SOCIALISM AND THE FARMING INTEREST 



sense that every man is fit for any office, or 

 that men are equally capable to give advice 

 on all questions; but in this sense: (i) that 

 natural differences of ability are at any time 

 sure to be found in any society; (2) that 

 democratic society naturally selects for its 

 various duties and functions those somehow 

 specially fitted for these, and then follows 

 such leaders; and (3) that the result thus at- 

 tained, though usually far from perfect, 

 is on the whole better than if leaders were 

 made such in any other way. 



Socialism does not ignore this principle, 

 and Rodbertus's socialism makes reasonable 

 provision for its successful application. 

 But popular socialism does not do this. It 

 plans for a leaderless nation. Its program 

 would kill off able leadership and make the 

 political boss God over all cursed forever- 

 more. Great men will not work in harness 

 nor submit to political call or political dis- 

 missal, which always involves more or less 

 caprice. 



This statement is not refuted by the fact 

 that many political offices requiring high 



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