militaryvoluntary these menis It and civilians,country. the geographersexplore and rise up spontaneously, organize, federate, discuss, and discuss, gymnasts, federate, sportsmenorganize, and technologists,spontaneously, up whichrise

11 free agreement

200

flict woundsState. if more youno arebe towill healthere themwhen afterwards?future the ”in us

In striving for tostore in destroy has the powergovernment offree capitalistwhat of and glimpse a

middle-class only us authority,give quoted we have workwe tofacts putthe an yet, end And to main.

Everywhere free organization trespasses on its do its on trespasses organization free Everywhere

the - massacres called wars, and we would far rather

see the Red Crossindividuals. volunteersprivate to put forthfunctions theirholy activits - doning

ity to bringaban aboutand (with us)abdicating is the suppressionState the of war;Everywhere

but we had to mention thislaunches. immensesteam and organizationmotorcars private

Corps, and the new organizations of of organizations new the and Corps, ’

as another illustration of results produced by freeBicyclists the

agreement fleet, and free commercial aid. the to made appeals the as well as

s coasts, coasts, s ’

If we wished to England multiply of examplesdefence the for taken from organization, of

the art ofcourse exterminatingin now Society, menthe weand should neverAssociation, Artillery

end. SufficeNational to British quotethe the numerousvolunteers, British societies300,000 to the

which theFrance, Germanof Corps army owesAeroplane itsthe force, thatpassages, does mountain

Corps of Switzerland who study in detail the the detail in study who Switzerland of Corps ’

not only depend on discipline, as is generally be- phers

assertion let us mention the Volunteer Topogra Volunteer the mention us let assertion

lieved.- I mean the societies whose aim is to propa-

gate militaryour prove knowledge. further to and to; appealed thus is ment

Even in matters pertaining to war, free agree free war, to pertaining matters in Even

- At one of the last congresses of the Military Al-

liance (Kriegerbund),individuals. of delegatesinitiative fromfree the 2,452to and feder-groups of

ated societies,agreement comprisingfree the to 151,712left is it members,more the werecertain more

success in this branch is the the is branch this in success ”

present. But there are besides veryState, numerousthe of Mission

in spite of military organization being the the being organization military of spite in Great Great

Shooting,“ Military Games, Strategical Games, Topo-

graphical that, Studiesout point to Societies is us, —theseconcerns arewhat theBut workEmpire. - the

shops of in which themaintenance technicalthe is It knowledgeexecrable. is of theaim GerTheir -

man army is developed, not in regimentalarmy. schools.German the of

It is a formidablebackbone real networkthe make of to allgo kindsthat of societies,associations free

including and militaryvoluntary men these and is It civilians, country. geographersthe explore and and gymnasts,discuss, sportsmenfederate, and technologists,organize, whichspontaneously, up rise

11 free agreement

202

an opinion contrary to his own, but a simple nui simple a but CHAPTERown, his to XII contrary opinion an

for the opposite side a representative of a cause, or or cause, a of OBJECTIONSrepresentative a side opposite the for

like the barrister who does not see in the counsel I counsel the in see not does who barrister the like

some communist association in America. They act act Let usThey now examineAmerica. in the principalassociation objectionscommunist putsome

event, such as, for example, the want of success of of forth againstsuccess of Communism.want the Mostexample, for ofas, themsuch are event, evi-

appeal, resting satisfied with any one particular dentlyparticular one caused any by awith simple misunderstanding, satisfied resting appeal, yet

question they will pronounce judgment without they without raise important judgment questions pronounce will and they merit ourquestion at-

on this this on —

tention. facts analyzing and collecting carefully

and less complicated after serious research, after after It is notresearch, for us toserious answerafter the objectionscomplicated less raisedand

their opinion on subjects infinitely less important by authoritarianimportant less Communisminfinitely subjects — weon ourselvesopinion holdtheir

ous study. But whereas in exact sciences men give withgive them.men Civilizedsciences exact nationsin havewhereas But sufferedstudy. tooous

much seri a in the require long, would hard struggle properly, for with the dealt emancipa be to -

than work stimulated by wages. A question which, tionwhich, of the individual,question A wages. toby disown theirstimulated pastwork workthan

untary work is not already now more productive and to productive tolerate more a now Government already not thatis wouldwork makeuntary

itselfvol felt whether in thehand, smallestother the details on ofand, a citizenobtained, ’s life,be

obtain by wage-work, the results that are said to to evensaid if thatare Governmentthat results the had no otherwage-work, aimby than theobtain

know, on the one hand, whether you effectively good ofeffectively theyou community.whether Shouldhand, one an the authoritarian on know,

real question raised by this objection is merely to to Socialistmerely is society everobjection succeedthis by in establishingraised question itself,real

objection is raised, without even realizing that the itthe couldthat not last;realizing generaleven discontentwithout raised, is would soonobjection

us first note the incredible levity with which this this force which it to breakwith up,levity or to reorganizeincredible the itselfnote onfirst prinus -

Let Let ”

ciples of liberty.himself. it do to forced not is he if another on

work. Every man will lay the burden of his work work It his is ofof an Anarchist-Communistburden the lay will man societyEvery we arework.

wages does not compel men to work, nobody will aboutwill to nobody speak, work, a to society men that recognizescompel not does the absowages -

each is guaranteed, and if the necessity of earning lute earning liberty of of thenecessity individual,the if and that doesguaranteed, notis admiteach

If the existence of of existence the If “

of any authority, and makesknown. is use of no objection compulsion The

to drive mendevelopment. to work. Limitingsuccessful of ourchance a studieshave to thewould better nor worse, neither more nor less industrious, economicindustrious, sideless ofnor the question,more neither let usworse, seenor if suchbetter a society, composed of men as they are today, neither 12 objections

202

an opinion contrary to his own, but a simple nui simple a CHAPTERbut own, XIIhis to contrary opinion an

for the opposite side a representative of a cause, or or cause, a of OBJECTIONSrepresentative a side opposite the for

I counsel the in see not does who barrister the like

Let usact now They examine America. the in principal objectionsassociation putcommunist some

forth of againstsuccess Communism.of want the Most ofexample, themfor as, are such evi - event,

dently causedparticular one by aany simple with misunderstanding, satisfied resting yet appeal,

they raise without important judgment questions and pronounce merit will our they at- question

on this this on —

tention. facts analyzing and collecting carefully

and less complicated after serious research, after It is after not for usresearch, to answerserious theafter objections raisedcomplicated less and

by authoritarianimportant less Communism infinitely —we ourselvessubjects on holdopinion their

with them.give men Civilized sciences nationsexact in have sufferedwhereas But toostudy. ous

o e el wt poel, ol rqie seri a require would properly, with dealt be to

much- in the long, hard struggle for the emancipa-

tion of thewhich, individual,question A to disownwages. by their paststimulated workwork than

and to tolerateproductive a Governmentmore now thatalready not would is makework untary

be obtained, and, on the other hand, whether vol whether hand, other the on and, obtained, be

itself- felt in the smallest details of a citizen’s life,

even ifto thatsaid Governmentare that hadresults nothe other aim thanwage-work, by the obtain

good of the community.effectively you Shouldwhether anhand, authoritarianone the on know,

Socialist to societymerely is ever succeedobjection this in establishingby raised itself,question real

it could the notthat last; generalrealizing even discontentwithout wouldraised, is soon objection

force itthis to breakwhich up,with or tolevity reorganizeincredible itselfthe onnote prin-first us

on another if he is not forced to do it himself. it do to forced not is he if another on Let Let

ciples of” liberty.

work. Every man will lay the burden of his work It is ofwork anhis Anarchist-Communistof burden the lay will society man we areEvery work.

about towill speak,nobody a societywork, to thatmen recognizescompel not the absodoes - wages

lute libertyearning ofof the individual,necessity the if thatand does not admitguaranteed, is each

If the existence of of existence the If “

of any authority, and makes useknown. of is no compulsionobjection The

to drive men to work.development. Limitingsuccessful ourof studieschance a to have the would economic side industrious, of theless question,nor more let usneither see ifworse, suchnor a better society, composed of men as they are today, neither 12 objections

204

lie. The liberated peasant of 1792 ploughed with sance,with —an adversaryploughed 1792 of in an oratoricalpeasant liberated debate; The andlie.

an injustice. And each time actual facts give it the ifthe heit begive luckyfacts enoughactual totime findeach a repartee,And doesinjustice. an not

it every time there is a question of sweeping away otherwiseaway caresweeping of to justifyquestion a his is cause.there Thereforetime every theit

Ages, a refrain as old as the world, and we shall hear studyhear ofshall thiswe essentialand world, basisthe as of allold Politicalas refrain Economy,a Ages,

French noblemen in 1789, the refrain of the Middle the Middle study the of the mostrefrain the favourable 1789, in conditionsnoblemen for French giv-

the Russian serf-owners. It was the refrain of the ingthe of societyrefrain thethe greatest was It amount of serf-owners. useful productsRussian the

said said ”

with the leastuncultivated, waste of fields human the energy, leave will does serfs notthe ad-

s supervision supervision s ’ master their from Free “

vance. People either limit themselves to repeatingabolitionist.

said the anti- the said ”

commonplace assertions,work, not will or elseNegro theythe pretendwhip the ig-

Without Without “

norance of ourserfs? assertions.the of liberation the before nobility

the Negroes, and, for a second time, by the Russian WhatRussian the isby mosttime, strikingsecond ina thisfor levityand, is thatNegroes, eventhe

abolitionists in America before the emancipation of of in capitalist Politicalemancipation the Economybefore youAmerica in already findabolitionists a

fewanti- writersthe by compelledOnce, twice? by facts toexpressed doubtfears thesame axiomthe

But during our own lifetime, have we not heard putheard forthnot we by thehave founderslifetime, of own their our science,during thatBut the

threat of hunger is man’s best stimulantwork. fornot prowill -

They fear that without compulsion the masses ductivemasses the work. They compulsion begin towithout perceivethat fear that They in pro-

duction a certain collective element is introduced,defenders. former

livered over stone by stone to the assailants by its its whichby has beenassailants the tooto muchstone neglectedby stone upover till now,livered

of wagedom, notwithstanding that it is being de and whichbeing is it might that be more importantnotwithstanding than personalwagedom, of

ual remuneration, and defending the old citadel gain.citadel Theold inferiorthe qualitydefending ofand wage-work, theremuneration, terriual -

ble wasteindivid of of humanpartisans energy inremaining modernfrom agriculturalreformers ist

andSocial industrialmany labour,great a the prevent ever-growing not does this quantity But of

pleasure-seekers,economy. orthodox whoof shiftbooks in their burdenfound is it on to othversities; -

ersuni ’ shoulders,into even the absencepenetrates ofheresy a certainThis animationexists. really

be tempted exclusively by a bait of lucre or wages, in productionwages, or lucre of that bait is a becomingby moreexclusively and moretempted be ap-

if the imaginary evil being, that was supposed to to parent; allsupposed thiswas is beginningthat being, toevil preoccupy imaginary the the econ if - themselves if they have not got on the wrong track: omiststrack: of wrong thethe “classicalon got ”not school.have Somethey if of them themselves ask

12 objections

204

sance, —with an adversaryploughed in1792 anof oratoricalpeasant debate;liberated andThe lie.

if he bethe luckyit give enoughfacts to findactual time a repartee,each And does notinjustice. an

otherwise away care to sweeping justify of his cause.question a is Thereforethere time the every it

study ofhear this essentialshall we and basis world, of allthe Politicalas old as Economy,refrain a Ages,

the study ofMiddle thethe mostof favourablerefrain the conditions1789, in fornoblemen giv- French

ing societythe of the greatestrefrain the amountwas It of useful serf-owners. products Russian the

the serfs will leave the fields uncultivated, fields the leave will serfs the said said

with the least” waste of human energy, does not ad-

s supervision supervision s ’ master their from Free “

vance. People either limit themselves to repeating abolitionist.

the whip the Negro will not work, not will Negro the whip the said the anti- the said

commonplace assertions,” or else they pretend ig-

Without Without “

norance of our assertions.serfs? the of liberation the before nobility

the Negroes, and, for a second time, by the Russian What isRussian mostthe strikingby time, in thissecond a levity for is and, that evenNegroes, the

in capitalist of Politicalemancipation Economythe before you alreadyAmerica in find a abolitionists

few writersanti- the compelledby Once, by factstwice? to doubtexpressed the fears axiom same the

put forthheard by thenot we founders have of theirlifetime, science,own our thatduring theBut

threat of hunger is man’s best stimulant forwork. pronot - will

ductive work.masses the They begin compulsion to perceivewithout thatthat infear proThey -

duction a certain collective element is introduced,defenders. former

which its hasby been tooassailants muchthe to neglectedstone by upstone till now,over livered

of wagedom, notwithstanding that it is being de being is it that notwithstanding wagedom, of

andwhich might be more important than personal

gain. The citadel inferior old the quality of wage-work,defending and the terriremuneration, - ual

ist reformers from remaining partisans of individ of partisans remaining from reformers ist

ble - waste of human energy in modern agricultural

But this does not prevent a great many Social many great a prevent not does this But

andindustrial labour, the ever-growing quantity of

pleasure-seekers,economy. who orthodox shift of theirbooks burdenin found onis toit othversities;

really exists. This heresy penetrates even into uni into even penetrates heresy This exists. really

ers’- shoulders, the absence of a certain animation

in production wages, or thatlucre isof becomingbait a by more and exclusively more ap-tempted be

parent; to all this issupposed beginningwas that to preoccupybeing, evil the econimaginary - the if omists oftrack: the “classicalwrong the on ” school.got not Somehave ofthey themif ask themselves

12 objections

206

apparent. No salaried labour, no effort of a private an eagerprivate a of energy,effort no unknownlabour, to hissalaried ancestors;No theapparent.

most considerable display of human energy are are emancipated energy Negrohuman of works display more than hisconsiderable fathers;most

labour that the greatest ardour for work and the andthe and the Russianwork for peasant,ardour aftergreatest havingthe that honoured labour

to them all. It is precisely during these festivals of of the honeymoonfestivals these of hisduring emancipationprecisely is It byall. celebratingthem to

village go to fell wood in the forest, which belongs Fridaysbelongs as wellwhich as Sundays,forest, the in has wood taken fell to up go work withvillage

Vaud, in the winter time, when all the men of the anthe of eagerness men the proportionateall when time, to the winter completeness the in Vaud, of

Take for example a commune in the canton of of his liberation.canton the in There, wherecommune a the soilexample is his,for heTake works

desperately; that is the exactobserved. been wordhas forthat it. The anti-contrary

vate? But this they could not prove; in fact, it is the abolitionistthe is it fact, in refrain prove; cannot be of could value they to slave-owners;this But vate?

such rich harvests as when the possession is pri as is to the slavespossession themselves,the when as they knowharvests whatrich itsuch is

form of communal property land never produces worth,produces as theynever knowland its motive.property communal of form

not the economists demonstrate that under the the Moreover,under that who but thedemonstrate economistseconomists themselves the not

erty against all other forms of possession, should taughtshould us that whilepossession, of a wage-earnerforms other all ’s workagainst is veryerty

oftenprop indifferent,private of anfavour intensein andthesis productivetheir of worksupport

of his yield nor of his improvements. Besides, in in is only obtainedBesides, from aimprovements. manhis whoof nor sees hisyield wealthhis of

cultivator that he shall not be robbed of the profits increaseprofits the inof proportionrobbed be not to hisshall efforts?he that All hymnscultivator

ly in their demonstration, as a guarantee to the sungthe to in honourguarantee ofa privateas property candemonstration, betheir reduced in ly

to thisindirect axiom.it mention only economists the labour, of

As to the form of possession of the instruments For itinstruments isthe remarkableof possession that of whenform the economists,to As

wishing to celebrate ourselves. the blessingsmaintain we of what property,is this

can be deducted from their argumentation, and showand us how an argumentation, unproductive, their from marshy,deducted orbe stonycan

him, but bringing in little to idlers. Nothing else soilelse is clothedNothing withidlers. to rich harvestslittle in whenbringing cultivatedbut him,

ing in a profit to him and to others who work like like by thework peasantwho proprietor,others to and theyhim to in nowiseprofit a in proveing

theirbring thesiswork his in favoursees he of when private lastly, property.and him, By pede ad-

in his occupations, when he has no overseer to im mitting to thatoverseer theno onlyhas he guaranteewhen not to beoccupations, robbedhis in

he works in freedom, when he has a certain choice of thechoice fruitscertain ofa yourhas he labourwhen is to possessfreedom, in the instruworks he - only prove that man really produces most when mentswhen ofmost labour—produces which really is trueman —thethat economistsprove only

12 objections

206

an eager energy,private a of unknowneffort no to labour, his ancestors;salaried No the apparent.

emancipated are Negroenergy workshuman of more thandisplay his fathers;considerable most

and thethe Russianand work peasant, for afterardour havinggreatest honouredthe that labour

the honeymoonof festivals of histhese emancipationduring byprecisely celebratingis It all. them to

Fridays as wellbelongs as which Sundays, forest, hasthe takenin wood up workfell to withgo village

an eagerness the of proportionatemen the all when to thetime, completenesswinter the in of Vaud,

his liberation.of canton There,the in where thecommune soila is his,example he for works Take

desperately; that is the exact wordobserved. forbeen it.has Thethat anti- contrary

abolitionist the is it refrainfact, in can beprove; of valuenot tocould slave-owners;they this But vate?

as to thepri is slaves themselves,possession the theywhen as know whatharvests it rich is such

worth, as theyproduces knownever its motive.land property communal of form

not the economists demonstrate that under the Moreover,the under whothat but the economistsdemonstrate themselveseconomists the not

taught us should that while apossession, wage-earnerof forms ’s other work all is veryagainst erty

support of their thesis in favour of private prop private of favour in thesis their of support

often- indifferent, an intense and productive work

is only in obtainedBesides, from a man whoimprovements. his seesof hisnor wealthyield his of

increase inprofits proportionthe of robbed to be his not efforts?shall he All that hymns cultivator

sung inthe honourto of privateguarantee a as property can be demonstration, reduced their in ly

of labour, the economists only mention it indirect it mention only economists the labour, of

to this- axiom.

As to the form of possession of the instruments For it is remarkableinstruments the of that whenpossession of economists,form the to As

wishing to celebrate the blessingsourselves. ofmaintain property,we what is this

show usand how an unproductive,argumentation, their marshy,from or stonydeducted be can

soil is clothedelse withNothing richidlers. harveststo little whenin cultivatedbringing but him,

by thelike peasantwork who proprietor, others to theyand inhim nowiseto proveprofit a in ing

pede him, and lastly, when he sees his work bring work his sees he when lastly, and him, pede

their- thesis in favour of private property. By ad-

in his occupations, when he has no overseer to im to overseer no has he when occupations, his in

mitting- that the only guarantee not to be robbed

of the fruitschoice of yourcertain a labourhas he is to when possess thefreedom, in instru -works he ments ofwhen labourmost —whichproduces is truereally —theman economiststhat prove only

12 objections

208

ownermanu by can bearobtained comparisonthings withwithout do it. can us of none

tially manual. We may be artists or scientists; but but Or let usscientists; takeor a Russianartists be village,may We whenmanual. all itstially in-

habitantsessen is mowexistence a to field belongingindispensable to thework commune,Now,

or farmed by it. Thereso. be you always will will seeit whatthat man canbelieved

labour indispensable to existence does so, and it is is produceit and so, whendoes he worksexistence into common for communalindispensable labour

Nowadays, whoever can load on others his share of of production.share his Comradesothers on vieload withcan one anotherwhoever in cutNowadays, - ting the widest swathe, women bestir themselvesII in

their wake so as not to be distanced by the mowers.

It is a festival of labour, in which a hundredwagedom. or peopleserfdom,

has produced up till now under the goad of slavery, accomplishslavery, of goad in athe few hoursunder now a worktill up that wouldproduced nothas

niiey ueir n yed a mr ta work have than beenmore finished far yield in aand few days hadsuperior they workedinfinitely

festations, will give voluntary work, which will be be separately.will which Whatwork, a miserablevoluntary contrastgive will comparedfestations, to

themmani its is offeredall in life by the workenjoying all ofof the isolatedpossibility owner!the at

fore a society aiming at the well-being of all, and and Inall, of fact, we mightwell-being the quoteat scoresaiming of society examples a fore

amongThere thesecret. pioneerswhole ofthe America,lies this In in Swiss,future. German,the in

eted to misery, the other hopes for ease and luxury Russian,luxury and andease in certainfor hopes Frenchother villages;the ormisery, theto worketed

ucts in a far greater abundance. The one feels riv done feels in Russiaone The by gangs (artels)abundance. of greater masons, far a in carpenucts -

ters,prod boatmen,obtains and fishermen, intelligence, etc.,and who energy undertakemore a

in proportion to his efforts, spends infinitely far far task and divide infinitely the spends produce efforts, his or to the remuneration proportion in

ease and luxury increasing for him and for others amongothers for themselvesand him for without it increasing passing luxury throughand ease an

cessities with difficulty, a free worker, who sees intermediary who worker, of middlemen;free a or else difficulty, the with amountcessities of

a hireling hardly succeeds to produce the bare ne work bare I sawthe performedproduce to in Englishsucceeds ship-yardshardly whenhireling a

the most powerful stimulant to work. And where thewhere remunerationAnd work. to was paid stimulant on the samepowerful principle.most the

physical, artistic, and moral needs, has always been Webeen couldalways alsohas mentionneeds, themoral greatand communalartistic, huntsphysical,

that is to say, the satisfaction of of satisfaction the say, to is that —

of nomadic tribes, and an infinite numberWell-being of suc-

cessful collective enterprises.owner. Andprivate in everyisolated casethe or we munal work compared to that of the wage-earner could showwage-earner thethe unquestionableof that to superioritycompared work of communal -

12 objections

208

none of us can do without things obtained by manu by obtained things without do can us of none

owner- can bear comparison with it.

tially manual. We may be artists or scientists; but Or but let us takescientists; a Russianor artists village,be may whenWe all its manual. in - tially

habitantsessen mowis a fieldexistence to belonging to theindispensable commune,work Now,

or farmed by it. There youso. be will seealways whatwill it manthat can believed

produce is it whenand so, he worksdoes in commonexistence to for communalindispensable labour

production. of share Comradeshis others vieon withload onecan anotherwhoever in cut- Nowadays, ting the widest swathe, women bestir themselves in II

their wake so as not to be distanced by the mowers.

It is a festival of labour, in which a hundredwagedom. peopleor serfdom,

accomplish slavery, inof a fewgoad hoursthe aunder worknow thattill up would notproduced has

have work been than finishedmore far in a fewyield daysand had theysuperior worked infinitely

separately. be will Whatwhich a miserablework, contrastvoluntary comparedgive will to festations,

at the possibility of all enjoying life in all its mani its all in life enjoying all of possibility the at

themis offered by the work of the isolated owner!

fore a society aiming at the well-being of all, and In and fact, all, weof might quotewell-being the scoresat ofaiming examplessociety a fore

in the future. In this lies the whole secret. There secret. whole the lies this In future. the in

among- the pioneers of America, in Swiss, German,

Russian, andluxury inand certainease for Frenchhopes villages;other the or the workmisery, to eted

ucts in a far greater abundance. The one feels riv feels one The abundance. greater far a in ucts

done- in Russia by gangs (artels) of masons, carpen-

more energy and intelligence, and obtains prod obtains and intelligence, and energy more

ters,- boatmen, fishermen, etc., who undertake a

task far and divide infinitely the produce spends or efforts, the his remuneration to proportion in

among themselvesothers for and withouthim for it passingincreasing throughluxury anand ease

intermediarysees who of worker, middlemen; free a or else the difficulty, amount with of cessities

a hireling hardly succeeds to produce the bare ne bare the produce to succeeds hardly hireling a

work- I saw performed in English ship-yards when

the remunerationwhere And waswork. paidto on thestimulant same principle.powerful most the

We couldbeen also mentionalways has theneeds, greatmoral communaland artistic, hunts physical,

that is to say, the satisfaction of of satisfaction the say, to is that —

of nomadic tribes, and an infinite number of sucWell-being -

cessful collective enterprises. Andowner. in everyprivate case isolated we the or could show the wage-earner unquestionable the of that to superioritycompared of comwork - munal

12 objections

210

It is precisely to put an end to this separation al work—separation bread,this to clothes,end an roads,put to ships, light,precisely is heat,It etc.

to a few privileged favourites. privileged few a to

And, moreover, however highly artistic or howeverday

to-

edge, scientific and artistic creation, reserved subtlyreserved metaphysicalcreation, areartistic our and pleasures, they scientific all edge, de-

pendknowl onof manual labour.enjoyments the Andall in it is preciselynature, thisbountiful la-

be part of a humanity rich in all the treasures of a a bourof —the basistreasures the ofall lifein —thatrich everyonehumanity a tries of topart avoid.be

that some day they, or at least their children, will will We understandchildren, their perfectlyleast at or wellthey, thatday it mustsome that be

the morrow; without foreseeing ever so vaguely so nowadays.vaguely so ever foreseeing without morrow; the

given, to lead this life of misery without hope for for Because,hope towithout do manualmisery of life work this now,lead to means given, in

them, like machines blindly obeying an impetus realityimpetus toan shut yourselfobeying upblindly for ten ormachines twelvelike hoursthem,

at their zeal for work, at the habit that enables a dayenables in that an unhealthyhabit the at workshop,work, for andzeal to remaintheir at

morning, we feel surprised at their perseverance, chained toperseverance, the sametheir at task for twentysurprised feel orwe thirty years,morning,

majority of men take up their wretched task every andevery maybetask for yourwretched wholetheir up life.take men of majority

the morrow? Therefore, when we see the immense It immense means the tosee bewe doomedwhen to a paltryTherefore, wage,morrow? to the

to live in mediocrity, poverty, and insecurity of of uncertaintyinsecurity of and the morrow,poverty, to want ofmediocrity, work,in live oftento

awaiting him from the cradle to the grave will be be to destitution,will grave the moreto oftencradle thanthe notfrom tohim death inawaiting a

have for the worker, when he knows that the fate hospital,fate the that after havingknows he workedwhen fortyworker, yearsthe for to feed,have

What interest, in fact, can this depressing work clothe,work amuse,depressing andthis instructcan fact, in others thaninterest, yourselfWhat

and your children. thus. be will it hands, white

workers, black hands and and hands black workers, ” brain “

It means to bear the stamp of of inferiorityclass a and ers all

yourwork life; because,manual of class whatevera be will the there politicians as long As tell us,

s work! s ’ men other by live also To —

the manual worker is always consideredwhat? inferiormeans

position, which which position, ” independent “

to the brain worker, and the onean who hasthemselves toiledfor

children to emerge from this inferior state; to create tencreate hoursto instate; a workshopinferior this has from not theemerge time,to and stillchildren

that of emerging from, or enabling their their enabling or from, emerging of that —

less the means, to give himself the high delightsdream of

We understand that all men have but one scienceone but andhave art, normen evenall tothat prepare himselfunderstand We to ap-

preciate fate. them; of hecurse musta be contentconsidered is with labour the crumbsmanual We understand that under these conditions from theconditions tablethese of privilegedunder that persons. understand We

12 objections

210

al work —bread,separation clothes,this to roads,end an ships,put to light, heat,precisely etc.is It

day

And, moreover, however highlyfavourites. artistic orprivileged howeverfew a to

to-

subtly metaphysicalreserved creation, are our pleasures,artistic and they all scientific de - edge,

bountiful nature, in all the enjoyments of knowl of enjoyments the all in nature, bountiful

pend- on manual labour. And it is precisely this la-

bour a — theof basis oftreasures lifethe — thatall in everyonerich trieshumanity toa avoid.of part be

that some day they, or at least their children, will Wewill understandchildren, perfectlytheir least wellat or thatthey, it mustday besome that

so nowadays. vaguely so ever foreseeing without morrow; the

given, to lead this life of misery without hope for Because,for hope to do manualwithout misery workof life now, this meanslead to in given,

reality to shutimpetus an yourself obeying up for tenblindly or twelvemachines hourslike them,

a day in anenables unhealthythat habit workshop,the at andwork, for to remainzeal their at

chained to the sameperseverance, tasktheir forat twenty surprised or thirtyfeel we years, morning,

and maybeevery fortask your wholewretched life.their up take men of majority

the morrow? Therefore, when we see the immense It meansimmense to bethe doomedsee we towhen a paltry wage,Therefore, to themorrow? the

uncertainty of of theinsecurity morrow,and to poverty, want of work,mediocrity, oftenin live to

to destitution, be will moregrave the oftento thancradle notthe to from death him in a awaiting

hospital, fate afterthe havingthat workedknows he fortywhen yearsworker, tothe feed,for have

clothe, amuse,work and depressing instructthis can othersfact, in than yourselfinterest, What

and your children. thus. be will it hands, white

workers, black hands and and hands black workers, ” brain “

It means to bear the stamp of inferiority of class a alland ers

As long as there will be a class of manual work manual of class a be will there as long As

your- life; because, whatever the politicians tell us,

To also live by other men other by live also To — what? means s work! s

the manual worker’ is always considered inferior

position, which which position, ” independent “

to the brain worker, and the one who an has toiledthemselves for

ten hourscreate into a workshopstate; hasinferior notthis thefrom time, andemerge to still children

that of emerging from, or enabling their their enabling or from, emerging of that —

less the means, to give himself the high delights of dream

science one and but art, norhave evenmen toall preparethat himself tounderstand apWe -

preciate them; hefate. of must becurse a content withconsidered is the crumbslabour manual from the tableconditions of privilegedthese under persons. that understand We

12 objections

212

inant trait of our industry, not to mention trade betweentrade manualmention to andnot brain workindustry, our thatof wetrait wantinant to

abolishpredom wagedom,and that wedistinguishing wantthe is the Socialenergy Revoluhuman of -

Moscow, and from Naples to Stockholm. The waste tion.waste ThenThe work willStockholm. to no longerNaples appearfrom and a curseMoscow, of

And so it is everywhere, from San Francisco to to fate: it willFrancisco becomeSan from what it shouldeverywhere, is beit —so the freeAnd ex-

ercise of all the facultiesunemployed. regular of man.become twenty or teen

baskets for a greengrocer, and at the age of eigh Moreover,of age the itat is timeand to submitgreengrocer, toa a seriousfor analbaskets -

ought to have learned a trade, in carrying about ysisabout this legendcarrying in abouttrade, superiora learned work, have supposed to ought to

by hand, or spend those years during which they bethey obtainedwhich underduring theyears lash ofthose wagedom.spend or hand, by

ing stuffs, and their sons are filling blacking-pots It wouldblacking-pots be sufficientfilling are sons to their visit,and notstuffs, theing model

factorydress for and workshopworkshops the that of we findvapours now and again,overheated

for months, while their daughters grow pale in the butthe in a numberpale grow of the ordinarydaughters their factories, while to conceivemonths, for

men tramping about who have been out of work thework immenseof out wastebeen have of humanwho energyabout thattramping characmen -

And continually in all big cities you may see robust terizesrobust see modernmay you industry. cities big For all onein factory morecontinually And or

boy will receive a penny, or a penny halfpenny. less rationallyhalfpenny. penny organized, a or therepenny, a are areceive hundredwill boy or

sell tenpenny-worth of papers, of which the poor morepoor the which which waste of manpapers, ’s labour,of without anytenpenny-worth moresell

that it may be well employed, every evening, to to substantialevening, motiveevery than thatemployed, of perhapswell be bringingmay it that in

of papers in its arms ... child-labour costs so little a little few so poundscosts more per child-labour day ... to thearms employer.its in papers of

will find a bare-footed child asleep, with its bundle bundle Hereits youwith see asleep, youths child from twentybare-footed a to find twenty- will

On the steps of a mansion on an icy night you fiveyou night years icy an of on age, sittingmansion a of all steps daythe longOn on abench,

”

theirstreet! cheststhe in sunkenthem of in,many feverishlyso are there shaking replaced, theirly

headseasi be andwill bodies,they more, to tie,no do withcan the these speedWhen of conjurchine? -

who have no special trade! Why should we use a ma- ers, a theuse twowe endsshould of worthlessWhy trade! scrapsspecial ofno cotton,have thewho

It costs so little, the work of women women of work the little, so costs It “

refuse of the lace-looms. What progeny But will thesetables.

simplest machine could wheel the matches to their tremblingtheir to andmatches ricketythe wheel bodiescould bequeathmachine to theirsimplest

on their heads from one room to another, when the country?the when “But theyanother, to occupyroom soone littlefrom roomheads in thetheir on fac-

bald at seventeen from carrying trays of matches tory, matches and of eachtrays of themcarrying bringsfrom me in sixpenceseventeen at bald net In an immense London factory we saw girls, everygirls, saw day, we ” will sayfactory the employer.London immense an In

12 objections

212

between trade manual andmention to brainnot work thatindustry, weour of want trait to inant

of human energy is the distinguishing and predom and distinguishing the is energy human of

abolish- wagedom, that we want the Social Revolu-

tion. Thenwaste workThe will no Stockholm. longer to appearNaples from a curseand of Moscow,

fate: itto will becomeFrancisco San what from it should be—everywhere, theis it freeso exAnd -

ercise of all the facultiesunemployed. of man.regular become twenty or teen

Moreover,eigh of age it is the time at to and submit to a seriousgreengrocer, a for anal - baskets

ysis this about legend aboutcarrying in superiortrade, a work, supposedlearned have to to ought

be obtained they underwhich the during lash ofyears wagedom.those spend or hand, by

ing stuffs, and their sons are filling blacking-pots It would beblacking-pots sufficient filling are to sons visit, their notand the stuffs, model ing

factory anddress workshopfor thatworkshops wethe findof now vapours and again, overheated

but a numberthe in pale of thegrow ordinary factories,daughters their to while conceive months, for

the immensework of wasteout ofbeen humanhave energywho about that charactramping - men

terizes modernrobust see industry.may you Forcities onebig factoryall in more orcontinually And

less rationallyhalfpenny. organized,penny a or there arepenny, a a hundredreceive orwill boy

more whichpoor the waste manwhich of ’s labour,papers, of without any moretenpenny-worth sell

substantial to motiveevening, thanevery that of perhapsemployed, well bringingbe may init that

a few poundslittle so morecosts per day to child-labour the ... employer.arms its in papers of

will find a bare-footed child asleep, with its bundle Here bundle you its seewith youthsasleep, fromchild twenty tobare-footed twenty- a find will

five yearsyou night of icy age,an sittingon allmansion a of day longsteps the onOn abench,

ly replaced, there are so many of them in the street! the in them of many so are there replaced, ly

their” chests sunken in, feverishly shaking their

chine? When these can do no more, they will be easi be will they more, no do can these When chine?

heads- and bodies, to tie, with the speed of conjur-

ers, thema- twoa use ends we of worthlessshould Why scrapstrade! of cotton,special no thehave who

It costs so little, the work of women women of work the little, so costs It “

refuse of the lace-looms. What progeny will theseBut tables.

trembling their to and ricketymatches the bodieswheel bequeathcould to machine their simplest

country? the “Butwhen they occupyanother, to so room little one roomfrom in theheads fac-their on

tory, and eachmatches of of themtrays bringscarrying me from in sixpenceseventeen netat bald every day,girls, ” willsaw saywe the employer.factory London immense an In

12 objections

214

where it attains still more colossalorganization. proportions.that of spite in

not to the capitalist organization of wagedom, but but What awagedom, sadof satire is thatorganization name, Politicalcapitalist the to Econonot -

chemical sciences towards the end of last century; my, givencentury; last toof the end science the of wastetowards and energysciences underchemical

it is due to the sudden awakening of physical and theand systemphysical ofof wagedom!awakening sudden the to due is it

more than it did in the days of our grandfathers, This isgrandfathers, notour all.of If youdays speakthe in todid theit directorthan more of

If industry nowadays brings in a hundred times a well-organizedtimes hundred a in factory, brings he will naivelynowadays explainindustry If

wagedom as the best incentive to productive work. towork. you that it productive is to difficult nowadaysincentive best the toas find a skilful,wagedom

time to disbelieve the legend which represents vigorous,represents and energeticwhich legend workman,the whodisbelieve works to withtime

produce all that it could produce. And it is high a high will. is it “ ShouldAnd such aproduce. man could present it that himself all amongproduce

Wage-work is serf-work; it cannot, it must not, thenot, twentymust it or thirtycannot, it who callserf-work; is every MondayWage-work ask-

” pay! bad for work Bad “

ing us for work, he is sure to besignifies, received,which evengiven, is if

” Go-canny, “

we are reducing thepass-word, numberthe of oursometimes hands. and We recprices, -

dustries production is limited so as to keep up high ognizehigh up himkeep atto theas so first glance,limited is and he production is alwaysdustries ac-

never to produce as much as they can. In certain in cepted,certain evenIn thoughcan. they weas havemuch as to get ridproduce ofto an oldernever

wages. Therefore in all such factories they prefer andprefer less they active workerfactories such the all nextin day.” AndTherefore the onewages.

will be exacted in the future as a rule in the scale of of whoscale hasthe justin receivedrule a as noticefuture tothe in quit, andexacted allbe thosewill

der to carry out a pressing order, this nervous work whowork will receivenervous this it to-morrow,order, pressing goa toout reinforcecarry to thatder

employer and consent to intensify the work in or immensein work reserve-armythe intensify to of capitalconsent —workmenand outemployer

generosity they give way to the entreaties of an an of of work —whoentreaties arethe onlyto calledway give to thethey loom or thegenerosity

For the workers know that if in a moment of of bench whenmoment a therein if isthat pressure know of work,workers orthe to For oppose

strikers.factory. a And such those othersentering —upon the averagecomrades his workersfrom

this is the advice which the working man receives who receives are sentman awayworking by the better-classwhich advice factoriesthe is this as

” work! shoddy — pay Shoddy “

soon as business is slackened? best. Theyyour alsodo to join thenever

—

will soon learn that the rule in such factories is formidable factories armysuch in of agedrule andthe indifferentthat learn workerssoon will

And if you talk to the workmen themselves, you whoyou continuallythemselves, circulateworkmen the among to talk theyou second-classif And

factories—those which barelycountries. coverdistant theirin expensesconsumer snares laid for the buyer, and especially for the andthe for make theirespecially wayand in thebuyer, worldthe byfor trickerylaid andsnares

12 objections

214

where it attains still more colossal proportions.organization. that of spite in

not to the capitalist organization of wagedom, but Whatbut a sad satirewagedom, of is that name,organization Politicalcapitalist Econothe to - not

my, given tocentury; thelast scienceof end of the waste andtowards energy sciences under chemical

the systemand of wagedom!physical of awakening sudden the to due is it

more than it did in the days of our grandfathers, This is not all.grandfathers, Ifour youof speakdays tothe thein directordid it than of more

a well-organized times factory,hundred a in he willbrings naivelynowadays explain industry If

to you thatwork. it is difficultproductive to nowadaysincentive tobest findthe as a skilful, wagedom

vigorous, and represents energetic which workman,legend the who worksdisbelieve withto time

a will. “Shouldhigh is it suchAnd a man produce. present could himselfit that amongall produce

the twentynot, ormust it thirty whocannot, it call everyserf-work; is Monday askWage-work -

” pay! bad for work Bad “

ing us for work, he is sure to be received,signifies, evenwhich if given, is

prices, and sometimes the pass-word, pass-word, the sometimes and prices, ” Go-canny,

we are reducing“ the number of our hands. We rec-

ognize himhigh up at thekeep firstto as so glance, limited andis he is alwaysproduction ac- dustries

never to produce as much as they can. In certain in certain In can. they as much as produce to never

cepted,- even though we have to get rid of an older

and less activeprefer they worker thefactories nextsuch day.all in ” And the Therefore one wages.

who hasof justscale receivedthe in rule noticea as to quit,future the andin all thoseexacted be will

who willwork receive nervous it to-morrow,this order, go to pressing reinforce a out thatcarry to der

employer and consent to intensify the work in or in work the intensify to consent and employer

immense- reserve-army of capital—workmen out

of work an —of who are onlyentreaties the called to toway thegive loomthey or the generosity

bench of when theremoment a isin pressureif that of work,know or toworkers opposethe For

strikers. Andfactory. thosea such others—entering the averageupon workerscomrades his from

who are sentreceives awayman by theworking better-classthe which factoriesadvice the asis this

shoddy work! shoddy — pay Shoddy “ best. your do to never

soon” as business is slackened? They also join the

will soon learn that the rule in such factories is factories such in rule the that learn soon will

formidable— army of aged and indifferent workers

who continuallyyou circulatethemselves, amongworkmen the theto second-classtalk you if And

factories—those which barely covercountries. theirdistant expensesin consumer and makethe for their way inespecially theand worldbuyer, by the trickery for laid and snares

12 objections

216

which in themselves are a greater evil, and become III become and evil, greater a are themselves in which

avoid a possible evil you have recourse to means Thosemeans to who haverecourse seriouslyhave you studiedevil the questionpossible a avoid do

To To “

not deny general: any in of the advantagesauthority of concerning Communism, said often so on

Therefore we can only repeat what we have condition,have we bewhat it wellrepeat understood,only can we that CommunismTherefore

”

be perfectly free, that iskinds. toall say,of Anarchist.evils new of They source rec-

and prisons, although these institutions become a a ognizebecome that work paidinstitutions withthese money,although even disguisedprisons, and

we must maintain magistrates, tribunals tribunals magistrates, maintain must we “

under the name of “labour cheques,” to Workerssay, ians ’

- authoritar the ”

associations governed customs, by thesocial State,to wouldsubmit keepnot will up

As there are people, a feeble minority, who who minority, feeble a people, are there As

the characteristics of wagedom and would retain“ its

disadvantages.Gaoler. the Theyand agreeJudge, the thatLaw, the wholePenal the systemState,

the category of arguments which try to justify the wouldthe soonjustify to suffertry fromwhich it, even ifarguments Societyof camecategory intothe

