The Future of Socialism

ECONOMIC WEEKLY BOOK REVIEW Wherein lies the cause of their failure, and what is their funda mental weakness ? THE FUTURE OF SOCIALISM There can be abundant discus "LABOUR ON MARCH": Foreword by Asoka Mehta, National sion on this issue although offer Information & Publications, National House, Tulloch Road, ing little practical comfort. Some bombay 1. Rs. 3/12. say that the Socialists have lived too long under the wings and pro "AN OUTLINE OF SOCIALISM": By Suresh Vaidya, Deccan tection of the Congress with the publications, 16, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bangalore. Rs. 3/-. result that they have lost the capacity to take independent deci (Abdul Gani) sions. Others will say that they were only left-wingers, who knew NYONE who has his ear to Why has this come to pass? bow to criticise but never could the ground cannot fail to rea- Why have the Socialists with such offer the alternative. There can that much discontent prevails a golden opportunity beckoning be several theories in the master India, and the people are be- them faltered and hesitated? of this post-mortem, but none con- dered, if not apprehensive, but their future. From the st rabid capitalists down to the terate village peasants, there is current of feeling that this coun ts inexorably drifting into a which the Government at the are unable to check, much avert. This drift on the part the Government is attributed to absence of a national policy, even to a basic misevaluation the problems confronting India (the forces that are bringing it but. The public's anxiety is ther heightened by the lack of Position in the country which uld be capable of correcting the vernment, and in case of need, e their place. This disappoint- ,;, awareness has fostered a se of frustration and apathy rards public affairs. two years ago there were high does that the Congress Socialists could offer the desired alterna- g and band themselves into an jctive opposition. The failure the Socialists to do so has in no all measure helped to foster the ling of frustration. On every ie including that of Partition, Socialists not only failed to a stand but staged a retreat until today faith in their capacity even as a useful political group, dwindled. 16 ECONOMIC WEEKLY clusive nor helpful Socialist Party would consider a quit the Congress at all, for 'the' The answer to this most im- living wage. And when they do achievement of their objectives as potant political question ,why the attempt to define it, the result is described in the book is possible Socialists have failed to ring the grotesque. Here is what they say: by working within than without bell has fortunately come from the "A living wage is the first condi the Congress. Now that they Socialist Party itself. ''Labour On tion that needs to be fulfilled if have cleared their minds and March" in trying to reveal what labour's status of co-partner is to fully expressed themselves by the Socialist Party thinks has by be properly established, and such breathing not a word about abo- inference also given an answer status is the pre-condition to the lition of private property or why the party has failed, and establishment and maintenance of socialisation of instruments of proved its inadequacy as a poli industrial peace." Thus the production, they stand a much tical force. And since this book Socialist Party openly admits that better chance of being heard is a compilation of articles from it regards labour as a co-partner within the Congress, Where at their weekly organ "Janata", one in industry. The other partner some future date even the capi may take the legitimate liberty of being capital, we presume: Is this talists may start agreeing with looking upon it as the collective socialism, humanism, fascism, or them. For it is quite clear that and considered viewpoint of its just confusion arising out of imma the aim of the Socialist Party is party leaders and thinkers. turity ? social reform, not socialism. The first and foremost thing "Labour and Production" simi Mr. Suresh Vaidya's "An about the book is that the subjects larly suggests methods by which Outline of Socialism" is a book of that have been treated in it, such there can be co-operation between a different nature and build. He as "Fundamental Rights", "Living capital and labour, in addition, as does not criticise the Govern- Wage", "Labour and Production", usual, to pointing out the inade ment, not because he is not criti and "Labour Abroad" although quacy of the present Govern cal of it, but because he feels relevant in the present situation, ment's measures. "Labour Ab that if socialism is to succeed in are not the main, much less the road" is intended merely to India, it must first go down to the vital questions with which the emphasize how labour in foreign masses, and the first task before country is faced. Secondly, in countries, particularly in capital the Socialist movement should be dealing with these questions the ist and imperialist countries, has of an educative nature. In his main burden is placed upon criti been given co-partnership with view, only when this has been cising what the present Govern capital. This presumably is the achieved, can the Socialist move ment, dominated by the Congress, aim of the Indian Socialist Party. ment hope to build itself up on a has done or failed to do rather Thus "Labour on March", is a sure and sound foundation, than offering the Socialist alterna clear indication that the main whence the capture of power and tive. On the question of "Funda objective of the Socialist Party is the rebuilding of India on social mental Rights", for instance, the to secure co-partnership with ist lines can become possible. main criticism is that the constitu Indian capital, and that if the This being his main motive, he tion does not allow for the growth Socialists ever became the Gov has explained the theory and of trade union and peasant organi ernment, the possibility of which practise of socialism including its sations in India, and quotes from is remote, this is what they application to India, not only in the constitutions of other (capi would endeavour to bring simple words and style, but talist) countries how their consti about. For the book records no through questions and answers, tutions include this fundamental other higher aims which the so that they can be understood by right. Is this the only fundamental Socialists intend to pursue. If the most ordinary person who right the Socialists are after? This one is permitted to draw infer- has no special knowledge of is apart from the question whe enccs from what is significantly economics or politics. In the first ther fundamental rights can be omitted from the book, the con section of, the book "The Theory safeguarded by proper drafting of nection between the Socialist of Socialism", he merely explains the Constitution alone. Party and Socialism is as incon the theory as it is universally On "Living Wages'' there is a ceivable as between (what Jai accepted, including what social long discussion on how the Gov Prakash Narayan himself has ism stands for, how capitalism ernment has failed to arrive at said in his book "Why Socialism") leads to chaos and ultimately to what should constitute a living a lion and a dandelion. Such war, why the worker, be he a wags, but never, for instance, is a being the outlook of the Socialist proletarian, intellectual, profes suggestion made as to what the Party, one wonders why they sional or rural labourer, must 17 12th February 1949 ECONOMIC WEEKLY take hold of the reigns of society order. In the second part of the ment will alter the social and —Mr. Vaidya does not waste his book he gives the reader a pic political framework of India and breath on 'permeation', and in ture of what India will look like how it will solve the country's what manner he can bring about when socialism is achieved, in most important problems such as a transformation in the social what manner the socialist move industry, communalism, educa tion, agriculture, constitution, etc. Anyone who has a desire to know what socialism is capable of achieving and what it stands for "An Outline of Socialism" is pro bably the best book available in India today. The difference between these two books, one issued by a party, and the other by an individual is, thai whereas one is unclear, hesi tant, and even apologetic about what it says, the other is clear, positive, and points towards a direction. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Suresh Vaidya explains the idea as well as the mission of socialism far more convincingly than the Socialist Party has done, and he is far more likely to influence socialist, thought and movement in this country if his book is read as widely as he expects it to be. This is because he knows what he wants, and he knows wherein lies the secret power of a movement whereas the Socialist leaders give the impression of grouping in the dark. He realises that the present government must be challenged and defeated. But in his view the best way to achieve this is by winning over the masses by preaching the socialist philo sophy as against the Socialist Party's line of exploiting the pre vailing dis-satisfaction and there by undermining the public's faith in the Government. No student of politics, why, no citi zen of this country, should miss reading these two books, for step by step a new drama promises to unfold itself in this country, and the nature, and theme of this drama will be largely moulded by the thoughts which can be sam pled in these two books.

Load more