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Though it may be surprising in today's political context, in which the term "socialism" is often uttered like a profane insult, this political school of thought was quite popular in the early twentieth century and gained a significant amount of traction among prominent thinkers and leaders. In this concise volume, author Edward F. Adams presents two stinging critiques of socialism, and many of his arguments remain just as compelling nearly a century later.

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Publié par	The Floating Press
Date de parution	01 mai 2014
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781776533497
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0134€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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THE INHUMANITY OF SOCIALISM
THE CASE AGAINST SOCIALISM & A CRITIQUE OF SOCIALISM
* * *
EDWARD F. ADAMS

*
The Inhumanity of Socialism The Case Against Socialism & A Critique of Socialism First published in 1905 Epub ISBN 978-1-77653-349-7 Also available: PDF ISBN 978-1-77653-350-3 © 2014 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
*
Foreword The Case Against Socialism A Critique of Socialism Endnotes
Foreword
*
One might write continuously while he lived for or against Socialism andyet at the end of a long and misspent life have said nothing that othershad not said before him.
Nevertheless, new generations come on and have to learn about Socialismas they learn about other things, for there always have been and alwayswill be Socialists. It is a habit of mind which becomes fixed in acertain number of each generation; and succeeding generations seem toprefer fresh statements of the theory to the study of the ancient texts.Besides, Socialistic endeavor, while its ultimate object in all ages isthe same, assumes different forms at different periods and is best dealtwith in terms of the day.
I am opposed to Socialism because of its inhumanity; because it saps thevitality of the human race which has no vitality to spare; becauseit lulls to indolence those who must struggle to survive; because thetheories of good men who are enthralled by its delusions are made theexcuse of the wicked who would rather plunder than work; because itstops enterprise, promotes laziness, exalts inefficiency, inspireshatred, checks production, assures waste and instills into the soulsof the unfortunate and the weak hopes impossible of fruition whoseinevitable blasting will add to the bitterness of their lot.
Some years ago I was invited to dine with and address a charming groupof Socialists comprising the Ruskin Club of Oakland. We had a joyfulevening and I read to them "A Critique of Socialism" which forms thesecond part of this volume. It was published in 1905 by Paul Elder andCompany, but almost the entire edition was burned in our great fireof 1906. As there are still inquiries for it, it is thought best torepublish it. Obviously it was primarily intended to amuse my hosts, butthere is some sense in it.
A few months ago I was asked to present "The Case Against Socialism" tothe League of the Republic, an organization within the student body ofthe University of California, it being the last of a series in whicha member of the Faculty of Stanford University and a much respectedSocialist of the State took part, neither of whom, much to my regret,was I able to hear. What I said seemed to please some of the morevigorous non-Socialists present who thought it should be printed.Those who prefer pleasant reading should skip the "Case" and read the"Critique."
Edward F. Adams
San Francisco, June, Nineteen hundred and thirteen
The Case Against Socialism
*
The postponement of this address, which was to have been delivered twoweeks ago, was a real disappointment to me for I did not then know thatanother opportunity would be arranged. As one approaches maturity, itbecomes a joy to talk to a group of young people in the light of whosepleasant faces one seems to renew his own youth. Youth is the mostprecious thing there is—it knows so little it never worries.
It is difficult for me to be here at this hour of the day and it hasbeen impossible for me to hear those who have preceded me in thiscourse. What I have to say may therefore have too little relation towhat has been presented from other points of view to be satisfactoryin what seems to have been designed as a debate. Nor have I, in recentyears, read much Socialistic or anti-Socialistic literature of which theworld is full. From my point of view, as will presently be seen, perusalof this literature would be a waste of time for none of it that I haveseen or heard of discusses what seems to me essential, but in sayingthis I must not be understood as disparaging either the sincerity or theability of writers on this subject.
When I was more or less familiar with Socialistic controversy theSocialistic propaganda was devoted in different countries to theaccomplishment of the immediate program which in the respectivecountries was considered the essential thing to be done next, verylittle being said about the ultimate end which it was hoped to reach indue time. Thus it happened that in some countries what was called theSocialistic agitation was directed to the accomplishment of what wasalready established by non-Socialists in other countries. That isdoubtless so still. Those discussions do not interest me and I have notfollowed them and shall not discuss any of them here. I shall consideronly the ultimate aims of theoretical Socialism and whether ifaccomplished they probably would or would not make for the generalwelfare and especially for the welfare of the least efficient.
The ultimate aim of Socialism is the nationalization of all land,industry, transportation, distribution and finance and their collectiveadministration for the common good as a governmental function and undera popular government. It involves the abolition of private profit, rentand interest and especially excludes the possibility of private profitby increase of values resulting from increase or concentration ofpopulation. The majority of Socialists would reach this end gradually,by successive steps, and with compensation to existing owners. A violentminority would reach it per saltum, by bloodshed if necessary, and byconfiscation—"expropriation" they call it. All alike conducttheir propaganda by endeavoring to create or accentuate the classconsciousness of manual workers who constitute the majority of humanbeings and whose condition, it is insisted, would be improved undera Socialistic regime. The violent wing promotes not merely classconsciousness but class hatred.
I have no time to split hairs in this discussion and it may be assumedthat I understand that Socialists do not expect to absolutely controlall personal activity but would leave all persons free to pursue anyvocation which they might desire and to have and hold whatever they mayacquire by personal activity and enterprise so only that they make noprofit on the work of another or absorb for their own use any gift ofNature. No Socialist that I know of has attempted to draw the exact linebetween activities to be wholly absorbed by the State and those whichwould be left to private enterprise. No wise Socialist I think—if thereare wise Socialists—would attempt to draw such a line at present. Thereis a certain vagueness in the Socialists' presentation of their case.
And before we proceed further let us get rid of the intellectual fogwhich envelops and shelters the advocates of Socialism. It is the fog ofhumanitarianism. I see and hear no advocacy of Socialism whose burdenis not the uplift of humanity. Now, humanitarianism is perhaps themost beautiful thing there is. There is no more ennobling and inspiringsentiment than desire for the uplift of our fellowmen; but it has nolegitimate place in the discussion of Socialism. For an advocateof Socialism to even refer, in presenting his case, to humanitariansentiment is to that extent to beg the question.

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