Functional socialism

20 FUNCTIONAL SOCIALISM

would not be weakened or infringed; on the contrary, it would be immeasurably strengthened.

Thus, if we have eyes to see, function is the saving principle. Nature does not thwart function; it deals severely with the elements that, in any way, obtrude on function. We go to great lengths to preserve and strengthen the functions of the human body. Is it not equally important to select and then build up the functions necessary to a sound and healthy social system? It follows, I think, that any function, once recognized and instituted, must, within its own ambit, be autonomous. Our existing political system Jumbles all the functions in a vast and confused complex. Hence retardation, frustration and constant maladjustment. With the tragic facts staring at us, is it not our bounden and urgent business to put our house into functional order and incidentally lead the world in ways of peace?

In our individual and social life, there are three constant factors: the person, the value and the thing. Our functional society protects and develops the person in the House of Commons; it evolves values in its House of Culture; the primacy of things can and must be asserted in the House of Industry. For it is only in the primacy of this thing we call function that our personalities and values can be exalted and enriched.

Hence this book!