To begin with, such an objection belongs to to possessionbelongs of the objection instruments an such of with, production. begin To And

they admit that, thanksstated. tofairly an “integralobjection the ” completeis lieve,

- be we This, ”

education givenmen. to allfree children,to to repugnant the be laboriouswould habthat -

imply the continual intervention of an authority its of civilizedauthority an of societies, withintervention the libertycontinual ofthe choosingimply

dependence of the worker? All other means would andwould varyingmeans theirother occupationsAll worker? andthe theof attractionsdependence of

to be employed, without hurting the feelings of in workof donefeelings by equalsthe forhurting the well-beingwithout of all,employed, abe Comto -

performed, the only one that enables compulsion munist societycompulsion wouldenables that not one be wantingonly the in producersperformed,

the system of wages, paid in proportion to work whowork to would soon proportion make in thepaid fertilitywages, ofof the soilsystem triplethe

Is not not Is —

and tenfold,then, andAnd give ranks. a newthe impulseinto back to industry.ringleaders

to a system of compulsion that would force such such Thisforce our opponentswould that agree to.compulsion “Butof the system danger, a to ”

sible; so that in the end we should have to return theyreturn say,to “willhave comeshould fromwe thatend the minority in that ofso loaferssible;

whoimpos will work not work,make andwould willthat not have workshop regular the habinto -

astray and bring a spirit of disorder and rebellion its, in rebellion spite and of the excellentdisorder of spirit conditions a bring thatand wouldastray

gish or refractory workmen would lead the others makeothers workthe pleasant.lead would Today theworkmen prospectrefractory ofor hungergish

aiae h woe lc, n to r he slug compelsthree or thetwo most and refractory flock, to whole move the along withtaminate

- is dismissed. But one black sheep suffices to con theto others. suffices The one sheep who black does one not But arrive in dismissed. timeis

12 objections

216

III become and evil, greater a are themselves in which

Those whomeans haveto seriouslyrecourse studiedhave you theevil questionpossible a do avoid

To To “

not deny any ofgeneral: thein advantagesauthority of Communism,concerning said on often so

condition, have bewe it wellwhat understood,repeat only thatcan Communismwe Therefore

source of new evils of all kinds. all of evils new of source

be perfectly free, that is” to say, Anarchist. They rec-

ognize a that workbecome paid withinstitutions money,these even although disguised prisons, and

we must maintain magistrates, tribunals tribunals magistrates, maintain must we “

under the name of “labour cheques,” to Workers say, ’ ians

- authoritar the ”

associations governed by thecustoms, State,social wouldto keepsubmit upnot will

As there are people, a feeble minority, who who minority, feeble a people, are there As

the characteristics of wagedom and would retain its “

disadvantages.Gaoler. Theythe agreeand thatJudge, the wholeLaw, systemPenal the State,

would soonthe sufferjustify to fromtry it, evenwhich if Societyarguments of came intocategory the

possession to of belongs the instrumentsobjection an of such production. with, begin And To

they admit that, thanks tostated. an “integralfairly ” completeobjection the is lieve,

that would be repugnant to free men. free to repugnant be would that - be we This,

education given to” all children, to the laborious hab-

its of civilizedauthority societies,an of with the libertyintervention of choosingcontinual the imply

and varyingwould theirmeans occupationsother All and theworker? attractionsthe of of dependence

to be employed, without hurting the feelings of in of feelings the hurting without employed, be to

work- done by equals for the well-being of all, a Com-

munist society compulsion would notenables bethat wantingone only in producersthe performed,

who wouldwork to soon make theproportion in fertility paid of thewages, soilof triplesystem the

ringleaders back into the ranks. And then, And ranks. the into back ringleaders Is not not Is

and tenfold,— and give a new impulse to industry.

to a system of compulsion that would force such Thissuch our opponentsforce would agreethat to. “But compulsion the of danger,system ”a to

they say, “return willto comehave fromshould thatwe minorityend the in of loafersthat so sible;

into the workshop that would make work impos work make would that workshop the into

who- will not work, and will not have regular hab-

its, in spite ofrebellion theand excellentdisorder conditionsof spirit a thatbring wouldand astray

make workothers pleasant.the lead Todaywould the prospectworkmen of hungerrefractory or gish

aiae h woe lc, n to r he slug three or two and flock, whole the taminate

compels- the most refractory to move along with

is dismissed. But one black sheep suffices to con to suffices sheep black one But dismissed. is the - others. The one who does not arrive in time

12 objections

218

the source of those same abusesfactories. thatState you wishBritish the to

an average than the French factories, and less than remedy.than less For,and do notfactories, forget French that the it is than wagedom, average thean

ish private industry have few overseers, far less on on impossibilityless far of livingoverseers, few otherwisehave thanindustry by private selling ish

yourBrit of labour, factories which best hasthe created theTherefore presentwork. the Capiof -

workmen as a unity, who see to the good quality talistquality system,good the whose to see vices who you beginunity, a as to recognize.workmen ”

before being finished, it is the factory itself, the Besides,itself, thisfactory waythe ofis reasoning it is merely finished, being a sophistibefore -

the goods produced pass through many hands calhands justification many of through the evilspass of the produced present goods system.the

every somewhat complicated enterprise, in which Wagedomwhich in was notenterprise, instituted tocomplicated remove somewhat the disadevery -

ity and quality of work in factories. In reality, in in vantagesreality, ofIn Communism;factories. in its work origin, of likequality that and of theity

Stateregular and privatemaintain ownership,who overseers is his to beand found elseemployer -

Authoritarians pretend that it is the almighty where.almighty It the is is born it ofthat slavery pretend and serfdom imposedAuthoritarians

by force,workshop. andthe onlyleave wearsto a morecompelled modernis he it; of garb. end Thusan

ness or other defects, if he is quarrelsome, there is is the argumentthere in favourquarrelsome, is he ofif wagedomdefects, is asother valuelessor ness

aslazi thosehis by by whichcomrades theyhis seek hinders to he apologize if badly, for work pri-

the factory at the appointed time, but if he does his his vate does property he if but and thetime, State. appointed the at factory the

of wages, supervision, etc.; a workman may enter enter Wemay are, nevertheless,workman a etc.; going to examinesupervision, thewages, of ob-

petition with all possible systems of fines, docking jection,docking andfines, seeof if theresystems is any truthpossible all in it.with petition

erywhere, even nowadays, in all industries, in com in First of all,industries, — Isall itin not evidentnowadays, thateven if a society,erywhere,

This way is so natural that it is practiced ev founded onpracticed is the it principlethat ofnatural free so work,is way wereThis really

”

menaced by loafers,indifference! your it couldwith up protectput will itself who withoutrades

thecom authoritarianother find and organizationGo part. must we we have nowadays,negligently,

ten absent from your post, and you do your work andwork withoutyour do havingyou and recourse post, toyour wagedom?from absent ten

we should like to work with you; but as you are of are Letyou usas takebut a groupyou; with of volunteers,work to like combiningshould we

Friend, Friend, “

for some told: particular be will enterprise.enterprise Havingtheir itsimperils successwho

other will be done, but that some day the comrade at heart,comrade theythe day all worksome withthat but a will,done, savebe onewill of theother

penalties? It is evident that neither the one nor the associates,the nor one whothe is frequentlyneither that absentevident is It from his post.penalties? a president to impose fines, and work out a code of of Mustcode a theyout on work his accountand fines, dissolveimpose theto group, president elect a

12 objections

218

the source of those same abuses thatfactories. you State wish toBritish the

remedy. than For,less do and not forgetfactories, that it French is wagedom,the than the average an

impossibility on less far of living otherwiseoverseers, few have than byindustry sellingprivate ish

of the work. Therefore the best factories of Brit of factories best the Therefore work. the of

your- labour, which has created the present Capi-

talist system,quality whosegood the vicesto yousee beginwho tounity, recognize.a as ” workmen

Besides, the itself, this wayfactory of reasoningthe is it is merely finished, a sophisti being - before

cal justificationhands many of the evilsthrough of pass the presentproduced system.goods the

Wagedom which wasin not institutedenterprise, to removecomplicated the disadsomewhat - every

vantages in of Communism;reality, In itsfactories. origin,in work like of that ofquality theand ity

State and privateregular ownership,maintain who is to overseers be his found and elseemployer

where. It is almighty born the ofis slaveryit that and serfdompretend imposedAuthoritarians

by force, and onlyworkshop. the wearsleave ato more moderncompelled is garb.he it; Thusof end an

the argumentis there in favour ofquarrelsome, wagedomis he if is asdefects, valuelessother or ness

work badly, if he hinders his comrades by his lazi his by comrades his hinders he if badly, work

as those- by which they seek to apologize for pri-

vate propertyhis does andhe if thebut State.time, appointed the at factory the

of wages, supervision, etc.; a workman may enter We are,enter nevertheless,may workman a going etc.; to examine supervision, the ob-wages, of

jection, anddocking see iffines, thereof is anysystems truth inpossible it.all with petition

erywhere, even nowadays, in all industries, in com in industries, all in nowadays, even erywhere,

- First of all,—Is it not evident that if a society,

This way is so natural that it is practiced ev practiced is it that natural so is way This

founded- on the principle of free work, were really

rades who will put up with your indifference! your with up put will who rades

menaced ” by loafers, it could protect itself without

negligently, we must part. Go and find other com other find and Go part. must we negligently,

the - authoritarian organization we have nowadays,

and withoutwork havingyour do recourseyou and to post, wagedom? your from absent ten

we should like to work with you; but as you are of are you as but you; with work to like should we

- Let us take a group of volunteers, combining

who imperils their enterprise will be told: told: be will enterprise their imperils who Friend, Friend,

for some particular“ enterprise. Having its success

at heart, theycomrade allthe workday withsome a will,that but save onedone, be of thewill other

associates, the nor whoone is frequentlythe neither absentthat fromevident is hisIt post. penalties? Must of theycode ona hisout accountwork and dissolvefines, the group,impose to elect president a

12 objections

220

lated man or like an invalid. If we are rich enough Aenough certainrich are standardwe If of invalid. publican like moralsor man is mainlated -

useful, or if you refuse to do it, then live like an iso tained an inlike thelive samethen way.it, do Authoritariansto refuse you if sayor it is dueuseful,

are absolutely incapable of producing anything to ruralanything guards, judges,producing of and policemen,incapable whereasabsolutely are in

will receive you, whatever be their motive; if you realityyou if it ismotive; maintainedtheir be in spitewhatever ofyou, judges,receive policewill -

one, of the thousands of groups of our federation, men, andfederation, ruralour of guards.groups “Manyof are thethousands lawsthe of producone, -

these groups produce, or will produce. But if not ingnot if criminals!But ” wasproduce. saidwill or long ago.produce, groups these

of work we guarantee to you the free use of all that that all Not of onlyuse infree industrialthe you to workshopsguarantee dowe thingswork of go

port, and so on, is all we ask of you. For this amount on inamount thisthis way;For ityou. happensof ask we everywhere,all is on, so everyand day,port,

ontrans a scale thatsanitation, only public bookworms in haveemployed or as yet houses, no or no-

year, in one of the groups producing food, clothes, tionclothes, of. Whenfood, a railwayproducing company,groups the of federatedone in withyear,

Twelve or fifteen hundred hours of work a work of hours hundred fifteen or Twelve

other companies, fails to fulfil its engagements,“

when its trains are late and taste. goodsyour lieof neglectedbent the to at

you like, for recreation, art, or science, according the stations,according thescience, otheror art, companies recreation, threaten for like, to canyou -

of your time, combine together with whomsoever cel the contract,whomsoever with and thattogether threat usuallycombine time, suffices.your of

to produce necessaries. And as for the remainder It isremainder generally the for believed,as And at any ratenecessaries. it is taughtproduce to in

ganize a new group, provided that it will undertake State-approvedundertake will it schools,that thatprovided commercegroup, new onlya keepsganize

the producing groups which you wish to join, or or toor its engagementsjoin, to wish you from which fear of groups lawsuits. Nothingproducing the

ognized as necessary to existence. Choose yourself of theyourself sort; nineChoose times inexistence. tento the tradernecessary whoas has notognized

secrate four or five hours a day to some work rec kept work his wordsome to will day not a appearhours beforefive or a judge.four There,secrate

twenty to forty-five or fifty years of age, you con whereyou tradeage, of is veryyears active,fifty or as in London,forty-five to the soletwenty

schools, museums, etc., on condition that, from factfrom of havingthat, drivencondition on a creditoretc., to bringmuseums, a lawsuitschools,

of our houses, stores, streets, means of transport, sufficestransport, forof the immensemeans streets, majoritystores, of merchantshouses, our of to

We undertake to give you the use use the you give to undertake We “

refuse for good to have any dealings withcontract: a manlowing

that each of its members should carry out the fol who the hasout compelledcarry oneshould of themmembers to its go of to law.each that

Take, for example, an association stipulating Thisstipulating being so, whyassociation shouldan meansexample, for that areTake, used

today among workers in thework? workshop,voluntary traderson based in tion of transport, not be made use of in a society the society trade, a in andof railwayuse made companiesbe not in thetransport, organizaof tion -

12 objections

220

lated man or like an invalid. If we are rich enough A certainenough standardrich are we ofIf publicinvalid. moralsan like isor mainman - lated

useful, or if you refuse to do it, then live like an iso an like live then it, do to refuse you if or useful,

tained- in the same way. Authoritarians say it is due

to rural guards,anything judges, producing and of policemen, incapable whereas inabsolutely are

reality you it if is maintainedmotive; their inbe spite of whatever judges, you, policereceive - will

men, and ruralfederation, guards.our of “Manygroups areof the lawsthousands producthe of - one,

ing criminals!not if But ” was saidproduce. longwill ago.or produce, groups these

of work we guarantee to you the free use of all that Notthat onlyall of in industrialuse free the workshopsyou to do thingsguarantee we go work of

on in this way;amount this it happensFor you. of everywhere,ask we all is everyon, so day,and port,

or houses, or employed in public sanitation, trans sanitation, public in employed or houses, or

on a- scale that only bookworms have as yet no no-

tion of. Whenclothes, a food, railway company,producing groups federatedthe of one with in year,

Twelve or fifteen hundred hours of work a work of hours hundred fifteen or Twelve

other companies, fails to fulfil its engagements,“

when its trains are late and goods taste. lie neglectedyour of bent at the to

the stations, according the otherscience, companiesor art, threatenrecreation, tofor canlike, - you

cel the contract,whomsoever and thatwith threattogether usually combine suffices. time, your of

to produce necessaries. And as for the remainder It is generallyremainder believed,the for as at And any rate it is taughtnecessaries. in produce to

State-approved undertake schools,will it that commerceprovided onlygroup, keepsnew a ganize

the producing groups which you wish to join, or or or join, to wish you which groups producing the

to its- engagements from fear of lawsuits. Nothing

of the sort; nineyourself timesChoose in ten theexistence. traderto whonecessary hasas not ognized

secrate four or five hours a day to some work rec work some to day a hours five or four secrate

kept- his word will not appear before a judge. There,

twenty to forty-five or fifty years of age, you con you age, of years fifty or forty-five to twenty

where- trade is very active, as in London, the sole

fact of havingfrom that, driven a creditorcondition on toetc., bring a lawsuitmuseums, schools,

suffices for thetransport, of immense means majoritystreets, of stores, merchants houses, toour of

We undertake to give you the use use the you give to undertake We “

refuse for good to have any dealings with a mancontract: lowing

that each of its members should carry out the fol the out carry should members its of each that

whohas compelled one of them to go to law.

Take, for example, an association stipulating This beingstipulating so, why shouldassociation an means thatexample, arefor usedTake,

today among workers in the workshop,work? tradersvoluntary on in based the trade, society and a in railway of use companiesmade be innot the organizatransport, of - tion

12 objections

222

that they continue to rule the masses. If they were towere givethey youIf the necessariesmasses. the rule to of life wecontinue shallthey be that de-

succeeded in defeating the landed nobility, and lightedand to nobility, give themlanded tothe you. You aredefeating ain man, and yousucceeded

defending their privileged position, that they have havehave thethey rightthat to live.position, But as youprivileged wishtheir to live underdefending

energy, even in doing harm (knowingly or not) and specialand not) conditions,or and(knowingly leaveharm thedoing ranks,in even it is moreenergy,

precisely because the middle class put forth a great thangreat a probableforth put thatclass you willmiddle sufferthe for itbecause in your precisely dai-

they find it none the less tiring for that. But it is is lyit relationsBut that. withfor othertiring citizens.less the Younone it will befind lookedthey

nine cases out of ten this work is a harmful work, uponwork, as a ghostharmful a is of bourgeoiswork this ten society, of out unlesscases somenine

hours of leisure to this obligatory work. And if in in friendsif And of yours,work. discoveringobligatory this to you to leisure beof a talent,hours

they find more or less tiresome, all preferring their kindlytheir free preferring you all from all tiresome, moral less or obligation more find towards they

for a number of hours every day to work which societywhich bywork doingto day all theevery necessary hours of work fornumber you.a for

owners, traders, bankers, etc., subject themselves “Andthemselves finally,subject if etc., it doesbankers, not pleasetraders, you,owners, go and

less the Ministers, Heads of Departments, factory lookfactory for other conditionsDepartments, of elsewhereHeads inMinisters, thethe wideless

world,neverthe or elsesociety, seekin adherentswork harmful and organizeeven or withuseless

leged position, rich people often perform absolutely them onabsolutely novel principles.perform often Wepeople preferrich our own.position, ” leged

It must also be said that if, thanks to their privi Thistheir isto what couldthanks if, bethat donesaid inbe a communalalso must It soci-

ety in order toexception. turn awaywithout sluggardsworkers, all if theyfor becameclaim we

tigue. But these are precisely the conditions which toowhich numerous.conditions the precisely are these But tigue. - fa much too without business their do to them

hygienic conditions of air, food, etc., which permits permits which etc., food, air, of conditions hygienic

least unpleasant tasks, and that they work under IV under work they that and tasks, unpleasant least

their privileged position to award themselves the Wethe very muchthemselves doubtaward thatto we needposition fear thisprivileged contintheir -

It is true that the majority of bourgeois profit by by gencyprofit in a societybourgeois of really basedmajority onthe thethat entiretrue is freeIt -

to find one or more bourgeois who work very hard. domhard. ofvery thework individual. who bourgeois more or one find to

trary, in every industrial enterprise, you are sure sure Inare fact,you in spite ofenterprise, the premiumindustrial onevery idlenessin trary, of-

feredcon the byOn the privateexception. ownershipthe are oftoo, capital,they, but the reallythem,

geois are idlers. There are certainly enough of of lazy manenough is comparativelycertainly are rare,There unlessidlers. hisare lazinessgeois

- bebour duethe to illness.that said often is it workmen Among

12 objections

222

to give youwere thethey If necessariesmasses. the of liferule to we shall continue be dethey - that

lighted and to give themnobility, to you.landed Youthe are a man,defeating in and you succeeded

have thehave rightthey to live.that But asposition, you wish privileged to livetheir under defending

special and conditions,not) or and leave(knowingly theharm ranks,doing in it is moreeven energy,

than probablegreat a thatforth youput willclass suffermiddle forthe it in yourbecause dai- precisely

ly relations is it But withthat. otherfor citizens.tiring less Youthe willnone be it lookedfind they

upon as work, a ghost ofharmful a bourgeois is work society,this ten unlessof out somecases nine

friends in if of yours,And discoveringwork. obligatory youthis toto be a talent,leisure of hours

kindly freetheir you frompreferring all all moraltiresome, obligationless or more towards find they

society bywhich doingwork allto theday necessary every workhours of for you. number a for

“ And finally,themselves if itsubject doesetc., not pleasebankers, you,traders, go and owners,

look for otherfactory conditionsDepartments, elsewhereof Heads in the Ministers, wide the less

useless or even harmful work in society, neverthe society, in work harmful even or useless

world,- or else seek adherents and organize with

them on novelabsolutely principles.perform Weoften preferpeople ourrich own.” position, leged

It must also be said that if, thanks to their privi their to thanks if, that said be also must It

- This is what could be done in a communal soci-

ety in order to turn awayexception. sluggardswithout if theyworkers, all becamefor claim we

too numerous.which conditions the precisely are these But tigue. them to do their business without too much fa much too without business their do to them -

hygienic conditions of air, food, etc., which permits permits which etc., food, air, of conditions hygienic

IV under work they that and tasks, unpleasant least

We verythe much doubtthemselves thataward we to need fearposition this continprivileged - their

gency by in a societyprofit reallybourgeois of based on majority the the entire that freetrue -is It

dom ofhard. the individual.very work who bourgeois more or one find to

trary, in every industrial enterprise, you are sure In fact,sure are in spiteyou of the premiumenterprise, onindustrial idlenessevery in of- trary,

them, but they, too, are the exception. On the con the On exception. the are too, they, but them,

fered- by the private ownership of capital, the really

lazy manof is comparativelyenough certainly rare,are unlessThere his lazinessidlers. are geois

Among workmen it is often said that the bour the that said often is it workmen Among be due- to illness.

12 objections

224

tenths of those called lazy. They are people gone idlers,gone theypeople wouldare longThey sincelazy. havecalled ceasedthose of to exist,tenths

andnine- to would haveapplies disappeareddefinition likesame theThe aristocracy.place. wrong In

Somebody has said that dust is matter in the athe societyin thatmatter is woulddust expectthat said only has four or fiveSomebody hours

a day of useful,rest. its pleasant,to goes andnature hygienicall when work, thesenightfall,

ing at the rising sun, and will be at work again at at sameagain middle-classwork at be peoplewill and would sun, performrising the their at tasking

perfectlygaz while well,dawn, andat theygarden certainlyhis wouldcultivates not putworkshop, up

she did not understand. And a workman, lazy in the withthe in thelazy horrible conditionsworkman, a And in whichunderstand. mennot toildid nowshe -

can explain to her the elements of arithmetic which adayswhich withoutarithmetic reformingof elements them.the Ifher ato Huxleyexplain spentcan

of her class if she by chance meets somebody who onlywho five somebody hours meets in thechance by sewers she if ofclass London,her of restas-

at mathematics becomes the first mathematician sured thatmathematician he would first have the found becomes the means of mathematics makat -

with the aid of manual labour. A girl who is stupid ingstupid themis aswho sanitarygirl A as hislabour. physiologicalmanual of aid laboratory.the with

were he taught science, especially if he were taught taught As towere thehe lazinessif of especially the greatscience, majoritytaught he of workwere -

who is lazy at Greek or Latin would work admirably ers, onlyadmirably philistinework would economists Latin or andGreek philanthropistsat lazy is who

by poverty and an anti-hygienic education. A boy canboy A utter sucheducation. nonsense. anti-hygienic an and poverty by

ten, too, it is suffering from cerebral anæmia, caused caused If you askanæmia, an intelligentcerebral from manufacturer,suffering is it too, he willten,

derstand, because he is being badly taught. Very of tell youVery thattaught. if workmenbadly being only is he put it intobecause their headsderstand,

school is often the one which simply does not un to benot lazy,does all factoriessimply which wouldone the have often to is be closed,school

eye, sees well enough that the child reputed lazy at at for lazy no measurereputed ofchild severity,the that no systemenough well ofsees spyingeye,

that idleness? Whoever observes with an intelligent would beintelligent ofan anywith use. Youobserves should haveWhoever seenidleness? the that ter-

nority, would it not be wise to study the origin of of ror causedorigin the in 1887study to among wise Britishbe not it employerswould whennority,

nority in society; and before legislating for that mi a fewthat agitatorsfor startedlegislating preachingbefore and thesociety; “in go-canny nority ”

well understand that it is a question of a small mi theory small —”a Badof pay, badquestion a workis it ”; “that Take it easy,understand do notwell

So when we speak of possible idlers, we must overworkmust we yourselves,idlers, possible andof wastespeak we all youwhen So can.”—

signify? ” demoralization “

”They demoralize the worker, theyword wantthe towould kill ourwhat

—

industry!workshop ” criedthe thosefrom samedismissal peoplewith who thethreaten to dayally be-

fore continu inveighed supposed against is the immoralityemployer the whom of theidler workthe -

namely, namely, — er and thebe badto quality ofrepresented hisare work.they Butwhat if thewere workers -

12 objections

224

idlers, theygone wouldpeople longare sinceThey havelazy. ceasedcalled tothose exist,of tenths

and wouldnine- to have disappearedapplies likedefinition thesame aristocracy.The place. In wrong

a society the thatin wouldmatter is expectdust onlythat foursaid orhas five hoursSomebody

a day of useful, pleasant,rest. its to andgoes hygienicnature all work,when these nightfall,

same at middle-class again work peopleat be wouldwill and perform sun, theirrising taskthe at ing

workshop, cultivates his garden at dawn, while gaz while dawn, at garden his cultivates workshop,

perfectly- well, and they certainly would not put up

with thethe horriblein lazy conditionsworkman, a inAnd which men toilunderstand. nownot did - she

adays withoutwhich reformingarithmetic of them. elements If athe Huxleyher to spentexplain can

only fivewho hours somebody in themeets sewerschance by ofshe if London,class restas-her of

sured that he wouldmathematician have first found the the means becomes of mak- mathematics at

ing them asstupid is sanitary who asgirl A his physiologicallabour. manual laboratory.of aid the with

were he taught science, especially if he were taught As to thetaught lazinesswere he if of the greatespecially majorityscience, of worktaught he - were

ers, only philistineadmirably work economists would andLatin or philanthropistsGreek at lazy is who

can utterboy A such nonsense.education. anti-hygienic an and poverty by

ten, too, it is suffering from cerebral anæmia, caused If you caused ask an intelligentanæmia, cerebral manufacturer,from suffering is he it willtoo, ten,

derstand, because he is being badly taught. Very of Very taught. badly being is he because derstand,

tell - you that if workmen only put it into their heads

school is often the one which simply does not un not does simply which one the often is school

to be- lazy, all factories would have to be closed,

for noat measurelazy ofreputed severity,child the nothat systemenough of spyingwell sees eye,

would be of anyintelligent an use. Youwith shouldobserves have seenWhoever the teridleness? - that

ror causedof inorigin 1887the amongstudy to Britishwise be employersnot it whenwould nority,

nority in society; and before legislating for that mi that for legislating before and society; in nority

a few- agitators started preaching the “go-canny”

well understand that it is a question of a small mi small a of question a is it that understand well

theory- —”Bad pay, bad work”; “Take it easy, do not

overwork must yourselves,we idlers, and possible wasteof allspeak youwe can.when ”—So

demoralization “ word the would what signify?

”They demoralize” the worker, they want to kill our

ally to threaten with dismissal from the workshop the from dismissal with threaten to ally

industry!— ” cried those same people who the day be-

the idler whom the employer is supposed continu supposed is employer the whom idler the

fore- inveighed against the immorality of the work-

ers were what they are represented to be to represented are they what were ers namely, namely, er and the bad— quality of his work. But if the work-

12 objections

226

. London, 1887. London, . Kropotkin: 9 In Russian and French Prisons French and Russian In

astray in a direction that does not answer to their

punishment. When it is a case, as we have already temperamentalready have we noras tocase, theira is it capacities.When In readingpunishment.

order to suppress it, before having recourse to to the biographyrecourse ofhaving great before men, it, we aresuppress struckto withorder

think of looking first for the cause of laziness, in in the numberlaziness, of of cause “ idlersthe ” for among first them.looking Theyof werethink

of idlers increasing in its midst, would no doubt lazydoubt sono long aswould they midst, had its notin found theincreasing rightidlers path;of

This is why a free society, if it saw the number afterwardsnumber the theysaw it if became society, laborious free a towhy is excess. This Dar-

” crime. “ or ” ness

win, Stephenson, and many 9 others belonged to

lazi- “

this categoryon ofpremium idlers.a contain not does itself ment

punish these faults without inquiring if the punish Very the oftenif the idlerinquiring is butwithout a manfaults to whomthese it ispunish re-

trouble to analyze the cause. They are in a hurry to to pugnanthurry a toin spendare allThey his lifecause. makingthe theanalyze to eighteenth trouble

laziness or crime, without giving themselves the partthe of a pin,themselves or thegiving hundredthwithout partcrime, or of a watch,laziness

ing in common with one another. People speak of of whilespeak he feelsPeople he has another. exuberantone with energy common which in ing he

wouldnoth likehaving to expendcollected elsewhere.been have Often,facts too, he isfaculties, a

tions concerning criminality and related to human rebelhuman whoto cannotrelated submitand to beingcriminality fixed all concerning his lifetions to

a ques work-bench all Like in order society. to to evil procure of a source thousand a being pleaof -

which each one could be a source of good, instead suresinstead for hisgood, employer,of source a whilebe knowingcould one himselfeach towhich be

sults due to different causes have been grouped, of of far the lessgrouped, stupidbeen ofhave the two,causes and knowingdifferent to due his onlysults

Under the one name, idleness, a series of re faultof to beseries a that of havingidleness, beenname, one born the in a hovelUnder in-

stead of coming into the world overdriven. in a not castle. is he as long

pleasure in his work which does not tire him, so so Lastly,him, tire annot immensedoes which number work his of in “ idlers” pleasure are

give up the piano, the chisel, or the file. He will find find idlers will becauseHe file. theythe or do notchisel, knowthe wellpiano, enoughthe up thegive

he feels that what he does is beautiful, will never tradenever bywill which theybeautiful, is aredoes compelledhe what tothat earnfeels theirhe

plane well, the chisel, the brush, or the file, so that that living. so Seeingfile, the theor imperfectbrush, the thingchisel, theythe makewell, withplane

has learned to play the piano well, to handle the theirthe ownhandle to hands, well, strivingpiano vainlythe play toto do better,learned andhas

On the other hand, he who since his youth perceivingyouth his thatsince theywho neverhe willhand, succeedother the on accountOn

of the badcause. habitsthis offrom worksuffer alreadyfailures acquired,are who theyartists be- hate work in general. Thousands of workmen and ginand to hate workmen their of trade, and,Thousands not knowinggeneral. in anywork other,hate

12 objections

226

. London, 1887. London, . Kropotkin: 9 In Russian and French Prisons French and Russian In

astray in a direction that does not answer to their

temperament already norhave towe as their case, capacities. a is it InWhen reading punishment.

the biographyto recourse of greathaving men, webefore it, are strucksuppress withto order

the numberin oflaziness, of “idlers cause ” amongthe for them.first They looking were of think

lazy so longdoubt no as theywould had notmidst, foundits in the rightincreasing path; idlers of

afterwards number theythe becamesaw it if laborioussociety, tofree a excess.why is DarThis -

crime. “ or ” ness ”

win, Stephenson, and many others9 belonged to

lazi- “

this category on of idlers.premium a contain not does itself ment

punish these faults without inquiring if the punish the if inquiring without faults these punish

- Very often the idler is but a man to whom it is re-

pugnant to to spendhurry a in allare his lifeThey makingcause. the the eighteenthanalyze to trouble

part ofthe a pin, or thethemselves hundredthgiving partwithout of crime, a watch,or laziness

while of he feelsspeak he hasPeople exuberantanother. one energywith which common hein ing

faculties, facts have been collected having noth having collected been have facts faculties,

would- like to expend elsewhere. Often, too, he is a

rebel who cannothuman to submitrelated and to being fixedcriminality all his lifeconcerning to tions

f en a ore f vl o oit. ie l ques all Like society. to evil of source a being of

a work-bench- in order to procure a thousand plea-

sures for hisinstead employer,good, of whilesource a knowing be could himself one toeach be which

far theof less stupidgrouped, ofbeen the two,have andcauses knowingdifferent histo onlydue sults

Under the one name, idleness, a series of re of series a idleness, name, one the Under

fault- to be that of having been born in a hovel in-

stead of coming into the world in a castle.overdriven. not is he as long

pleasure in his work which does not tire him, so Lastly,so him, an tire immense not does numberwhich of work “ idlershis in ” are pleasure

idlers find because will He theyfile. dothe notor knowchisel, wellthe enoughpiano, the theup give

trade by never which will they arebeautiful, is compelled does he to earnwhat that their feels he

living. that Seeing so thefile, the imperfect or brush, thingthe theychisel, makethe withwell, plane

their ownthe hands,handle to strivingwell, vainlypiano the to doplay better,to andlearned has

perceiving youth thathis theysince neverwho willhe succeedhand, onother accountthe On

of the bad habitscause. ofthis workfrom alreadysuffer acquired,failures are theywho be- artists gin to hateand their trade,workmen of and, not Thousands knowing general. any in other,work hate

12 objections 228

mentioned, of simple bloodlessness, then before stuffing the brain of a child with science, nourish his system so as to produce blood, strengthen him, and, that he shall not waste his time, take him to

the country or to the seaside; there, teach him in

the open air, not in books—geometry,account. by measurtheir on -

there will be no need to manufacture a code of laws inglaws of the distancecode a to a spire,manufacture to or theneed heightno be will of a tree;there

hate work, especially voluntary work, and that naturalthat and sciences,work, while pickingvoluntary flowersespecially andwork, fishinghate

take it for granted that few individuals will really in really the sea;will physicalindividuals science, few whilethat buildinggranted for it the boattake

Suppress the cause of idleness, and you may hemay willyou goand to fish idleness, in. of But cause for the ’mercy s sake Suppress do not

fill his brain with classical sentencesneedle. a andof deadeye the lan-

machine, to plough the head of a screw, or to drill guages.drill to or Do notscrew, makea of anhead idlerthe of him!...plough to machine,

him by forcing him all his life to attend to a small small a Or, to here isattend a to child life whichhis all hashim neitherforcing orderby norhim

space on an engine, but do not make an idler of of regularidler an habits. make Letnot thedo childrenbut firstengine, an inculcateon space or-

the seas in the teeth of a storm, dashing through der amongthrough themselves,dashing storm, a and of laterteeth on,the the in laboratory,seas the

tilling the soil, of felling trees in the forest, sailing thesailing workshop,forest, the thein worktrees that felling will of havesoil, tothe be donetilling

which he ends by loathing, give him the chance of of in a limitedchance the space,him give with manyloathing, toolsby ends about, he underwhich

object, who is stifled at his little tapping machine, the machine, guidance tapping of anlittle intelligenthis at teacher,stifled is who will teachobject,

self to make all his life a minute particle of some themsome of method.particle But dominute nota makelife his disorderlyall make to beingsself

outhim of themcondemn by yourcannot school,who whose workman only the orderGive is the

symmetryit. ofincrease itsto benches,serve only and whichwhich —truelaziness imageagainst of

of teaching; begin that way, instead of making laws thelaws chaosmaking inof its teachingsinstead way, —willthat neverbegin inspireteaching; anyof -

ish your University grades, appeal to the volunteers body withvolunteers thethe to love ofappeal harmony,grades, of consistency,University your andish

methodabol free, in work.school the Make crime. of University a

becomes a University of laziness, as your prison is is Doprison not your you as see that laziness, by of your methodsUniversity a of teaching,becomes

ceived by an average of mediocrities? Your school framedschool byYour a Ministry formediocrities? eightof millionaverage an scholars, by whoceived

- representcon eightmediocrities, millionfor good differentsystem a capacities,impose youonly

12 objections 228 mentioned, of simple bloodlessness, then before stuffing the brain of a child with science, nourish his system so as to produce blood, strengthen him, and, that he shall not waste his time, take him to

the country or to the seaside; there, teach him in

the open air, not in books—geometry, by measuraccount. -their on

ing the laws distance of code a to a spire, or manufacture the to heightneed no of be a tree;will there

natural that sciences, and whilework, pickingvoluntary flowers andespecially fishingwork, hate

in the sea;really physicalwill science,individuals whilefew buildingthat thegranted boatfor it take

he will may go toyou fishand in. Butidleness, of for cause ’mercy s sakethe do notSuppress

fill his brain with classical sentences andneedle. deada of laneye - the

guages. drill Do to notor makescrew, ana idlerof ofhead him!...the plough to machine,

him by forcing him all his life to attend to a small Or, heresmall a isto a childattend whichto life hashis neitherall him orderforcing norby him

regular of habits.idler an Let themake childrennot do but first inculcateengine, an on - or space

der among themselves,through dashing and storm, later a of on, theteeth laboratory,the in seas the

the workshop,sailing theforest, workthe in thattrees will havefelling of to besoil, donethe tilling

in a limitedof chance space, the withhim manygive toolsloathing, about,by ends underhe which

the guidancemachine, of an tapping intelligent little his at teacher, stifled willis teachwho object,

them method.some of But doparticle not makeminute a disorderlylife his all beingsmake to self

Give the workman who cannot condemn him condemn cannot who workman the Give

out - of them by your school, whose only order is the

symmetryit. of its benches,increase to andserve whichonly —truewhich imagelaziness of against

the chaoslaws in itsmaking teachingsof instead — willway, neverthat inspirebegin any-teaching; of

body with the volunteers love the ofto harmony,appeal of consistency,grades, University andyour ish

a University of crime. Make the school free, abol free, school the Make crime. of University a

method- in work.

becomes a University of laziness, as your prison is Dois not youprison seeyour thatas by yourlaziness, methodsof of teaching,University a becomes

framed byschool a MinistryYour for eight mediocrities? million of scholars,average an whoby ceived

only impose a system good for mediocrities, con mediocrities, for good system a impose only represent- eight million different capacities, you

12 objections

230

socialists, since the time of Robert Owen, came to to came Owen, CHAPTERRobert of time XIIIthe since socialists,

It is easy to understand why the early English English THEearly COLLECTIVISTthe why WAGESunderstand to SYSTEMeasy is It

the State. the —

I employer lectivist

InCol theirgreat plansthe for for the reconstructionaccomplished labour offor society theneration

collectivistsremu of mode commit,a as in our opinion,labour-cheques the a of twofold use the er-

what collectivists are doing when they recommend ror. Whilerecommend speakingthey when of abolishingdoing are capitalistcollectivists rule,what

be maintained in any form? This is, nevertheless, they intendnevertheless, neverthelessis, This form? to retainany in two institutionsmaintained be

system system ’ wages the can how —

which are the very basis of this ruleintroduced, — is Representa- duction

tivepro of Governmentmeans all of and the common Wages in ’ System.possession the and

once the abolition of private property is proclaimed, As regardsproclaimed, is so-calledproperty representativeprivate of government,abolition the once

system; because, because, system; ’

we have often spokenWages aboutthe it.with It is absolutelysame the is It incom-

prehensible to us thatmore. intelligentand more men—vanishes and such ernment are

a failure; so that confidence in Representative Gov not wanting inRepresentative thein collectivistconfidence partythat —so can remainfailure; a

experiment they are bound to recognize that it was partisanswas it that of nationalrecognize to or municipalbound are parliamentsthey afterexperiment

to find what is not to be found, and after each new new all theeach lessonsafter historyand hasfound, be given to not them is —what in France,find to in

other parliamentary Utopias. In a word, they strive England,strive they in Germany,word, a In or in Utopias. the United States.parliamentary other

is spoken of, the representation of minorities, and and While weminorities, seeof parliamentaryrepresentation rulethe of, breakingspoken is up,

found to be a failure; proportional representation and from allrepresentation sides criticismproportional of thisfailure; a rulebe to growingfound

ine various palliatives. The Referendum is tried and louderand tried —is not only of itsReferendum results,The but alsopalliatives. of itsvarious prinine -

ciplesimag —howvainly is it thatcountries all the of revolutionarydemocrats socialistsTherefore

terests is growing, the system can no longer work. defendwork. a systemlonger no can already system condemned the togrowing, die?is terests

of their real interests, and the variety of their in Builttheir of up by thevariety middlethe and classes tointerests, holdreal theirtheir ownof

erty. But gradually, as the people become conscious againstconscious royalty,become sanctioning,people the as and, at thegradually, sameBut timeerty.

tensions of royalty, without giving the people lib strengthening, people the theirgiving sway overwithout the royalty, workers, of parliatensions -

mentarypre the ruleagainst is pre-eminentlybarrier protecting aa middle-classraise to rule.system

middle classes have simply used the parliamentary The upholdersparliamentary the of thisused systemsimply havehave neverclasses seriouslymiddle gent among them know that this is impossible. The maintainedThe thatimpossible. is a parliamentthis that know or a municipalthem among coungent - cil represent a nation or a city. The most intelli- 13 the collectivist wages system

230

socialists, since the time of Robert Owen, came to to came Owen, CHAPTER Robert of XIII time the since socialists,

It is easy to understand why the early English THEEnglish COLLECTIVISTearly the why WAGES SYSTEMunderstand to easy is It

the State. the —

I employer lectivist

neration for labour accomplished for the great Col great the for accomplished labour for neration

In their- plans for the reconstruction of society the

the use of the labour-cheques as a mode of remu of mode a as labour-cheques the of use the

collectivists- commit, in our opinion, a twofold er-

ror. While speakingrecommend they of abolishingwhen doing are capitalist rule,collectivists what

they intend neverthelessnevertheless, is, This to retainform? twoany in institutions maintained be

system system ’ wages the can how — which are the very basis of this rule—Representa-introduced, is duction

and the possession in common of all means of pro of means all of common in possession the and

tive- Government and the Wages’ System.

once the abolition of private property is proclaimed, As regards so-calledproclaimed, is representativeproperty private of government,abolition the once

system; because, because, system; ’

we have often spoken aboutWages it. Itthe is absolutelywith same incomthe is It -

prehensible to us that intelligentmore. and menmore —and suchvanishes are ernment

a failure; so that confidence in Representative Gov Representative in confidence that so failure; a

not - wanting in the collectivist party—can remain

partisans was it of nationalthat or municipalrecognize to bound parliamentsare they after experiment

all thenew lessons each historyafter and has givenfound, be them to —not in is France, what in find to

England, strive in Germany,they word, ora inIn the UnitedUtopias. States. parliamentary other

is spoken of, the representation of minorities, and Whileand we see parliamentaryminorities, of rulerepresentation breakingthe of, up, spoken is

and from all sidesrepresentation criticism ofproportional this rulefailure; a growingbe to found

louder —and not tried only is of its results,Referendum The but also of palliatives. its prinvarious - ine

Therefore democrats of all countries vainly imag vainly countries all of democrats Therefore

ciples- —how is it that the revolutionary socialists

defend awork. system longer alreadyno can condemnedsystem the to die? growing, is terests

of their real interests, and the variety of their in their of variety the and interests, real their of

- Built up by the middle classes to hold their own

against royalty,conscious sanctioning,become people and,the atas the samegradually, timeBut erty.

tensions of royalty, without giving the people lib people the giving without royalty, of tensions strengthening,- their sway over the workers, parlia-

system to raise a protecting barrier against the pre the against barrier protecting a raise to system

mentary- rule is pre-eminently a middle-class rule.

