xxxiv] SOCIALISM 269 



unjust in distribution ; that it fosters every kind of adulteration 

 in manufacture, and almost necessitates lying in trade ; 

 that it involves the virtual slavery of the bulk of the 

 population, and checks or destroys any real progress of the 

 race. It also shows how, even the wealthy few, and also 

 the members of each successive grade of comparative well- 

 being, suffer from it socially, by the extreme restriction in 

 each locality of possible intimate associates and friends ; it 

 shows how we can never attain to the maximum benefits 

 and enjoyment of social intercourse without that absolute 

 equality of economic condition, educational opportunities, 

 and social conventions, which alone put us at ease with our 

 fellow-men ; while the enormous loss to all of us of the 

 infinite varieties of character, ability, and even genius, now 

 forbidden any adequate development by the cruel struggle 

 for existence and the shortened lives, are clearly set forth. 

 And as every one of the wasteful and cruel and debasing 

 influences of our competitive system will cease to exist under 

 a rational socialism, labour will be diminished to an almost 

 inconceivable extent, while every possible enjoyment of 

 nature, of art, and of congenial friendship will be indefinitely 

 increased. Until these two works of Bellamy have been 

 carefully read and thoroughly appreciated, no one can 

 properly realize what such a state of society means ; while 

 to any one who has done so, the stock objections to socialism 

 will be seen to be utterly trivial and absurd. 



One of the most striking and convincing chapters in 

 " Equality " is that which describes the means by which, 

 after a majority were in favour of it, and a Socialist Govern- 

 ment had been elected, the great change was brought about, 

 and, without any compulsion whatever, was soon welcomed 

 and accepted by the adverse minority. This method is so 

 simple, and so little known, that it may be well to give a 

 brief outline of it here. 



It is assumed that, before this period, there had already 

 been a great extension of governmental and municipal 

 industry, all the railways and mines, telegrams and tele- 

 phones being worked by the former ; all water, gas, electric 



