Initiation and initiative : an exploration of the life and ideas of Dimitrije Mitrinović

POLITICAL INITIATIVES 121

This entailed the proposal that economic life be organised in the form of guilds for each industry, to which all engaged in the industry should belong. The planning and coordinating of economic life as a whole should be the preserve of an Economic Chamber composed of representatives of the guilds. In conjunction with the Political and Cultural Chambers the Economic Chamber would be a constituent part of the three-fold Social State advocated by New Britain.

7. “The federation of European nations leading to and forming the basis of world federation.”

Until New Britain, a society of new individuals was created, the world would be without leadership. It was the destiny of Britain to lead Europe towards federation. Moreover, by virtue of her Empire Britain should become a world force for “Western civilisation.”

New Britain, making possible European federation, acting through the Commonwealth as the organ of our civilisation, will prepare the federation of the world which is the goal of statesmanship.>?

By the time Purdom had finished the seventh of his commentaries on what New Britain stood for, the sales of the paper had reached over 32,000 a week. It appealled particularly to disaffected youth, disillusioned with the state of Britain, searching for answers, but unwilling to embrace fascism or communism. “Young Britons Wake UP!” was the call. “You are to live in the Britain of the future. Are you prepared to do your share in the building of it?’5> The correspondence columns of the paper showed that the call was not unheeded. One student wrote from London:

NEW BRITAIN fires me with enthusiasm. There must be thousands of young men like me, who, bewildered by the state of affairs in which they find themselves, search their minds for solutions of the various problems facing the world today, and come to the conclusion that a new social order is required. Most of us conclude also that none of the established political parties can bring it into being. So far we have been powerless individuals; NEW BRITAIN gives the leadership required...

I am studying for an examination for next year, but in 1934 all my powers will be at your disposal. Until then I shall “do my bit” by recommending NEW BRITAIN to all my friends and acquaintances.*¢

In addition to the young, the emphasis on guild socialism attracted support from socialists and trade unionists, whilst the concern with devolution drew regional nationalists and the followers of Patrick Geddes into the movement.