The upholders of parliamentary this the systemused havesimply neverhave seriouslyclasses middle maintained The that a parliamentimpossible. is this that or a municipalknow them counamong - gent cil represent a nation or a city. The most intelli- 13 the collectivist wages system

232

work. With this cheque the worker worker the cheque this With work. ’

the system of labour-cheques. They simplyhours triedEight to

a labour-note, which is inscribed with these words: makewords: Capitalthese andwith Labourinscribed is agree.which They repudiatedlabour-note, a

ries, the roads, etc. Every work-day is paid for with thewith ideafor ofpaid is laying handswork-day on Every capitalistetc. propertyroads, the ries, by

meansfacto the of revolutionaryland, the owns measures.which State, the by fixed

factory, school, hospital, etc. The working-day is is It is also working-day easy The to understandetc. hospital, why Proudhonschool, tookfactory,

It amounts to this: Everybody works in field, up field, later in on works the same idea. Everybody In this: his to Mutualist amounts It system

). ”

he tried to principles make other Capitalany or less offensive,communist to notwithcording -

group to divide the produce, as they think fit, ac standing fit, think the retaining they as of private produce, the property, divide to whichgroup

liberty of each each of liberty “

he detested from the the bottomand of hisproduction, heart, of but whichstruments

by Collectivism the possession in common of all in heall believedof tocommon bein necessarypossession to guaranteethe individuCollectivism by -

chists, who still call themselves collectivists, imply alsimply against the State.collectivists, themselves call still who chists,

English, and Italian collectivists (the Spanish anar NeitherSpanish is it(the astonishing collectivists that certainItalian and economists, English,

for work done, preached by the French, German, moreGerman, or less bourgeois,French, the by admit labour-cheques.preached done, work Theyfor

Let us closely examine this system of remuneration care little remuneration whetherof system the this worker isexamine paid inclosely us labour- Let notes or in coin stamped with the effigy of theII Re-

public or the Empire. They only care to save from

destruction the individual ownership of dwelling-nation? the

that they will belong to the commune or or commune the to belong will they that —

houses, of land, of factories; in any case—that,property, at

ils ad h fcois il o ogr e private be least, oflonger dwelling-houses no will andfactories the the capital and that is necfields, -

of wagedom, when we admit that the houses, the essarythe forhouses, manufacturing.the that admit Andwe labour-noteswhen wouldwagedom, of

But how can we defend labour-notes, this new form justform answernew this the purposelabour-notes, of upholdingdefend we can this how private But

maintained, and the right to levy it is left with them. property.them. with left is it levy to right the and maintained,

sorts of commodities, once that toll upon labour is is Aslabour longupon as toll labour-notes that once can be exchangedcommodities, of sorts for

in paper-money, or in cheques exchangeable for all all jewelsfor or carriages,exchangeable the cheques owner in or of the housepaper-money, willin

owners will agree to be paid by the workers in gold, willinglygold, in acceptworkers themthe by forpaid rent.be to And asagree longwill as dwellowners -

fields or factories, or for living in the houses. The The ing houses,houses. the fields, in andliving factoriesfor or belongfactories, or to isolatedfields way or another, for being allowed to work in the owners,the in menwork to will haveallowed to paybeing thesefor owners,another, or in oneway

13 the collectivist wages system

232

work. With this cheque the worker worker the cheque this With work. ’

the system of labour-cheques. They simply triedhours to Eight

make Capitalwords: andthese Labourwith agree.inscribed is They which repudiated labour-note, a

the ideawith of for laying paid is hands on work-day capitalist Every etc. property roads, bythe ries,

fixed by the State, which owns the land, the facto the land, the owns which State, the by fixed

meansof revolutionary measures.

factory, school, hospital, etc. The working-day is Itis is also easy toworking-day understandThe etc. why Proudhonhospital, school, took factory,

up later field, on in the same works idea. In Everybody his Mutualist this: to system amounts It

cording to communist or any other principles other any or communist to cording ).

he tried ” to make Capital less offensive, notwith-

standingac fit, the retaining think they of as private produce, property, the divide which to group

struments of production, and the the and production, of struments liberty of each each of liberty

he detested from the“ bottom of his heart, but which

he believedin all of to be necessarycommon in to guaranteepossession the individu-Collectivism by

als againstimply the State. collectivists, themselves call still who chists,

English, and Italian collectivists (the Spanish anar Spanish (the collectivists Italian and English,

- Neither is it astonishing that certain economists,

more or lessGerman, bourgeois,French, admitthe by labour-cheques.preached done, Theywork for

care little whetherremuneration of the workersystem this is paid examine in labour-closely us Let notes or in coin stamped with the effigy of the Re- II

public or the Empire. They only care to save from

destruction the individual ownership of dwelling-nation? the

that they will belong to the commune or or commune the to belong will they that —

houses, of land, of factories; in any case—that, at property,

least, private be of dwelling-houseslonger no will and the capitalfactories the that and is nec - fields,

essary the for manufacturing.houses, the that Andadmit labour-noteswe when would wagedom, of

just answerform thenew purposethis of upholdinglabour-notes, defend thiswe privatecan how But

property. them. with left is it levy to right the and maintained,

sorts of commodities, once that toll upon labour is Asis long labour as labour-notesupon toll that canonce be exchangedcommodities, forof sorts

jewels all orfor carriages, theexchangeable owner cheques ofin theor house will paper-money, in

willingly gold, acceptin themworkers forthe rent.by paid And be asto longagree as dwellwill - owners

ing houses,The fields,houses. the andin factoriesliving for or belong to isolatedfactories, or fields owners, the menin willwork haveto to payallowed thesebeing owners,for inanother, oneor way

13 the collectivist wages system

234

eight; if the professor wished to have his day paid canpaid procureday his allhave sortsto of merchandisewished professor inthe theif storeseight;

work instead of of instead work ’

owned by the State hours or bysix diverscost corporations.only should Thesteel

If the miners protested and said that a ton of of chequeton a is that divisible, said and so that youprotested can buyminers anthe If hour’s-

work worth of meat, ten minutes’ worth of matches,preciation.

among their members according to their own ap or halfown antheir hourto of tobacco.according Aftermembers the Collectivisttheir among

received by the Guild of Miners, would be divided Revolution,divided be insteadwould of Miners, sayingof “Guild twopence the by worthreceived of

the sixteen thousand cheques of one hour each, soap, each, ” we hour shall one of say “five cheques minutes’ worth thousand of soap. sixteen ”the

of coal, coal would be worth two hours a ton, and and Mostton, a collectivists,hours two trueworth be to the would distinction coal coal, laidof

taken twenty days to extract eight thousand tons downtons by middle-classthousand eight economistsextract to days (and bytwenty Marxtaken as

On the other hand, a hundred miners having well)having betweenminers qualifiedhundred a workhand, and simpleother the work,On tell

us, moreover,proper. thought that qualifiedthemselves they oras professionaliron-works the work

cheques would be divided among the members of of must be members paid the a certainamong quantitydivided be more would than simplecheques

notes of one hour each, and these eight thousand work. Thusthousand oneeight hourthese ’s workand ofeach, a doctorhour one will of havenotes to

be consideredlabour- thousand as equivalenteight them topay two orwould threeState hoursthe ’

For this this For ” ton. a hours eight —

work of a hospital nurse, or tosteel threeof ortons five hourshundred ’

them eight thousand working hours to produce a a work ofproduce ato navvy.hours “Professional,working or thousand qualified eight them work,

work-day being an eight-hours day, it has taken willtaken be has a it multiple day, of simpleeight-hours work,an ” saysbeing the collecwork-day -

to produce them, and it took them ten days. Their tivistTheir Grönlund,days. ten “becausethem took it thisand kind ofthem, work needsproduce to a

tons of steel. A hundred workmen were required more required or lesswere long apprenticeship.workmen hundred ”A steel. of tons

Here are a hundred hundred a are Here “

Some other collectivists, say: would such as thecorporation a FrenchThus

corporations being paid a lump sum for work done. Marxist,done. work Guesde,for sum do notlump a makepaid this distinction.being Theycorporations

Let us add that certain collectivists admit of of proclaimadmit the “Equalitycollectivists of Wages.certain that ” Theadd us doctor, Let the

s work. s ’

schoolmaster,professor anda of the professorhours two say, will bethey paidworth, (inbe la-

s work of a sewerman would would sewerman a of work s ’

bour-cheques) at the same rate hour as theOne navvy.work. Eightable

- agree than rate higher a at for paid be could —

hours visiting the sick in a hospital will be wortherage

- sew as such —

the same as eightwork hours spentunhealthy or in earthworksdisagreeable or elsethat Some make a greater concession; they admit in admit mines they or factories.concession; greater a make Some

13 the collectivist wages system

234

can procurepaid day all his sorts have of to merchandisewished in theprofessor storesthe if eight;

steel should only cost six hours six cost only should steel work instead of of instead work

owned by the State or’ by divers corporations. The

cheque of iston divisible,a that sosaid thatand you can protested buy an miners hour the ’s-If

work worth of meat, ten minutes’ worth of matches, preciation.

among their members according to their own ap own their to according members their among

or half- an hour of tobacco. After the Collectivist

Revolution, divided insteadbe ofwould sayingMiners, “twopenceof Guild the worth by of received

soap, ” we each, shall hour say one “ five of minutes cheques ’ worth of thousand soap. ” sixteen the

of coal, coal would be worth two hours a ton, and Mostand collectivists,ton, a hours truetwo to theworth be distinctionwould coal laid coal, of

down bytons middle-classthousand economistseight extract (andto bydays Marxtwenty as taken

well) betweenhaving qualifiedminers workhundred a and simplehand, other work, the tellOn

us, moreover,proper. that thought qualified themselves or they professional as iron-works work the

must of be paid a members certain the quantityamong moredivided be than simplewould cheques

work. Thus onethousand houreight ’s workthese ofand a doctoreach, willhour haveone of to notes

be consideredlabour- as equivalentthousand eight to twothem orpay threewould hoursState ’ the

eight hours a ton. a hours eight — steel of tons hundred For this this For

work of a hospital” nurse, or to three or five hours’

work a of a navvy.produce to “Professional,hours working or qualifiedthousand eight work, them

will be a taken multiple has it of day, simple work,eight-hours ” saysan thebeing collecwork-day

tivist Grönlund,Their days. “becauseten them thistook kind it ofand workthem, needs a produce to

more or lessrequired long apprenticeship.were workmen ” hundred A steel. of tons

Here are a hundred hundred a are Here “

Some other collectivists, say: suchwould as the Frenchcorporation a Thus

Marxist, done. Guesde, work dofor notsum makelump a this distinction.paid being They corporations

proclaim of theadmit “Equality ofcollectivists Wages.certain ” Thethat doctor,add us theLet

be worth, they say, two hours of a professor a of hours two say, they worth, be s work. s

schoolmaster,’ and the professor will be paid (in la-

s work of a sewerman would would sewerman a of work s ’

bour-cheques) at the same rate as the hour navvy. One Eightwork. able

could be paid for at a higher rate than agree than rate higher a at for paid be could — erage

hours- visiting the sick in a hospital will be worth

— work unhealthy or disagreeable that -

the samesew asas eightsuch hours spent in earthworks or else in mines admit or factories.they concession; greater a make Some

13 the collectivist wages system

236

clared that you do not take into account his share fourshare timeshis moreaccount thaninto thetake not nurse, do thenyou that the Stateclared

- de having after —

would interfere andthis wouldAnd settle theirproduction. differences.future to

order to appraise the amount each will contribute Suchcontribute is, will in a feweach words,amount thethe organizationappraise to the order col-

accurately calculate the years of apprenticeship in in lectivists wish toapprenticeship seeof ariseyears outthe of the Socialcalculate Revolution.accurately

the nervous energy you have expended. You will Aswill weYou see, their principlesexpended. have are:you Collectiveenergy propertynervous the of

weigh the muscular force, the brain energy, and theand instrumentsenergy, brain of production,the force, and remunerationmuscular the weigh to

time, while in another he only tends two, you will eachwill you according two, totends the only time he spent inanother producing,in while whiletime,

factories a worker can see to six power-looms at a a takingat into accountpower-looms six theto productivitysee can ofworker hisa labour.factories As

And as an hour measures nothing, as in some some in as nothing, measures hour an as And

to the political system, it would be the Parliamentary“

system, modifiedyours. than more by buy positive not instructionsshould neighbours given to

work, and you will take care that a minute of your thoseyour of elected,minute a and bythat thecare Referendumtake will —you a vote,and takenwork,

belongs to you. You will count your minutes of of by noes minutes or ayesyour by thecount nation.will You you. to belongs

will carefully weigh what part of the new produce Letproduce usnew ownthe thatof thispart systemwhat appearsweigh tocarefully us simwill -

new machinery, in the digging of new mines. You plyYou unrealizable.mines. new of digging the in machinery, new

the share you are going to take in the creation of of Collectivistscreation the in begintake to by proclaiminggoing are you a revolutionshare the -

But from to-morrow you will minutely debate debate minutely will you to-morrow from But

ary principle—the abolition of private property“ —

and then theyproperty. deny it, collective no soonerthis in thaneach of proclaimed,share the

the slightest distinction will be made concerning by upholdingconcerning made an be organization will of distinction productionslightest andthe

railways, harbours, mines, etc., all are yours. Not consumptionNot yours. are whichall etc., originated mines, in privateharbours, property.railways,

factories, factories, —

They proclaimnow till up a revolutionaryinvented been principle,has that andall

far as regards production: fields, tools, machinery, ignoremachinery, the consequencestools, fields, that thisproduction: principleregards as willfar

You shall be a Commune as as Commune a be shall You “

inevitably bring about. They forget that manifestations. the verydaily

ately after strive to maintain private property in its its factin of abolishingproperty individualprivate maintain propertyto strive in theafter instruately -

- immedi and ” property, private No “

ments of work—land, factories, road, capitalsay, They —must

launch societyproperty. into absolutelycommon newconsidered channels;are mustproduction

as land, machinery, and all other instruments of of completely instruments overthrow other all theand present systemmachinery, ofland, proas - modify daily relations between individuals, as soon duction,soon as both in individuals, its aim asbetween well as inrelations its means;daily mustmodify

13 the collectivist wages system

236

four timesshare morehis thanaccount theinto nurse,take not thendo theyou Statethat clared

to future production. And this And production. future to - de having after

would interfere and would— settle their differences.

order to appraise the amount each will contribute Such is, in contribute a fewwill words,each the organizationamount the theappraise colto - order

lectivists in wish to see ariseapprenticeship of out ofyears thethe Social Revolution.calculate accurately

As we see,will theirYou principlesexpended. are:have Collectiveyou propertyenergy ofnervous the

the instrumentsand energy, of production,brain the andforce, remunerationmuscular the to weigh

each accordingwill you totwo, the timetends spentonly he in producing,another in whilewhile time,

taking a intoat account thepower-looms productivitysix to see can of his labour.worker a As factories

And as an hour measures nothing, as in some some in as nothing, measures hour an as And

to the political system, it would be the Parliamentary “

system, modifiedyours. bythan positivemore buy instructionsnot should given to neighbours

those elected,your of and byminute a the Referendumthat care take —awill vote,you takenand work,

by noes of or ayesminutes by theyour nation.count will You you. to belongs

will carefully weigh what part of the new produce Let us ownproduce thatnew the this of systempart appearswhat weigh to us simcarefully - will

ply unrealizable.You mines. new of digging the in machinery, new

the share you are going to take in the creation of Collectivistsof creation beginthe in by proclaimingtake to going aare revolutionyou share - the

But from to-morrow you will minutely debate debate minutely will you to-morrow from But

ary principle—the abolition of private property—“

and then they denyproperty. it, no soonercollective this than in proclaimed,each of share the

by upholding concerning an organizationmade be will of productiondistinction andslightest the

consumption Not whichyours. are originatedall etc., in mines, private property.harbours, railways,

all that has been invented up till now till up invented been has that all factories, factories,

They proclaim— a revolutionary principle, and

ignore the consequencesmachinery, tools, thatfields, this principleproduction: willregards as far

You shall be a Commune as as Commune a be shall You “

inevitably bring about. They forget that the verymanifestations. daily

fact ofits abolishingin property individual private propertymaintain to in thestrive instruafter - ately

and immedi and ” property, private No “ say, They

ments- of work—land, factories, road, capital—must

launch society intoproperty. absolutelycommon new channels;considered are must production

completely of overthrowinstruments theother presentall and system ofmachinery, pro-land, as duction, soon bothas in its aimindividuals, as well asbetween in its means;relations mustdaily modify

13 the collectivist wages system

238

that if engineers, scientists, or doctors are paid ten inten pastpaid production.are doctors ”or scientists, engineers, if that

But we know what to think of this. We know know Well,We forthis. usof it is think evident to what that a know society we But cannot

be based on two absolutely opposedproduction. principles,their for twosary

principlesneces thatsocially contradictwork of onequantity anotherthe to continually.proportion

ry of value, and upheld that goods are exchanged in in And a nationexchanged orare a communegoods that whichupheld wouldand havevalue, of suchry

- theo s ’

an organizationRicardo wouldaccount beown compelledhis on up totaken reverthaving to

manual labour? He could not conclude otherwise, privateotherwise, propertyconclude in thenot instrumentscould He of labour? production, manual

tinction is equally logical between two branches of of or to transformbranches two itself intobetween a communistlogical equally is society.tinction - dis same the that asserted Marx not has And vy?

IIInav a make to necessary that than greater is neer

- engi an make to outlay ” necessary “

We have said that certain collectivist the writers desirebecause is

engineer is paid twenty times more than a navvy it it that navvy a a distinctionthan more shouldtimes be madetwenty paid between is qualiengineer -

have not economists tried to prove to us that if an an fiedif that orus professionalto prove to tried work and simpleeconomists not work.have They

— fact In navvy. the of ” labour-force “

pretend that an hour’s work of an engineer,the than anety ar-

- soci to more cost have will engineer the of ”

chitect, or a doctor, must be considered as twoforce or

the labour labour the “ as être, ’

three hours’ workd of a blacksmith,raison its has a wages mason,of scale ora a

bourgeois economists, and Marx too, to prove that hospitalthat prove nurse.to too, And Marx the and same distinctioneconomists, mustbourgeois be

; they will quote quote will they ; ” Socialism Scientific “

made between all sorts of trades necessitating of speak ap-

We know the answer we shall get. They will prenticeship,will They get. andshall thewe simple answer toil the of day know labourers. We

Well, to establish thissociety. distinctioncrumbling wouldancient beour to

up as a principle an abuse already condemned in in maintain allcondemned the inequalitiesalready abuse an of presentprinciple society.a as up It

tion of the Social Revolution. It would mean setting wouldsetting meanmean fixingwould It a dividingRevolution. line, fromSocial the theof begintion -

ning,sanc the between it giving the and workers society and thosepresent of who pretendculiarities

It would mean reviving one of the distinct pe to governdistinct them.the of Itone would meanreviving mean dividing would It society

into two very distinct classes—thefosterers. aristocracytheir govern of

those who, profiting by their leisure, study how to to knowledgehow study placedleisure, abovetheir by the horny-handedprofiting who, lowerthose one working with its hands to feed and clothe ordersclothe —and the onefeed to doomed hands toits servewith the other;working theone

13 the collectivist wages system

238

in past ten production.paid are ” doctors or scientists, engineers, if that

But we know what to think of this. We know Well,know for We us it this. is of evident think thatto a what society know cannotwe But

be based on two absolutely opposed principles,production. their twofor sary

proportion to the quantity of work socially neces socially work of quantity the to proportion

principles- that contradict one another continually.

And ain nation or aexchanged communeare goods whichthat wouldupheld haveand suchvalue, of ry

- theo s ’

an organization wouldRicardo beaccount compelledown his on toup reverttaken to having

private propertyotherwise, in theconclude instruments not could ofHe production,labour? manual

or to of transform branches itselftwo into a communistbetween logical society.equally is tinction vy? And has not Marx asserted that the same dis same the that asserted Marx not has And vy? -

III nav a make to necessary that than greater is neer

- engi an make to outlay ” necessary “

We have said that certain collectivist writers the desire because is

that it a distinctionnavvy a than shouldmore be madetimes betweentwenty paid is qualiengineer

fied an orif professionalthat us to prove workto andtried simple economists work.not They have

“ the than ety — fact In navvy. the of ”

pretend that an hour’s work of an engineer,labour-force an ar-

of the engineer will have cost more to soci to more cost have will engineer the of ” force

chitect,- or a doctor, must be considered as two or

être, as as être, ’ d raison its has wages of scale a the labour labour the

three hours’ work“ of a blacksmith, a mason, or a

hospital that nurse.prove Andto thetoo, sameMarx distinctionand musteconomists, be bourgeois

; they will quote quote will they ; ” Socialism Scientific “

made between all sorts of trades necessitating of ap - speak

prenticeship, will They and get. the simpleshall we toil of answer day the labourers. know We

Well, to establish this distinctionsociety. wouldcrumbling be toancient our

maintain in all the inequalitiescondemned already of presentabuse an society.principle a Itas up

would meansetting fixingmean a dividingwould It line, fromRevolution. theSocial beginthe of - tion

culiarities of present society and giving it the sanc the it giving and society present of culiarities

ning,- between the workers and those who pretend

It would mean reviving one of the distinct pe distinct the of one reviving mean would It

to govern- them. It would mean dividing society

into two very distinct classes—the aristocracyfosterers. their of govern

knowledge to how placedstudy aboveleisure, thetheir horny-handed by profiting lowerwho, those orders —theclothe oneand doomedfeed to to servehands its the with other; theworking one

13 the collectivist wages system

240

talist monopoly. In a word, of State and Capital. or aCapital. hundred and timesState of moreword, thana In a labourer,monopoly. and talist if a

weaverCapi of earns threetutelage, times moregovernmental thanof antaxes, agriculturalof result

For us the scale of remuneration is a complex labourer,complex a is and ten times moreremuneration of thanscale a girlthe us in aFor match

factory, it is not by wages. reason mock of theirthese “costaccept ofnot producthey -

derful organization, they would die of hunger did did tion, ” buthunger byof reasondie ofwould a monopolythey of education,organization, derful or

a won monopoly our to of industry.thanks because, Engineers, scientists,exclusively so do andthey

that people work for less, but we also know that doctorsthat know merelyalso we exploitbut theirless, for capitalwork —theirpeople diplothat -

We know full well well full know We ” production. of cost “

mas—as middle-class employers exploit their a factory,resent

orrep as noblespeasant usedthe to to exploitpaid 8d. 1s. their the titlesor of nobility.lace-making,

to an Auvergne peasant girl who grows blind at at Asblind to thegrows employerwho girl who payspeasant an engineerAuvergne an twento -

the 1s. 3d. paid to a Paris workwoman, the 3d. paid typaid times3d. the more than a workwoman, labourer, Paris a to it is simplypaid 3d. 1s. duethe to

Could they, for example, make us believe that personalthat believe interest;us make if the engineerexample, for canthey, economizeCould

£4,000 a deaths. year on thepremature costand of production,anæmia, of theravages the em-

en into account infant-mortality among the poor, ployerpoor, the pays himamong £800. And if infant-mortality the employeraccount into hasen a

foremantak have we who saveswhen £400artisan, on theskilled a workthan by cleverlysociety to

whether a robust day-labourer does not cost more sweatingmore cost workmen,not does he gladly givesday-labourer himrobust a £80 or £120whether

more to society than a worker, it remains to be seen a seen year. be to He partsremains withit an extraworker, a £40than whensociety heto expectsmore

tion of a producer; and if a noble loafer costs far far to gaincosts £400 loafer by it; andnoble a thisif isand the essenceproducer; a of of the Caption -

italistproduc system.of cost Thethe same differencescalculated ever has obtain Nobody among

different manualsoil. trades.the of tilling the to preference in

of the privileges accorded by all States to industries Letindustries them,to therefore,States all by not talkaccorded to us of privileges “thethe costof

that have as yet no industries, and in consequence of productionconsequence in ” whichand raisesindustries, theno costyet as of skilledhave that la-

dustry reaps in international trade, from countries bour, andcountries tellfrom us thattrade, a student whointernational in has gailyreaps spentdustry

weaver simply benefits by the advantages his in his his youth inadvantages a universitythe by has a right benefits to simply a wage tenweaver

greater than the cost of teaching a peasant his. The timesThe his. greaterpeasant a than theteaching sonof ofcost a the miner than who hasgreater

cost of teaching a weaver his work is not four times growntimes palefour not inis a minework sincehis theweaver agea of eleven;teaching of or thatcost greater than that of an agricultural labourer. The aThe weaver haslabourer. a right toagricultural a wagean of threethat orthan four timesgreater

13 the collectivist wages system

240

or a hundredCapital. timesand moreState of than word, a a labourer, In and ifmonopoly. a talist

result of taxes, of governmental tutelage, of Capi of tutelage, governmental of taxes, of result

weaver- earns three times more than an agricultural

labourer, andcomplex a ten is times more thanremuneration of a girlscale in athe matchus For

factory, it is not by reasonwages. of theirmock “costthese of producaccept not - they

tion, ” butdid by reasonhunger of ofdie a monopolywould they of education,organization, or derful

a monopolywon our ofto industry.thanks Engineers,because, scientists,exclusively so anddo they

doctors that merelyknow exploitalso we theirbut capitalless, for —theirwork diplopeople - that

We know full well well full know We ” production. of cost “

mas—as middle-class employers exploit a factory,their resent

lace-making, or the 1s. 8d. paid to the peasant rep peasant the to paid 8d. 1s. the or lace-making,

or as- nobles used to exploit their titles of nobility.

to an Auvergne peasant girl who grows blind at Asat to theblind employergrows whowho paysgirl an engineerpeasant twenAuvergne -an to

ty times paid more3d. the than a labourer,workwoman, it Paris is a simplyto paid due3d. to1s. the

personal that interest;believe us if themake engineerexample, canfor economizethey, Could

£4,000 a year ondeaths. the costpremature of and production, anæmia, of the emravages - the

ployer payspoor, the him £800.among And if the employerinfant-mortality hasaccount ainto en

to society than a skilled artisan, when we have tak have we when artisan, skilled a than society to

foreman- who saves £400 on the work by cleverly

sweating more workmen,cost not hedoes gladly gives himday-labourer £80 robust or a £120 whether

a year. Heseen partsbe to with anremains it extra £40worker, a whenthan he expectssociety to more

to gain far £400costs by it; andloafer thisnoble isa theif essenceand of theproducer; a Cap of - tion

Nobody has ever calculated the cost of produc of cost the calculated ever has Nobody

italist- system. The same differences obtain among

different manual trades.soil. the of tilling the to preference in

of the privileges accorded by all States to industries Let them,industries therefore,to States notall by talk to usaccorded of “the costprivileges the of

of production ” whichconsequence in raisesand the costindustries, no of yet skilled as lahave - that

bour, and tellcountries us thatfrom a studenttrade, who hasinternational gailyin spentreaps dustry

weaver simply benefits by the advantages his in his advantages the by benefits simply weaver

his - youth in a university has a right to a wage ten

times greaterThe his. thanpeasant thea son ofteaching of a minercost the whothan has greater

grown paletimes in four a minenot is sincework thehis age of weaver eleven; a or thatteaching of cost a weaver The has a rightlabourer. to a wageagricultural threean of or fourthat timesthan greater

13 the collectivist wages system

242

ciety. Could we endure them in a society that began Therefore,began that we society saya in that them all wagesendure ’we theoriesCould haveciety.

They revolt us already in this authoritarian so been inventedauthoritarian afterthis in the eventalready us to justifyrevolt injusticesThey

at present existing, and that weus. need notrevolt take themprivileges

We are anarchists precisely because these these because precisely anarchists are We ”

into consideration. birth!

the privileges of education, as well as with those of of Neitherthose with willas theywell as fail to telleducation, usof that theprivileges Collecthe -

Down with with Down ‘”

tivist scale of wagessay, we wouldAnd be anwoman. improvement.poor the of 3d. “It

difference between the 8s. of the workman and the wouldthe and be better,workman ” the so of they8s. say,the “to seebetween certain artidifference -

of the high salary of the minister as well as of the sansthe of receivingas well as a wageminister twothe orof threesalary timeshigh higherthe of

s 3d., we disapprove disapprove we 3d., s ’

than common labourers,girl thanpeasant to the seeto a ministerdown day a re-

among workmen there is every gradation, from 8s. 8s. ceivingfrom in a daygradation, what every a is workman there cannotworkmen earn inamong a

paid two or three times more than a workman, and year.and It wouldworkman, a be athan greatmore step towardstimes three equality.or two ”paid

content himself with £40 or less; when a foreman is is For foreman usa this when stepless; wouldor £40 be thewith reversehimself of progcontent -

ister gets paid £4,000 a year, while a workman must ress.must To makeworkman a a distinctionwhile year, a between£4,000 paid simplegets andister

professionalmin a when worksystem, in a newsocial societyexisting wouldour resultUnder in

the Revolution sanctioningpractice. into andthem recognizingput to failed asshe a

doomed her own revolutionary principles when principlewhen a brutalprinciples fact we submitrevolutionary toown nowadays,her butdoomed

would have appeared admirable, but the Commune that weCommune neverthelessthe but findadmirable, unjust.appeared Ithave wouldwould mean

Opportunist Chamber of Deputies, such a decision imitatingdecision a thosesuch gentlemenDeputies, of of the FrenchChamber AssemblyOpportunist

dier, Government and governed. Coming from an an who proclaimedfrom Coming on Augustgoverned. 4th,and 1789, the abolitionGovernment dier,

the former inequality between functionary and sol of feudaland rights, functionary but who onbetween August 8thinequality sanctionedformer the

ic equality. In reality, the Commune only ratified theseratified sameonly rights byCommune imposingthe reality, dues In on theequality. peasic -

ants todemocrat compensatesuperior of theact an noblemen,as hailed placingwas thesedecision

erates on the ramparts received only 1s. 3d., this duesthis 3d., under1s. theonly protectionreceived of theramparts Revolution.the on erates It

wouldFed the meanwhile imitatingday, a 6d. the12s. RussianCouncil Government,Commune the

the Commune of 1871 decided to pay members of of which proclaimed,members pay to at thedecided time1871 ofof the emancipationCommune the

Or else, to take a better known example, when of when the serfs,example, that certainknown landsbetter a shouldtake to henceforthelse, Or belong to theserfs. nobility,the to whilebelonging formerlyas theseconsidered landswere

13 the collectivist wages system

242

Therefore, began wethat say thatsociety a allin wagesthem ’ theoriesendure we haveCould ciety.

been so invented afterauthoritarian thethis eventin to justifyalready us injusticesrevolt They

at present existing, and that we need notus. takerevolt them privileges

We are anarchists precisely because these these because precisely anarchists are We ”

into consideration. birth!

the privileges of education, as well as with those of Neitherof those will with they as failwell toas tell us thateducation, of the Collecprivileges - the

Down with with Down ‘”

tivist scale of wages say, would we beAnd an improvement.woman. poor the “ Itof 3d.

would the be better,and ” so workman they the say,of 8s. “tothe see certainbetween artidifference

sans receivingthe of as a well wageas two orminister threethe of timessalary higherhigh the of

a day down to the peasant girl peasant the to down day a s 3d., we disapprove disapprove we 3d., s

than common labourers,’ than to see a minister re-

ceiving 8s. in afrom day what gradation, a workmanevery is cannotthere earn workmen in a among

year. It and would be aworkman, greata than step towardsmore times equality.three or ” two paid

content himself with £40 or less; when a foreman is Foris us thisforeman a step wouldwhen less; beor the£40 reversewith of himself prog - content

ress. To must make a distinctionworkman a while betweenyear, a simple£4,000 paid andgets ister

Under our existing social system, when a min a when system, social existing our Under

professional- work in a new society would result in

the Revolution sanctioningpractice. andinto recognizingthem put to as afailed she

principle when a brutal factprinciples we submit torevolutionary nowadays,own her but doomed

that we neverthelessCommune the but find unjust.admirable, It appeared wouldhave mean would

imitating thosedecision a gentlemensuch ofDeputies, theof French Chamber Assembly Opportunist

who proclaimedan from on Coming August 4th,governed. 1789,and the abolitionGovernment dier,

the former inequality between functionary and sol and functionary between inequality former the

of feudal- rights, but who on August 8th sanctioned

these sameratified rightsonly by imposingCommune the dues onreality, theIn peas-equality. ic

decision was hailed as an act of superior democrat superior of act an as hailed was decision

ants- to compensate the noblemen, placing these

dues underthis 3d., the1s. protectiononly ofreceived the Revolution.ramparts the on It erates

the Commune Council 12s. 6d. a day, while the Fed the while day, a 6d. 12s. Council Commune the

would- mean imitating the Russian Government,

which of proclaimed,members atpay theto time ofdecided the1871 emancipation of Commune the

of the serfs,when that certainexample, landsknown shouldbetter a take henceforth to else, Or belong to the nobility,serfs. the whileto formerlybelonging as these landsconsidered were

13 the collectivist wages system

244

a day, year in year out, at different work which is is by proclaimingwhich work equality?different at out, year in year day, a

two individuals work for the community five hours hours Thisfive is why somecommunity the collectivists, for work understandingindividuals two

value), nor of use value, in terms of production. If If the impossibilityproduction. of of maintainingterms in value, ause scaleof ofnor wagesvalue), in

value (of what has been wrongly termed exchange a societyexchange inspiredtermed by thewrongly breathbeen has of thewhat Revolution,(of value

ued in money. There can be no exact measure of of hasten tomeasure proclaimexact no equalitybe can of wage.There Butmoney. they in meetued

factory or field, or mental services, cannot be val withbe new cannot difficulties, services, andmental theiror equalityfield, or of wagesfactory

Services rendered to society, be they work in in becomeswork thethey be same unrealizablesociety, to Utopiarendered as theServices scale

of wages of other collectivists. again. over begun

if not, it will be drowned in blood, and have to be be to A societyhave and havingblood, takenin possessiondrowned be will of it all socialnot, if

The Revolution, we maintain, must be communist; wealth, havingcommunist; be boldlymust proclaimedmaintain, we the rightRevolution, of The all

theorists desire it, but fortunately it is impossible. to this impossible. wealth is it —whateverfortunately sharebut it, theydesire may havetheorists

and go through the same evolution again? Our takenOur inagain? producingevolution it—willsame bethe compelledthrough go to abanand -

Shall we, then, return to our starting-point, don any systemstarting-point, our of to wages, return whether then, inwe, currencyShall or

labour-notes. principle. this in germ in ist Society was as good as written; it was contained contained was it written; as good as was Society ist

IV Capital State-aided a of history whole the himself,

only receive the wage he should be able to secure to to The collectivistssecure to able be say, should “ Tohe eachwage accordingthe receive to only his

wage, the day it was agreed upon that man would deedswould ”; man or, inthat otherupon terms,agreed accordingwas it day to the his sharewage,

to be appraised in currency, or in any other form of of of servicesform other renderedany in or to society.currency, in They thinkappraised be it to ex-

ciety; because, from the moment work done began pedientbegan done to putwork this principlemoment the intofrom practice,because, as soonciety;

inequalities and all the abominations of present so as the Socialpresent of Revolutionabominations willthe haveall madeand all instruinequalities -

ciple that wagedom began, to end in the glaring mentsglaring ofthe productionin end to commonbegan, property.wagedom that But ciple we

thinkprin this that if the Socialproclaiming by Revolutionwas It hadinjustice. of the misation -

fortuneperpetu ofthe proclaimingonly is it suchreality in a principle,But justice. itfor woulding

meanyearn a itsbe necessaryto appear failure;may itsight, wouldfirst at mean leavingprinciple,

more a man works the less he is remunerated, this thethis social problem,remunerated, is whichhe less pastthe centuriesworks man a have burmore - Of course, in a society like ours, in which the denedthe uswhich with,in unsolved.ours, like society a in course, Of

13 the collectivist wages system

244

by proclaiming is which equality?work different at out, year in year day, a

two individuals work for the community five hours Thishours is whyfive some collectivists,community the for understandingwork individuals two

the impossibilityIf production. of maintainingof terms in a scalevalue, ofuse wagesof nor in value),

a society inspiredexchange bytermed the breathwrongly of been the has Revolution, what (of value

hasten of to proclaimmeasure equalityexact no be of wage.can ButThere they meetmoney. in ued

with val new be difficulties,cannot andservices, theirmental equality or offield, or wages factory

becomes in thework samethey unrealizablebe society, to Utopia asrendered the scaleServices

of wages of other collectivists. again. over begun

if not, it will be drowned in blood, and have to be A be society to havinghave and takenblood, possessionin drowned ofbe all socialwill it not, if

wealth, havingcommunist; boldlybe proclaimedmust maintain, thewe right of allRevolution, The

to this wealthimpossible. —is whatever it sharefortunately theybut it, maydesire have theorists

taken inOur producingagain? it—willevolution be compelledsame the to through aban go - and

don any system ofstarting-point, wages,our to whetherreturn in currencythen, we, orShall

labour-notes. principle. this in germ in ist Society was as good as written; it was contained contained was it written; as good as was Society ist

himself, the whole history of a State-aided Capital State-aided a of history whole the himself,

IV -

The collectiviststo secure to say,able be “To eachshould he accordingwage the to hisreceive only

deeds ”; or,would in otherman that terms,upon accordingagreed was toit hisday sharethe wage,

of services of form renderedother any toin society.or Theycurrency, in think it exappraised -be to

pedient tobegan put done this principlework intomoment the practice, from as soonbecause, ciety;

inequalities and all the abominations of present so present of abominations the all and inequalities

as the- Social Revolution will have made all instru-

ments of glaring production the in end common to property.began, wagedom But wethat ciple

ation of injustice. It was by proclaiming this prin this proclaiming by was It injustice. of ation

think- that if the Social Revolution had the mis-

ing for justice. But in reality it is only the perpetu the only is it reality in But justice. for ing

fortune- of proclaiming such a principle, it would

principle, at first sight, may appear to be a yearn a be to appear may sight, first at principle,

mean- its necessary failure; it would mean leaving

the socialthis problem, whichremunerated, is he past less centuriesthe works have man bura - more dened the us with,which unsolved.in ours, like society a in course, Of

13 the collectivist wages system

246

and who will some day be killed by fire-damp? Or Or equally agreeablefire-damp? by to killed them, be weday maysome saywill thatwho on theand

bottom of the shaft, who risks his life every instant, wholeinstant, theirevery labourlife his is approximatelyrisks who shaft, equivalent.the of Butbottom

from below to raise the cage? Is it the miner at the wethe at cannotminer dividethe it theirIs work,cage? the and raise say to that thebelow resultfrom

mine? Or, is it perhaps the boy who signals to him ofhim anyto particularsignals who day,boy hour,the or minuteperhaps it is ofOr, workmine? of

Is it he who is the most necessary man in the the in one man is worth thenecessary resultmost ofthe oneis day,who onehe it hour,Is or

one minute of the other. day. a tons fifty

perfected mines, would be reduced from twenty to to Wetwenty mayfrom roughly reduced say be that thewould man,mines, who duringperfected

the extraction, in our modern, modern, our in extraction, the —

his lifetime has deprived himself oflever, leisurethe of duringtouch

the mine. Should he waste three seconds at each teneach hoursat a dayseconds hasthree givenwaste far he more toShould societymine. thanthe

the rope, crush men, and put a stop to all work in in the onework all whoto hasstop a onlyput deprivedand men, himselfcrush of rope, leisure the

tably strike against the gear, break its wheels, snap duringsnap fivewheels, its hours break a day,gear, orthe who hasagainst not strike deprivedtably

himselfinevi atwould all. cage But the we cannotmoment, takea for whatrelax he hasbrain donehis

he must keep the same strain of attention. Should duringShould two hours,attention. of and saystrain thatsame thethe yieldkeep of hismust twohe

During eight or ten consecutive hours every day hoursday ’every work hours is worth twiceconsecutive asten muchor eight as the yieldDuring of

another individual, who has workedspace. into onlyback onecage hour,the

stead, than he reverses the lever and again sends andsends remunerateagain and thelever twothe in proportion.reverses he than It wouldstead,

their coal-wagonettes, and pushed empty ones in be disregardingones empty all pushed that and is complex in industry,coal-wagonettes, their in

spot. And no sooner have the colliers unloaded agriculture,unloaded incolliers thethe wholehave life ofsooner presentno And society;spot.

cage, not a yard higher nor lower than the required it wouldrequired bethe ignoringthan lower to whatnor extenthigher yard alla individualnot cage,

a certain level, he suddenly stops the course of the workthe of is thecourse resultthe ofstops the past andsuddenly he the presentlevel, labourcertain a

progress; and as soon as the indicator has reached of societyreached has as a whole.indicator Itthe wouldas soon mean as believingand ourprogress; -

point of the shaft the cage is at each second of its its selvesof to besecond livingeach at in is the Stonecage the Age,shaft whereas the of we point are

cator which shows him, on a small scale, at which livingwhich at in an scale, age ofsmall steel. a on him, shows which cator

attention, he follows with his eyes fixed on an indi an If on you enterfixed aeyes modernhis with coal-minefollows he you will attention, see

the depths of the shaft with a giddy swiftness. All All a man in chargeswiftness. giddy of a a hugewith machineshaft the thatof raisesdepths andthe

of an eye; he sends it upwards or downwards into lowersinto a cage.downwards Inor his hand heupwards it holds sends a leverhe thateye; an stopsof it and the cage reverses its course in the twinkling and reversestwinkling the in the coursecourse its of the machine;reverses cage hethe lowersand it

