Functional socialism

GENESIS Il

there and accordingly we meet here and there various reformist proposals—the inevitable plasters to cure cancerous growths that root themselves in economic maladjustments. But there is no new vision. Our possessing classes, more now than ever before, draw their incomes from the Stock Exchange and no longer from the parental farms, fields and factories. Their property to-day consists largely, if not mainly, of “scrip”. Socially and functionally they are divorced from economic work. When economic reality comes to grips with these paper claims, their owners will be shocked, unless to equity we add social compassion.

Whilst we can appreciate in some degree the conservatism of the rich, the tenacity of the acquisitive: can even tolerantly read their class philosophies, obligingly supplied by Oxford and Cambridge: can understand the motives of their politics: what light or guidance comes from our Labour leaders? It must surely be one of the major mysteries of this period that organized Labour, confronted with monstrous conditions, fully aware of the causes of poverty, bearing in its train malnutrition of masses of workers, their families and dependents, were content to play conventional politics: seemed to enjoy jingling political coins on the parliamentary counter: were jealous of parliamentary decorum, maintaining at all costs the tradition of good manners: apparently saw nothing beyond the orbit of political action: pursued mild reformism and shivered at the least hint of any revolution, however peaceful and fruitful.