262 Force and the Social Structure 



is seeking to establish and (2) that the present 

 "class struggle" is only a distortion of the social 

 structure from its true character, which has come 

 about as the result of false ideas in regard to the 

 advantages to be gained from the exploitation of 

 man by man. 



Originating in a highly militarized nation and 

 revolting against militarism, Socialism has never- 

 theless been profoundly influenced by the mili- 

 taristic type of society. Probably very few 

 Socialists at the present time believe in the 

 efficacy of force as an instrument for social pro- 

 gress, but in the popular mind at least, the empha- 

 sis of Socialism on the class struggle and its early 

 advocacy of violent methods have greatly hindered 

 the spread of the social truth which formed its 

 strength. "The Communists disdain to conceal 

 their views and aims" wrote Marx and Engels in 

 the Communist Manifesto in 1848. "They openly 

 declare that their ends can be obtained only by the 

 forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions." 

 This standpoint, though long since passed in the 

 development of modern Socialism, still represents 

 the movement in the minds of its opponents and 

 keeps many from examining into its social philo- 

 sophy. On the other hand, much of the opposi- 

 tion to Socialism is based on the individualistic 

 theory of "social Darwinism" that the organiza- 



, tion of society on co-operative principles would 

 do away with competition and struggle and would 



* thus lead to social stagnation and disaster. 