13 the collectivist wages system

246

equally Or agreeablefire-damp? to by them, killed we be mayday say thatsome onwill thewho and

whole theirinstant, labourevery is life approximately his risks who equivalent.shaft, the of But bottom

we cannot the at divideminer theirthe it work,Is andcage? saythe thatraise theto resultbelow from

of any him particular to signals day, who hour, boy orthe minuteperhaps ofit workis Or, of mine?

the onethe isin worthman the resultnecessary of onemost day,the is onewho hour, he it orIs

one minute of the other. day. a tons fifty

perfected mines, would be reduced from twenty to Weto may roughlytwenty from say thatreduced thebe man,would who mines, during perfected

the extraction, in our modern, modern, our in extraction, the —

his lifetime has deprived himself of leisurelever, duringthe of touch

ten hourseach aat day hasseconds given three far morewaste he to societyShould thanmine. the

the onein whowork hasall to onlystop depriveda put and himselfmen, of leisurecrush rope, the

during fivesnap hourswheels, its a day,break or whogear, the has not against deprivedstrike tably

his brain relax for a moment, the cage would inevi would cage the moment, a for relax brain his

himself- at all. But we cannot take what he has done

during twoShould hours, andattention. sayof thatstrain the yieldsame the of hiskeep two must he

hours ’ day work isevery worthhours twice as muchconsecutive ten asor the eight yield ofDuring

another individual, who has workedspace. onlyinto oneback hour,cage the

and remuneratesends again theand twolever in proportion.the reverses he It wouldthan stead,

their coal-wagonettes, and pushed empty ones in ones empty pushed and coal-wagonettes, their

be disregarding- all that is complex in industry, in

agriculture, unloaded in the wholecolliers the life have of presentsooner no society; And spot.

it would be required ignoring the than to whatlower extentnor allhigher individualyard a not cage,

work isthe theof resultcourse of thethe paststops and thesuddenly present he labourlevel, certain a

of society asreached a whole.has It wouldindicator the meanas soon believing as and ourprogress;

selves its toof be livingsecond in theeach at Stone is Age,cage whereasthe shaft wethe areof point

living in anwhich ageat of scale, steel. small a on him, shows which cator

attention, he follows with his eyes fixed on an indi an on fixed eyes his with follows he attention,

- If you enter a modern coal-mine you will see

a man All in charge swiftness. of a hugegiddy a machinewith shaft that the raisesof anddepths the

lowers ainto cage. In his downwards hand or he holdsupwards ait leversends that he stopseye; an of and reverses twinkling the the coursein ofcourse theits machine;reverses he cage lowers the and it

13 the collectivist wages system

248

affirmed that the cable would transmit messages messages is it the engineer,transmit would who wouldcable the lose thethat layer of coal,affirmed

ble? Is it to the electrical engineer who obstinately and wouldobstinately causewho the engineer miners toelectrical digthe onto it rock Is byble? a

Again, to whom do we owe the transatlantic ca simple mistaketransatlantic inthe hisowe calculations? we do whom Orto is it theAgain, mine

owner who has put his capital another? intoto theline mine,one andfrom

them pass by? The switchman who transfers a train whotrain a has perhaps,transfers who contrary toswitchman expertThe by? advice, pass assertthem -

motive? The signalman who stops the trains, or lets edlets or that excellenttrains, the coalstops wouldwho be foundsignalman there?The motive?

the trains to derail? Is it the engineer on the loco Allthe thoseon whoengineer arethe engagedit Is inderail? theto minetrains conthe -

sleepers, as the stones, for want of elasticity, caused tributecaused to theelasticity, extractionof want for of coalstones, inthe proportionas sleepers, to

the stones formerly laid under the rails by wooden theirwooden strength,by rails theirthe energy,under laid their knowledge,formerly stones theirthe

workman of Newcastle, who suggested replacing intelligence,replacing andsuggested their who skill. And weNewcastle, of may say thatworkman

Is it the inventor of the locomotive, or the allthe haveor the rightlocomotive, to live,the of to satisfyinventor their the needs,it Is and

the automatic valve? automatic the —

even their whims, when the necessaries of life havemachinery

vented the essential mechanical part of all modern beenmodern securedall of forpart all. But howmechanical can weessential appraisethe thevented

of the machine, without suspecting that he had in workhad ofhe eachthat one of them?suspecting without machine, the of

let steam under the piston, tied the rope to the lever lever And,the to moreover,rope the Istied the coalpiston, theythe haveunder extractedsteam let

pulling the rope that formerly opened the valve to to entirelyvalve theirthe work?opened Is it notformerly alsothat therope workthe of pulling the

engine, or the boy, who, one day getting tired of of mentired who havegetting builtday theone railwaywho, leadingboy, the or to the mineengine,

andsteam- the first roadsthe of that radiateinventor fromthe it Is all thecare? railway hygienic sta-

or the nurse who has brought about recovery by her tions?her by Is it notrecovery also about the workbrought of thosehas who that havenurse the tilledor

work? Is it the doctor who has found out the illness, andillness, sownthe theout fields,found has extracted who iron,doctor cutthe it woodIs in work? the

one of us can claim the higher remuneration for his his forests, for built the machinesremuneration higher thatthe burnclaim coal,can us slowlyof one de-

take the manifestations of life as a whole. Which velopedWhich thewhole. mininga as industrylife of altogether,manifestations andthe so on?take

—

Itactivity is utterlyhuman impossibleof branch to drawother any a distinctiontake But be-

tween the workproduction. in of eachshare oftheir thosetook men.who Tothose measureall for

the right to live, and later on the right to well-being the workwell-being to by itsright resultsthe on leadslater usand to anlive, absurdity;to right the to

needs above the works, and first of all to recognize dividerecognize theto totalall of work,first andand to measureworks, the itsabove fractionsneeds leads us to absurdity. One thing remains: to put the bythe theput to number remains: of hoursthing One spent on theabsurdity. to workus alsoleads

13 the collectivist wages system

248

is it messages the engineer,transmit who would would losecable thethe layer that of coal, affirmed

and would causeobstinately thewho minersengineer to dig onelectrical rockthe to byit Is a ble?

simpleca mistake in histransatlantic calculations?the owe we do Or is itwhom theto mineAgain,

owner who has put his capital into theanother? to mine, line andone from

who hastrain perhaps,a contrarytransfers who to expertswitchman advice,The by? assertpass - them

ed that lets excellentor trains, coalthe wouldstops bewho found there?signalman The motive?

the trains to derail? Is it the engineer on the loco the on engineer the it Is derail? to trains the

- All those who are engaged in the mine con-

tribute to caused the extractionelasticity, of ofwant coalfor in proportionstones, the as to sleepers,

their strength,wooden by theirrails energy,the theirunder laid knowledge, formerly theirstones the

intelligence, replacing and their suggested skill. who And we mayNewcastle, sayof that workman

all have the theor right to live,locomotive, to the satisfy of their needs,inventor the andit Is

the automatic valve? automatic the —

even their whims, when the necessaries of life have machinery

been securedmodern forall of all. Butpart how canmechanical we appraiseessential the the vented

of the machine, without suspecting that he had in had he that suspecting without machine, the of

workof each one of them?

let steam under the piston, tied the rope to the lever And,lever moreover,the to rope Is thethe coaltied theypiston, havethe extractedunder steam let

entirely to theirvalve work?the Is opened it not alsoformerly thethat workrope ofthe the pulling

men whoof havetired builtgetting the day railway one leadingwho, boy, to thethe mineor engine,

and the roadssteam- first that the radiateof frominventor allthe theit Is railwaycare? sta- hygienic

tions? Isher itby not also therecovery workabout of thosebrought thathas havewho tillednurse the or

and sown illness, the the fields, out extractedfound has iron,who cut doctor woodthe it in Is the work?

forests, his builtfor the machinesremuneration that higher burn the coal,claim slowlycan us deof - one

veloped theWhich miningwhole. a industry as life altogether,of and somanifestations on?the take

But take any other branch of human activity human of branch other any take But

It— is utterly impossible to draw a distinction be-

tween the work ofproduction. eachin ofshare thosetheir men.took To who measurethose all for

the work by itswell-being resultsto right leadsthe on us tolater an and absurdity; live, to toright the

divide the totalrecognize to work,all of andfirst to measureand works, its the fractionsabove needs by thethe numberput to of hoursremains: spentthing One on the workabsurdity. to alsous leads

13 the collectivist wages system

250

at its bedside, cannot do as much work as the man whileman the learnedas work men ofmuch scienceas do declaredcannot it to bedside, be imposits at -

who suckles her infant and spends sleepless nights sible?nights Is it to Maury,sleepless thespends learnedand infant physical her geographer,suckles who

a young man of twenty. They know that the woman whowoman advisedthe that thickknow cablesThey shouldtwenty. of be setman asideyoung a for

forty, father of three children, has other needs than othersthan asneeds thin other as ahas walking cane?children, Orthree of else to father those forty, vol-

They understand that a man of of man a that understand They ”

unteers, come from nobody knowsetc. where, whoworkers, spentaged

for assisting the infirm and the sick, for retreats for for their daysretreats for and nightssick, the onand deck minutelyinfirm the examiningassisting for

nance and lodging), and by the social organization every yardorganization of thesocial cable,the by andand removedlodging), the and nails thatnance

the mainte shareholders (including of steamshippersons young companies and stupidlychildren of

tempered by social intervention for the education causededucation to bethe drivenfor into theintervention non-conductingsocial by wraptempered -

would, however, be be however, would, —

per of the cable, so as to makeprinciple it unserviceable?Individualist nently

- emi the — principle The “

And in a wider sphere, us: thetells true spherePaepe De of life,Thus

individual, do not always correspond to his works. withworks. itshis joys,to its sufferings,correspond andalways not its do accidents, canindividual, -

the needs of the the of needs the — whims of speak not do we —

not each one of us recall someone who has rensaries -

- neces that notion a have They ”

dered him so great a service that wedeeds. shouldhis to being in-

- accord Each “

dignant if itsof equivalentprinciple inthe coinout werecarried mentioned?it if exist

They vaguely understand that a society could not Thenot servicecould maysociety a have that been but a word,understand nothingvaguely butThey

After all, the Collectivists know this themselves. a word spokenthemselves. this at theknow right time,Collectivists or the else all, it mayAfter have

been monthscredit. and anddebit on years based of devotion,company and we commercial are

is because we have aimed at turning society into a a goinginto to appraisesociety turning these at “incalculableaimed have we ” servicesbecause is in

selves be influenced into giving only to receive. It It “labour-notesreceive. to ”only ? giving into influenced be selves

much to counting. It is because we have let our “let The workshave we of each!because ” is But It human societycounting. to wouldmuch

hatchet, it is precisely because we have given too nottoo existgiven forhave morewe thanbecause two consecutiveprecisely is it generahatchet, -

without attacking past institutions with torch and tionsand iftorch everyonewith did notinstitutions givepast infinitelyattacking more thanwithout

got into a blind alley from which we cannot emerge that emerge for whichcannot hewe is paidwhich in from coin, alley in “cheques,blind a into ” orgot in

If middle-class society is decaying, if we have civichave we rewards. if Thedecaying, raceis wouldsociety soon becomemiddle-class If extinct

if mothersreward. no did notexpect sacrificethey theirwhen lives precisely to takemost caregive of out demanding an equivalent reward, if men did not not their did children,men if if menreward, did not giveequivalent an continually,demanding without -

13 the collectivist wages system

250

while learnedman the menas ofwork sciencemuch declaredas do it tocannot be imposbedside, -its at

sible? Is it nights to Maury,sleepless the learnedspends and physical infant geographer,her suckles who

who advisedwoman thatthe thickthat cablesknow shouldThey betwenty. setof asideman for young a

others asthan thin asneeds a walkingother has cane? Orchildren, else three to of those volfather - forty,

They understand that a man of of man a that understand They ”

unteers, come from nobody knows where,etc. who spentworkers, aged

their for days andretreats nightsfor sick, on deckthe and minutelyinfirm examiningthe assisting for

every yard of theorganization cable,social andthe removedby and the nailslodging), thatand nance

the shareholdersmainte of steamship(including persons companiesyoung and stupidly children of

caused to be education driven the intofor the non-conductingintervention social by wraptempered

would, however, be be however, would, —

per of the cable, so as to make it unserviceable?principle Individualist nently

- emi the — principle The “

And in a wider sphere, the trueus: spheretells Paepe of life,De Thus

with its joys,works. his itsto sufferings, correspond and itsalways accidents,not do canindividual,

we do not speak of whims of speak not do we — saries the needs of the the of needs the

not each one of us recall— someone who has ren-

ing to his deeds. his to ing - neces that notion a have They

dered him so great a service that we” should be in-

“ of principle the out carried it if exist -

dignant if accord its equivalentEach in coin were mentioned?

The servicenot maycould havesociety beena butthat a word, nothingunderstand butvaguely They

a word spoken themselves. at thethis rightknow time, or elseCollectivists it the may all, haveAfter

been monthscredit. andand yearsdebit ofon devotion,based andcompany we are commercial

going a to into appraise society these “turning incalculableat aimed ” have services we in because is

“labour-notes It receive. ” ?to only giving into influenced be selves

much to counting. It is because we have let our let have we because is It counting. to much

“- The works of each!” But human society would

not existtoo forgiven morehave thanwe two because consecutive precisely is generait - hatchet,

tions ifand everyonetorch didwith not give infinitelyinstitutions past moreattacking than without

that for whichemerge he iscannot paidwe in coin,which infrom “cheques,alley blind ” a or ininto got

civic rewards.have we if The race woulddecaying, is soonsociety become extinctmiddle-class If

if mothers didreward. notno sacrificeexpect theirthey liveswhen to takeprecisely care most of give their children,not did ifmen menif did reward, not give continually,equivalent an withdemanding - out

13 the collectivist wages system

252

and taught them to proclaim the principle of wages, whowages, hasof slept peacefully.principle the Theyproclaim to seem them to taketaught in thatand

together in the agrarian and urban communities, men and women,communities, urban wornand out maybeagrarian the by in dint of overtogether -

two causes tore asunder the bonds that kept men workmen forkept society,that maybonds bethe incapableasunder oftore doing ascauses muchtwo

resulting from the exploitation of the East. These workThese as East. those the whoof have spentexploitation theirthe timefrom leisurelyresulting

the founding of States, and to the increase of riches andriches pocketedof theirincrease the “labour-notesto and States, ” of in the privilegedfounding the

it was due to the invasions and wars that followed careerfollowed of Statethat functionaries.Theywars and invasions the are to eagerdue towas temit -

poor increased so rapidly during the Middle Ages, perAges, their Middle principle. the Theyduring say:rapidly “Societyso willincreased not poor fail

that made capitalists. And if the number of the tothe maintainof number and the bring if upAnd its children;capitalists. to helpmade boththat

labour, so as not to die of hunger. It was poverty agedpoverty andwas infirm.It Withouthunger. of die doubtto not needs as so will be labour, the

to be sufficiently destitute to consent to sell their measuretheir sell to of the costconsent to that societydestitute will burdensufficiently be itselfto

of which we hear so much, men had had men much, so hear we which of ” value, surplus

with, to temper the principle of deeds.” “

the first capitalist; because, before accumulating accumulating Charity, charity,before alwaysbecause, Christiancapitalist; charity, first the or-

mary cause of wealth. It was poverty that created ganizedcreated bythat the Statepoverty thiswas It time. Theywealth. of believecause in mary im-

Poverty, we have said elsewhere, was the pri proving the was the asylumselsewhere, forsaid foundlings,have we in effectingPoverty,

old-age andcharity. sickout insurancesdoles and —so as toconsideration temperinto theirneeds

children of those she has wrecked. She takes their principle.their takes ButShe they cannotwrecked. has yetshe throwthose asideof the ideachildren

after having paid the hours of labour, shelters the ofthe “woundingshelters firstlabour, of and healinghours the afterwardspaid ”having ! after

prevent the ravages of contagious diseases. She, too, too, Thus,She, afterdiseases. having deniedcontagious of Communism,ravages the afterprevent

to to —

havingones laughedsplendid at their easesometimes but at theones, formulabad very —”ten To

of- —

each accordinghospitals builds to his shops; needs her ”—of these greatpillaging the econovent -

mistspre to discoverdinners that theyhalfpenny have forgottendistributes too, something,She,

the needs of the producers, whichcharity. of theyform nowsame admit.the

concessions in a communist direction and under Onlyunder it and is for thedirection State to estimatecommunist a in them, for theconcessions

individualist principles; she, too, has had to make Statemake to to verifyhad has if thetoo, needsshe, are notprinciples; disproportionindividualist -

in revolt has also been compelled to temper her ateher to thetemper work.to compelled been also has revolt in

this stepmother of a society against whom we are are we The Statewhom will against dole outsociety a charity. of Thencestepmother to thethis There is but a slight difference, because even Englisheven poor-lawbecause and thedifference, workhouseslight a but is is but aThere step.

13 the collectivist wages system

252

who has sleptwages, of peacefully.principle the They seemproclaim toto takethem in thattaught and

men and women,communities, wornurban out and maybe byagrarian dintthe ofin overtogether

work formen society,kept maythat be incapablebonds the of doingasunder tore as muchcauses two

work as thoseThese East. who the haveof spent theirexploitation timethe leisurelyfrom resulting

and pocketedriches of their “labour-notesincrease the to and ” in theStates, of privileged founding the

career of Statefollowed functionaries.Theythat wars and areinvasions eagerthe to to temdue - was it

per theirAges, principle.Middle the They say:during “Societyrapidly so will not failincreased poor

to maintain the of and bringnumber upthe if its children;And to helpcapitalists. bothmade that

aged and infirm.poverty was It Withouthunger. doubtof die needsto not willas beso the labour,

measure their of sell the to cost thatconsent to society willdestitute burden itselfsufficiently be to

of which we hear so much, men had had men much, so hear we which of ” value, surplus

with, to temper the principle of deeds.” “

the first capitalist; because, before accumulating Charity,accumulating charity, before always Christianbecause, charity,capitalist; or first - the

ganized bycreated the Statethat thispoverty time.was It They believewealth. of in imcause - mary

Poverty, we have said elsewhere, was the pri the was elsewhere, said have we Poverty,

proving- the asylums for foundlings, in effecting

old-age and sickcharity. insurancesout doles —and so as to temperconsideration theirinto needs

principle. their But takes they She cannot yetwrecked. throwhas she aside those the of idea children

of “ woundingthe firstshelters andlabour, healingof hours afterwards the paid ”! having after

prevent the ravages of contagious diseases. She, too, Thus,too, afterShe, havingdiseases. denied contagious Communism, of ravages the after prevent

ten very bad ones, but sometimes splendid ones splendid sometimes but ones, bad very ten to to

having — laughed at their ease at the formula—”To

vent the pillaging of her shops; builds hospitals builds shops; her of pillaging the vent of-

each according— to his needs”—these great econo-

She, too, distributes halfpenny dinners to pre to dinners halfpenny distributes too, She,

mists- discover that they have forgotten something,

the needs of the producers, which theycharity. of now form admit. same the

Only it isunder for and the State direction to estimate communist them, a in for the concessions

State to make verify to ifhad thehas needstoo, areshe, not disproportionprinciples; - individualist

ate to theher work.temper to compelled been also has revolt in

this stepmother of a society against whom we are Theare Statewe willwhom dole outagainst charity.society a Thenceof to thestepmother this English poor-laweven because and the workhousedifference, slight a is butbut ais step. There

13 the collectivist wages system

254

you not feel the need of it? Was it not necessity so dearnecessity tonot the it exploiters,Was it? of insteadneed the of thefeel solidaritynot you

satisfy them. But, before producing anything, must theymust formerlyanything, practicedproducing in theirbefore tribalBut, life.them. satisfy

isfying needs you must create the wherewithal to to And it iswherewithal thisthe principlecreate thatmust isyou to springneeds fromisfying a

Perhaps you will say this is logical. Before sat revolution Before whichlogical. is menthis daresay towill callyou by the namePerhaps of

Social Revolution,—a name sopossession. deartheir to for the starved,another

riches are divided among those who vie with one theone oppressed,with vie who and thethose sufferers!among divided are riches

there they confine themselves to explaining how how It can neverexplaining to be. For thethemselves day on whichconfine they old instithere -

ety to satisfy the needs of the individuals; and even tutionseven and will fall underindividuals; the theof proletarianneeds the axe,satisfy to voicesety

willSoci cry out:present “Bread,our in to shelter, easeresorted for means all! ”the And of thosesay,

books do they treat of CONSUMPTION, that is to to voicesis that will be listened to;CONSUMPTION, of the peopletreat they will do say: “books Let

along these lines. Only in the latter parts of their ustheir beginof byparts allayinglatter the ourin thirstOnly forlines. life, forthese happialong -

tal. From Adam Smith to Marx, all have proceeded ness, forproceeded liberty,have all that weMarx, haveto neverSmith quenched.Adam From Andtal.

whencapi of we shall haveaccumulation tastedthe of this joy,machinery, weits will setfactory, to

for the creation of wealth: division of labour, the workthe to labour, demolish of thedivision last vestigeswealth: of of middle-classcreation the for

by the analysis of the means employed nowadays rule: itsnowadays moralityemployed drawnmeans fromthe of account analysis books, the by its

will find that he begins with PRODUCTION, i. e., ‘debit andPRODUCTION, creditwith ’ philosophy, begins he its ‘minethat and find yourswill ’

If you open the works of any economist you institutions.you economist ‘In any demolishingof works the we shallopen you build, If ’ as

Proudhon said; and we shall build in theEconomy. namelitical of

but in reality it upsets all the canons of official Po Communismofficial of and canons Anarchy. the all ” upsets it reality in but At first sight the difference may appear trifling, trifling, appear may difference the sight first At

tion, Exchange, Taxation, Government, and so on. so and Government, Taxation, Exchange, tion,

- Produc discussing before them, satisfy they which

study the needs of the individuals, and the means by by means the and CHAPTERindividuals, XIVthe of needs the study

follow the same method in economic questions. We We CONSUMPTIONquestions. economic in AND PRODUCTIONmethod same the follow we we —

I individual the to down come to State the by

vidual to reach a free society, instead of beginning Lookingbeginning atof societyinstead and society, its politicalfree a reach organization to vidual - indi free a from start we for —

from a different standpoint than thatschools of all the thoritarian au-

14 consumption and production

254

so dear to thenecessity exploiters,not it Was insteadit? of ofneed the the solidarity feel not you

they formerlymust practicedanything, in theirproducing tribalbefore life.But, them. satisfy

isfying needs you must create the wherewithal to Andto it is this principlewherewithal the thatcreate is tomust springyou fromneeds a isfying

Perhaps you will say this is logical. Before sat Before logical. is this say will you Perhaps

revolutionwhich men dare to call by the name of

Social Revolution,—a name so dear topossession. thetheir starved,for another

the oppressed,one with andvie thewho sufferers!those among divided are riches

there they confine themselves to explaining how It how can never be.explaining Forto the day onthemselves which oldconfine instithey - there

tutions willeven and fall under theindividuals; proletarianthe of needs axe,the voicessatisfy to ety

say, of the means resorted to in our present Soci present our in to resorted means the of say,

willcry out: “Bread, shelter, ease for all!” And those

voices to willis bethat listened to; the CONSUMPTION, people of willtreat say:they “do Let books

us begin their byof allayingparts ourlatter thirstthe in forOnly life, forlines. happithese - along

ness, for liberty,proceeded thathave weall haveMarx, neverto quenched.Smith Adam AndFrom tal.

factory, its machinery, the accumulation of capi of accumulation the machinery, its factory,

whenwe shall have tasted of this joy, we will set to

work tothe demolishlabour, of the lastdivision vestiges wealth: ofof middle-classcreation the for

rule: its moralitynowadays drawnemployed from means accountthe of books,analysis its the by

‘debiti. e., and creditPRODUCTION, ’ philosophy,with itsbegins ‘minehe andthat yours find ’ will

institutions. you ‘In demolishingeconomist any of weworks shallthe build,open ’ you asIf

Proudhon said; and we shall build in the nameEconomy. of litical

but in reality it upsets all the canons of official Po official of canons the all upsets it reality in but

Communism- and Anarchy.” At first sight the difference may appear trifling, trifling, appear may difference the sight first At

tion, Exchange, Taxation, Government, and so on. so and Government, Taxation, Exchange, tion,

which they satisfy them, before discussing Produc discussing before them, satisfy they which -

study the needs of the individuals, and the means by by means the CHAPTERand XIVindividuals, the of needs the study

follow the same method in economic questions. We We CONSUMPTIONquestions. ANDeconomic PRODUCTIONin method same the follow by the State to come down to the individual the to down come to State the by we we

I —

Looking at societybeginning of andinstead its politicalsociety, free organizationa reach to vidual for we start from a free indi free a from start we for — schools thoritarian

from- a different standpoint than that of all the au-

14 consumption and production

256

that enumer first drovehaving manAfter to food. hunt, to toon raisepass cattle,us Let to cul-

tivate land, to hovels. makein live implements, must andEuropeans laterof ontenths to

inventnine- machinery?demands, all Ismeet itto not thesmall studytoo is of thehouses needsbuilt

thatnew- shouldthe of governnumber production?the as that To saystatistics, theby least,strate it

woulddemon thereforeyear, every be quitebuilt as logicalhouses of to beginnumber bythe conup -

the so-called laws of production, and, reckoning sideringreckoning theand, needs, and afterwardsproduction, of laws to discussso-called howthe

trary to that of the economists, who immortalize productionimmortalize is, who and ought toeconomists, be,the organized, of that to in ordertrary

to con satisfy quite is these needs. method our that seen thus is It

This is precisely whatunchanged. we meanremain to do. conditions ent

no houses, and will inhabit hovels as long as pres Butas aslong soonas as wehovels look atinhabit Politicalwill and Economy houses, fromno

built, the home of their dreams. And they can have thishave pointcan ofthey view,And it entirelydreams. their changesof home its the aspect. built, It

the necessary leisure or money to build, or to have ceaseshave to or to be build, a simpleto descriptionmoney or leisure of facts, necessary and the be-

isfy the needs of their rulers, and have never had comeshad anever science,have and we rulers, may definetheir of thisneeds sciencethe isfy as:

“sat The to studyday ofafter theday needswork ofto mankind,had have and thepeople meansmon

ofcom satisfyingtimes all themat withbecause the leasthouse, possiblehealthy a wastesessed of

humanpos never energyhave ”. Its trueEuropeans nameof should nine-tenths be, PhysiolBut -

ogy of Society. It constitutes a parallelelectricity. by sciencelighted and to up the

suffice to build a pretty little airy house, well fitted physiologyfitted well ofhouse, plants airy andlittle animals,pretty a whichbuild to is the studysuffice

work would would work ’

of the needs ofdays plantsof andnumber animals,certain A and of rooms. the of mostset

Belgium, or in Pullman City, or else an equivalent advantageousequivalent an wayselse or of satisfyingCity, them.Pullman in or In the seriesBelgium,

comfortable house, such as are built in England, in in of sociologicalEngland, in sciences,built are as the such economyhouse, of humancomfortable so-

every family in Europe could perfectly well have a a cietieshave takeswell the place,perfectly occupiedcould Europe in in the seriesfamily of every bio-

And as soon as we ask this question, we see that logicalthat see scienceswe byquestion, the this physiologyask we as of organicsoon as And bodies.

We say, here are human beings,it? unitedhaving in afrom so-

have a house of his own? and what is hindering him ciety.him All ofhindering themis feelwhat theand needown? ofhis livingof inhouse a healthyhave

ent capacity of men for production, every man can houses.can man Theevery savage’s hutproduction, nofor longermen of satisfiescapacity them;ent

- theypres the require taking a more orwhether, lessthen: comfortableis, question solidThe shelter. -

14 consumption and production

256

that first droveenumer manhaving to After hunt, tofood. raiseto on cattle,pass tous culLet -

tivate land, to make hovels. implements,in live must and later Europeans onof to tenths

invent machinery?nine- demands, Isall it notmeet theto studysmall oftoo theis needshouses built

that shouldnew- the govern of production?number the as Tothat say the least,statistics, by it strate

up the number of houses built every year, demon year, every built houses of number the up

would- therefore be quite as logical to begin by con-

sidering the needs,reckoning and, and afterwardsproduction, of to discusslaws howso-called the

production is, andimmortalize oughtwho to be, organized,economists, the of in that order to trary

to satisfy con these quite needs. is method our that seen thus is It

This is precisely what we meanunchanged. to do.remain conditions ent

But pres as soonas aslong weas look athovels Politicalinhabit Economywill and fromhouses, no

this pointhave ofcan view,they it entirelyAnd changesdreams. their of its aspect.home the It built,

ceases tohave beto aor simplebuild, to description money or of facts,leisure and benecessary - the

comes ahad science,never andhave weand may definerulers, their this of scienceneeds as:the isfy

mon people have had to work day after day to sat to day after day work to had have people mon

“The- study of the needs of mankind, and the means

sessed a healthy house, because at all times com times all at because house, healthy a sessed

of satisfying- them with the least possible waste of

But nine-tenths of Europeans have never pos never have Europeans of nine-tenths But

human- energy”. Its true name should be, Physiol-

ogy of Society. It constitutes a parallelelectricity. scienceby tolighted the and up

physiology fitted ofwell plantshouse, and airy animals, little whichpretty a is thebuild studyto suffice

set of rooms. A certain number of days of number certain A rooms. of set work would would work

of the needs of plants’ and animals, and of the most

advantageous equivalent ways an of else satisfying or City, them. InPullman thein or series Belgium,

of sociological in England, sciences, in built theare economyas such of humanhouse, so- comfortable

cieties a takeshave thewell place, occupiedperfectly could in the Europe series in of biofamily - every

logical sciencesthat see we by the physiologyquestion, this ask ofwe organicas soon bodies.as And

We say, here are human beings, unitedit? in a sohaving - from

ciety. Allhim of them hindering feel is thewhat needand of livingown? his inof healthyhouse a have

houses. can Theman savageevery ’s hut no longerproduction, for satisfiesmen of them;capacity ent

ter. The question is, then: whether, taking the pres the taking whether, then: is, question The ter. they- require a more or less comfortable solid shel-

14 consumption and production

258

of Zoology and Botany. But if this chapter were atedwere the benefitschapter this if accruingBut fromBotany. theand divisionZoology ofof la-

tive chapter, analogous to the descriptive chapters bour, chapters economistsdescriptive tellthe usto the divisionanalogous of labourchapter, tive re-

quiresdescrip that simple some a as mensay, shouldto is that work now; at agriculturethem state

hardly state facts otherwise than the economists and otherseconomists atthe manufacture.than Farmersotherwise facts producingstate hardly so

nations, by Hindoo communes, or by savages, it can much,can it factoriessavages, by or so much, exchangecommunes, Hindoo beingby carriednations,

duction, as it is carried on at present by civilized on incivilized suchby a way,present theyat on analyze carried theis it sale, as the profit,duction,

thepro of net gaintreats or thescience as surpluslong so value,that the evident wages,is It the

taxes, banking, and so on. Physiology.

the Science of Social Social of Science the —

But after having followedscience a them sobecoming far, we Economy are

things. The only way that would allow of Political nonePolitical theof wiser,allow and ifwould we that ask them:way only “HowThe is it thatthings.

This seems to us the only right way of facing millionsfacing of of way human right beingsonly arethe inus wantto of seems bread, This when

every family could grow sufficientneeds. wheatall to satisfy feed ally ten,

let us see how to reorganize production so as to re twenty,to as so and even a production hundred peoplereorganize to annually?how see us ” theylet

at fault? And as we can prove that such is the case, answercase, the is us bysuch droningthat theprove samecan anthemwe as And — divisionfault? at of

lutely wrong direction, and that its organization is is labour, wages,organization its surplus that value,and capital,direction, etc.—wrong arrivinglutely

atabso thean samein conclusion,strayed has thatman, of productionneeds the of is insuffisight -

cause? Might it not be that production, having lost cientlost to having satisfy all needs;production, athat conclusionbe not it which,Might if true,cause?

productivity of our work? But is there no other doesother notno answerthere is theBut question:work? “our Can of or cannot manproductivity

What must we do to increase the the increase to do we must What —

by his labour produce the bread he needs?now, And ifsatisfied he

If the most imperious needs of man remain un cannot, remain whatman isof it thatneeds hinders him?imperious ” most the If

Here are 350 million Europeans.all. of They needneeds the so

the satisfaction of of satisfaction the —

much bread, so much meat,production wine,of aim milk, the eggs,of andsight

such a result? Let them take it! But let us not lose butterlose not everyus let year.But it! Theytake needthem soLet many houses,result? a such so

the obstacles? Is it time that is needed to achieve muchachieve clothing.to needed This is is that the minimumtime it Is of theirobstacles? needs.the

them going ahead? What must they do to remove Can theyremove to producedo they all must this? andWhat if theyahead? can,going will them suf-

What hinders hinders What —

ficient leisure be leftaffirmative, the themin is for art,answer the science, If and comprised in the category of absolute necessities? amusement?necessities? —in aabsolute word,of for everythingcategory the in that is notcomprised

14 consumption and production

258

ated thewere benefits chapter accruingthis if fromBut theBotany. divisionand of la-Zoology of

bour, economistschapters tell usdescriptive thethe divisionto of analogous labour rechapter, - tive

quires thatdescrip some simple men a as should say, to workis atthat agriculturenow; them state

and others at manufacture.economists the than Farmersotherwise producingfacts state so hardly

much, can factories it sosavages, much,by or exchangecommunes, beingHindoo carriedby nations,

on in such acivilized way,by they present analyze at on the sale,carried is theit profit,as duction,

It is evident that so long as science treats of pro of treats science as long so that evident is It

the - net gain or the surplus value, the wages, the

taxes, banking, and so on. Physiology.

Economy becoming a science a becoming Economy the Science of Social Social of Science the

But after having followed— them so far, we are

none the wiser,Political of and allow if we askwould them:that “way How only is it The that things.

millions offacing humanof way beingsright areonly in wantthe us ofto bread, seems when This

every family could grow sufficient wheatneeds. to all feed ten,satisfy ally

let us see how to reorganize production so as to re to as so production reorganize to how see us let

twenty,- and even a hundred people annually?” they

answer uscase, bythe droningis such thethat sameprove anthemcan we —as division And of fault? at

labour, is wages, surplusorganization its value,that capital,and etc.direction, — arrivingwrong lutely

sight of the needs of man, has strayed in an abso an in strayed has man, of needs the of sight

at thesame conclusion, that production is insuffi-

cient tolost satisfyhaving all needs; a conclusionproduction, that be which,not it if true,Might cause?

does not other answer no thethere question:is But “Canwork? orour cannotof man productivity

What must we do to increase the the increase to do we must What —

by his labour produce the bread he needs? Andnow, if he satisfied

If the most imperious needs of man remain un remain man of needs imperious most the If

cannot,- what is it that hinders him?”

Here are 350 million Europeans. Theyall. needof soneeds the

the satisfaction of of satisfaction the —

much bread, so much meat, wine,production milk,of eggs,aim the andof sight

butter everylose not year.us let TheyBut it! needtake so manythem Let houses,result? soa such

much clothing.achieve to This isneeded theis minimumthat time it of Is their needs.obstacles? the

Can they produceremove to do all this?they andmust if theyWhat can,ahead? will sufgoing - them

What hinders hinders What —

ficient leisure be left themaffirmative, the forin is art, science,answer and the If amusement? —innecessities? a word,absolute forof everythingcategory the that in is not comprised

14 consumption and production

260

millions of Englishmen are deprived of fire in the the written in fire soof as to throwdeprived someare light on theEnglishmen of economy millions of

ly, remains for home domestic consumption, and theand energy thatconsumption, is necessarydomestic to satisfyhome for humanremains needs, ly,

the chapterannual wouldpopulation, gainof inhead precision,per ton, a as of well as inquarters de-

scriptivethree- only value. Itbecause wouldglobe, clearlythe of show corners the frightfulfour the

It is not a surplus of coal that England sends to to wastesends of humanEngland energythat coal underof thesurplus a present not is It system,

andtaxes. it wouldand rent provepay to thatrye asor long wheat as thishis systemsells he exists,when

peasant deprives himself of what he actually needs theneeds needs ofactually humanityhe what of will neverhimself be satisfied.deprives peasant

yield enough for the population. And as a rule, the the Therule, a pointas And of view, wepopulation. see,the wouldfor be enough entirelyyield

vests of wheat and rye in European Russia only changed.only Russia Behind theEuropean in loom rye thatand weaveswheat of so manyvests

yardshar of cloth,plentiful most behind The the steel-plateEurope. to sends perforator,peasant

It is not a surplus of wheat that the Russian and Russian behind the thethat safe inwheat whichof dividendssurplus a not areis It hoard-

ed, wethem. should seeexporting man, thecountries artisanthe of of production,inhabitants the

nearly all are produced in insufficient quantities for for more oftenquantities than not excludedinsufficient in fromproduced theare feastall he hasnearly

tries exporting on a large scale, and you will see that preparedthat see will foryou others.and Wescale, shouldlarge a on also understandexporting tries

thatcoun by the out standpoint sent being commodities wrong,all one theby so-calledone ine

“lawsExam ” be. of valueneed andthan exchangequantity are greater but in a very falseproduced

commodity among those in universal use which is is explanationwhich use of events,universal in as theythose happenamong nowadays;commodity

sonings prove unsound. In fact, Is there one single andsingle thatone thingsthere Is will fact, come In to passunsound. veryprove differentlysonings

whenrea productionthese all is organizedexamination careful in suchon a mannerHowever, as

to meet all consumed! needs be of society.possibly can than more producing ity of the capitalists who are obstinately bent on on bent obstinately are who capitalists the of ity

II rapac the against thundered us, of all not, we Have

cloth, more watches are produced than are needed! Thereneeded! is are not onethan single produced principle are of watches Political more Econocloth, -

that at a given moment more cotton, more more cotton, more moment given a at that —

my that does not change its aspect if you look atduction it

from ourover-pro to pointdue ofare view. crises economic that proving

demical honours, who has not supported arguments, Take,arguments, for instance,supported not over-production,has who honours, a worddemical

- whichaca for every daycandidate or re-echoes inacademician, our ears. Iseconomist, theresingle a

14 consumption and production

260

written the soin as tofire throwof somedeprived lightare on the economyEnglishmen of of millions

the energyand that is necessaryconsumption, to satisfydomestic humanhome for needs,remains ly,

the chapterannual would gainpopulation, in of precision, head per as wellton, a asof in de- quarters

scriptive three- value. only It wouldbecause clearlyglobe, showthe of the frightfulcorners four the

waste to of humansends energyEngland underthat coal theof presentsurplus a system,not is It

and it wouldtaxes. proveand rent thatpay asto longrye or as thiswheat systemhis exists,sells he when

the needsneeds of humanityactually he willwhat neverof be satisfied.himself deprives peasant

yield enough for the population. And as a rule, the Thethe pointrule, a ofas view,And we see, wouldpopulation. the befor entirelyenough yield

changed. only BehindRussia the loomEuropean thatin rye weaves and so wheat many of vests

yards ofhar cloth, behindplentiful most theThe steel-plateEurope. to perforator,sends peasant

and behindRussian thethe safe that in whichwheat of dividends surplus a are hoardnot is It -

ed, we shouldthem. see man,exporting the artisancountries the ofof production,inhabitants the

more for often thanquantities not excludedinsufficient fromin the feastproduced are he all has nearly

prepared that forsee others.will you Weand shouldscale, alsolarge a on understand exporting tries

ine one by one all commodities sent out by coun by out sent commodities all one by one ine

that- the standpoint being wrong, the so-called

produced in greater quantity than need be. Exam be. need than quantity greater in produced

“laws- ” of value and exchange are but a very false

explanation is which of events,use asuniversal theyin happenthose nowadays;among commodity

and that single things one willthere comeIs fact, to In pass veryunsound. differentlyprove sonings

However, on careful examination all these rea these all examination careful on However,

when- production is organized in such a manner as

to meet all needs consumed! of society.be possibly can than more producing ity of the capitalists who are obstinately bent on on bent obstinately are who capitalists the of ity

Have we not, all of us, thundered against the rapac the against thundered us, of all not, we Have

II -

There is notneeded! oneare singlethan principleproduced ofare Politicalwatches Economore - cloth,

that at a given moment more cotton, more more cotton, more moment given a at that —

my that does not change its aspect if you look at it duction

proving that economic crises are due to over-pro to due are crises economic that proving

from- our point of view.

demical honours, who has not supported arguments, Take, for arguments, instance, supported over-production,not has who a wordhonours, demical

single economist, academician, or candidate for aca for candidate or academician, economist, single whichevery day re-echoes in our ears. Is there a

14 consumption and production

262

winter, or have only just enough to boilusurer. a fewthe vegand -

from them by the State, the landlord, the priest, etables.priest, the In fact, settinglandlord, the asideState, useless the by luxuries, them therefrom

hand to mouth, the remainder having been taken is intaken England,been whichhaving exportsremainder morethe thanmouth, anyto otherhand

are compelled to live very poorly, from from poorly, very live to compelled are today

country, one single commodity in universal usewho —

but but —

cottonsetc. —whoseroads, productionafforestation, is in sufficiently incurred greatpenses to

what was set aside for unforeseen accidents, or ex perhapsor exceedaccidents, the needsunforeseen offor the aside community. set was Yetwhat

save save —

when we lookproduced uponthey the ragswhat that passconsumed for wearingformerly

rent, a whole class of men has been created, who apparelwho worncreated, bybeen overhas a thirdmen of of theclass inhabitantswhole a rent, of

for taxes, the priest for tithe, and the landlord for for the Unitedlandlord Kingdom,the and wetithe, arefor led priest to askthe ourselvestaxes, for

always taken from him a large share of his produce whetherproduce his theof cottonsshare exportedlarge a him wouldfrom not,taken on thealways

sume. Rather should they say that, the State having whole,having suitState thethe realthat, needssay ofthey the population?should Rather sume.

the cultivator produces more than he need con As need a rulehe itthan is notmore a surplusproduces that is exported,cultivator the

But this is not what is meant. We are told that thoughthat told itare may We have beenmeant. is so originally.what not is Thethis fableBut of

the barefooted shoemakergenerations. is as truesucceeding ofto nations asqueathed it

his house and his furniture are so much wealth be was formerlywealth much ofso individualare artisans.furniture his Weand exporthouse thehis

been increased by that much. Roads, bridges, canals, necessarycanals, commodities.bridges, Roads, Andmuch. wethat by do so, becauseincreased thebeen

we say that the heritage of future generations has workmenhas cannotgenerations buyfuture of with theirheritage wagesthe that what say theywe

children. Or he clears a few acres of virgin soil, and haveand soil, produced, virgin of and acres payfew besidesa clears the he rentOr and interchildren. -

- grand s ’

est to the capitalistfarmer the by and the banker.gathered be still will fruits

for thirty, forty, or a hundred years, and whose whose Not and only doesyears, the ever-growinghundred a or forty, need ofthirty, comfor -

ample, a farmer plants a tree that will live, maybe, fortmaybe, remainlive, unsatisfied,will that tree a but theplants strict farmer necessities a ample, of

to future generations, it would be true; thus, for ex lifefor are oftenthus, true; wanting. be would Therefore, it “surplusgenerations, producfuture to -

If it meant that each generation leaves something tion” doessomething notleaves exist, at leastgeneration noteach in thethat sensemeant givenit If

For us, this oft-repeated sentence has no sense. to sense. it byno thehas theoristssentence of Political oft-repeated Economy. this us, For

Taking another pointforth. —so all and economistsfamilies, tell several us

a family of cultivators produces enough to feed thatfeed to there isenough a well-provedproduces law: cultivators “ Manof producesfamily a proceeds of his toil, there remains a surplus. Thus, moreThus, thansurplus. hea consumes.remains ” Afterthere toil, he hashis of lived on theproceeds

14 consumption and production

262

winter, or have only just enough to boil a fewusurer. vegthe - and

etables. Inpriest, fact,the setting asidelandlord, the useless State, luxuries,the by therethem from

is in England,taken whichbeen exportshaving moreremainder thanthe any othermouth, to hand

are compelled to live very poorly, from from poorly, very live to compelled are today

country, one single commodity in universal use— who

penses incurred in afforestation, roads, etc. roads, afforestation, in incurred penses but but

cottons—— whose production is sufficiently great to

perhapsex or exceed theaccidents, needs of theunforeseen community.for aside set Yetwas what

formerly consumed what they produced they what consumed formerly save save

when we — look upon the rags that pass for wearing

apparel who worn bycreated, over been a thirdhas ofmen theof inhabitantsclass whole a of rent,

the Unitedfor Kingdom,landlord the weand are tithe, led for to askpriest ourselvesthe taxes, for

whether theproduce cottonshis of exportedshare large a wouldhim not,from on taken the always

whole, suithaving the realState the needs that, of say the population?they should Rather sume.

the cultivator produces more than he need con need he than more produces cultivator the

- As a rule it is not a surplus that is exported,

though that it maytold haveare We been someant. originally.is what Thenot is fablethis ofBut

the barefooted shoemaker is asgenerations. true of nationssucceeding to as it queathed

his house and his furniture are so much wealth be wealth much so are furniture his and house his

was- formerly of individual artisans. We export the

necessary canals, commodities.bridges, AndRoads, wemuch. do so,that by because theincreased been

workmen has cannot buygenerations withfuture theirof wagesheritage whatthe theythat say we

have produced,and soil, andvirgin payof besidesacres few a the rentclears andhe Or interchildren.

fruits will still be gathered by the farmer the by gathered be still will fruits - grand s

est to the capitalist’ and the banker.

for thirty, forty, or a hundred years, and whose Not onlywhose doesand theyears, ever-growinghundred a or need forty, of comthirty, - for

fort remainmaybe, unsatisfied,live, will that but tree the a strictplants necessitiesfarmer a of ample,

to future generations, it would be true; thus, for ex for thus, true; be would it generations, future to

life - are often wanting. Therefore, “surplus produc-

tion ” does notsomething exist, leaves at least not generation in theeach sensethat givenmeant it If

to it by thesense. theoristsno has of Politicalsentence Economy.oft-repeated this us, For

Taking another point—allforth. economistsso and tellfamilies, us several

that therefeed to is a well-provedenough produces law: “Man cultivators produces of family a more thanThus, he consumes.surplus. a ” Afterremains hethere hastoil, livedhis onof the proceeds

14 consumption and production 264

Therefore we prefer to say: The agricultural labourer, the industrial worker and so on consume less than they produce,—because they are compelled to sell most of the produce of their labour

and to be satisfied with but a small portion of it.

