Capitalist economists are more entertaining than the average radio program. They are always face to face with some profound problem that gives them a chance to fall over themselves in essaying the wrong answer. The difficulties surrounding the subject, however, in no way alter their attempts to accomplish the impossible. They assemble data and juggle statistics with a dexterity worthy of a happier conclusion. Of late, the economists are concentrating on the problem of prices. These, they contend, are much too high and must be lowered to a level where we can see them better. The price of labor...
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The socialist movement, small in numbers as it is, has within its ranks a fair representation of so-called civilized man. The majority are not noticeably vocal, nor do they have the ability to express themselves in writing. Another section, albeit possessing certain talents for communicating ideas, are unfortunately constrained to keep their propaganda activities at a minimum, even in some cases to the extent of secrecy. Finally, there are those, all too few, among us who have the knack for imparting knowledge and who have neither the compulsion nor the desire to keep their mouths buttoned. Such was Jack...
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From the Western Socialist, #1, 1968 From mythological archives comes the legend of the phoenix, a bird of rare and unseemly attainments. After a lengthy and variegated existence, a pervasive act of its own volition caused it to be consumed in fire, and eventually to rise in callow newness from its ashes. Modern Japan has a close affinity with that fabulous bird. Playing a reckless role in the attack on Pearl Harbor, it suffered in consequence the fiery ordeal at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and then, in rapid strides proceeded to rise from apparent disaster to take its place among...
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From the Western Socialist, #1, 1960 Why does the World Socialist Party belittle the nationalization of wealth, when it really means the same thing as Socialism? If the government, on behalf of the people, decides to take over the wealth of the nation, what sense is there in wasting our time doing the same thing? Would it not be better for us to get in and help them do it? -W.S. Reader We gather from W.S. Reader the wording of the query that our correspondent is a little mixed up in his differentiation, or lack of it, between the...
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In the early days of trade union activity it was customary for the government to enter into disputes between workers and employers and simply bludgeon the workers into submission. Strikes were illegal and efforts to raise wages were regarded officially as criminal conspiracies calling for punishment that was often severe and brutal. In some countries this treatment still prevails, among these being certain Near-Eastern nations which lately came close to becoming the center of military conflict between the “peace loving” nations of East and West — although the status of the workers had nothing to do with the hostilities....
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Our study of human society leads us to the conclusion that it is composed of two classes – the working class and the capitalist class. Between the two there are groups and individuals that battle classification on a scientific basis. They are border line cases. In the ranks of each of the two classes there are individuals that vary from the norm. We occasionally meet workers who have a few hundreds, or even a few thousands of dollars in the bank, or own a few shares of General Motors or Western Union stock. Such ownership does not make capitalists...
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From the Western Socialist, March-April, 1942 “The mode of production in material life determines the general character of the social, political, and spiritual process of life.” When Karl Marx presented this analysis to a confused world, back in 1859, he provided an explanation of cause and effect in the social world that still serves the needs of our more inquisitive minds today. The slovenly and the superficial will miss its meaning, the sycophantic drudge will seek to sabotage its lesson but, to the serious student of social affairs, it affords a meaning of untangling the snarls that disconcert his...
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Man, The Enigma
From The Western Socialist, January, 1948 A strange animal – man – until we get to know him. Brilliant, in a sense, he has developed systems of production, exchange, communication, and transportation that make the other animals look rather stupid. But, on the opposite side of the scale, he suffers deficiencies that enhance the prestige of every competing organism. While not the only animal that works, he is the only one that looks for work; the only one that works for wages, the only one that the boss can afford to leave alone while working. The only one subject...
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