ABSTRACT

IN the transition from Capitalism to Collectivism i t is essential that nothing should be done to disturb economic stabilitysuch as i t is. In the vital interest of the community the economic life must be conserved through all changes from the one system to the other. No violence must be used, nor any kind of action taken that leads to paralysis of production or distribution ; it is the first duty of every government to prevent this, and to preserve law and order. As the example of Russia shows, it would be infinitely better to endure the evils of the present system than, by a dictatorship of any kind, to compel the majority to conform to a system which they do not understand and are therefore unfit to make a success of. Blank ruin lies that way. The best must be made of the present system while the transition is in progress, and every change in the direction of Collectivism must only be made after the most careful consideration. All that collectivists can do is to try to show the way, and trust that the people will realise the seriousness of the situation, and set their minds to study it. Unfortunately, too little of the best intelligence is concentrated on the grave problems that press for solution ; the vast proportion of it is directed into other channels where it produces too little of real social value in present circumstances.