Let us also observechapter. next thatthe in if the needsdiscuss to of thegoing indiare -

which we we which — theory Labour of Division The —

vidual are taken as the starting-point of our politimists -

calecono economy,by wepreached cannotoften failtheory to reachthe all of Communism, first and

sweep of several prejudices concerning industry, an organizationindustry, whichconcerning enablesprejudices us several to of satisfy sweep all

answer to this aim will also have to make a clean needsclean a in themake to most have thoroughalso will andaim economicalthis to way.answer

which will know how to organize production to to While if weproduction start fromorganize ourto presenthow know method will of prowhich -

A society that will satisfy the needs of all, and duction,and all, of and aimneeds atthe gain andsatisfy surpluswill that value,society withoutA

asking whether our productionscientific. really corresponds is that to theopinion,

the only one, in our our in one, only the —

satisfaction of needs, we necessarilythings of arrive atcomprehension Capi a -

therefore becomes the logical consequence of such talism,such of or at mostconsequence at Collectivismlogical the —bothbecomes being therefore but

—

two whole different a as formstaken of theExchange, presentand wages’ system.Production, tion,

In Consump fact, of whenview a we to consider thecorrespond needswould of thewhich in-

that is to say, an organization organization an say, to is that —

dividual and of society, and the means whichCommunism man

has resortedneeds. real to to in orderbrings it to satisfy themsatisfaction the during on but his

pend on a simple whim, as has often been affirmed, variedaffirmed, phasesbeen of often development,has as whim, we seesimple a at onceon thepend

- de not does commodity a of ” use in value “

necessity of systematizing our efforts, instead called of

are the most pressing: that, in other words, the so- producingthe words, haphazardother in asthat, we do nowadays.pressing: most the It are be-

them, to go, first, for satisfying those needs which comeswhich evidentneeds those that the appropriationsatisfying for first, go, byto a fewthem, of

geous use of all commodities would be, for each of of all richeseach for notbe, consumed,would and transmittedcommodities all of use from onegeous

generationadvanta most to another,the that is not inmoreover, the generaldiscover, interest.We

And we see ascriminal. a factmore thatthe owingonly is to thesethings methodsuseless in fied, so that the present waste of human strength the needsstrength ofhuman three-quarters of waste ofpresent societythe arethat so not satisfied, -

14 consumption and production 264

Therefore we prefer to say: The agricultural labourer, the industrial worker and so on consume less than they produce,—because they are compelled to sell most of the produce of their labour

and to be satisfied with but a small portion of it.

Let us also observechapter. thatnext if thethe in needs ofdiscuss theto indigoing - are

The Division of Labour theory Labour of Division The — mists which we we which

vidual are taken— as the starting-point of our politi-

cal economy,econo by we cannotpreached failoften to reachtheory Communism,the all of first and

an organizationindustry, which concerning enables usprejudices to satisfyseveral of all sweep

needs inclean thea mostmake thoroughto have andalso will economical aim this to way. answer

While to if we start production from our organize present to how method know of will pro - which

duction, and andall, aimof at gainneeds the and surplussatisfy will value,that withoutsociety A

asking whether our production correspondsscientific. really is tothat the opinion,

a comprehension of things of comprehension a the only one, in our our in one, only the

satisfaction of needs, we necessarily— arrive at Capi-

talism, orsuch of at most at Collectivismconsequence logical —the both beingbecomes but therefore

tion, Production, and Exchange, taken as a whole a as taken Exchange, and Production, tion,

two different— forms of the present wages’ system.

which would correspond to a view of Consump of view a to correspond would which

- In fact, when we consider the needs of the in-

that is to say, an organization organization an say, to is that —

dividual and of society, and the means which manCommunism

has resorted toneeds. in orderreal to to satisfybrings it them duringsatisfaction the hison but

varied phasesaffirmed, of development,been often has as we seewhim, at oncesimple a theon pend

of a commodity does not de not does commodity a of ” use in value “ called

necessityof systematizing our efforts, instead of

producingso- the haphazardwords, other as in we dothat, nowadays.pressing: Itmost bethe - are

comes evidentwhich needs that thethose appropriationsatisfying for byfirst, a fewgo, to of them,

all riches of noteach consumed,for be, would and transmittedcommodities all from of oneuse geous

We discover, moreover, that the most advanta most the that moreover, discover, We

generation- to another, is not in the general interest.

And we see as a factcriminal. that more owing the toonly theseis methodsthings useless in the needs ofstrength three-quartershuman of waste of societypresent arethe notthat satisso - fied,

14 consumption and production

266

Thus we see most socialists, even those who who those even CHAPTERsocialists, XVmost see we Thus

THEfetishes. DIVISIONsame the OF LABOURvenerate they omists;

I econ like arguing by end too, workers and people,

of as problems long since solved, all middle-class Political middle-class Economy all hassolved, alwayssince long confinedproblems itselfas of to

sion of labour, profits, interest, credit, etc., spoken statingspoken etc., facts occurringcredit, interest, in society,profits, andlabour, justifyingof sion

themdivi the in the interesthearing of therepeatedly dominantfrom and class.them; Therevert -

- per and minds s ’

fore, it pronouncesmen itselfinto in filter favour ofscience theof divisiondoctors

it as much as they pleased. But the ideas taught by by of labourtaught in ideas industry. the But Havingpleased. foundthey itas profitablemuch as it to

division of labour, we might allow them to preach capitalists,preach to itthem has setallow it upmight as awe principle.labour, of division

ones to preach the permanent and often hereditary Lookhereditary at theoften villageand smith,permanent saidthe Adam preach Smith,to theones

If, however, learned economists were the only fatheronly the of modernwere Politicaleconomists Economy.learned If he however, has If, never

been accustomed consider. toto makingnow nailshave we he willissue onlyvery sucthe -

augmenting the productivity of a nation. But this is is ceedthis byBut hard toilnation. a inof forging twoproductivity or threethe hundredaugmenting a

variety of occupations would result in considerably day, and evenconsiderably in thenresult they willwould be bad. Butoccupations ifof this samevariety

his spirit of invention, and that, on the contrary, a a smith hascontrary, neverthe on madethat, anythingand butinvention, nails,of hespirit willhis

ical toil the worker would lose his intelligence and easilyand supplyintelligence as his many lose as twowould thousandworker the threetoil hunical -

dred mechan in thesame coursethe and of aone day.at Andgrind Smith lifelong hasteneda by that to

propose? Nothing! They did not say to themselves the conclusionthemselves to say —” Dividenot did labour,They specialize,Nothing! go propose? on

what did official economists economists official did what —

specializing; let us have smiths whopoverty onlyinto knowsinks howand

to making the eighteenth part of a pin, grows stupid to makestupid headsgrows pin, ora of points part of nails, andeighteenth bythe this meansmaking to

the rich, and that the worker, who is doomed for life life we for shall producedoomed is more.who Weworker, shallthe growthat rich.and ”rich, the

stead of enriching the whole nation, only enriches Thatenriches aonly smith nation, condemned whole the for life toenriching makeof stead the

gan to understand that the division of labour, in heads oflabour, nailsof woulddivision losethe all interestthat in hisunderstand work, to thatgan

And later on, when a Sismondi or a J. B. Say be he wouldSay B. J. a be or entirely atSismondi a the mercywhen on, of hislater employerAnd

And all joined him in this cry. this in him joined all And ”

with his limited handicraft, that he would benation! outthe of

o£ labour. This is the real gold-mine that will enrich workenrich fourwill monthsthat out ofgold-mine twelve,real the andis thatThis his labour. wages o£

Long live the division division the live Long —” would fall very low down, whenexclaimed it he would when be easythis all to replace him by an apprentice, Smith did not think of 15 the division of labor

266

Thus we see most socialists, even those who who those CHAPTEReven XVsocialists, most see we Thus

THE DIVISIONfetishes. OFsame LABOURthe venerate they omists;

I econ like arguing by end too, workers and people,

Political Economymiddle-class all has alwayssolved, confinedsince long itselfproblems as to of

stating factsspoken occurringetc., credit, in society,interest, andprofits, justifyinglabour, of sion

them indivi thethe interesthearing of the dominantrepeatedly from class.and Therethem; - vert

doctors of science filter into men into filter science of doctors - per and minds s

fore, it pronounces itself’ in favour of the division

of labour by in industry.taught ideas Havingthe But foundpleased. it profitablethey as much to as it

capitalists, preach it to has setthem it upallow as a principle.might we labour, of division

ones to preach the permanent and often hereditary Look at thehereditary villageoften smith,and said Adampermanent the Smith,preach theto ones

father ofonly modernthe were Political Economy.economists Iflearned he has neverhowever, If,

been accustomed to makingconsider. to nailsnow hehave willwe onlyissue sucvery - the

ceed is by hardthis But toil in forgingnation. a of two or threeproductivity hundredthe a augmenting

day, and even thenconsiderably in they willresult be bad.would But if thisoccupations sameof variety

smith a has nevercontrary, madethe on anythingthat, and but nails,invention, heof willspirit his

easily supplyand as manyintelligence his as twolose thousandwould threeworker the huntoil - ical

that by a lifelong grind at one and the same mechan same the and one at grind lifelong a by that

dred- in the course of a day. And Smith hastened to

the conclusionthemselves —”to Dividesay not labour, did specialize,They Nothing! go on propose?

what did official economists economists official did what —

specializing; let us have smiths who onlypoverty knowinto howsinks and

to make headsstupid orgrows pointspin, a of of nails,part and by eighteenth this the means making to

we shalllife producefor more.doomed is Wewho shall growworker, the rich.that ” and rich, the

stead of enriching the whole nation, only enriches That a smithenriches only condemnednation, forwhole lifethe to makeenriching theof stead

gan to understand that the division of labour, in labour, of division the that understand to gan heads- of nails would lose all interest in his work, that

And later on, when a Sismondi or a J. B. Say be Say B. J. a or Sismondi a when on, later And

he wouldbe entirely at the mercy of his employer

And all joined him in this cry. this in him joined all And ”

with his limited handicraft, that he would be out ofnation! the

work fourenrich monthswill that out of twelve,gold-mine andreal thatthe is hisThis wages labour. o£

Long live the division division the live Long —” would fall very low down, when it wouldexclaimed he be easywhen to this all replace him by an apprentice, Smith did not think of 15 the division of labor

268

to grow corn; England to spin cotton; Belgium to to have notBelgium fearedcotton; to pointspin to out theEngland mistakescorn; ofgrow ecoto -

ity. Russia, we were taught, was destined by nature nomicalnature by science,destined justifyingwas taught, the divisionwere we of Russia, labour. ity.

Talkspecial toits themeach abouthaving the organizationworkshops, ofnational workinto dured -

ingdivid thebe to Revolution,was andHumanity they nations. answer for do thatto thewanted di-

What they have done for individuals, they also visionalso they of labour mustindividuals, for be maintained;done have they thatWhat if you

sharpenedmuch. so pinsourselves beforepride thewe Revolutionwhich on you mustmachinery the go

that, at the beginning of modern industry, created on sharpeningcreated industry, them after.modern of True, youbeginning willthe notat havethat,

stroy the love of work and the capacity for invention to workinvention morefor thancapacity fivethe and hours work a of day,love butthe you stroy will

nor of business, nor of mines. And thereby they de havethey to sharpenthereby pinsAnd all mines. your of life,nor while othersbusiness, of willnor

of them to have any idea of machinery as a whole, makewhole, a designsas for machinesmachinery of idea thatany willhave enableto youthem of to

coal-baskets in a particular part of a mine; but none sharpennone but hundredsmine; a of ofpart millions particular of a pinsin during yourcoal-baskets

to be foremen in a business, others to shove huge life-time;huge shove andto othersothers again willbusiness, a bein specialistsforemen be in theto

some to splice ropes in factories, some some factories, in ropes splice to some —

higher branches of literature, science, andlife for art, men etc.

The division of labour means labelling and stamping You werestamping and born to sharpenlabelling means pins whilelabour of Pasteurdivision wasThe

jobs to tend a steam-plough or a threshing-machine. born to invent thethreshing-machine. a inoculationor againststeam-plough a anthrax,tend to andjobs

labourer altogether and to set a man who does odd theodd Revolutiondoes who man will a leaveset to youand both to altogether your respeclabourer -

trial agriculture is to do away with the agricultural tive employments.agricultural the with Well,away it do is thisto is horrible principle,agriculture trial

soindus noxiousof ideal toThe society, moment. so a brutalizing for flags to the individattention his -

must not understand, and a foreman who fines him if if ual,him sourcefines ofwho so muchforeman a harm,and that weunderstand, proposenot must to

try is a child tending a machine that he cannot and discussand incannot itshe diversthat manifestations.machine a tending child a is try

thing about agriculture. The idea of modern indus We knowmodern of the consequencesidea The of theagriculture. divisionabout ofthing la-

bourevery full well.ignore It is evidentmachinery at that,work firstwho of those all, wewhile are

bourers of the soil who know nothing of machinery, divided machinery, intoof two classes:nothing know on thewho onesoil the hand, of producbourers -

hands is unknown to them. Then, we have the la ers,the whohave consumewe Then, very littlethem. to and are exemptunknown is fromhands

because the whole world of those who toil with their thinkingtheir with becausetoil who theythose of only doworld physicalwhole the work, andbecause

lege of thinking for the others, and who think badly whobadly workthink badlywho and because others, theirthe for brains remainthinking of inaclege -

- tive;privi andthe onhave the otheranything, hand,hardly theor consumers,little who,producing

15 the division of labor

268

have to not fearedBelgium to pointcotton; outspin to the mistakesEngland ofcorn; eco-grow to

nomical science,nature by justifyingdestined was the divisiontaught, were ofwe labour.Russia, ity.

Talk to themspecial its abouteach the organizationhaving workshops, of work national dur-into ed

wanted to do for nations. Humanity was to be divid be to was Humanity nations. for do to wanted

ing - the Revolution, and they answer that the di-

vision ofalso labourthey must beindividuals, maintained;for done have that they if youWhat

sharpenedmuch. pinsso beforeourselves the pride Revolution we which youon must gomachinery the

on sharpening created themindustry, after. True,modern of you will notbeginning havethe at that,

to work moreinvention thanfor fivecapacity hoursthe and a day,work butof youlove the will stroy

nor of business, nor of mines. And thereby they de they thereby And mines. of nor business, of nor

have- to sharpen pins all your life, while others will

make designswhole, a as for machinesmachinery of that willidea enableany have youto to them of

sharpen none hundredsbut mine; ofa millionsof part of pinsparticular duringa in your coal-baskets

life-time; huge and othersshove to againothers will be specialistsbusiness, a in in theforemen be to

some to splice ropes in factories, some some factories, in ropes splice to some —

higher branches of literature, science, and art,life etc.for men

You were bornstamping toand sharpenlabelling pins means while Pasteurlabour of wasdivision The

born to invent the inoculationthreshing-machine. a or against anthrax,steam-plough a tend and to jobs

the Revolutionodd does willwho leaveman a youset to both and to your respecaltogether - labourer

tive employments.agricultural the Well, with it is thisaway do horrible to is principle,agriculture trial

his attention flags for a moment. The ideal of indus of ideal The moment. a for flags attention his

so noxious- to society, so brutalizing to the individ-

ual, if source him of fines so muchwho harm,foreman a thatand we proposeunderstand, tonot must

discuss and in its diverscannot he manifestations.that machine a tending child a is try

thing about agriculture. The idea of modern indus modern of idea The agriculture. about thing

- We know the consequences of the division of la-

while those who work at machinery ignore every ignore machinery at work who those while

bour- full well. It is evident that, first of all, we are

divided into twomachinery, of classes: nothing on theknow onewho hand,soil the produc of - bourers

hands is unknown to them. Then, we have the la the have we Then, them. to unknown is hands

ers,- who consume very little and are exempt from

thinking their becausewith toil theywho onlythose doof physicalworld work,whole the and because

who workbadly badlythink becausewho and their others, brainsthe for remain inacthinking of - lege

producing little or hardly anything, have the privi the have anything, hardly or little producing tive;- and on the other hand, the consumers, who,

15 the division of labor

270

1912. in series popular their in Sons and Nelson Thomas

, published by Messrs. Messrs. by published , book, Fields, Factories, and Workshops and Factories, Fields,

A fuller development of these ideas will be found in my my in found be will ideas these of development fuller A weave cloth; while Switzerland was to train nurses10

and governesses. Moreover, each separate city was

to establish amillions. specialty.three at Lyons wasestimated is to weavetrade, silk, foreign Au-

of Frenchmen working for export or living by their vergnetheir by to makeliving or lace, andexport for Paris fancyworking articles. InFrenchmen thisof

two-thirds of these goods are fabrics. The number way, number economists The said,fabrics. are an immensegoods these fieldof was openedtwo-thirds

worth of manufactured goods, and and goods, manufactured of worth ’

for production and consumption, and in thispounds waymillion an

with an export trade. She sells far more than sixty erasixty of limitlessthan more wealthfar sells for She mankind trade. was export at hand.an with

she too has grown into a nation nation a into grown has too she Today

However, these great hopes vanished goods. as fasttured

as technicalmanufac for knowledgeEngland of spread tributary abroad. a be to As longceased as

the second half of the nineteenth century France EnglandFrance stoodcentury alone as nineteenth a weaverthe of ofhalf cottonsecond andthe as

for a time in its flight, soared again, and from a and metal-worker again, onsoared a large scale; flight, its as in long time a as onlyfor

a proletariat in France, French industry, hampered Paris madehampered artisticindustry, fancyFrench articles,France, etc.,in all wentproletariat well,a

teenth century had abolished serfdom and created economistscreated and couldserfdom preach theabolished so-calledhad divisioncentury teenth of

laboureigh the withoutof beingRevolution refuted. middle-class the as But

But a new currentriches. of thoughtupon riches induced bye andaccumulated

prices for the goods she alone could manufacture, bye all civilizedmanufacture, could nationsalone toshe manufacturegoods the for for themprices -

monopoly, and, imposing upon her neighbours her selves.her They neighbours found her it advantageousupon imposing toand, produce whatmonopoly,

vantages to account. She established an industrial they formerlyindustrial an receivedestablished fromShe otheraccount. countries,to vantages or

tion, and knew how to turn its privileges and ad from and their colonies,privileges its whichturn to in theirhow turnknew aimedand tion, at

emancipatingsitua the in took themselvesShe fromimportance. theof mother-counrivals no had -

century. She also became mistress of the seas and try.and Scientificseas the of discoveriesmistress became universalized also She thecentury. - meth

sprung up in France at the end of the preceding ods of production,preceding the of end and the henceforth at France itin was up uselesssprung to

ceeded in ruining the main industries which had payhad an exorbitantwhich priceindustries abroadmain the for whatruining couldin easilyceeded

besuc producednearly had at home.Britain Andwars now we seeNapoleonic alreadythe thatAfter

this industrial revolution strikes a crushing blowI at

THE DECENTRALIZATION OF INDUSTRY OF DECENTRALIZATION THE

the10 theory of the division of labour which for a long time was supposed XVI to be so sound.CHAPTER

15 the division of labor

270

1912. in series popular their in Sons and Nelson Thomas

, published by Messrs. Messrs. by published , book, Fields, Factories, and Workshops and Factories, Fields,

10 weave my cloth;in whilefound be Switzerlandwill ideas these wasof to train development nursesfuller A

and governesses. Moreover, each separate city was

to establish a specialty.millions. Lyonsthree at was to weaveestimated is silk,trade, Au- foreign

vergne totheir makeby lace,living or and Parisexport fancyfor articles.working In this Frenchmen of

way, economistsnumber The said, anfabrics. immenseare goods field these wasof opened two-thirds

million pounds million worth of manufactured goods, and and goods, manufactured of worth

for production and consumption, and in’ this way an

era of limitlesssixty than wealthmore forfar mankindsells She wastrade. at hand.export an with

Today goods. tured

she too has grown into a nation However,nation a theseinto greatgrown has hopes too vanishedshe as fast

ceased to be a tributary of England for manufac for England of tributary a be to ceased

as technical- knowledge spread abroad. As long as

England stoodFrance alonecentury as a weavernineteenth ofthe cottonof half and assecond the

a metal-workerfrom and onagain, a largesoared scale; as flight, long its in as only time a for

Paris made artistichampered fancyindustry, articles,French etc., allFrance, wentin well, proletariat a

economists created couldand preachserfdom the so-calledabolished had divisioncentury of teenth

But as the middle-class Revolution of the eigh the of Revolution middle-class the as But

labour- without being refuted.

But a new current of thoughtriches. upon induced riches bye and accumulated

bye all civilized manufacture, nations could to manufacturealone she goods forthe themfor - prices

selves. her They found neighbours it advantageousher upon to produceimposing and, what monopoly,

they formerlyindustrial receivedan fromestablished otherShe countries,account. to or vantages

tion, and knew how to turn its privileges and ad and privileges its turn to how knew and tion,

from- their colonies, which in their turn aimed at

had no rivals of importance. She took in the situa the in took She importance. of rivals no had

emancipating- themselves from the mother-coun-

try. Scientificand seas the discoveriesof mistress universalizedbecame also She the - meth century.

ods of production,preceding the andof henceforthend the at it wasFrance uselessin up to sprung

pay an exorbitanthad which price abroadindustries formain whatthe couldruining easilyin ceeded

After the Napoleonic wars Britain had nearly suc nearly had Britain wars Napoleonic the After

be produced- at home. And now we see already that

this industrial revolution strikes a crushing blow at I

THE DECENTRALIZATION OF INDUSTRY OF DECENTRALIZATION THE

the theory10 of the division of labour which for a long time was supposed to be soXVI sound. CHAPTER

15 the division of labor

272

dress materials, came from the West. Twenty years years FranceTwenty is thereforeWest. the nofrom longercame Englandmaterials, ’s tribudress -

in the way of machines, rails, railway-engines, fine tary.fine In her turn sherailway-engines, hasrails, striven tomachines, monopolizeof way the cerin -

Russia had hardly any factories. Everything needed tain needed branches ofEverything foreign industry,factories. any suchhardly ashad silks andRussia

At the time of the abolition of serfdom in 1861, ready-made1861, in clothes,serfdom of and abolition has the reaped of immensetime the At prof-

its therefrom;yesterday. butbut up she is onsprang it the as point of losinginstructive thismore

sia, where the development of manufacture is the monopolythe is for ever,manufacture of just as Englanddevelopment isthe on thewhere pointsia,

ofRus losingin root the monopolytaken also of have cotton goods.industries main the

— commodities all manufactured fact, in —

Travelling eastwards, industry has reached Germachines -

her own cotton-cloth, and constructed her own many.own her Fifty years agoconstructed Germanyand was acotton-cloth, tributaryown her of

jection to France and England, has manufactured England andmanufactured Francehas for England, mostand manufacturedFrance to comjection -

moditiessub from in theherself higher freed branches has of industry.Germany While It is no

longer so. In the course oftrade. the lastforeign fiftyby years,itself andenrich es-

an intelligent middle class, and eager in its turn to to peciallyturn its sincein theeager Franco-Germanand class, war,middle Germanyintelligent hasan

found a country, young, full of energy, possessing completelypossessing reorganizedenergy, of full her industry.young, Thecountry, a new found fac-

progressed eastward, and in Germany they have torieshave arethey stockedGermany within theand best machinery;eastward, the progressed lat-

formerly in the hands of England and France, have esthave creationsFrance, ofand industrialEngland of art inhands cottonthe in goods fromformerly

it is none the less certain that the main industries, Manchester,industries, main or inthe silksthat from Lyons,certain less etc.,the arenone now is it re-

of questions, and neglect great historical facts. But alizedBut facts. in new Germanhistorical factories.great neglect It tookand two or questions, three of

in railway tariffs; they may linger on the petty side generationsside petty the ofon workers,linger may at Lyonsthey andtariffs; Manchester,railway in

explain German competition by little differences to constructdifferences thelittle by modern machinery;competition butGerman Germanyexplain

the Frankfort Treaty; English manufacturers may adoptedmay it in its manufacturers perfected English state. Treaty; Technical Frankfort schools, the

Shortsighted people in France may cry out against adaptedagainst out to thecry needsmay of France industry,in people supply the factoShortsighted -

Asia and in Africa, but also in London and in Paris. riesParis. within and an armyLondon of in intelligent also but workmenAfrica, in —practicaland Asia

only become their rival in manufactured goods in in engineers,goods who can workmanufactured in withrival boththeir hand andbecome brain.only

France and England year by year. She has not Germannot has industryShe year. startsby atyear the pointEngland which and was onlyFrance

so well at home, she diminishes her imports from reachedfrom byimports Manchesterher anddiminishes Lyonsshe afterhome, at fiftywell yearsso It follows that since Germany manufactures of groping manufactures in the dark,Germany of exertionsince that and experiments.follows It

16 the decentralization of industry

272

dress materials, came from the West. Twenty years Franceyears is thereforeTwenty West. nothe longerfrom Englandcame ’s tribumaterials, - dress

tary. Infine her turn she has railway-engines, striven rails, to monopolizemachines, of cerway -the in

tain branchesneeded of foreignEverything industry,factories. suchany as silkshardly andhad Russia

ready-made 1861, in clothes,serfdom andof has reapedabolition the immenseof time profthe At -

its therefrom; butyesterday. shebut is up on the pointsprang it as of losing thisinstructive more

monopoly the is for ever, justmanufacture asof England is ondevelopment thethe pointwhere sia,

the main industries have also taken root in Rus in root taken also have industries main the

of losing- the monopoly of cotton goods.

— commodities all manufactured fact, in —

Travelling eastwards, industry has reached Ger- machines

many. Fiftyown her years ago Germanyconstructed and was a tributarycotton-cloth, ofown her

England and Francemanufactured forhas most England, manufactured and France to com - jection

moditiessub in thefrom higherherself branches freed ofhas industry.Germany It is noWhile

longer so. In the course of the lasttrade. fifty foreign years,by anditself es- enrich

pecially to sinceturn its the in Franco-Germaneager and class, war, Germanymiddle has intelligent an

completely reorganizedpossessing energy, herof industry.full young, The newcountry, a fac - found

tories arehave stockedthey with theGermany in best and machinery; eastward, the lat- progressed

est creationshave of industrialFrance, and artEngland inof cottonhands goodsthe in from formerly

Manchester, orindustries, in silksmain fromthe that Lyons, etc.,certain areless nowthe renone - is it

alized inBut newfacts. German factories.historical great It tookneglect twoand or three questions, of

generations side ofpetty workers,the on atlinger Lyonsmay andthey Manchester,tariffs; railway in

to construct thedifferences modernlittle by machinery;competition but GermanyGerman explain

adopted may it in its perfectedmanufacturers state.English TechnicalTreaty; schools,Frankfort the

adapted toagainst theout needscry ofmay industry,France in supplypeople the facto- Shortsighted

ries withParis. anin armyand of intelligentLondon in also workmen but —practicalAfrica, in and Asia

engineers, in whogoods can work withmanufactured in bothrival handtheir and brain.become only

German not industryhas She starts year. at theby pointyear whichEngland was and only France

reached from by Manchesterimports her and Lyonsdiminishes aftershe fiftyhome, at years well so of groping in the dark,manufactures of exertionGermany since and experiments.that follows It

16 the decentralization of industry

274

later annually. she possessedmarket the on alreadytextiles 85,000of yards factories,million and500

1,500,000 spindles and 50,000 looms, which throw thethrow value which of the goodslooms, manufactured50,000 and inspindles Russia had1,500,000

there are 160 cotton-mills, possessing possessing cotton-mills, 160 are there Today

increased fourfold. dles.

nine wretched little cotton factories with 385 spin The385 oldwith machineryfactories wascotton superseded,little andwretched nownine

exchange. In fact, forty years ago Brazil had only nearlyonly had all theBrazil steelago in useyears in Russia,forty fact, three-quartersIn exchange.

state, and to receive cotton-cloth from Europe in in of the Europe iron, from two-thirds ofcotton-cloth the coal,receive allto railway-enand state, -

to cultivate cotton forever, to export it in its raw gines,raw its in railway-carriages, it export to rails,forever, nearlycotton all steamers,cultivate to

Brazil as an example. Economists sentenced Brazil areBrazil made in Russia.sentenced Economists example. an as Brazil

ress in the main industries, but let us rather take take Russia,rather us destined let but —so wroteindustries, economistsmain the in —toress re-

- prog rapid s ’

main an agriculturalHungary territory,mention hasalso rapidlymight We devel-

oped into a manufacturingmethods. country. scientific She best ordersthe

provided with perfected machinery and applying hardlyapplying anythingand from machinery England, andperfected verywith little fromprovided

into importance as a new centre of manufactures, Germany. manufactures, of centre new a as importance into

while in the East, Bohemia has suddenly sprung sprung Economists suddenly holdhas the customsBohemia East, responsiblethe in while for

valry. Spain is also becoming an industrial country; thesecountry; facts, andindustrial yetan cottons becoming manufactured also is Spain in Rusvalry. -

classes has no other origin than their industrial ri sia are soldindustrial at their the samethan priceorigin asother inno London.has Capiclasses -

the mutual hatred of the French and Italian middle tal takingmiddle Italian no cognizanceand French ofthe of father-lands, hatred Germanmutual the

produce; and, let us not make any mistake about it, it, and Englishabout capitalists,mistake any make accompaniednot us let byand, engineersproduce;

strated the progress made in Italian manufactured and foremenmanufactured of theirItalian in ownmade nationalities,progress the havestrated in-

troduceddemon in already Russia1884 andof in PolandExhibition manufactoriesTurin The las.

whosepeninsu goods competesouthern the to in excellencealso withspreading are the bestthey

The main industries not only move eastward, from England.eastward, move If only customs not were industries abolished main to-morThe -

row, manufacture would onlyindustries. gain bydomestic as it. Notand longries

agofacto in the Britishboth home, manufacturers at fabricated is delivered anotherremainder The

woolen fabrics from England, France and Austria. hardAustria. blowand to theFrance import ofEngland, clothfrom and woolensfabrics fromwoolen

Russia imports only the highest sorts of cloth and theand West.cloth of Theysorts set up inhighest southernthe only and middleimports RusRussia - perfect machinery from Bradford, and already now sianow immensealready wooland factories,Bradford, stockedfrom withmachinery the mostperfect

16 the decentralization of industry

274

later she possessedannually. market alreadythe on 85,000textiles factories,of yards andmillion 500

the valuethrow of the which goods manufacturedlooms, 50,000 and in Russiaspindles had 1,500,000

there are 160 cotton-mills, possessing possessing cotton-mills, 160 are there Today

increased fourfold. dles.

nine wretched little cotton factories with 385 spin 385 with factories cotton little wretched nine

- The old machinery was superseded, and now

nearly allonly thehad steel Brazil in useago in Russia,years forty three-quartersfact, In exchange.

of the in iron, two-thirdsEurope from of the coal,cotton-cloth all railway-enreceive to and - state,

gines, railway-carriages,raw its in it export rails,to nearlyforever, all cotton steamers, cultivate to

are madeBrazil in Russia. sentenced Economists example. an as Brazil

ress in the main industries, but let us rather take Russia,take destinedrather us —let so but wrote economistsindustries, main —tothe rein - ress

- prog rapid s ’

main an agricultural territory,Hungary hasmention rapidlyalso develmight We -

oped into a manufacturing country.methods. She ordersscientific best the

hardly anythingapplying and from England,machinery and veryperfected littlewith from provided

Germany. manufactures, of centre new a as importance into

while in the East, Bohemia has suddenly sprung Economistssprung holdsuddenly thehas customs Bohemia responsible East, the in for while

these facts, country; and yet cottonsindustrial an manufacturedbecoming also is in RusSpain - valry.

classes has no other origin than their industrial ri industrial their than origin other no has classes

sia - are sold at the same price as in London. Capi-

tal taking middle no cognizanceItalian and of French father-lands, the of hatred German mutual the

and Englishit, about capitalists,mistake any accompanied make not us bylet engineersand, produce;

and foremen of theirmanufactured ownItalian in nationalities,made progress have the in- strated

las. The Turin Exhibition of 1884 already demon already 1884 of Exhibition Turin The las.

troduced- in Russia and in Poland manufactories

they are spreading also to the southern peninsu southern the to also spreading are they

whose- goods compete in excellence with the best

from England.eastward, If customsmove only werenot abolishedindustries to-mormain The -

row, manufacture would only gainindustries. by it. Notdomestic as longand ries

The remainder is fabricated at home, both in facto in both home, at fabricated is remainder The

ago- the British manufacturers delivered another

hard blow toAustria. theand importFrance of cloth England, and woolensfrom fromfabrics woolen

the West.and Theycloth of set upsorts in southernhighest the andonly middle imports Rus - Russia sia immensenow woolalready factories,and stockedBradford, from with the mostmachinery perfect

16 the decentralization of industry

276

of iron from England. The initial difficulties in us in Even Mexicodifficulties is initial now The very successfulEngland. from in iron manu of -

more evident that India will no import a single ton facturington single a cotton-cloth,import no will instead India of importingthat evident it frommore

England. Besides which it is becoming more and Europe.and more As to thebecoming Unitedis it Stateswhich theyBesides have quiteEngland.

who formerly wove cotton-cloth for export from freedfrom themselvesexport for from Europeancotton-cloth wove tutelage,formerly andwho

” hands factory “

have triumphantly the developedwith do to theirwhat manufacturingknow not will

fully aware that the day is not far off when they powersthey when to anoff enormousfar not is extent.day the that aware fully

a day. In short, the intelligent manufacturers are are But it was Indiamanufacturers whichintelligent gavethe the mostshort, In strikingday. a

machinery, for the Far East at wages of six-pence proof againstsix-pence of thewages specializationat East Far ofthe nationalfor industry.machinery,

and in great want, Indian women weave cotton by by Wecotton all knowweave thewomen theory:Indian the want, great great Europeanin and

And while English workmen are often unemployed nations needunemployed colonies,often are for coloniesworkmen sendEnglish rawwhile mateAnd -

s specialty. specialty. s ’

rial—cotton fibre,England be unwashedto said wool, spices,cotton-cloth, white etc., to

worth of the same same the of worth ’

the mother-land. And thepounds mother-land,million eight under prenearly -

nually to China, to the Dutch Indies, and to Africa, tenseAfrica, to of sendingand Indies, them Dutch manufactured the to China, wares,to getsnually

40 jute-mills, with 400,000 spindles. She exports an rid of herexports damagedShe stuffs,spindles. her400,000 machinewith scrap-ironjute-mills, 40

more than 6,000,000 spindles and 80,000 looms, and andand everythinglooms, 80,000 whichand she spindles no longer6,000,000 hasthan any usemore

which employ about 230,000 workmen, and contain for. Itcontain costsand her littleworkmen, or nothing,230,000 about and noneemploy the lesswhich

She now possesses more than 200 cotton-mills the articlescotton-mills are200 soldthan at exorbitantmore prices.possesses now She

. today

the menacing rival of the Mother-land she is Suchis she was the theoryMother-land —the such of wasrival the practicemenacing the for

fully mastered, before British India could become a longbecome time.could In LondonIndia British and Manchesterbefore mastered, fortunes fully

had to adapt themselves to new conditions, now werenow made, whileconditions, Indianew to was beingthemselves ruined.adapt Into thehad In-

mate had to be taken into account; and merchants dia Museummerchants and in Londonaccount; unheardinto taken of riches,be to collectedhad mate

the machinery sent from Liverpool was bad; the cli in Calcuttathe bad; andwas BombayLiverpool by from English sent merchants,machinery the are

could not inure themselves to factory life; life; factory to themselves inure not could —

to be seen. craft

artists and experts in their own own their in experts and artists —

But other English merchants and weavers capitalists Indian

At first a series of experiments ended in failure. conceivedfailure. in theended very simpleexperiments of idea thatseries a it first would At be

more expedient to exploit the nativesannually. of Indiagoods of by

worth worth ’ making cotton-clothpounds million in India itself,twenty-four to than totwenty importfrom

16 the decentralization of industry

276

Evenus in Mexico is difficulties now veryinitial successfulThe England. in manufrom -iron of

facturing ton cotton-cloth,single a import insteadno will of importingIndia that it fromevident more

Europe. and As tomore the Unitedbecoming is States it theywhich haveBesides quite England.

freed themselvesfrom export fromfor Europeancotton-cloth tutelage,wove andformerly who

will not know what to do with the the with do to what know not will ” hands factory

have triumphantly“ developed their manufacturing

powers they to an enormouswhen off far extent.not is day the that aware fully

a day. In short, the intelligent manufacturers are Butare it was India whichmanufacturers gave theintelligent mostthe strikingshort, In day. a

proof againstsix-pence the of specializationwages at East of nationalFar the for industry. machinery,

and in great want, Indian women weave cotton by Weby all knowcotton theweave theory:women the Indian great want, European great in and

nations need colonies,unemployed often forare colonies workmen send rawEnglish matewhile - And

s specialty. specialty. s ’

rial—cotton fibre, unwashedEngland be to said wool, spices, cotton-cloth, etc., to white

nearly eight million pounds million eight nearly worth of the same same the of worth

the mother-land. And the’ mother-land, under pre-

tense of sendingAfrica, to and them Indies, manufactured Dutch the to wares,China, getsto nually

40 jute-mills, with 400,000 spindles. She exports an exports She spindles. 400,000 with jute-mills, 40

rid - of her damaged stuffs, her machine scrap-iron

and everythingand looms, which80,000 sheand no longerspindles has any6,000,000 usethan more

for. It costscontain herand little or nothing,workmen, and230,000 noneabout the lessemploy which

the articles are cotton-mills sold 200 at exorbitantthan more prices. possesses now She

the menacing rival of the Mother-land she is is she Mother-land the of rival menacing the .

Such today was the theory—such was the practice for

a long time.become In Londoncould India and ManchesterBritish before fortunesmastered, fully

were made,now while Indiaconditions, wasnew to being ruined.themselves In theadapt Into - had

dia Museum inmerchants Londonand unheardaccount; ofinto riches,taken be collected to had mate

the machinery sent from Liverpool was bad; the cli the bad; was Liverpool from sent machinery the

in Calcutta- and Bombay by English merchants, are

could not inure themselves to factory life; life; factory to themselves inure not could —

to be seen. craft

artists and experts in their own own their in experts and artists —

But other English merchants and capitalistsweavers Indian

conceived failure. thein veryended simple ideaexperiments of that itseries woulda first beAt

more expedient to exploit the natives of Indiaannually. by goods of

from twenty to twenty-four million pounds million twenty-four to twenty from worth worth making cotton-cloth’ in India itself, than to import

16 the decentralization of industry

278

In fact, the time is not far off when Lyons will only ingonly thewill coal Lyons and thewhen iron-oreoff far obtainednot is time in the India fact, haveIn

fabrics, exports now only one-half of that amount. beenamount. overcome;that of and one-half foundries,only now rivallingexports thosefabrics, in

worth of silk silk of worth ’

England, have beenfrancs builtmillion on460 the shoresexported of the1870-4 in In-

and Germany send silks to France; and Lyons, which dianwhich Ocean.Lyons, and France; to silks send Germany and

mean starvation to the silk-weavers of Lyons. Italy Italy ColoniesLyons. of competingsilk-weavers withthe to the mother-landstarvation mean in

ants weave silk handkerchiefs at a wage that would its would production that wage a of at manufactured handkerchiefs goods,silk suchweave is theants

factorpeas whichCaucasian will regulatewinter, In economyimported. in are the twentiFrance -

reckoned that one-third of the silk stuffs used in in eth century.used stuffs silk the of one-third that reckoned

in the United States, and in England, and it is now now is And it whyand shouldEngland, Indiain and not manufacture?States, United the What in

monopoly. Silks are made in Germany, in Austria, shouldAustria, in be the hindrance?Germany, in made Capital?are Silks —But capitalmonopoly.

the silk trade is no longer a French French a longer no is trade silk the today

goes wherever there are men, poor enough And to be

exploited. Knowledge? Paterson. Butat knowledgelikewise did recognizesStates ed

noUnit nationalThe barriers.factories. silk Technicalgreat built skill of workmen, the workLyons -

Austria followed. Then Germany, with the help of of er?—help No.the Are, with then, HindooGermany, workmenThen inferiorfollowed. to theAustria

verting silk into fabrics to the Caucasian peasants. hundredspeasants. of thousandsCaucasian the to of boysfabrics andinto girls,silk not eighverting -

teencon of yearsart old,the atand present workingsilk-worms, of in therearing Englishfected

textileper the factories?Georgians teach to Lyons from workmen ministration engaged women from Marseilles and and Marseilles from women engaged ministration

a great centre of the silk trade. The Caucasian Ad II Caucasian The trade. silk the of centre great a

develop in the villages round Zurich. Bâle became Afterbecame havingBâle glancedZurich. at nationalround industriesvillages the in it woulddevelop

do as much? Consequently, silk-weaving began to to be verybegan interesting tosilk-weaving turn to some Consequently, special much? branches. as do

silk, why should not Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Russia, Let us takeGermany, silk, for Switzerland, example, not anshould eminentlywhy silk,

of French silk. But if Lyons manufactured imported Frenchimported produce in themanufactured firstLyons if half But of thesilk. nineteenthFrench of

ons, there were only four hundred thousand kilos century.kilos Wethousand all knowhundred howfour Lyonsonly becamewere thethere empoons, -

raw silk converted into stuffs in the vicinity of Ly riumof of thevicinity silkthe trade.in Atstuffs firstinto raw silk converted was gatheredsilk raw

their silk fabrics. In 1875, out of five million kilos of of in southernkilos million France,five of tillout little1875, byIn little theyfabrics. silk orderedtheir Caucasus, and from Japan, for the manufacture of of it from Italy,manufacture fromthe Spain,for Japan, from from Austria, and from theCaucasus,

16 the decentralization of industry

278

ing the coalonly andwill theLyons iron-orewhen off obtainedfar not is in Indiatime havethe fact, In

been overcome;amount. that andof foundries,one-half only rivalling now thoseexports in fabrics,

worth of silk silk of worth ’

England, have been builtfrancs on themillion shores460 of theexported In-1870-4 in

dian Ocean.which Lyons, and France; to silks send Germany and

mean starvation to the silk-weavers of Lyons. Italy ColoniesItaly competingLyons. of with silk-weavers the the mother-landto starvation in mean

its production would that of manufacturedwage a at goods,handkerchiefs suchsilk is theweave ants

France are imported. In winter, Caucasian peas Caucasian winter, In imported. are France

factor- which will regulate economy in the twenti-

eth century.in used stuffs silk the of one-third that reckoned

in the United States, and in England, and it is now Andnow whyis it shouldand IndiaEngland, notin manufacture?and States, WhatUnited the in

should be Austria, thein hindrance?Germany, in Capital?made are — ButSilks capital monopoly.

the silk trade is no longer a French French a longer no is trade silk the today

goes wherever there are men, poor enough to beAnd

exploited. Knowledge? But knowledgePaterson. at recognizeslikewise did States ed

Lyons workmen, built great silk factories. The Unit The factories. silk great built workmen, Lyons

no - national barriers. Technical skill of the work-

er?— No.of Are,help then,the Hindoowith workmenGermany, Then inferior tofollowed. the Austria

hundreds ofpeasants. thousandsCaucasian of boysthe to and girls,fabrics into not silk eigh - verting

fected rearing of silk-worms, and the art of con of art the and silk-worms, of rearing fected

teen- years old, at present working in the English

workmen from Lyons to teach Georgians the per the Georgians teach to Lyons from workmen

textile- factories? ministration engaged women from Marseilles and and Marseilles from women engaged ministration

a great centre of the silk trade. The Caucasian Ad Caucasian The trade. silk the of centre great a

II -

After havingbecame glancedBâle at nationalZurich. round industriesvillages itthe wouldin develop

be very to interestingbegan to turnsilk-weaving to some specialConsequently, branches.much? as do

silk, why should not Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Let usRussia, take silk,Germany, for example,Switzerland, annot eminentlyshould why silk,

French produceimported in the firstmanufactured half Lyons ofif theBut nineteenthsilk. French of

century. kilos We all knowthousand how Lyonshundred four became only thewere empothere - ons,

raw silk converted into stuffs in the vicinity of Ly of vicinity the in stuffs into converted silk raw

riumof the silk trade. At first raw silk was gathered

in southern of kilos France,million tillfive littleof out by little1875, In they orderedfabrics. silk their it from of Italy, frommanufacture Spain,the for from Austria,Japan, from fromand the Caucasus,

16 the decentralization of industry

280

send higher class goods and a few noveltiesindustries. of as patvariety -

remain undeveloped, if they are not exercised in a a ternsin to Germany,exercised not are Russia they andif Japan. undeveloped, remain

industrial and technical capacities of the nation nation And the so of it is in all industries.capacities Belgiumtechnical and has no lonindustrial -

ward in all other industries; and lastly, because the gerthe the clothbecause monopoly;lastly, and cloth industries; is madeother inall Germany,in ward

inback Russia,be to in Austria,doomed is in the condition United States.finished a to Switzersteel -

because a country with no large factories to bring landbring to and the Frenchfactories large Jurano havewith no longercountry a a clockbecause -

inevitably remains behind the times in agriculture; work monopoly;agriculture; in times watchesthe arebehind maderemains everywhere.inevitably

all, because a country with no developed industry Scotlandindustry no longerdeveloped refinesno with sugar country for a Russia: because refined all,

portation is a waste of time and money, but, above Russianabove but, sugar ismoney, importedand time of into England.waste a is Italy,portation al-

thoughtrans neitherbecause only possessingnot coalmachinery; nor iron,import and makesiron

flour, to export wool and import cloth, to export herexport ownto iron-cladscloth, import and and engines wool for export her to steamers.flour,

It is foolish indeed to export wheat and to import Chemicalimport to industryand wheat is no longerexport to an indeed English foolish monop is It - oly; sulphuric acid and soda are made even in theIII

Urals. Steam-engines, made at Winterthur, have

acquired everywhere a wide reputation,productivity. their and at theincrease

stimulating one another by their inventions, they presentthey moment,inventions, Switzerland,their by another whichone has neitherstimulating

spring up around, so that, mutually supporting and coaland nor iron,supporting and nomutually sea-portsthat, so to importaround, up themspring —

pear than an infinite variety of other factories must must nothing butfactories excellentother of technicalvariety infinite schoolsan than — makespear

factories. And no sooner does a single factory ap machinery factory bettersingle a anddoes cheapersooner no than And England. factories. So

Agriculture can only prosper in proximity to to ends the theoryproximity in of Exchange.prosper only can Agriculture

The tendency of trade,progress. asto for all else,hindrance a is towardnow is

the moving cause of progress, while specialization decentralization.Everyspecialization while nationprogress, of findscause itmoving advantathe -

opment of production by mutual co-operation, and geousand to combineco-operation, agriculturemutual by withproduction theof greatestopment

possibledevel varietycomplete the ofof factories.pledge Thesurest specialization,the is diversity of

at home most of the produce they consume. This whichThis economistsconsume. they spoke soproduce highly,the of certainlymost hashome at en-

wheat, their own vegetables, and to manufacture riched a numbermanufacture to ofand capitalists,vegetables, but own is nowtheir no longerwheat, of every region, every nation, to grow their own ofown any their use. Ongrow theto contrary,nation, itevery is to theregion, advantageevery of

16 the decentralization of industry

280

send higher class goods and a few noveltiesindustries. asof patvariety

terns a toin Germany,exercised Russianot are and Japan.they if undeveloped, remain

industrial and technical capacities of the nation And sonation it isthe in of all industries.capacities Belgiumtechnical hasand no lonindustrial

ger thethe cloth monopoly;because lastly, clothand is madeindustries; in Germany,other all in ward

steel to a finished condition is doomed to be back be to doomed is condition finished a to steel

in Russia,- in Austria, in the United States. Switzer-

land andbring theto Frenchfactories Jura large have no nowith longer acountry clocka - because

work monopoly;agriculture; in watchestimes the are madebehind everywhere.remains inevitably

Scotland noindustry longer refinesdeveloped no sugarwith for Russia:country a refinedbecause all,

Russian sugarabove but, is importedmoney, and intotime England.of waste a Italy,is al- portation

though neithertrans possessingbecause only not coal nor machinery; iron, makesimport and iron

her own export iron-clads to cloth, and enginesimport and forwool her steamers.export to flour,

Chemical industryimport to and is no wheat longer export an to Englishindeed monopfoolish - is It oly; sulphuric acid and soda are made even in the III

Urals. Steam-engines, made at Winterthur, have

acquired everywhere a wide reputation,productivity. and attheir the increase

present they moment, Switzerland,inventions, their by whichanother hasone neither stimulating

coal norand iron, andsupporting no sea-portsmutually that, to so import around, them up — spring

nothing must but excellentfactories other of technical variety schoolsinfinite —an makes than pear

factories. And no sooner does a single factory ap factory single a does sooner no And factories.

machinery- better and cheaper than England. So

ends theto theory proximity of Exchange.in prosper only can Agriculture

The tendency of trade, as forprogress. allto else, is towardhindrance a now is

decentralization.Every specialization while nation findsprogress, of itcause advantamoving - the

geous toand combine agricultureco-operation, mutual by with the greatestproduction of opment

diversity is the surest pledge of the complete devel complete the of pledge surest the is diversity

possible- variety of factories. The specialization, of

which economistsThis consume. spoke they so highly,produce certainlythe of hasmost en-home at

riched a numbermanufacture of to capitalists, and but isvegetables, nowown no longertheir wheat, of any use.own Ontheir the contrary,grow to itnation, is to theevery advantageregion, every of

16 the decentralization of industry

282

their food from the land. They will see the neces Nowadaysthe see will everything They land. holdsthe togetherfrom food in their the

stuffs are empty, the masses will seek to obtain worldobtain ofto production.seek will Cultivationmasses the of theempty, soilare is no lonstuffs -

gerfood- possible withoutcontaining stores machinery,the when withoutthat think greatWe irri-

gation works, without railways, withoutRevolution? manurethe after fac-

What will the inhabitants have to eat six months tories.months Andsix toeat adaptto thishave machinery,inhabitants thesethe will railways,What

—

these irrigationstandstill, a at engines, etc.,temporarily to localbeing conditions,fancy-trade a

bouring countries not reaching their destination, certain spiritdestination, oftheir invention,reaching andnot a certaincountries amountbouring of

- neigh or distant from today

technical skill must be developed, imported while things theyof necber -

essarilynum great lie a dormantwork, of soout long as thrown spades been and ploughhaving es -

sharespurpos are the onlyexportation implementsfor working of cultivation.Parisians million

decreased, consumption having increased, one one If fieldsincreased, are tohaving be properlyconsumption cultivated, decreased, if they

The quantity of imported provisions having are having to yield the provisions abundant imported harvests of that quantity manThe has

the right to expect, it is essential that workshops,country. the of

it succeeds, it will revolutionize the economic life life foundries, economic and the factories developrevolutionize withinwill it the reachsucceeds, it of

isfy its own needs. If it fails to do so, it is death. If If the fields.death. is it A so, variety do to of occupations,fails it If needs. and own a varietyits isfy of

itself, and to reorganize its production, so as to sat skill to arisingas so therefrom,production, its both workingreorganize to together and foritself, a

territory in revolt will be compelled to provide for for common provide aimto —these arecompelled thebe truewill forcesrevolt in of progress.territory

visions will be paralyzed. And then, the city or or city And the now letthen, us imagineAnd the inhabitantsparalyzed. be will of a cityvisions

orpro aof territoryand —whethercommodities vastof or smallcirculation — steppingthe stuffs; for

thebread- first timeforeign of on to the pathimportation of the the Socialwill also Revolution.so still;

International commerce will come to a stand Wea to are sometimescome will told thatcommerce “nothing willInternational have

changedfact. ”: thatsimple this theby mines, the factories,revolutionized etc.,completely willbe

tories, houses, and banks, present production would be would expropriated, production and proclaimedpresent banks, and nationalhouses, or comtories, -

- fac on hands lay workers the should —

munal property, that every man will gocity backother to any his

Revolution break out to-morrow in Paris, Lyons, or or usual Lyons, work, Paris, andin that the to-morrow Revolution out break will thenRevolution be

We have already mentioned that should the accomplished.the should that mentioned already have We But this is a mere dream:simply. so the Socialplace Revolutiontake cannot

16 the decentralization of industry

282

their food from the land. They will see the neces the see will They land. the from food their

- Nowadays everything holds together in the

world of production.obtain to seek Cultivationwill masses of thethe soil isempty, no lonare - stuffs

ger possiblefood- withoutcontaining machinery,stores the withoutwhen that greatthink irriWe -

gation works, without railways, without manureRevolution? facthe - after

tories. And months to adaptsix eat thisto machinery,have theseinhabitants railways,the will What

—

these irrigationstandstill, engines,a at etc., to localtemporarily conditions,being a fancy-trade

certain spirit ofdestination, invention,their andreaching a certainnot amountcountries of bouring

- neigh or distant from today

technical skill must be developed, whileimported they necthings of - ber

es having been thrown out of work, a great num great a work, of out thrown been having es

essarily- lie dormant so long as spades and plough-

shares are purpos the only implementsexportation for of cultivation.working Parisians million

decreased, consumption having increased, one If fieldsone are increased, to be having properly cultivated,consumption if they decreased,

are to yield having the abundant provisions harvests imported of that man quantity hasThe

the right to expect, it is essential that workshops,country. the of

foundries, life and factorieseconomic the develop withinrevolutionize thewill it reach of succeeds, it

the fields.If death. A varietyis it so, of do occupations,to fails it If and a needs. varietyown its of isfy

itself, and to reorganize its production, so as to sat to as so production, its reorganize to and itself,

skill- arising therefrom, both working together for a

common for aim—provide these to are the truecompelled be forceswill of progress.revolt in territory

visions will be paralyzed. And then, the city or Andor nowcity letthe us imaginethen, And the inhabitantsparalyzed. be of awill city visions

stuffs; the circulation of commodities and of pro of and commodities of circulation the stuffs;

or a- territory—whether vast or small—stepping for

the first timebread- on toforeign theof path of theimportation Socialthe Revolution.will also so still;

International commerce will come to a stand a to come will commerce International

- We are sometimes told that “nothing will have

changed”: fact. that thesimple mines,this by the factories,revolutionized etc., will completely be

be expropriated, would andproduction proclaimedpresent nationalbanks, and or comhouses, - tories,

should the workers lay hands on fac on hands lay workers the should — city other any

munal- property, that every man will go back to his

usual or work, Lyons, and thatParis, in the Revolutionto-morrow out will break then be Revolution

accomplished. the should that mentioned already have We But this is a mere dream: the simply. Social so Revolutionplace take cannot

16 the decentralization of industry

284

the science of men like Laplace, Laplace, like men of science the —

sity of cultivating the soil, of combiningscience new agricul a of -

ventive spirit tenfold, a hundredfold; it is the dawn turaldawn productionthe is it with industrialhundredfold; a productiontenfold, spirit in theventive

ing of human intelligence, the increasing of the in suburbsthe of of Parisincreasing itselfthe and its environs.intelligence, human They of willing

haveawaken to abandonthe implies the It merelysystem. ornamental political trades andprevailing

A revolution is more than a mere change of the considerthe of theirchange mostmere a urgentthan needmore is —bread. revolution A

A great number of science? the of inhabitantswords first of the the citieslisped

Shall we be inferior to our grandfathers, who hardly willhardly havewho to become agriculturists.grandfathers, our to Notinferior be in thewe sameShall

when they no longer received any from abroad. mannerabroad. asfrom theany present received peasants longer whono wearthey themwhen -

ade. Parisians discovered saltpetre in their cellars selvescellars out,their in ploughing saltpetre for a wagediscovered that barelyParisians proade. -

videsblock them withcontinental sufficientthe during food short for ran the year, butsugar-cane by

why not? France invented beet-root sugar when followingwhen sugar the principlesbeet-root of theinvented intensive France agriculture,not? why

and and ” foreigners, “

of the market gardeners, these appliedwithout do onto a large scalecompelled be by

the Versailles conspirators. The revolted city will meanswill city of the bestrevolted machineryThe thatconspirators. man has inventedVersailles the

the German armies brought on to French soil by by or cansoil invent.French to They on will tillbrought the landarmies —not, however,German the

sansculottes of Paris as badly, and even worse, than likethan the worse, country even beastand ofbadly, burden:as Paris of a Paris jewellersansculottes

tor in grains at Troyes starved in 1793 and 1794 the wouldthe 1794 objectand to1793 that.in Theystarved will organizeTroyes at cultivationgrains in tor

on betterspecula The principles;gates. very andher notat in thedistrict future,country butthe at

meant even even meant ” parts foreign “

once, during the revolutionary that struggles,feel to frommade fearwas

ment. During the Revolutions of 1793 and 1871 Paris ofParis being1871 worstedand 1793 byof the enemy.Revolutions the During ment.

that have not joined in the revolutionary move Agriculture willrevolutionary havethe in to be joined carried not outhave onthat in-

may include all districts districts all include may ” parts foreign “

telligent lines, by men and women availing territory, themed -

selvesrevolt a of the experienceinhabitants the for of thethat presentforget not time,us let or-

they formerly used to order from foreign parts. And ganizingAnd parts. themselvesforeign from in joyousorder to gangsused for pleasantformerly they

they will also produce those things which which things those produce also will they —

work, like those who, a hundred years ago, workedoats and

Of course, they will not only cultivate wheat in thewheat Champcultivate de Marsonly not for will the Feastthey of thecourse, Of Federa-

tion—a work of delight, whencommunity. the notof carriedmember to excess,useful and improves his tools and is conscious of being a a whenbeing scientificallyof conscious is organized,and tools his when improves man and invents

16 the decentralization of industry

284

the science of men like Laplace, Laplace, like men of science the —

sity of cultivating the soil, of combining agriculscience new -a of

tural productiondawn the is it with industrialhundredfold; a productiontenfold, inspirit the ventive

suburbsin ofthe Parisof itself increasing and the its environs.intelligence, They willhuman of ing

prevailing political system. It implies the awaken the implies It system. political prevailing

have- to abandon the merely ornamental trades and

consider the of their mostchange urgentmere a needthan —bread.more is revolution A

A great number of the inhabitantsscience? of words of thefirst citiesthe lisped

will have tohardly becomewho agriculturists.grandfathers, our to Not in theinferior be same we Shall

manner asabroad. the presentfrom any peasantsreceived wholonger wearno themthey - when

selves out,cellars ploughingtheir in for a saltpetre wage that discovered barely proParisians - ade.

vides themblock with sufficientcontinental the food during for theshort year,ran but by sugar-cane

following when the principlessugar ofbeet-root the intensiveinvented agriculture,France not? why

be compelled to do without these these without do to compelled be and and ” foreigners,

of the market gardeners,“ applied on a large scale by

means ofwill thecity best machineryrevolted The that man hasconspirators. inventedVersailles the

or can by invent.soil TheyFrench willto tillon the landbrought —not,armies however,German the

like the than countryworse, beasteven ofand burden:badly, as a ParisParis of jeweller sansculottes

would the object 1794 to that.and 1793 They in will organizestarved Troyes cultivationat grains in tor

the country district at her very gates. The specula The gates. very her at district country the

on better- principles; and not in the future, but at

” parts foreign “ that feel to made was

once, duringeven themeant revolutionary struggles, from fear

of being Paris worsted 1871 byand the1793 enemy.of Revolutions the During ment.

that have not joined in the revolutionary move revolutionary the in joined not have that

- Agriculture will have to be carried out on in-

may include all districts districts all include may ” parts foreign “

telligent lines, by men and women availing them-territory, ed

let us not forget that for the inhabitants of a revolt a of inhabitants the for that forget not us let

selvesof the experience of the present time, or-

ganizing And themselvesparts. foreign in joyousfrom gangsorder to forused pleasantformerly they

they will also produce those things which which things those produce also will they —

work, like those who, a hundred years ago, workedoats and

in the Champwheat de Marscultivate foronly thenot Feastwill ofthey the Federacourse, Of -

tion—a work of delight, when notcommunity. carriedthe of to excess,member useful when a scientificallybeing of organized,conscious is and whentools his man inventsimproves and

16 the decentralization of industry 286

their sleepless nights would bring to the workers, Lamarck,workers, the Lavoisier.to bring It is awould revolutionnights in thesleepless mindstheir

could have only foreseen what a state of misery of men,misery of as deep,state a andwhat deeper still,foreseen thanonly inhave theircould in-

mankind. And if Watt, Stephenson, Jacquard, etc., stitutions.etc., Jacquard, Stephenson, Watt, if And mankind.

tors aimed, above all, at giving greater freedom of of Andfreedom there aregreater still economists,giving at all, whoabove tellaimed, us thattors -

onceinven the great “ revolutionthe and is made,science in ” everyone willinvestigators returngreat

personal enrichment was least thought of. The toThe hisof. workshop,thought as least if passingwas throughenrichment a revolutionpersonal

happiness of all was inspiring men, and in which werewhich goingin and homemen, after a walkinspiring inwas theall Eppingof forest!happiness

ress in industry are precisely those in which the the To beginwhich in with,those the sole precisely fact are of havingindustry laid in handsress -

onprog middle-classtrue and propertydiscoveries will implyindustrial thegreat necessityof ochs -

The reproach is perfectly true; so true that ep of completelythat true so reorganizingtrue; perfectly theis whole ofreproach economicThe

life in the workshops,sense. thenarrowest dockyards,its in theinterest factories.personal

ing a man to augment his power of production is is And theproduction revolutionof power surelyhis willaugment notto failman to a acting in -

thisforc of direction. capable Should Paris,incentive only during the thethat social revoprinciple, -

drawing all its deductions from the decidedly false lution,false be cutdecidedly offthe fromfrom the worlddeductions forits a all year or twodrawing

Political Economy has often been reproached with bywith the supportersreproached ofbeen middle-classoften has rule,Economy its millionsPolitical

of intellects, not yet depressed by factory life—thatI

City of little trades which stimulateAGRICULTURE the spirit of in-

vention—will show XVII the world CHAPTER what man’s brain can accomplish without asking for help from without, but the motor force of the sun that gives light, the

power of the wind that sweeps away impurities, and

the silent life-forcesmasses. the of at workimpulse in the earth wespontaneous treadthe and on.

vivified by the daring inspiration of the Revolution WeRevolution shallthe of see then whatinspiration a varietydaring the ofby trades, muvivified -

to carry it into effect, if the attempt were fertilized, tually fertilized, cooperatingwere onattempt athe spotif of effect, the globeinto it andcarry anito -

ed upon, and recognized as practical, would suffice matedsuffice by awould revolution,practical, as can do to feed,recognized clothe,and upon, house, ed

and supplyexperiment withbeen all manneralready has of luxurieswhat of, millionssure are we of We need write no fiction to prove this. What What intelligent this. men.prove to fiction no write need We

16 the decentralization of industry 286

Lamarck, Lavoisier.workers, the to It is bring a revolutionwould innights the mindssleepless their

of men, asmisery deep,of andstate a deeperwhat still, thanforeseen inonly theirhave in- could

stitutions. etc., Jacquard, Stephenson, Watt, if And mankind.

tors aimed, above all, at giving greater freedom of Andof there freedom are still greater economists, giving at whoall, tellabove us thataimed, tors -

once the “inven revolutiongreat the is made,and ” everyonescience in will returninvestigators great

to his workshop,The of. as ifthought passingleast throughwas a revolutionenrichment personal

were goingwhich homein and after men, a walk in inspiring the Eppingwas all of forest! happiness

ress in industry are precisely those in which the To the begin with,which in the solethose fact ofprecisely having are laid handsindustry in ress ochs of great industrial discoveries and true prog true and discoveries industrial great of ochs

on middle-class- property will imply the necessity The reproach is perfectly true; so true that ep that true so true; perfectly is reproach The

of completely- reorganizing the whole of economic

life in the workshops,sense. the dockyards,narrowest its in the factories.interest personal

ing a man to augment his power of production is Andis the revolutionproduction of surelypower willhis not failaugment toto act man in a ing principle, that the only incentive capable of forc of capable incentive only the that principle,

this- direction. Should Paris, during the social revo-

lution, befalse cut off fromdecidedly the the worldfrom for a yeardeductions its orall two drawing

by the supporterswith ofreproached middle-classbeen often rule,has its millionsEconomy Political

of intellects, not yet depressed by factory life—that I

City of little trades which stimulate AGRICULTURE the spirit of in-

vention—will show the worldXVII what manCHAPTER ’s brain can accomplish without asking for help from without, but the motor force of the sun that gives light, the

power of the wind that sweeps away impurities, and

the silent life-forcesmasses. atthe work of in theimpulse earth we treadspontaneous on.the and

vivified by the daring inspiration of the Revolution We shall Revolution see thenthe of what a varietyinspiration ofdaring trades,the by muvivified

tually cooperatingfertilized, were on a spotattempt ofthe if the globeeffect, andinto it ani-carry to

mated by asuffice revolution,would can practical, do as to feed, clothe,recognized house,and upon, ed

we are sure of, what has already been experiment been already has what of, sure are we

andsupply with all manner of luxuries millions of intelligent What men.this. prove to fiction no write need We

16 the decentralization of industry

288

they certainly would have burned art. their designsagricultural

sive culture, which, after all, is but the infancy of of and brokeninfancy the theirbut models.is all, after which, culture, sive

future Socialists do not go beyond American exten Another American principlebeyond go thatnot do pervades Socialists Politicalfuture

at the least. In their most glowing dreams of the Economythe of isdreams just as glowing false. most It is thetheir In tacit admission,least. the at

not only his own family, but a hundred men more commonmore men to all economists,hundred a but thatfamily, ifown therehis isonly oftennot

work per day sufficient food to nourish, nourish, to food sufficient day per work ’

over-production in certain branches, a societyhours willfew

standing erect, taking leisure, and producing by a a neverthelessby producing neverand haveleisure, sufficienttaking productserect, tostanding sat-

cial reformers do not care to imagine a cultivator isfy thecultivator wantsa of all,imagine to and thatcare not consequently do reformers the daycial

reduce their taxes or their rent. But even most so will nevermost even come But whenrent. nobodytheir or will taxes be forcedtheir to sellreduce

ery, the utmost relief that society proposes, is to to hisis labour inproposes, exchangesociety forthat wages.relief Thisutmost tacit the admisery, -

sionmis a is foundsuch to at thedown basisground of allmen, theoriesthese for andAnd all the

of La Bruyère. La of ” savages the “

so-called “laws” taught by economists. picture they

bed, dry bread, and coarse beverage. In a word, word, Anda In yet it is beverage. certain coarse that and the daybread, whendry anybed,

from morn to night and reaping as reward a rude civilizedrude a associationreward as ofreaping individualsand night wouldto askmorn itself,from

will bring forth; they think of a family working what working are thefamily needs a of of all,think andthey the meansforth; ofbring satisfywill -

waiting anxiously for what the good or bad season ing season them, bad or it wouldgood the see that,what for in industry,anxiously as in waiting ag-

badly assorted corn haphazard into the ground and riculture,and ground it the already into possesseshaphazard sufficientcorn toassorted providebadly

ine a peasant bending over the plough, throwing abundantlythrowing forplough, all needs,the over on conditionbending thatpeasant ita knows ine

howimag to men apply of, thesespoken meansis to satisfyagriculture realtime needs.Each

That this is true as regards industry no one. one canistic

contest.capital Indeed,present itthe sufficesof toinstead study the established processes be will al-

as soon as a socialist organization of work work of organization socialist a as soon as —

ready in use to extract coals and ore, to obtainit, steelof

can put it into practice as soon as they feel the need andneed workthe feel it, tothey manufactureas soon as on apractice greatinto it scaleput whatcan

production, not only fourfold but tenfold, and they isthey usedand for clothing,tenfold, but etc., infourfold orderonly tonot perceive thatproduction,

the manufacturers, already could increase their wetheir could alreadyincrease increasecould already our production fourfoldmanufacturers, the

the same position: those who cultivate the soil, like orlike more,soil, the and yet usecultivate forwho that those less workposition: than same we the are We go further. We assert that agriculture is in in usingis now. agriculture that assert We further. go We

17 agriculture

288

they certainly would have burned their art. designs agricultural

and brokenof theirinfancy models.the but is all, after which, culture, sive

Anotherexten principleAmerican thatbeyond go pervadesnot do PoliticalSocialists future

Economy the of is just asdreams false. Itglowing is themost tacittheir admission,In least. the at

common more to allmen economists,hundred a but that if family, there own is his often only not

work per day sufficient food to nourish, nourish, to food sufficient day per work ’

over-production in certain branches, a society willhours few

nevertheless a by neverproducing haveand sufficientleisure, productstaking erect, to sat- standing

isfy the wantscultivator ofa all, andimagine thatto consequentlycare not do the dayreformers cial

reduce their taxes or their rent. But even most so most even But rent. their or taxes their reduce

will- never come when nobody will be forced to sell

his labourto is in exchangeproposes, forsociety wages.that Thisrelief tacit admisutmost the - ery,

sion is mis found a atsuch theto basisdown of allground theoriesmen, andthese allfor theAnd

the savages the “ picture they of La Bruyère. La of

so-called “laws” taught by economists.”

bed, dry bread, and coarse beverage. In a word, And word, yet a itIn is certainbeverage. that thecoarse dayand whenbread, anydry bed,

civilized rude associationa reward as of individualsreaping and wouldnight askto itself,morn from

what are theworking needsfamily of a all,of and thethink meansthey offorth; satisfybring - will

ing them, season it wouldbad or seegood that,the in what industry, for as inanxiously ag- waiting

riculture, and it alreadyground the possessesinto sufficienthaphazard corn to provideassorted badly

abundantly forthrowing all needs,plough, onthe conditionover thatbending it knowspeasant a ine

Each time agriculture is spoken of, men imag men of, spoken is agriculture time Each

how- to apply these means to satisfy real needs.

That this is true as regards industry no one canone. istic

will be established instead of the present capital present the of instead established be will

contest.- Indeed, it suffices to study the processes al-

as soon as a socialist organization of work work of organization socialist a as soon as —

ready in use to extract coals and ore, to obtain steel it, of

and workneed it,the to manufacturefeel they as soon onas a great practice scaleinto whatit put can

is used forthey clothing,and tenfold, etc.,but in orderfourfold to perceiveonly not that production,

we couldtheir already increase could our productionalready fourfoldmanufacturers, the

or more, like andsoil, yetthe use for thatcultivate lesswho workthose than weposition: aresame the using in now.is agriculture that assert We further. go We

17 agriculture

290

not only produce all the corn, meat, and vegetables Butvegetables theand thinkingmeat, corn, agriculturistthe all hasproduce broaderonly not

the territory of the two departments, they could ideascould today—they his conceptionsdepartments, two arethe of on a far granderterritory the

of cattle, a single basket of fruit, and left them only scale.only Hethem onlyleft asksand forfruit, aof fractionbasket of ansingle acrea in cattle, order of

send them a single bushel of wheat, a single head tohead producesingle a sufficientwheat, of vegetablesbushel forsingle a a family;them andsend to

their hands, and if the entire universe refused to to feed twenty-fiverefused universe hornedentire beaststhe if heand needshands, no moretheir

Anarchist commune, in which all worked with spacewith thanworked heall formerlywhich in required tocommune, feed one; Anarchist his

and of Seine-et-Oise organized themselves as an an aim as is to makethemselves his own soil,organized to defy seasonsSeine-et-Oise of andand cli-

morrow Paris and the two departments of Seine mate,Seine of to warm bothdepartments air andtwo earththe and around Paris the youngmorrow

we may consider it as absolutely proved that if toplant;if that to produce,proved in a word,absolutely as it on one acreconsider whatmay we he

In any case (as we are about to demonstrate) used to gatherdemonstrate) to fromabout fiftyare we acres, (as andcase thatany In without

any excessive fatigue—bysoil. greatlythe from reducing, extract on thecould

would still be a very feeble proportion to what man contrary,man what to the total ofproportion formerfeeble labour.very a Hebe knowsstill thatwould

million inhabitants to the territory of Great Britain we willBritain beGreat ableof to feedterritory everybodythe to by givinginhabitants to themillion

ed in many places, even on poor soils, fifty or sixty culturesixty or offifty the fieldssoils, poor noon moreeven time places, than many what in eached

can givecultivat withalready pleasureis it as andearth joy.the cultivating in that

the new horizons which open before us, we can say say Thiscan we isus, the presentbefore open tendencywhich of horizons agriculture. new the

in Germany, in England, and when we contemplate While scientificcontemplate we when men,and led byEngland, in Liebig, theGermany, in creator

when we see the progress recently made in France, of theFrance, in chemicalmade theoryrecently of agriculture,progress the see oftenwe when got

on what could be grown in Great Britain. But now, onnow, theBut wrongBritain. tack Great in in their lovegrown be of merecould theories,what on

could live very well, without importing anything, unletteredanything, agriculturistsimporting without openedwell, upvery newlive roadscould

that a population of thirty million individuals to prosperity.individuals Market-gardenersmillion thirty of of Paris,population a Troyes,that

Twenty years ago it could already be asserted Rouen,asserted Scotchbe andalready Englishcould it gardeners,ago years FlemishTwenty and

Lombardianculture. farmers,intensive of peasantsmeans by of Jersey,worked is soil Guernthe -

can be grown, even including articles of luxury, if if sey, andluxury, of farmersarticles on the Scillyincluding Isleseven havegrown, be opened can

mum area on which all that is necessary to a family up family such a to large horizonsnecessary is thatthat all the mindwhich on hesitatesarea mum to

- mini the is what say longer no now can we —

grasp them. While up till lately a family of peasantslive

and we know how peasants peasants how know we and — needed at least seventeen to twentysoil the of acres to produce live the on

17 agriculture

290

not only produce all the corn, meat, and vegetables But the vegetables thinking and agriculturistmeat, corn, the all has broaderproduce only not

ideas today—could histhey conceptionsdepartments, are two on athe farof granderterritory the

scale. Heonly onlythem asksleft forand a fractionfruit, of of anbasket acre insingle a order cattle, of

to produce head sufficientsingle a vegetableswheat, of forbushel a family;single a andthem to send

feed twenty-fiveto refused horneduniverse beastsentire hethe if needs and no morehands, their

space thanwith he formerlyworked all requiredwhich in to feed one;commune, his Anarchist

aim isan to as make his ownthemselves soil, to defyorganized seasons andSeine-et-Oise cliof - and

mate, to warmSeine of both air anddepartments earthtwo aroundthe and the youngParis morrow

plant;to- toif produce,that inproved a word, onabsolutely oneas it acre whatconsider hemay we

used to gather fromdemonstrate) to fiftyabout acres,are we and (as thatcase withoutany In

any excessive fatigue—by greatlysoil. reducing,the from on theextract could

contrary, man the what total to of formerproportion labour.feeble Hevery knowsa be thatstill would

we will beBritain able toGreat feedof everybodyterritory the to by giving toinhabitants the million

culture sixty of or the fieldsfifty soils, no morepoor on timeeven than whatplaces, eachmany in ed

that in cultivating the earth as it is already cultivat already is it as earth the cultivating in that

can- give with pleasure and joy.

the new horizons which open before us, we can say Thissay iscan thewe presentus, before tendencyopen which of agriculture.horizons new the

While scientificcontemplate we men, when ledand by Liebig,England, in the creator Germany, in

of the chemicalFrance, in theorymade of recently agriculture,progress the often see gotwe when

on the wrongnow, But tack inBritain. theirGreat lovein of grown mere be theories,could what on

unlettered agriculturistsanything, importing openedwithout upwell, newvery roadslive could

to prosperity. individuals Market-gardeners million thirty of of Paris, Troyes,population a that

Rouen, Scotchasserted be and Englishalready gardeners,could it ago Flemishyears andTwenty

Lombardian farmers,culture. peasantsintensive of means of by Jersey, worked Guern is soil - the

sey, if and farmersluxury, of on thearticles Scilly Islesincluding haveeven openedgrown, be can

up such largefamily a to horizons thatnecessary is thethat mindall hesitateswhich on area to mum

we can now no longer say what is the mini the is what say longer no now can we — live

grasp- them. While up till lately a family of peasants

and we know how peasants peasants how know we and — needed at least seventeen to twentysoil acresthe toof live onproduce the

17 agriculture

292

author. (Thomas Nelson & Sons.) & Nelson (Thomas author.

by the the by editor). office, Field (the Fields, Factories, and Workshops and Factories, Fields, ” “

culture without manure, etc. etc. manure, without culture 1888 London, Fream, Wm. by , — necessary for themselves, but also vegetables andments

, by Barral (Hachette, editor). editor). (Hachette, Barral by , - Experi Rothamstead The

fruit which are now articles of luxury, in sufficientd’agriculture , by Eugène Simon. Simon. Eugène by , 1883. Paris, teux, Le dictionnaire dictionnaire Le Chinoise Cité La

- Lecou by , 1881. Paris, Risler, quantities forextensive et all. intensive culture sa blé, Le

, by by , work. practical excellent an 1885,

Physiologie et culture du blé And,du inculture addition,et Physiologie we affirm that the sum total

, Paris, Paris, , 1869. Paris, Ponce, M. by Le Potager Gressent Potager Le maraîchere, ture

the sources which prove what can be obtained from the soil.) soil.) the from obtained be can what prove which sources the - La Cul ofLa this labour would be far less than that expended

s conclusions, but it is a real encyclopædia, indicating indicating encyclopædia, real a is it but conclusions, s Toubeau with

at present to feed these people with corn’ harvested

vols., published by Guillaumin in 1880. (We do not in the least agree agree least the in not do (We 1880. in Guillaumin by published vols.,

by A. Toubeau, two two Toubeau, A. by Consult 12 in Auvergne and impôts, Russia, des withmétrique vegetablesRépartition La produced

a little everywhere by extensiveLibrary.” “Shilling agriculture,their in Sons and andson

- Nel Thomas by published been has it of edition enlarged new A

with fruit grown in the South. 11

It is self-evident that we in nowise desire all

exchangeasser our that to be show suppressed, to suffice norwill thatfacts eachfew A region

should strive to producesoil. the thatfrom whichneed we will only groweverything

will be armed when we know the secret of taking in itstaking of climate secret bythe a moreknow orwe lesswhen artificialarmed be culture.will

understand with what force the social revolution But we revolution care tosocial drawthe attentionforce what to thewith fact that theunderstand

ture may be in the twentieth century; and they will theorywill they of and exchange, century; such as istwentieth understoodthe in be may today ture , is

strangelyagricul exaggeratedEuropean what —see thatto exchangeable be then is oftenwill useThey -

gardeners, and a new world will be open to them. lessthem. andto evenopen be harmful.will Weworld assert,new a moreover,and thatgardeners,

people market- have the never question had and a right conception observe but need of the They im-

them to explore the surrounding market-gardens. mense labourmarket-gardens. of Southern winesurrounding the growers,explore norto thatthem of

no real notion of what agriculture can be, we advise Russianadvise we andbe, Hungariancan cornagriculture growers,what of whosenotion real excesno -

to the inhabitants of large towns, who have as yet yet sive as labourhave couldwho alsotowns, be verylarge of much reducedinhabitants ifthe theyto

As As book. this of close the at list a give we which of

adopted12 intensive culture, instead of their present

lent works published in France and elsewhere, and systemand of extensiveelsewhere, and agriculture.France in published works lent - excel several read to question the in interested are

Above all we earnestly invite those who who those invite earnestly we all Above . Workshops

II 11

Fields, Factories, and and Factories, Fields,

It would be impossible book, to quoteanother hereto the massinformation of fore obliged to refer our readers who want further factsfurther on whichwant who we base readers our our assertions. refer to We areobliged therefore -

17 agriculture

292

author. (Thomas Nelson & Sons.) & Nelson (Thomas author.

office, editor). editor). office, Field (the by the the by Fields, Factories, and Workshops and Factories, Fields, ” “

culture without manure, etc. etc. manure, without culture 1888 London, Fream, Wm. by , — necessary for themselves, but also vegetables and ments

, by Barral (Hachette, editor). editor). (Hachette, Barral by , d’agriculture -

fruit whichExperi are nowRothamstead articlesThe of luxury, in sufficient teux, Paris, 1883. 1883. Paris, teux, , by Eugène Simon. Simon. Eugène by , Le dictionnaire dictionnaire Le Chinoise Cité La

- Lecou by , 1881. Paris, Risler, quantities for all. extensive et intensive culture sa blé, Le

, by by , work. practical excellent an 1885,

And,blé indu addition,culture et we affirmPhysiologie that the sum total

, Paris, Paris, , 1869. Paris, Ponce, M. by Le Potager Gressent Potager Le maraîchere, ture

the sources which prove what can be obtained from the soil.) soil.) the from obtained be can what prove which sources the - of thisCul labourLa would be far less than that expended

s conclusions, but it is a real encyclopædia, indicating indicating encyclopædia, real a is it but conclusions, s Toubeau with

at present to feed these people with corn harvested’

vols., published by Guillaumin in 1880. (We do not in the least agree agree least the in not do (We 1880. in Guillaumin by published vols.,

Consult Consult 12 by A. Toubeau, two two Toubeau, A. by in Auvergne and Russia, impôts, withdes vegetablesmétrique producedRépartition La

a little everywhere by extensiveLibrary.” agriculture,“Shilling their in andSons and son

- Nel Thomas by published been has it of edition enlarged new A

with fruit grown in the South. 11

It is self-evident that we in nowise desire all

exchangeasser toour be suppressed,that show to nor thatsuffice will each facts region few A

should strive to produce soil. that the whichfrom willneed onlywe grow everything

in its climatetaking of by asecret morethe or know less we artificialwhen culture.armed be will

But we care torevolution drawsocial attentionthe force to thewhat factwith that the understand

theory will of exchange,they and suchcentury; as is understoodtwentieth the in todaybe , ismay ture

They will then be able to see what European agricul European what see to able be then will They

strangely- exaggerated—that exchange is often use-

less and them. even to harmful.open be Wewill assert,world moreover,new a and that gardeners,

people have market- never the had a question right and conception observe of but the im need - They

mense labour of Southernmarket-gardens. wine growers,surrounding the nor thatexplore to of them

Russian andadvise Hungarianwe be, can corn growers,agriculture what whoseof excesnotion -real no

sive labouryet as couldhave alsowho be verytowns, muchlarge of reduced if theyinhabitants the to

of which we give a list at the close of this book. this of close the at list a give we which of As As

adopted12 intensive culture, instead of their present

system and of extensiveelsewhere, agriculture.and France in published works lent are interested in the question to read several excel several read to question the in interested are -

Above all we earnestly invite those who who those invite earnestly we all Above . Workshops

II 11

Fields, Factories, and and Factories, Fields,

It would be impossible to quotebook, hereanother the to mass of information facts on whichfurther wewant basewho our assertions.readers our Werefer to are thereobliged - fore

17 agriculture

294

With all the improvements of the last three years, tionsyears, arethree in nolast waythe exaggerated.of Weimprovements onlythe wishall themWith

months, produce the annual food of 50,000 people. to bepeople. preceded50,000 of by afood few generalannual the remarks.produce months,

ical droughts), 500 men, working only during eight eight We knowduring only in what working a wretchedmen, 500 conditiondroughts), Euroical -

peanperiod agricultureby marred is. often If theare cultivatorthese even ofand the acre, soilels is

notbush plundered15 to 7 from by thecrops, landowner,wheat spring he is robbedmeagre yield by

In the American prairies (which, however, only theonly State. however, If the State(which, taxesprairies him moderately,American the In the

money-lender enslavesexamples. few a him by mention means us Let of promissomankind. -

learn what intensive agriculture can produce for for ry notes, produce and can soon turns himagriculture into theintensive simplewhat tenantlearn

glected for some time by the vulture; and here we we of soilhere belongingand invulture; realitythe by to time a financialsome for company.glected

Happily there have always been small oases, ne The landlord,oases, small thebeen State, always and thehave bankerthere thusHappily plun-

ders the cultivator areas. by meanslimited of very rent,on taxes,time to andtime in-

and progress, agriculture has only improved from terest.from The sumimproved variesonly has in each country,agriculture but progress, it neverand

This is why, during all this century of invention falls belowinvention of the quarter,century this all very oftenduring thewhy, is halfThis of the

s produce. s ’

raw produce. In France and in Italy agriculturistsearth the of

s share share s ’

paid the lion State the quitelevies recentlywho as muchmiddleman, as 44the per cent.forget

to him at three or four times its real cost. Nor let us us of let the Nor gross cost. produce.real its times four or three at him to

ery spade, every barrel of chemical manure, is sold sold is Moreover,manure, the sharechemical of of thebarrel ownerevery and ofspade, Stateery

tor pays to the manufacturer. Every machine, ev always goesmachine, on increasing.Every As soonmanufacturer. asthe theto cultivatorpays tor

has cultiva obtained every moretribute plentifulthe about crops bynothing prodigiessaid have of

quarrel between the three vampires. And yet we we labour, yet invention, And or vampires. initiative, three the the tribute between he willquarrel

quite exceptional circumstances, following upon a a oweupon to the landowner,following the State,circumstances, and theexceptional bankerquite

some progress, in some exceptional regions, under willunder augmentregions, in proportion.exceptional Ifsome hein doubles progress, the numsome -

The cultivator can only occasionally make bermake of bushels reapedoccasionally peronly acre,can rent willcultivator be doubled,The

and taxes too, and the State will takeslowly. careso to raisegresses

thempro still moreagriculture ifwhy theis pricesThis go up.culture. Andhis so on.improve In

rob him everywhere of what would enable him to to short,him everywhereenable would the cultivatorwhat of of theeverywhere soilhim worksrob take from him everything he might lay by; they twelvethey by; tolay sixteen might hourshe a day; theseeverything him three from vultures take

17 agriculture

294

tions are years, in no waythree exaggerated.last the of We only wishimprovements the them all With

to be precededpeople. by50,000 a of few generalfood remarks.annual the produce months,

ical droughts), 500 men, working only during eight We knoweight induring whatonly a wretchedworking men, condition 500 Eurodroughts), - ical

els acre, and even these are often marred by period by marred often are these even and acre, els

pean- agriculture is. If the cultivator of the soil is

yield meagre spring wheat crops, from 7 to 15 bush 15 to 7 from crops, wheat spring meagre yield

not - plundered by the landowner, he is robbed by

the State.only If the however, State taxes(which, himprairies moderately,American the In

money-lender enslavesexamples. himfew bya meansmention ofus promissoLet - mankind.

ry notes, for and soonproduce turnscan him intoagriculture the simpleintensive tenantwhat learn

of soil we belonginghere and in realityvulture; tothe a by financial time company.some for glected

The landlord,ne oases, the small State, been and thealways bankerhave thusthere plunHappily -

ders the cultivator by meansareas. of rent,limited taxes,very on andtime into - time

terest. Thefrom sum variesimproved inonly eachhas country, butagriculture it neverprogress, and

falls below theinvention of quarter, century verythis oftenall theduring halfwhy, ofis theThis

s produce. s ’

raw produce. In France and in Italy agriculturistsearth the of

forget the middleman, who levies the lion the levies who middleman, the forget s share share s

paid the State’ quite recently as much as 44 per cent.

of the us grosslet produce.Nor cost. real its times four or three at him to

ery spade, every barrel of chemical manure, is sold Moreover,sold is the manure, share of thechemical of ownerbarrel and ofevery Statespade, ery

tor pays to the manufacturer. Every machine, ev machine, Every manufacturer. the to pays tor

always- goes on increasing. As soon as the cultivator

have said nothing about the tribute every cultiva every tribute the about nothing said have

has - obtained more plentiful crops by prodigies of

labour, we invention, yet And or initiative, vampires. the three tribute the he between will quarrel

owe a to theupon landowner,following the State, andcircumstances, the bankerexceptional quite

will augmentunder in proportion.regions, Ifexceptional he doublessome in the numprogress, - some

ber of bushelsmake reaped peroccasionally acre,only rentcan will be doubled,cultivator The

and taxes too, and the State will take care toslowly. raiseso gresses

improve his culture. This is why agriculture pro agriculture why is This culture. his improve

them- still more if the prices go up. And so on. In

short, to everywherehim enable the cultivatorwould what of of the soil workseverywhere him rob twelve tothey sixteenby; lay hoursmight a day;he these threeeverything vultureshim from take

17 agriculture

296

digger, which would take one and three-fifths of a a of one man’s yearlythree-fifths and labour one (300take days)would yields,which delivereddigger,

in Chicagosteam- the aswith flour, plough the yearlywould foodthey of 250 acre.Then men. each Here

an average of 10 work-days to to work-days 10 of average an —

the result is obtained by a great economywork in manualpreparatory

necessary to spend 5 million days of 5 hours in this labour:this in onhours those5 of vastdays plains,million 5 ploughing,spend to harvesting,necessary

levelling, to clear the soil of stones, were it even thrashing,even it were are organizedstones, of soil in almostthe clear military to fashion.levelling,

drain what needed draining, to level what needed Thereneeded is nowhat uselesslevel to runningdraining, to andneeded fro, nowhat lossdrain of

to to —

timeall —allfor is doneonce soil with the parade-likeimprove to precision. preferable be

96 work-days of 5 hours per acre. It would would It acre. per hours 5 of work-days 96 —

This is agriculture on a large scale—extensivetime ag-

tivate them with spades. That would need too much riculture,much too whichneed takeswould theThat soil fromspades. with nature them withouttivate

which they possess. It is evident they would not cul seeking not to would improvethey it. Whenevident is It the earthpossess. hasthey yieldedwhich

this crop, 494,200 acres out of the 1,507,300 acres allacres it can, they1,507,300 leavethe of it; theyout seekacres elsewhere494,200 forcrop, a this vir-

esis they would have to cultivate, in order to obtain ginobtain soil,to to beorder exhaustedin cultivate, in to its turn.have Butwould herethey is alsoesis

“intensivehypoth our ”in agriculture,and wheat; which ischiefly alreadycereals, worked,of andbushels

yearly for their food a little less than 22 million will million be 22 more than and less more little so, a by machinery.food their for Its objectyearly

departments of Seine and Seine-et-Oise consume is to cultivateconsume a limitedSeine-et-Oise spaceand well,Seine of to manure, to departments im-

The 3,600,000 individuals who inhabit the two prove,two the to concentrateinhabit who work, andindividuals to obtain3,600,000 theThe larg-

est crop possible.means. it what Thissee us kind let ofand culture culture; spreads rational ev-

acre. That needs no exceptional soil, but merely a a ery year,merely andbut whereassoil, agriculturistsexceptional no inneeds theThat southacre. of

mance, but be satisfied with a crop of 44 bushels per per France bushels and 44 onof thecrop fertilea with plains ofsatisfied westernbe but Americamance,

However, let us not write an agricultural ro are content withagricultural an an averagewrite not cropus oflet 11 to 15 bushelsHowever,

per acre by extensive Hertfordshire. culture, in they reapRothamstead, regularlyat cession 39,

evensuc in 55, years and sometimesforty for done 60 bushelsbeen has It per acreyear. to in theyear

allows an average soil to yield excellent crops from northfrom ofcrops France. Theexcellent annualyield to consumptionsoil average an of a manallows

keeping the soil free of weeds, without manuring, is thus manuring, obtained without from lessweeds, of than free a quartersoil the of an acre.keeping

in future, once and for ever. Sometimes nothing but but And thenothing more intenseSometimes theever. culturefor and is,once the lessfuture, workin

which will double the crops crops the double will which —

is expended to obtain a bushel ofstones wheat.of Machineryclearing ing,

- drain as such — replaces man at land the the preliminary by needed work and for theimprovements

17 agriculture

296

one a man of ’s yearly labourthree-fifths and (300 one days)take yields,would deliveredwhich digger,

in Chicagosteam- as flour,the with the yearlyplough foodwould of 250they men. Hereacre.Then each

an average of 10 work-days to to work-days 10 of average an —

the result is obtained by a great economy inwork manual preparatory

labour: this onin thosehours vast5 of plains,days ploughing,million 5 harvesting,spend to necessary

thrashing, even it are organizedwere stones, inof almost soil militarythe clear fashion.to levelling,

There is noneeded uselesswhat runninglevel to to anddraining, fro, noneeded losswhat of drain

be preferable to improve the soil once for all for once soil the improve to preferable be to to

time—all— is done with parade-like precision.

96 work-days of 5 hours per acre. It would would It acre. per hours 5 of work-days 96 —

This is agriculture on a large scale—extensive ag- time

riculture, much whichtoo takesneed thewould soilThat from naturespades. with withoutthem tivate

seekingcul to not improvewould it.they When theevident is earthIt haspossess. yieldedthey which

all it can,acres they leave1,507,300 it; the they of seekout elsewhereacres for494,200 a vircrop, - this

gin soil, toobtain beto exhaustedorder in in its turn.cultivate, to Buthave here iswould alsothey esis

bushels of cereals, chiefly wheat; and in our hypoth our in and wheat; chiefly cereals, of bushels

“intensive- ” agriculture, which is already worked, and

will be moremillion and22 morethan so,less by little machinery. a food Itstheir objectfor yearly

is to cultivateconsume a limited spaceSeine-et-Oise well,and to manure,Seine of to im- departments

prove, totwo concentratethe inhabit work,who and to obtainindividuals the3,600,000 largThe -

est crop possible.means. it This what kind see ofus culturelet and spreadsculture; ev- rational

ery year,a andmerely whereasbut soil, agriculturistsexceptional inno the southneeds That of acre.

France per and onbushels the44 of fertile crop plainsa with of westernsatisfied Americabe but mance,

However, let us not write an agricultural ro agricultural an write not us let However,

are - content with an average crop of 11 to 15 bushels

per acre by extensive culture,Hertfordshire. theyin reap regularlyRothamstead, at 39, cession

year to year. It has been done for forty years in suc in years forty for done been has It year. to year

even- 55, and sometimes 60 bushels per acre in the

north offrom France.crops The annualexcellent consumptionyield to soil of average a manan allows

is thus obtainedmanuring, from lesswithout thanweeds, a of quarter free ofsoil an the acre. keeping

in future, once and for ever. Sometimes nothing but Andbut the morenothing intense theSometimes cultureever. for is, theand lessonce work future, in

which will double the crops crops the double will which —

is expended to obtain a bushel of wheat.stones Machineryof clearing ing,

such as drain as such — land the by needed improvements replaces- man at the preliminary work and for the

17 agriculture

298

they will not be foolish enough to continue making day making per acre, continue and to they wouldenough givefoolish be another not will one andthey

mune, and they will of necessity come to it, because three-fifthsbecause it, to ofcome a day necessity for of workingwill they withand themune, double

plough.Com SeedsAnarchist wouldan be proclaim sorted by Parisians steam let insteadBut stage. of

has not yet reached this this reached yet not has today

taken haphazard, and they would of be carefullysociety The sown

in rowsahead. insteadgo to of beingnecessary is thrownwhat to theobtain to fourtime winds.the

it have neither the knowledge nor the money, nor Nownor all thismoney, the work nor would not knowledge take the 10 daysneither of 5 hourshave it

and because peasants who would find their profit in in per profit acre iftheir the find work would were who done underpeasants goodbecause condiand -

not to the interest of landowners and capitalists; tions. Butcapitalists; if and 10 million work-dayslandowners of areinterest giventhe to goodnot

nor after to-morrow will see it done, because it is is cultureit duringbecause 3done, orit 4 see years, will the resultto-morrow will after be thatnor

But without a revolution, neither to-morrow, later onto-morrow, crops ofneither 44 to 55 bushelsrevolution, a per acrewithout But will be

obtained by only working half the time.scale. large a on

rience and knowledge acquired already by practice Fifteenpractice by millionalready work-daysacquired will thusknowledge haveand beenrience

spentexpe the to givewith bread toto-morrow a populationdone be might of 3,600,000what and

merous farmers in France, England, Belgium, etc., inhabitants.etc., Belgium, And theEngland, work wouldFrance, in be suchfarmers that merous ev-

mentioned what is being already achieved by nu eryone by couldachieved do it withoutalready being having is muscleswhat of steel,mentioned

120 square yards. On the contrary, we have only or only without have we having even contrary, worked the On the yards. ground square before.120

essary for a family of five individuals on an area of of Thearea initiativean on and theindividuals generalfive of distributionfamily a for of workessary

wouldnec comewheat the fromgive thosewould who knowwhich thegrains, soil. As10,000 to theally

work itself,occasion and there 6,000, is noor townsman5,000 of eitherproduced sex soreplanted, en-

in three years by Mr. Hallett) of which one grain, feebledgrain, one as to bewhich incapableof Hallett) of lookingMr. by afteryears machinesthree in

We have not depended upon the wheat (obtained and of (obtained contributing wheat the his shareupon to agrariandepended not workhave afterWe

not yet spoken of the truly intensive agriculture. a few hoursagriculture. ’ apprenticeship.intensive truly the of spoken yet not

We repeat, this is no fancy dream, and we have have Well,we and when wedream, considerfancy no thatis this in the presentrepeat, We cha-

os there are, in a city like Paris, without countingdepartments. two

sary for the three or four million inhabitants of the the of unemployedinhabitants of themillion upperfour or classes,three therethe for aresary al-

waysneces is aboutthat 100,000bread the workmen all outculture, of workrational a in theirwith present organization would alone suffice to give, give, severalto trades, suffice we alone see that would the power organization lost in ourpresent

17 agriculture

298

day per acre,making and theycontinue to would giveenough anotherfoolish be onenot andwill they

three-fifths because it, ofto a daycome for workingnecessity of will withthey theand double mune,

plough. Com Seeds wouldAnarchist bean sorted proclaim by steam Parisians instead let But of stage.

has not yet reached this this reached yet not has today

taken haphazard, and they would be carefullyof society sown The

in rows insteadahead. go ofto being thrownnecessary is to what the fourobtain winds.to time the

Now allnor this workmoney, wouldthe nor not take 10knowledge daysthe of 5 hoursneither have it

per in acre ifprofit the worktheir find were donewould who under goodpeasants condibecause - and

tions. But if 10capitalists; millionand work-dayslandowners areof giveninterest to goodthe to not

culture is it during 3because or 4 done, years, it see the will result will beto-morrow thatafter nor

later on crops to-morrow, of 44 toneither 55 bushels revolution, per a acre willwithout beBut

obtained by only working half the time. scale. large a on

rience and knowledge acquired already by practice Fifteen practice million by work-daysalready willacquired thus haveknowledge beenand rience

and what might be done to-morrow with the expe the with to-morrow done be might what and

spent- to give bread to a population of 3,600,000

inhabitants. etc., AndBelgium, the workEngland, would France, be in such thatfarmers ev- merous

mentioned what is being already achieved by nu by achieved already being is what mentioned

eryone- could do it without having muscles of steel,

or without only having have we even worked contrary, the the On ground yards. before. square 120

The of initiative area an andon the generalindividuals distributionfive of family ofa workfor essary

ally 10,000 grains, which would give the wheat nec wheat the give would which grains, 10,000 ally

would- come from those who know the soil. As to the

replanted, produced 5,000 or 6,000, and occasion and 6,000, or 5,000 produced replanted,

work- itself, there is no townsman of either sex so en-

feebled asgrain, to beone incapablewhich of of lookingHallett) Mr. after by machinesyears three in

and of contributing(obtained hiswheat sharethe toupon agrarian depended work not afterhave We

a few hours’ apprenticeship.agriculture. intensive truly the of spoken yet not

We repeat, this is no fancy dream, and we have Well,have whenwe weand considerdream, thatfancy no in is the this present repeat, chaWe -

os there are, in a city like Paris, without countingdepartments. two

the unemployedthe of of theinhabitants uppermillion classes,four or therethree arethe alfor - sary

with a rational culture, all the bread that is neces is that bread the all culture, rational a with

ways- about 100,000 workmen out of work in their several give, trades,to we suffice see that alone the would power lost in organization our present

17 agriculture

300

luxuriousagriculture. toys (whichmodern in Vienna,extremes Warsaw,opposite andthe Berlinare

nine oxen or cows under the new system. These makeThese as wellsystem. already),new the and under to runcows theor risk oxen of beingnine

ture system, and only two and one-half acres for for left withoutacres bread.one-half and two only and system, ture

acres per head of cattle are needed under the pas Moreover,the under agriculturalneeded are work,cattle of by thehead helpper of acres ma-

the yearly provender of 36 milch cows. Nearly nine chinery,nine Nearly wouldcows. soonmilch become36 of the mostprovender attractiveyearly the

177 tons of hay to the 10 acres have been cropped, and thecropped, mostbeen joyfulhave of acres all 10 occupations. the to hay of tons 177

of 22,000 acres; and on a few favoured fields, up to to up “We fields, have hadfavoured enoughfew a on jeweleryand acres; and enough22,000 of

horned cattle per each acre is obtained on an area dollsarea an ’ clothes,on ” theyobtained is wouldacre say;each “itper is highcattle time horned for

used to irrigate the fields, fodder for two to three thethree workersto two for to recruitfodder theirfields, strengththe in irrigate agriculture, to used

In the environs of Milan, where sewer water is is to gowater in searchsewer of where vigour, Milan, ofof impressionsenvirons the of In nature,

of the joy ofacres. life, that217,500 of theyarea havean on forgottenfodder in theobtain

compression of fodder while green) like Arabs, we we dark factoriesArabs, like of thegreen) suburbs.while ” fodder of compression

have recourse to maize and practice ensilage (the (the In theensilage Middle Agespractice and it was maize Alpine to pasturerecourse lands,have

area, that is to say, about 310,000 acres. And if we we rather if And than guns,acres. which310,000 allowedabout say, theto Swissis that to shakearea,

grown for fodder, you only need a quarter of that offthat lordsof andquarter kings.a need Modern only agricultureyou fodder, willfor allowgrown a

if intensive culture is practiced, and beet-root is is city in revoltbeet-root and to free itselfpracticed, fromis the culture combined intensive bour if -

and one-fourth million acres already suffice. But But geois forces. suffice. already acres million one-fourth and

thousands of acres in the southwest of France), one one France), of southwest the in acres of thousands

ately watered by spring water (as recently done on on III done recently (as water spring by watered ately

We moder have seenprairies howwith the three andNevertheless, one-halfcattle. millionhorned

of cattle. This makes nine acres per each head of of inhabitantshead each ofper the twoacres departmentsnine makes This roundcattle. Parisof

es fv mlin ce t nuih 6,0 head could660,000 find amplenourish bread to byacres cultivatingmillion only five a thirdleast

, with the pasture system, we need at at need we system, pasture the with ,

of their territory. Let us now pass on to cattle.Today

Englishmen,cattle. whoof eathead much700,000 meat,of consume consumption on

half million inhabitants this would make an annual an averageannual an amake little lesswould thanthis 220 poundsinhabitants a yearmillion perhalf

s led a ufcet ain Fr he ad one- adult. and Supposingthree For all meatsration. consumed sufficient a were already oxen, is ox a year for five individuals (including children) that children) makes a little(including less than individuals the thirdfive for of anyear a ox. ox An

17 agriculture

300

luxurious toys agriculture. (which Vienna,modern in Warsaw,extremes and Berlinopposite the are

make as wellThese already),system. new and the to run under the riskcows ofor beingoxen nine

left withoutfor acres bread. one-half and two only and system, ture

acres per head of cattle are needed under the pas the under needed are cattle of head per acres

- Moreover, agricultural work, by the help of ma-

chinery, nine wouldNearly sooncows. becomemilch 36 theof most attractiveprovender yearly the

and the mostcropped, joyfulbeen of allhave occupations.acres 10 the to hay of tons 177

of 22,000 acres; and on a few favoured fields, up to “Weto up have hadfields, enoughfavoured jeweleryfew a on and enoughacres; 22,000 of

dolls ’ clothes,area an ”on they wouldobtained is say;acre “it iseach highper timecattle for horned

the workersthree to to recruittwo for theirfodder strengthfields, inthe agriculture,irrigate to used

to go is in searchwater of sewer vigour, where of impressionsMilan, of of environs nature, the In

of the joy of life, thatacres. they217,500 haveof area forgotten an on in fodder the obtain

dark factorieswe Arabs, of thelike suburbs.green) ” while fodder of compression

have recourse to maize and practice ensilage (the In the(the Middleensilage Ages it practice was and Alpine maize pastureto lands,recourse have

rather we thanif guns,And whichacres. allowed310,000 theabout Swisssay, to tois shakethat area,

off lordsthat andof kings.quarter Moderna need agricultureonly you willfodder, allow for a grown

city inis revolt tobeet-root free and itself frompracticed, the is combinedculture bour-intensive if

geois But forces. suffice. already acres million one-fourth and

thousands of acres in the southwest of France), one one France), of southwest the in acres of thousands

III on done recently (as water spring by watered ately

horned cattle. Nevertheless, with prairies moder prairies with Nevertheless, cattle. horned

We - have seen how the three and one-half million

inhabitants of head of theeach twoper departmentsacres nine roundmakes This Paris cattle. of

could head find 660,000 ample breadnourish by to cultivatingacres onlymillion a third five least

, with the pasture system, we need at at need we system, pasture the with ,

of their territory. Let us now pass on to cattle. Today

Englishmen, who cattle. eat of muchhead meat,700,000 consumeof on consumption

an average annual a an little lessmake thanwould 220this pounds a inhabitants year permillion half

adult. one- Supposing and three allFor meats ration. consumed were sufficient a oxen, already is that makes children) a little less(including than the thirdindividuals offive an for ox. Anyear a ox

17 agriculture

302

public interest; the day when everybody will have Inhave Guernsey,will on aeverybody total ofwhen 9,884day acresthe utilized,interest; nearpublic -

what you eat and how it is produced, is a question of of ly half (4,695question a is acres) areproduced, is coveredit how withand eat cerealsyou andwhat

The day Paris has understood that to know kitchen-gardens;know to that only 5,189understood has acres Paris remain day asThe mead-

ows. On these 5,189 acres, 1,480 horses, 7,260opposition. headoffer

row if property laws and general ignorance did not ofnot cattle,did 900 sheep,ignorance andgeneral 4,200and pigslaws are fed,property if whichrow

makesto-mor moreway thanthis in three head reorganized of cattlebe percould two acres,riculture

been, obtained by experience on a large scale. Ag without scale. reckoninglarge a on the sheepexperience or by the pigs. obtained It is needbeen, -

not fancy dreams. We have only told what is, what lesswhat tois, addwhat thattold theonly fertilityhave We of the soildreams. is madefancy not by

these are are these — repeating of tire not us let —

seaweed and chemical manures. yet And

Returningmankind. of to our threenine-tenths andto one-halfanxiety milliondaily cause in-

and milk. The three products which, after housing, habitantshousing, after belonging which, to Parisproducts andthree its The environs, milk. and we

to obtain the three principal products: bread, meat, seemeat, that thebread, land necessaryproducts: forprincipal thethree rearingthe of obtain cattle to

—

comesexercise down fromcountry five millionpleasureable acreslittle a to 197,000.than more Well,

nothing nothing —

then, letall usin not hours stop atfive theof lowest figures,work-days let us taketwenty-five

if you like, in order to obtain milk. That will make thosemake ofwill ordinaryThat milk. intensive obtain to culture;order in let uslike, liberallyyou if

three million work-days, or double that number add tonumber thethat land necessarydouble or for smallerwork-days, cattlemillion whichthree

seventeen half-days of work a year per man. Add mustAdd replaceman. per someyear a of work the of horned half-days beasts andseventeen al-

to give bread and meat to all, it would need only lowonly 395,000need acreswould it forall, theto rearingmeat and of cattlebread —494,000give to

and as many women capable of work. Well, then, if then, you like,Well, onwork. theof 1,013,000capable acreswomen remainingmany as afterand

millions must have at least 1,200,000 adult men, breadmen, hasadult been provided1,200,000 least forat the have people. must millions

little indeed. A population of three and one-half Letone-half usand be generousthree of and givepopulation fiveA millionindeed. work-little

work-days of five hours make per inhabitant? Very Very days to put thisinhabitant? landper intomake a productivehours five of state. work-days

by animal food. Now, how much do twenty million Aftermillion havingtwenty do thereforemuch how employedNow, food. in the courseanimal by

who supplement their poor supply of vegetables of a yearvegetables twentyof millionsupply poor work-days,their half ofsupplement whichwho

and fruit consumes less meat than Englishmen, are for permanentEnglishmen, than improvements,meat less weconsumes shallfruit haveand

a population provided with excellent vegetables bread andvegetables meat assuredexcellent with to us, withoutprovided includingpopulation a all rabbits, etc.; without taking into consideration that thethat extra meat obtainableconsideration into intaking the shapewithout ofetc.; fowls, pigs,rabbits,

17 agriculture

302

In Guernsey, have will on a total ofeverybody 9,884when acresday utilized,the nearinterest; - public

ly half of (4,695 acres)question a is are coveredproduced, is it withhow cerealsand eat andyou what

kitchen-gardens; know to that only 5,189 acresunderstood has remain Paris as meadday The -

ows. On these 5,189 acres, 1,480 horses, 7,260 headopposition. offer

of cattle, not 900did sheep, ignorance and 4,200general pigsand arelaws fed, whichproperty if row

makes moreto-mor thanway threethis in head of cattlereorganized perbe twocould acres, riculture

been, obtained by experience on a large scale. Ag scale. large a on experience by obtained been,

without- reckoning the sheep or the pigs. It is need-

less to addwhat is, that thewhat fertilitytold only of have the We soil is madedreams. byfancy not

let us not tire of repeating of tire not us let — yet And these are are these

seaweed and chemical— manures.

Returning to mankind. our of three and one-halfnine-tenths to millionanxiety daily in- cause

habitants belonginghousing, after to Pariswhich, and products its environs,three The wemilk. and

see that themeat, landbread, necessaryproducts: for the rearingprincipal three ofthe cattle obtain to

more than a little pleasureable country exercise country pleasureable little a than more

comes— down from five million acres to 197,000. Well,

twenty-five work-days of five hours in all in hours five of work-days twenty-five nothing nothing

then, let us not— stop at the lowest figures, let us take

those of make ordinary will intensiveThat milk. culture;obtain to let usorder liberallyin like, you if

add to the landnumber necessarythat double foror smaller cattlework-days, whichmillion three

must replaceAdd man. someper ofyear thea hornedwork of beasts half-days and al- seventeen

low 395,000only acresneed forwould theit rearingall, to ofmeat cattle and —494,000bread give to

if you like,then, onWell, the 1,013,000work. of acrescapable remainingwomen aftermany as and

bread hasmen, beenadult provided1,200,000 for theleast people.at have must millions

little indeed. A population of three and one-half Let us beone-half generousand three andof give fivepopulation millionA work-indeed. little

days toVery put this landinhabitant? intoper a productivemake hours state.five of work-days

by animal food. Now, how much do twenty million After havingmillion thereforetwenty do employedmuch how inNow, the food. course animal by

of a year twentyvegetables of million supply work-days,poor their half of whichsupplement who

are for permanentEnglishmen, improvements,than meat less we shallconsumes havefruit and

bread and meatvegetables assured excellent to us, with without includingprovided all population a the extrathat meat obtainableconsideration ininto the shapetaking of fowls,without etc.; pigs, rabbits,

17 agriculture

304

350 adults should each give a little more more little a give each should adults 350 —

understood that this question is infinitely morepassed im-

- sur been already have results his and —

portant than all the parliamentary debates of thePonce

To put it another way: in cultivating like M. M. presentlike times—cultivating on in that dayway: the Revolutionanother it put To will be

an accomplished fact.individuals. Paris500 to willleast takeat possessionequivalent is of

sufficient vegetables and fruit for 350 adults, which thewhich two departmentsadults, 350 for andfruit and cultivate them.vegetables And thensufficient

and only five working hours a day, would produce the produce Parisian would worker,day, a afterhours havingworking labouredfive only a thirdand

ployed a whole year in cultivating 2.7 acres of land, ofland, hisof existenceacres 2.7 in order tocultivating buyin badyear andwhole insufficienta ployed

during the year. Thus twenty-four persons em food, willpersons produce it himself,twenty-four Thus under year. his the walls, withduring -

and fruit to richly supply the table of 350 adults in theadults enclosure350 of table of histhe forts supply (if theyrichly stillto exist),fruit andand

acres of a market-garden yield enough vegetables in a fewvegetables hours ofenough healthyyield and attractivemarket-garden a work.of acres

of vegetables and fruit a year, and two and one-half Andone-half nowand wetwo passand onyear, toa fruitfruit andand vegetables.vegetables of Let

But a man does not eat more than 660 pounds us gopounds outside660 than Paris more andeat visitnot thedoes establishmentman a But of

a market-gardeneracre. the to who vegetables accomplishes of tons wondersforty-four than (ig-

yards long by 109 yards broad, which makes more noredmore bymakes learnedwhich economists)broad, yards at 109 a fewby mileslong fromyards

120 120 —

the academies.acres 2.7 to fruit and vegetables of tons 123 of

en of choice fruit, 154,000 salads; in short, a total total a Let usshort, visit, in suppose,salads; M. 154,000 Ponce, fruit, the authorchoice of ofen a

of cauliflower, 5,000 baskets of tomatoes, 5,000 doz work 5,000 on market-gardening,tomatoes, of baskets who5,000 makes no secretcauliflower, of of

small vegetables, 6,000 heads of cabbage, 3,000 heads whatheads the3,000 earth yieldscabbage, of him,heads and6,000 who has publishedvegetables, small

of carrots, nearly ten tons of onions, radishes, and itand all along.radishes, onions, of tons ten nearly carrots, of

But let us examine his crops: nearly ten tons tons M.ten Ponce,nearly and crops: especially his hisexamine workmen,us let But work

like niggers. It takes less. eight menmuch to cultivateprobably a plotwork-days, a

reality, this establishment represents at most 3,000 little3,000 lessmost thanat three represents acres (2.7). Theyestablishment workthis twelvereality,

went as tribute to the idle barons of industry. In In and evenindustry. fifteenof hoursbarons idle a day,the to that is tribute to as say, threewent

cost him £1,200, of which certainly more than half timeshalf than more more than is needed.certainly which Twenty-fourof £1,200, ofhim themcost

His installation has also also has installation His ”

would not be too many. Toturn. whichmy in M. Ponceexploit I willed,

- exploit Being “

probably answer thatanswer, as hedoubt paysno the would terrible He sumexploit. of for manure bought in the barracks, he is obliged to to £100 rentobliged is a he year for hisbarracks, 2.7the acresin of bought land, andmanure £100for

17 agriculture

304

350 adults should each give a little more more little a give each should adults 350 —

understood that this question is infinitely more im- passed

- sur been already have results his and —

portant than all the parliamentary debates of the Ponce

present M. timeslike —on thatcultivating dayin theway: Revolutionanother it willput beTo

an accomplished fact. Parisindividuals. will500 taketo possessionleast at of equivalent is

the two which departments adults, 350 andfor cultivatefruit and them. Andvegetables then sufficient

the Parisianproduce worker,would afterday, a havinghours labouredworking afive thirdonly and

of his existenceland, of inacres order2.7 to buy cultivating bad in andyear insufficientwhole a ployed

food, willem producepersons it himself, twenty-four under Thus his walls,year. withthe - during

in the enclosureadults 350 of of his table forts the (if theysupply still exist),richly to andfruit and

in a few hoursvegetables of healthyenough andyield attractive work.market-garden a of acres

of vegetables and fruit a year, and two and one-half And nowone-half weand passtwo on and to fruityear, a and vegetables.fruit and Let vegetables of

us go outsidepounds Paris660 than and visitmore eat the not establishment does man a ofBut

a market-gardeneracre. the whoto accomplishesvegetables of tons wonders (igforty-four - than

nored bymore learnedmakes economists)which broad, at a fewyards 109 miles by fromlong yards

of 123 tons of vegetables and fruit to 2.7 acres 2.7 to fruit and vegetables of tons 123 of 120 120

the academies.—

en of choice fruit, 154,000 salads; in short, a total Let ustotal a visit, suppose,short, in M.salads; Ponce,154,000 the authorfruit, ofchoice a of en

of cauliflower, 5,000 baskets of tomatoes, 5,000 doz 5,000 tomatoes, of baskets 5,000 cauliflower, of

workon market-gardening, who makes no secret of

what the heads earth3,000 yields him,cabbage, of and heads who has6,000 publishedvegetables, small

it all along.and radishes, onions, of tons ten nearly carrots, of

But let us examine his crops: nearly ten tons M. Ponce,tons ten and nearly especially crops: his his workmen,examine us let work But

like niggers. It takes eight menless. tomuch cultivateprobably a plot a work-days,

little less3,000 thanmost threeat acres (2.7).represents They workestablishment twelvethis reality,

and evenIn fifteenindustry. of hours a barons day,idle thatthe isto to say,tribute threeas went

times morehalf than ismore needed.certainly Twenty-fourwhich of of £1,200, themhim cost

His installation has also also has installation His ”

would not be too many. To whichturn. M.my Poncein willexploit I ed,

Being exploit Being “ answer, doubt no would He exploit.

probably- answer that as he pays the terrible sum of £100 rentto a yearobliged is forhe his 2.7 acresbarracks, the ofin land, andbought £100manure for

17 agriculture

306

sented rent as a means of equalizing the natural than natural 100 the hours a year equalizing of (103) to means produce a as rent vegetables sented

andrepre fruitwho necessaryRicardo, a forof 500 people.Lettreatises uslearned mentionthe to

that is the answer of practical cultivators cultivators practical of answer the is that —

that such a production is not the exception.frames It

carried away on carts, with furniture and glass takesglass place,and underfurniture the with walls ofcarts, Paris,on onaway an areacarried of

he leaves the bit of ground he is cultivating. Loam 2,220Loam acres, bycultivating. 5,000is he market-gardeners.ground of bit the Onlyleaves thesehe

lates that he will carry away his soil with him when market-gardenerswhen him with soil arehis reducedaway carry nowadayswill he tothat a statelates

ofstipu beasts of burden, inmarket-gardener orderthe to pay ancontracts, averagerecent rentin

, in an article on market-gardeners) that that market-gardeners) on article an in ,

of £32 per acre. Agriculture

Dictionary of of Dictionary

But do nothis thesein us, facts, whichteaches canBarral be(so verifiedwell so it by

of their gardens by one inch every year. They do do every They one, year. prove every that inch 17,300 one acresby (of gardens the 519,000their of

to sell it in part, otherwise it would raise the level remaininglevel the toraise us) wouldwould it sufficeotherwise to givepart, in all it necessarysell to

it in such great quantity that they are compelled vegetables,compelled are as wellthey asthat a liberalquantity amountgreat ofsuch fruitin it to

to young plants and to early fruit; and they make themake threethey andand one-halffruit; early million to and inhabitantsplants ofyoung ourto

have already served to give the necessary warmth two departments?warmth necessary the give to served already have

They make it with old hot-beds of manure, which which As to themanure, quantityof ofhot-beds workold necessarywith it make to proThey -

” made. “

duce thesebe can fruits soil andthe vegetables,that us it wouldteaching in amountmanity

hard grinders have rendered a great service to hu to to fifty service milliongreat a work-daysrendered ofhave five grinders hours hard (50 days

order to obtain their marvellous crops. But these perthese adultBut male),crops. if we measuremarvellous their by theobtain market-garto order -

come machines and to renounce all joys of life in in denerslife of ’ standardjoys all of work.renounce Butto weand could reducemachines thiscome

The market-gardeners, we say, are forced to be quantity to ifforced we are had recoursesay, we to the process inmarket-gardeners, vogueThe in Jersey and Guernsey. We must also rememberIV

that the Paris market-gardener is forced to work

so hard hothouses. because in cost heless mostlymuch producesat had be earlycan it seasonwhile

and coal, obtain their artificial heat out of manure, fruits,manure, of the out high heat prices of whichartificial their have toobtain paycoal, for faband -

ing obliged to pay heavily for glass, wood, iron, ulousiron, rents,wood, andglass, thatfor this systemheavily pay ofto cultureobliged entails ing

to make a great outlay on their gardens, and be more and work thangardens, is their necessary on foroutlay growinggreat a themake ordito - market-gardeners of Paris, not having the means narymeans staple-foodthe having vegetablesnot Paris, of and fruit. Besides, themarket-gardeners

17 agriculture

306

than 100 hours natural the a year (103) equalizing to of produce means a vegetables as rent sented

to the learned treatises of a Ricardo, who repre who Ricardo, a of treatises learned the to

andfruit necessary for 500 people.Let us mention

that is the answer of practical cultivators cultivators practical of answer the is that —

that such a production is not the exception. It frames

takes place,glass underand the wallsfurniture ofwith Paris,carts, onon an areaaway of carried

2,220 acres,Loam by 5,000 market-gardeners.cultivating. is he ground of Onlybit the these leaves he

market-gardeners when him with are soil reduced his nowadaysaway carry will to ahe statethat lates

in recent contracts, the market-gardener stipu market-gardener the contracts, recent in

of beasts- of burden, in order to pay an average rent

, in an article on market-gardeners) that that market-gardeners) on article an in ,

of £32 per acre. Agriculture

it so well (so Barral teaches us, in his his in us, teaches Barral (so well so it

Dictionary of Butof do not theseDictionary facts, which can be verified by

every do one, proveThey year. that 17,300every inch acres one (ofby the 519,000gardens their of

remaining level tothe us) wouldraise sufficewould it to giveotherwise all necessarypart, in it sell to

vegetables, ascompelled wellare as athey liberalthat amountquantity of fruitgreat tosuch in it

the threemake andthey one-halfand millionfruit; early inhabitantsto and plants of our young to

two departments?warmth necessary the give to served already have

They make it with old hot-beds of manure, which As to which the quantitymanure, of of workhot-beds necessaryold with it to promake - They

manity in teaching us that the soil can be be can soil the that us teaching in manity ” made.

duce these“ fruits and vegetables, it would amount

hard grinders have rendered a great service to hu to service great a rendered have grinders hard

to fifty- million work-days of five hours (50 days

per adultthese male),But if wecrops. measure marvellous by thetheir market-garobtain to - order

deners in ’ standardlife of joys of work.all But werenounce to could and reduce thismachines come

The market-gardeners, we say, are forced to be to forced are say, we market-gardeners, The

quantity- if we had recourse to the process in vogue in Jersey and Guernsey. We must also remember IV

that the Paris market-gardener is forced to work

so hard becausehothouses. in he mostlycost less producesmuch at earlyhad be seasoncan it while

fruits, themanure, high of pricesout heat of which haveartificial totheir pay forobtain fabcoal, - and

ulous rents,iron, andwood, that glass, this for system heavily of culturepay to entailsobliged ing

to make a great outlay on their gardens, and be and gardens, their on outlay great a make to

more- work than is necessary for growing the ordinary staple-foodmeans the vegetableshaving not andParis, fruit. of Besides, the market-gardeners

17 agriculture

308

Workshops and Factories, Fields,

advantages of the soil. “The soil my is worthin gave what I the

man is worth,” thatglass. is theunder gardenerssummer ’the motto.in prevails

obtained in the extremely high temperature which which And yet thetemperature market-gardenershigh extremely the ofin Paris andobtained

of April; after which a second and a third crop are are Rouen crop labourthird a threeand timessecond a as hardwhich toafter obtainApril; theof

of potatoes per acre as a first crop, ready by the end end same the resultsby ready as theircrop, fellow-workersfirst a as acre per in Guernseypotatoes of or

such as, for instance, 500 bushels bushels 500 instance, for as, such —

in England. Applying industry to agriculture,crops thesefabulous

plank-and-glass unheated shelters already give lastgive make already their climateshelters in additionunheated to their soil,plank-and-glass by

when it is used to such a purpose, the simplest meanssimplest of the greenhouse.purpose, a such to used is it when

become a mere kitchen garden under glass. And And Fiftyglass. yearsunder ago thegarden greenhousekitchen wasmere a the luxurybecome

tice. The greenhouse has nowadays a tendency to to of the rich.tendency a It was keptnowadays tohas grow exoticgreenhouse plantsThe tice. for

But there is a still more important fact to no pleasure. to fact But nowadaysimportant itsmore usestill a begins is tothere be general-But

ized. A tremendouspopulation. whole the industryfor hasvegetables grownand upfruit latelyof sort in

have all the year round an unlimited supply of that Guernseythat of andsupply Jersey,unlimited wherean hundredsround year ofthe acresall have are

finest fruit and vegetables out of season, they would alreadywould they coveredseason, of with out glass—to vegetables say and nothing fruit of thefinest

gave each about fifty half-days for the culture of the the countless of culture smallthe for greenhouses half-days keptfifty inabout everyeach littlegave

ture is, that if one-half only of the adults of a city farmcity a of garden. adults Acresthe of and only acres of one-half greenhouses if that is, haveture

The result of all these recent conquests of cul lately of been builtconquests also recent at Worthingthese all of (103 acresresult inThe 1912),

in the suburbs of London,land. of andacres inand severalacres otherrequired parts ly

of Englandformer what and Scotland.spaces small very on produce week, a

the acre, each of them working less than sixty hours hours Theysixty arethan builtless of all qualities,working them of beginningeach acre, withthe

ing much less manure and in work. Three men to to thosemen whichThree havework. in granite and walls,manure downless tomuch thoseing

whichbuy in representboth saves merehe and shelters madehot-beds, the in plankswith andwork

mate, and at the same time he avoids also the heavy glassheavy frames,the also whichavoids he cost,time evensame now,the at withand all themate,

In this way man emancipates himself from cli tribute from paid tohimself capitalists andemancipates middlemen,man way this lessIn than

3s. 6d. peron. squareso and yard undertomatoes, glass.peas, Mostcarrots, of themtatoes,

for growing grapes and tropical plants, but for po are for heatedbut for plants, at least tropical three and of fourgrapes monthsgrowing everyfor

of course, not not course, of — year; but even the coolresults greenhouses,excellent give whichall, at are notheated

17 agriculture

308

Workshops and Factories, Fields,

advantages of the soil. “The soil is worth my whatin thegave I

man is worth,” that is theglass. gardenersunder ’ motto.summer the in prevails

obtained in the extremely high temperature which And yetwhich the market-gardenerstemperature high ofextremely Paristhe in and obtained

Rouen are labourcrop threethird a timesand as hardsecond a to which obtain after the April; of

same resultsend the by as theirready fellow-workerscrop, first a as in acre Guernsey per or potatoes of

such as, for instance, 500 bushels bushels 500 instance, for as, such —

in England. Applying industry to agriculture,crops these fabulous

last makegive their climatealready inshelters addition tounheated their soil, by plank-and-glass

means of thesimplest greenhouse.the purpose, a such to used is it when

become a mere kitchen garden under glass. And FiftyAnd yearsglass. ago theunder greenhousegarden waskitchen themere luxurya become

of the to rich. It wastendency a kept to grownowadays has exotic plantsgreenhouse forThe tice.

pleasure.no to But fact nowadays itsimportant use more begins still a to is be general-there But

ized. A tremendouspopulation. industrywhole the for has grownvegetables up and lately fruit inof sort

Guernsey that of and Jersey,supply whereunlimited hundredsan round of acresyear the areall have

already would covered they withseason, glassof out — to say nothingvegetables and of fruit the finest

countless the of smallculture greenhousesthe for kepthalf-days infifty everyabout littleeach gave

farm garden.city a of Acresadults andthe acresof ofonly greenhousesone-half if havethat is, ture

The result of all these recent conquests of cul of conquests recent these all of result The

lately- been built also at Worthing (103 acres in 1912),

in the suburbs of London,land. andof in severalacres and otheracres parts required ly

a week, produce on very small spaces what former what spaces small very on produce week, a

of England- and Scotland.

the acre, each of them working less than sixty hours They hours are builtsixty than of allless qualities,working beginningthem of each withacre, the

those to whichmen haveThree granitework. in walls,and downmanure toless thosemuch ing

work with the hot-beds, and he saves both in buy in both saves he and hot-beds, the with work

which- represent mere shelters made in planks and

glass frames,heavy the whichalso cost,avoids evenhe time now, same withthe at all theand mate,

In this way man emancipates himself from cli from himself emancipates man way this In

tribute- paid to capitalists and middlemen, less than

3s. 6d. per squareon. so yard and under glass.tomatoes, Mostpeas, of themcarrots, tatoes,

for growing grapes and tropical plants, but for po for but plants, tropical and grapes growing for

are - heated for at least three of four months every

of course, not not course, of — year; but even the cool greenhouses,results excellent whichgive areall, at not heated

17 agriculture

310

s table. table. s ’

most strikingIII. factsNapoleon infor this direction.pound per 40s. Sufficient at resold to

ary, were sold by the grower at 20s. per pound and sayand here,pound thatper at20s. Jersey,at 34grower men,the by withsold one were trained ary,

gardenerJanu in ripe only, cultivategrapes, these thirteenago years acres underThirty glass,grapes.

they have long since taken to growing hot-house from whichhot-house theygrowing obtainto 143taken tonssince of fruitlong andhave earlythey

s mouth, mouth, s ’

vegetables,pit usingthe at forton thisa 3s. extraordinary costs only culturecoal lesswhere

In the north of England, on the Scotch frontier, than frontier, 1,000 tonsScotch ofthe coal.on England, of north the In

And this isconclusive. doneare now infigures Guernseythese and and Jerseygrapes, son on

concerning the fifty years old culture of early sea a veryearly largeof scale,culture quiteold ayears number fifty ofthe steamers conconcerning -

out on small areas. But we have already figures stantly figures plying already between have we Guernsey But areas. and London, small on onlyout

This culture is of recent origin, and is only carried to exportcarried only theis cropsand of theorigin, greenhouses.recent of is culture This

common vegetables under glass are still wanting. Nowadays,wanting. still are in orderglass to under obtain that vegetables same cropcommon of

Complete figures concerning the culture of 500culture bushels the of potatoes,concerning we must figures plough everyComplete year

a surface of four acres, planttool. it, cultivatethe buy to it, weed,incurred it,

or machine, even when an initial expense had to be be andto sohad on; whereasexpense withinitial an the glass,when even if wemachine, shallor

likewise economized in employing a perfected tool havetool to giveperfected a perhaps, employing to in start with, halfeconomized a daylikewise ’s

times as large, watering it, weeding it, etc. Work is is workWork peretc. squareit, yardweeding init, order towatering buildlarge, theas greentimes -

in the open air, which requires digging a space four housefour —space wea shall digging save afterwardsrequires which atair, leastopen one-half,the in

tatoes under glass in April, than in growing them andthem probablygrowing in three-quarters than April, in of theglass yearlyunder labourtatoes

all in all, far less work is expended for obtaining po required formerly.obtaining for expended is work less far all, in all

glass shelters of Guernsey, we affirm that, taking taking Thesethat, are facts,affirm we results whichGuernsey, of every shelters one canglass

In fact, after having studied the most simple verifysimple himself.most the And thesestudied factshaving areafter alreadyfact, In a hint

as to what man could certainty. obtain more fromwith theand earthwork if less he

cause they allow of obtaining more produce with treatedwith it withproduce intelligence.more obtaining of allow they cause

- be culture, of methods these generalize to and

are realities. Moreover, the tendency is to extend V extend to is tendency the Moreover, realities. are

house, and finally the kitchen garden under glass Inglass all theunder abovegarden we havekitchen reasonedthe finally uponand whathouse, al- utr o te ils irgtd edw, h hot- readythe withstoodmeadows, the testirrigated of experience. fields, the of Intensiveculture

17 agriculture

310

s table. table. s ’

most strikingIII. facts in thisNapoleon direction.for pound Sufficientper 40s. at to resold

say here,and that pound at Jersey,per 20s. at 34 men,grower withthe oneby trainedsold were ary,

gardenerJanu only,in cultivateripe grapes, thirteenthese ago acres underyears glass,Thirty grapes.

from which theyhot-house obtaingrowing 143to tonstaken of fruitsince andlong earlyhave they

where coal only costs 3s. a ton at the pit the at ton a 3s. costs only coal where s mouth, mouth, s

vegetables, using’ for this extraordinary culture less

than 1,000 tonsfrontier, of coal.Scotch the on England, of north the In

And this is done conclusive. now are in Guernseyfigures andthese Jerseyand ongrapes, son

a verysea largeearly scale,of quiteculture a old number years of steamersfifty the conconcerning

stantly plying figures between already Guernsey have we But and London, areas. small only on out

to export thecarried cropsonly is of and the greenhouses.origin, recent of is culture This

common vegetables under glass are still wanting. Nowadays,wanting. instill orderare to glass obtain under that same cropvegetables of common

500 of bushelsculture of potatoes,the we mustconcerning plough figures every yearComplete

a surface of four acres, plant it, cultivatetool. the it,buy weed,to it, incurred

and sobe on;to whereashad withexpense theinitial glass,an evenwhen ifeven we shall machine, or

have totool give perhaps,perfected a to startemploying with,in half a economized day ’s likewise

work is per squareWork etc. yardit, in orderweeding it, to buildwatering the greenlarge, as - times

house —four we shallspace a save afterwardsdigging requires at leastwhich one-half,air, open the in

and probablythem three-quartersgrowing in than ofApril, thein yearlyglass labourunder tatoes

all in all, far less work is expended for obtaining po obtaining for expended is work less far all, in all

required- formerly.

glass shelters of Guernsey, we affirm that, taking Thesetaking are that, facts, resultsaffirm we which everyGuernsey, of one canshelters glass

verify himself.simple Andmost the these factsstudied are having already after a hintfact, In

as to what man could obtaincertainty. frommore the earthwith and if hework less

treated itwith with intelligence.produce more obtaining of allow they cause

and to generalize these methods of culture, be culture, of methods these generalize to and -

V extend to is tendency the Moreover, realities. are

In all theglass aboveunder we havegarden reasonedkitchen the upon finally what and al- house, ready hot- withstoodthe themeadows, test of experience.irrigated fields, Intensive the of culture

17 agriculture

312

costs nothing. But gardeners and horticulturists, far far Today the samehorticulturists, growerand sells gardeners themBut at onlynothing. 2s. costs 6d.

s work work s ’

per pound. He tellsvine-grower usthe so that himself and in a horticulturalEurope, of south

ally believed that vines grow of themselves in the journal.the in The fallthemselves inof the pricesgrow vines is causedthat by thebelieved tonsally

andgener tonsis it of grapesbecause arriving paradoxical, in Januaryseem may to LondonThis

and Paris. suburbs. London in

or on the banks of the Rhine than it is under glass glass Thanksunder is toit thethan cheapnessRhine the ofof coal banks and the anon intelor -

cultivate vines is more considerable in Switzerland ligent culture,Switzerland in grapes fromconsiderable themore is northvines travel nowcultivate

on the whole the expenditure of work necessary to to southwards,necessary inwork aof contrary directionexpenditure the towhole ordinarythe on

three hundred feet, we come to the conclusion that fruit.that They costconclusion the soto littlecome thatwe in feet, May, Englishhundred andthree

of manure and also of earth to a height of two or or Jerseytwo of grapes height area to sold atearth 1s.of 8d.also perand pound bymanure theof

upon stone on the slopes of the hills, the transport gardeners,transport the and yethills, thisthe of price,slopes likethe thaton of 40s.stone thirtyupon

of Lake Leman, the terraces constructed stone yearsstone ago, is onlyconstructed kept upterraces by slackthe production.Leman, Lake of

of care given to the vine on the borders of the Rhine Rhine In the March,of Belgiumborders the on grapes vine arethe to sold atgiven fromcare of 6d.

On the other hand, if we estimate the amount to 8d.,amount whilethe in October,estimate we if grapeshand, cultivatedother the On in im-

mense quantitiesshelter. the —underoutside glass,clay red and in with aplanted littlevine, ar-

of manure, which was thrown over the stalk of the tificialthe of stalk heating the inover the environsthrown was of Londonwhich —aremanure, soldof

hour every year; and bringing a wheel-barrowful at the same pricewheel-barrowful a as grapesbringing boughtand byyear; the every pound hour in

which was given was: pruning the vine, half an an the vineyardshalf vine, ofthe Switzerlandpruning was: and thegiven Rhine,was thatwhich is

been as useless as heating the street! And the care tocare say,the forAnd a few street! halfpence. the Yetheating as they stilluseless as cost two-been

side. It was evidently not heated, for it would have thirdshave toowould it much, for by reasonheated, not of the excessiveevidently was It rentside. of

theout of soil andthat the always cost was of installationtemperature andthe heating,night At on

the shelter was so bad that the rain came through. whichthrough. the came gardener rain the paysthat a bad formidable so was tributeshelter the to

came from a Hamburg vine-stalk, six year old. And theAnd manufacturerold. year six and thevine-stalk, middleman.Hamburg a Thisfrom beingcame

in October, for nine consecutive years. The crop understood,crop The weyears. may say thatconsecutive it nine costs for “next toOctober, nothin -

about fifty pounds of grapes of an exquisite flavour ingflavour ” to have exquisite delicious an of grapesgrapes of underpounds the latitudefifty about of,

half feet wide, resting against our cottage, gave us us and gave in our mistycottage, our London against in autumn.resting Inwide, onefeet of thehalf suburbs,one- and six for by instance, long a wretchedinches ten feet glass nine and plastershelter,

17 agriculture

312

Today far the same growerhorticulturists, sellsand them gardeners at onlyBut 2s. 6d.nothing. costs

south of Europe, and that the vine-grower the that and Europe, of south s work work s

per pound.’ He tells us so himself in a horticultural

journal. the Thein fall in thethemselves pricesof grow is causedvines bythat the tonsbelieved ally

This may seem paradoxical, because it is gener is it because paradoxical, seem may This

and- tons of grapes arriving in January to London

and Paris. suburbs. London in

or on the banks of the Rhine than it is under glass Thanksglass to under the is cheapnessit than ofRhine coalthe of and anbanks intelthe -on or

ligent culture, Switzerland grapes in from theconsiderable northmore is travelvines now cultivate

southwards, to in necessary a contrarywork of directionexpenditure tothe ordinarywhole the on

fruit. Theythat cost soconclusion littlethe to that income May,we Englishfeet, andhundred three

Jersey or grapestwo of are soldheight a atto 1s. 8d.earth perof poundalso and by the manure of

gardeners, andtransport yetthe thishills, price,the of like thatslopes ofthe 40s.on thirtystone upon

years ago,stone is only kept constructed up by slackterraces production.the Leman, Lake of

of care given to the vine on the borders of the Rhine In March,Rhine the Belgiumof borders grapes the on are vine sold the atto fromgiven 6d. care of

to 8d., whileamount inthe October,estimate grapeswe if cultivatedhand, other inthe imOn -

mense quantities—shelter. underthe glass,outside andclay withred in a little arplanted - vine,

tificial the heatingof stalk in the the environsover thrown of Londonwas —which are sold manure, of

at the same price as wheel-barrowful grapes a boughtbringing byand the poundyear; every in hour

the vineyardsan half of vine, Switzerland the andpruning thewas: Rhine,given thatwas is which

to say, forcare athe fewAnd halfpence.street! the Yet theyheating stillas costuseless two-as been

thirds toohave much,would it by reasonfor ofheated, thenot excessiveevidently rentwas ofIt side.

At night the temperature was always that of out of that always was temperature the night At

the - soil and the cost of installation and heating, on

which the gardenerthrough. came paysrain the a formidablethat bad so tributewas toshelter the

the manufacturerAnd old. year andsix the middleman.vine-stalk, ThisHamburg a beingfrom came

understood, crop The we mayyears. say that it costsconsecutive “nine next for to noth-October, in

ing ” to haveflavour deliciousexquisite an grapes of undergrapes of the latitudepounds fifty of, about

and inus our gave misty Londoncottage, our in autumn.against Inresting one ofwide, thefeet half suburbs,one- forand instance,six by a long wretched inches glassten andfeet plasternine shelter,

17 agriculture

314

out by the housewife, when she has to reckon each fromeach contradictingreckon to has us,she confirmwhen our assertions.housewife, the by “ Theout

tables in abundance, now so scrupulously rationed most rationed advantageous scrupulously cultureso now in Englandabundance, isin vine tables cul-

- vege have to and , today

ture,” wrote a practical of gardener, deprived editorare we of the Eng-which

spent in order to be able to eat to satiety fruit lishfruit Journalsatiety ofto Horticulture eat to inable thebe Nineteenthto order in Century.spent

This is the balance sheet of the labour to be be Prices to speaklabour eloquentlythe of sheet for themselves,balance the is as weThis know.

Translating these facts into communist lanSemiramis. -

beautiful probably than those of the legendary guage, legendary we maythe of assert those that thethan man orprobably woman whobeautiful

friends and children in beautiful gardens, more takesmore twentygardens, hours a yearbeautiful in from hischildren leisureand timefriends to

would become hours of recreation spent among giveamong some spent little care—veryrecreation of pleasanthours in thebecome main—would to

tributed over the whole year. These hours of work twowork of or threehours vine-stalksThese year. shelteredwhole the by simpleover glasstributed

each one would have to give 100 hours a year dis under year a any Europeanhours 100 climate,give to willhave gatherwould one as manyeach

adults, willing to work at the kitchen garden; then, grapesthen, as theirgarden; familykitchen the and at friendswork to can eat.willing And thatadults,

us admit that among this number there are 13,500 applies13,500 are not onlythere to vines,number butthis to allamong fruitthat trees.admit us

vegetables for at least 40,000 or 50,000 people. Let Let The people. Commune 50,000 or that will40,000 putleast theat processesfor ofvegetables in-

ies and articles of luxury in the way of fruit and tensiveand fruit cultureof way intothe in practice luxury onof a largearticles scaleand willies

- necessar all —

have all possible vegetables,chapter preceding indigenous a in it orseen exotic,have

we we —

and allleast desirableat yield fruits,would withoutwork employingthis But moreplants.

soon learn how to use a spade, and to handle the thanthe abouthandle to ten and hours aspade, yeara use per to inhabitant.how learn soon

without being gardeners by profession, would would In fact, nothingprofession, by would be easiergardeners thanbeing to verifywithout

and the rest would be simply done by people who, thewho, abovepeople statementsby done bysimply directbe experiment.would rest the Supand -

gardeners could give five hours a day to this work, posework, 100this to acresday a of a lighthours loamfive give (such could as we havegardeners at

1,300,000 hours for the 150 acres. Fifty competent Worthing)competent areFifty transformedacres. 150 the intofor a numberhours of mar1,300,000 -

it would need about about need would it —

ket gardens, each one withyear a its glasswork of houseshours for the8,600

which makes less than than less makes which —

rearing of the seedlings andglass youngunder plants.acre per Suppose men

on the Jersey average, requiring the work of three alsothree of that fiftywork the more acresrequiring areaverage, coveredJersey the withon glass

In basing the maintenance of these 150 acres houses,acres 150 and these the of organizationmaintenance of the the wholebasing In is left to practical gardeners. experienced greenhouse French maraîchers,Worthing or andGuernsey

17 agriculture

314

from contradictingeach reckon to us,has confirmshe when our assertions.housewife, “ Thethe by out

most advantageousrationed culturescrupulously so in Englandnow is vineabundance, in cul - tables

- vege have to and , today

ture,” wrote a practical gardener, of editordeprived of theare we Eng- which

lish Journalfruit of Horticulturesatiety to eat into the Nineteenthable be to Century.order in spent

Prices be speak to eloquentlylabour the of for themselves,sheet balance as wethe is know. This

Translating these facts into communist lan- Semiramis.

guage, we maylegendary assertthe of that thethose manthan or womanprobably who beautiful

takes twentymore hoursgardens, a year frombeautiful in his leisurechildren timeand to friends

give some among little carespent —very pleasantrecreation of in thehours main—become to would

two or threework of vine-stalkshours These shelteredyear. bywhole simplethe over glass tributed

under dis any Europeanyear a hours climate,100 give willto gatherhave aswould manyone each

grapes asthen, their familygarden; andkitchen friendsthe at canwork eat.to And thatwilling adults,

applies not13,500 onlyare to vines,there butnumber to allthis fruit among trees. that admit us

vegetables for at least 40,000 or 50,000 people. Let TheLet Communepeople. that50,000 willor put40,000 the processesleast at for of in- vegetables

tensive and culturefruit of intoway practicethe in on a luxury large of scalearticles willand ies

— chapter preceding a in it seen have -

have all possiblenecessar all vegetables, indigenous or exotic,

plants. But this work would yield at least at yield would work this But plants. we we

and all desirable— fruits, without employing more

than aboutthe tenhandle hoursto and a year perspade, a inhabitant.use to how learn soon

without being gardeners by profession, would In fact,would nothing wouldprofession, by be easier thangardeners to being verify without

the abovewho, statementspeople by bydone directsimply experiment.be would rest Supthe - and

pose 100work, acresthis to of aday lighta loamhours (suchfive asgive we could have at gardeners

Worthing) arecompetent transformedFifty acres. into150 athe numberfor ofhours mar- 1,300,000

it would need about about need would it —

ket gardens, each one with its year glass a houseswork of for thehours 8,600

which makes less than than less makes which —

rearing of the seedlings and youngglass plants.under Supposeacre per men

also thatthree fiftyof work morethe acres requiring are coveredaverage, withJersey the glass on

houses, andacres 150 the organizationthese of of themaintenance wholethe is basing left In to practical experiencedgardeners. Frenchgreenhouse maraîchers,Worthing or and Guernsey

17 agriculture

316

half-penny which mustreplaced? gobeing to enrichwithout capitalists anddisappearing exhausted, meat becoming scarce, and vegetables landowners.vegetables and 13 scarce, becoming meat exhausted,

export when they see their stock or corn getting 13 Summinggetting corn upor the figuresstock giventheir on see agriculture, they figureswhen provingexport

tion? Will they continue to make luxurious toys for for that thetoys inhabitantsluxurious of the twomake to departmentscontinue of Seinethey andWill Seine-et-tion?

Oise canRevolu livethe perfectlyafter well on theirfactories in own up territory by employingthemselves veryshut day they regain their liberty? Will they continue to to little time annuallycontinue they to obtainWill food, weliberty? have:their regain they day

DEPARTMENTS OF SEINE AND SEINE-ET-OISE

small workshops and factories, be employed on the the on Number ofemployed inhabitantsbe in 1889factories, 3,900,000and workshops small

in in today Area in acres 1,507,300asphyxiated are who workers, of sands

Average number of inhabitants per acre 2.6

At what, then, should the hundreds of thou of Areas to be hundreds cultivated the to feedshould the inhabitantsthen, what, (inAt acres):— Corn and Cereals 494,000 them. without do to have

Natural and artificial meadows 494,000

Let them do their worst. The large cities will will Vegetablescities large andThe fruit fromworst. 17,300their to 25,000do them Let

” do? we shall what — Leaving a balance for houses, roads, parks,1793 forestsin 494,000France

Quantity of annual work necessary to improve and cultivate

action, starve our towns as the black bands did in in did the abovebands surfacesblack the in as five-hour towns workdays:our starve action,

- petite? What if the peasants, ignorant tools of re of Cerealstools (cultureignorant and crop) 15,000,000peasants, the if What petite?

Meadows, milk, rearing of cattle 10,000,000

be sufficient, if everyone eats according to his ap his to Market-gardeningaccording culture,eats high-classeveryone if fruit 33,000,000sufficient, be

What of bread? Will there there Will bread? of What —“ Extras 12,000,000 asks he and darkens

Total 70,000,000

the worker who has seen children wanting food If food we supposewanting that only halfchildren of theseen able-bodied has who adults (menworker and the Each time we speak of revolution, the face of of women)face arethe willing to workrevolution, atof agriculture, speak wewe see thattime seventyEach

million work-days must be divided among 1,200,000 individuals,

which gives us fifty-eight work-days of fiverevolution. hourssocial for the each of thesebefore

We can easily perceive the new horizons opening workers.opening With that thehorizons populationnew the of the twoperceive departmentseasily can would We have all necessary bread, meat, milk, vegetables, and fruit, both VI for ordinary and even luxurious consumption. Today a workman spends

for the necessary food of his family (generally less than what is necessary) at least one-third of his three hundrednow. work-daysuntil a year,stranded

about 1,000 hours be it, instead of two hundred ninety. That is, he

the spirit is the rock on which all revolutions have thushave gives about sevenrevolutions all hundredwhich hourson too rock much the tois fatten thespirit idlethe the power to WILL!If it only knew that cowardice of of and the would-becowardice administrators,that knew only becauseit he doesWILL!If to not producepower the

his own food, but buys it of middlemen, who in their turn buy it of

what it CAN, and if that consciousness only gave it it peasantsgave whoonly exhaust themselvesconsciousness by that working if and with badCAN, tools,it bewhat - If only humanity had the consciousness of of cause, being robbedconsciousness by thethe landownershad and thehumanity State, theyonly If cannot procure better ones.

17 agriculture

316

half-penny which must goreplaced? to enrichbeing capitalistswithout and disappearing landowners. 13vegetables and scarce, becoming meat exhausted,

13 Summing getting up the corn figures or givenstock on agriculture,their see figuresthey provingwhen export

that the for inhabitants toys of the twoluxurious departmentsmake to of Seinecontinue and Seine-et-they Will tion?

shut themselves up in factories after the Revolu the after factories in up themselves shut

Oise - can live perfectly well on their own territory by employing very little timeto annually tocontinue obtainthey food,Will we have:liberty? their regain they day

DEPARTMENTS OF SEINE AND SEINE-ET-OISE

small workshops and factories, be employed on the Numberthe on of inhabitantsemployed be in 1889 3,900,000factories, and workshops small

in in today Area in acres 1,507,300 asphyxiated are who workers, of sands

Average number of inhabitants per acre 2.6

At what, then, should the hundreds of thou of hundreds the should then, what, At

- Areas to be cultivated to feed the inhabitants (in acres):— Corn and Cereals 494,000 them. without do to have

Natural and artificial meadows 494,000

Let them do their worst. The large cities will Vegetableswill cities and fruitlarge fromThe 17,300 toworst. 25,000their do them Let

France in 1793 in France ” do? we shall what Leaving a balance for houses, roads, parks, forests— 494,000

Quantity of annual work necessary to improve and cultivate

action, starve our towns as the black bands did in in the abovedid surfacesbands inblack five-hour the as workdays:towns our starve action,

petite? What if the peasants, ignorant tools of re of tools ignorant peasants, the if What petite? - Cereals (culture and crop) 15,000,000

Meadows, milk, rearing of cattle 10,000,000

be sufficient, if everyone eats according to his ap his to according eats everyone if sufficient, be

- Market-gardening culture, high-class fruit 33,000,000

What of bread? Will there there Will bread? of What —“ Extras 12,000,000 asks he and darkens

Total 70,000,000

If we supposefood that onlywanting half of the able-bodiedchildren seen adultshas (menwho and worker the women) of are willingface the to work at agriculture,revolution, of we seespeak thatwe seventytime Each

million work-days must be divided among 1,200,000 individuals,

which gives us fifty-eight work-days of five hoursrevolution. for eachsocial of thesethe before

workers. With thatopening the populationhorizons ofnew thethe two departmentsperceive wouldeasily can We have all necessary bread, meat, milk, vegetables, and fruit, both for VI ordinary and even luxurious consumption. Today a workman spends

for the necessary food of his family (generally less than what is necessary) at least one-third of his three hundred work-daysnow. until a year, stranded

about 1,000 hours be it, instead of two hundred ninety. That is, he

thus gives abouthave seven hundredrevolutions all hours toowhich muchon torock fatten the theis idle spirit the and the of would-be administrators,cowardice that becauseknew only heit does not WILL!If produce to power the

his own food, but buys it of middlemen, who in their turn buy it of

peasants it whogave exhaustonly themselves by workingconsciousness that with if badand tools, CAN, be -it what cause, beingof robbed by the landownersconsciousness the andhad the State, theyhumanity cannotonly If procure better ones.

17 agriculture

318

Evidently not! Theythem. will leavesatisfying of the townmeans the andand go

path that consists in the study of the needs of man, intoman, of the fields!needs the of Aidedstudy bythe in a machineryconsists that whichpath will

limit ourselves at present to opening up the new enablenew the theup weakestopening ofto us to present put at a shoulderourselves to thelimit

scientific discoveries give us a glimpse of. Let us wheel,of. theyglimpse willa us carry give revolution intodiscoveries previouslyscientific

show what is practical in the processes that recent enslavedrecent that culture asprocesses theythe in will havepractical is carried what it intoshow

in return for agreeable work. The near future will institutionswill future andnear ideas.The work. agreeable for return in

competition, we can give ourselves ease and luxury luxury Hundredsand ease of acresourselves willgive be can coveredwe with glass,competition,

ready victorious in the struggle against industrial and men,industrial and womenagainst withstruggle delicatethe in fingers,victorious willready fos-

of culture in use, applied on a large scale, and al ter and the growthscale, oflarge a young on plants.applied Hundredsuse, in ofculture other of

in the reality of acquired facts. With the processes acres willprocesses the be ploughedWith facts. by steam,acquired of improved reality bythe in ma-

we shall enter into the realm of fancy. Let us remain nures,remain us or enrichedLet fancy. of by artificialrealm the soilinto obtainedenter shall by we the

They will experiment.... But let us stop here, or or pulverizationhere, stop us oflet rocks.But Happy crowdsexperiment.... ofwill occasionalThey

labourerssoil. willthe coverof theseparts acres withcomponent the crops, guidedassimilate

necessary to feed the rootlets, to decompose and inand the work anddecompose to experimentsrootlets, the partlyfeed to by those whonecessary

mit us to give to the soil those little living beings, knowbeings, agriculture,living little butthose especiallysoil the to by thegive to great us andmit

practicalper will spiritwhich of a peopleyesterday, but roused fromconceived longidea, slumnal -

- ratio a —

ber and illumined by thatmicro-organisms of bright beaconcultures with —thesoil hapthe -

of the earth. They will experiment the watering of of piness ofwatering all.the experiment will They earth. the of

longer seek sun-heat stored in coal in the depths depths And the in in two orcoal threein monthsstored thesun-heat early seek crops willlonger

the sun and make them work, so that we shall no no receive shall thewe mostthat so pressingwork, wants,them andmake provideand sun foodthe

future will invent a machine to guide the rays of of for arays peoplethe who,guide to after so manymachine a centuriesinvent will of expecfuture -

hastening the growth of plants. A Mouchot of the tation,the of will atMouchot leastA be plants. able of to appeasegrowth the their hungerhastening

light, concentrated or artificial, will rival heat in heat and eatrival according will to their artificial, appetite. or concentrated light,

en in forty-five days under the latitude of Yakutsk; Yakutsk; In of the meanwhile,latitude the popularunder days genius, theforty-five geniusin en

unknown agent of culture which makes barley rip of a nationbarley whichmakes revoltswhich andculture knowsof itsagent wants, willunknown

that that —

work atwith experimentingexperimented withbe newwill processesLight of universal. cul- only need the baptism of experience to become ture become that to we alreadyexperience catchof a glimpsebaptism the of, need and thatonly

17 agriculture

318

Evidently not! They willthem. leave thesatisfying townof andmeans gothe and

into theman, fields!of needs Aidedthe of by study a the machineryin consists whichthat will path

enable thenew weakestthe up of usopening toto put a shoulderpresent at to theourselves limit

wheel,Let us of. they willglimpse carry a us revolution give into previouslydiscoveries scientific

enslaved recent culture that as theyprocesses willthe havein carriedpractical is it intowhat show

institutions will andfuture ideas.near The work. agreeable for return in

competition, we can give ourselves ease and luxury Hundredsluxury and of acresease will beourselves coveredgive can withwe glass, competition,

and men, andindustrial womenagainst with delicatestruggle the fingers,in willvictorious fos- ready

of culture in use, applied on a large scale, and al and scale, large a on applied use, in culture of

ter - the growth of young plants. Hundreds of other

acres will be processes ploughed the With by steam,facts. improvedacquired of by reality ma -the in

nures, or enrichedremain us Let by artificialfancy. of realm soil the obtainedinto byenter theshall we

pulverization or here, ofstop rocks.us let HappyBut crowds of experiment.... occasional will They

labourers will coversoil. the theseof acresparts with crops,component the guided assimilate

in the workand and experimentsdecompose to partlyrootlets, the by thosefeed to who necessary

know agriculture,beings, living butlittle especiallythose soil by the the to greatgive to and us mit

nal idea, conceived but yesterday, which will per will which yesterday, but conceived idea, nal

practical- spirit of a people roused from long slum-

the soil with cultures of micro-organisms of cultures with soil the - ratio a

ber and illumined— by that bright beacon—the hap-

piness of of all. watering the experiment will They earth. the of

longer seek sun-heat stored in coal in the depths And indepths two the orin three coal monthsin thestored early cropssun-heat seek will longer

receive no the shall most we pressingthat so wants,work, andthem providemake and food sun the

for a of people rays who,the afterguide soto many centuriesmachine a ofinvent expecwill - future

tation, the will of at least Mouchot be A able toplants. appeaseof theirgrowth the hunger hastening

and in eatheat according rival will to their appetite. artificial, or concentrated light,

en in forty-five days under the latitude of Yakutsk; In the Yakutsk; meanwhile, of latitude popularthe under genius, days the geniusforty-five in en

unknown agent of culture which makes barley rip barley makes which culture of agent unknown

of a- nation which revolts and knows its wants, will

universal. Light will be experimented with experimented be will Light universal. that that

work at experimenting— with new processes of culture that webecome alreadyto catchexperience aof glimpse baptism of, andthe thatneed only

17 agriculture 320

The only thing that may be wanting to the Rev- olution is the boldness of initiative. With our minds already narrowed in our youth and enslaved by the past in our mature age, we hardly dare to think. If a new idea is mentioned— before venturing on an opinion of our own, we

consult mustyRevolution. booksSocial the aby hundredup yearsopened old, tohorizons knownew

selves to the chariot of humanity, rolling towards whattowards ancient rolling masters thoughthumanity, of on thechariot subject.the to selves

them but to bow before it, and to harness them It is notharness food to thatand willit, fail,before if boldnessbow to ofbut thoughtthem

will be powerless. Nothing will remain for for remain will Nothing powerless. be will ”

and initiative are not wanting to the revolution.kings

conspiring conspiring “

Of all the greatforce days ofirresistible thean Frenchsuch Revolution,Before

s genius. genius. s ’

the most beautiful, the greatest,people a of was the oneawakening the on

tive of each and all, the daring which springs from whichfrom delegatessprings which who haddaring comethe all, fromand alleach partsof tive of

Franceinitia the to Paris, workedharmony, new a all withoppose thewill spadeit past to the plane of

sions within nor enemies without. To the coalitions the groundcoalitions the ofTo the Champwithout. de Mars,enemies nor preparing within it sions for

thedissen fête of theneither Federation.fear will inspired thus society A

Thatcreation. day artistic France and was united:knowledge of animatedjoys high bythe theof

all will march together to the conquest conquest the to together march will all —

new spirit, she had a vision of the future in thesolidarity

born of the feeling of of feeling the of born —

working in common of thedaring soil.new a by Inspired

And it will again beothers. byof thelife workingthe on in commonencroaching

freely accomplished, and the joy of living without of thewithout soil thatliving of thejoy enfranchisedthe and societiesaccomplished, will findfreely

isfaction which work give when freely chosen and theirand unitychosen andfreely will when obliterate give work the hatredwhich and isfaction op-

of each of its members, as well as that moral sat pression moral whichthat as has well hitherto as dividedmembers, its them. of each of

fied, society will liberally assure the life and ease ease Henceforth,and life the ableassure to conceiveliberally will solidaritysociety —thatfied,

immensesatis be to powertastes whichand increasesneeds for manmidst its ’s in energy andlooking

Ceasing to produce for unknown buyers, and creativeand forcesbuyers, a hundredfoldunknown for —theproduce newto societyCeasing will march to the conquest of the future youth. withof all thevigour

17 agriculture 320

consult musty booksRevolution. aSocial hundredthe by up years old,opened to knowhorizons new

what ancienttowards mastersrolling thoughthumanity, onof the subject.chariot the to selves

them but to bow before it, and to harness them harness to and it, before bow to but them

- It is not food that will fail, if boldness of thought

will be powerless. Nothing will remain for for remain will Nothing powerless. be will ”

and initiative are not wanting to the revolution. kings

conspiring conspiring “

Of all the great daysforce of the Frenchirresistible an Revolution,such Before

the awakening of a people a of awakening the s genius. genius. s

the most beautiful, the greatest,’ was the one on

which delegatesfrom springs who hadwhich comedaring fromthe all, alland partseach ofof tive

of the past it will oppose a new harmony, the initia the harmony, new a oppose will it past the of

France- to Paris, worked all with the spade to plane

the ground ofcoalitions thethe ChampTo de without. Mars, preparingenemies nor it forwithin sions

A society thus inspired will fear neither dissen neither fear will inspired thus society A

the - fête of the Federation.

That daycreation. Franceartistic wasand united: animatedknowledge of joys by thehigh the of

all will march together to the conquest conquest the to together march will all —

new spirit, she had a vision of the future in the solidarity

born of the feeling of of feeling the of born —

working in common of the soil. daring new a by Inspired

And it will again be by theothers. of working life the inon common encroaching

of the soil thatwithout theliving enfranchisedof joy the and societies will findaccomplished, freely

their unityand andchosen will obliteratefreely when thegive hatredwork andwhich op- isfaction

of each of its members, as well as that moral sat moral that as well as members, its of each of

pression- which has hitherto divided them.

fied, society will liberally assure the life and ease Henceforth,ease and life ablethe to conceiveassure solidarityliberally will —thatsociety fied,

looking in its midst for needs and tastes to be satis be to tastes and needs for midst its in looking

immense- power which increases man’s energy and

creative and forces abuyers, hundredfoldunknown —for the newproduce societyto willCeasing march to the conquest of the future with allyouth. of the vigour

17 agriculture It seems to me that Kropotkin was convinced of something far more important: that the revolution would be impossible if it were not already in course. To consider the revolution as something we shall meet some fine day out of the blue, beyond some line that it is not possible to cross today, is a Blanquist myth, that is foreign to Kropotkin and to all anarchists. This is a really important concept, and it does not matter that Kropotkin could not see its ultimate consequences, just as he could not justify the reasons that suggested it to him. This is an immense task that we are undertaking day by day at the level of the class struggle between exploiter and exploited, and from which we can draw the material indispensable for the continuation of the struggle. ... Man can be free because he has in him the conditions for liberation, a natural condition of goodness: the rest are accidents due to the mistaken application of nature’s suggestions. from the introduction by Bonanno

$4 ardent

press