has a terrible sound in most peoples ears, even when we have
explained to them that it does not necessarily mean a change
accompanied by riot and all kinds of violence, and cannot mean a
change made mechanically and in the teeth of opinion by a group of
men who have somehow managed to seize on the executive power for the
moment. Even when we explain that we use the word revolution in its
etymological sense, and mean by it a change in the basis of society,
people are scared at the idea of such a vast change, and beg that you
will speak of reform and not revolution. As, however, we Socialists
do not at all mean by our word revolution what these worthy people
mean by their word reform, I cant help thinking that it would be a
mistake to use it, whatever projects we might conceal beneath its
harmless envelope. So we will stick to our word, which means a
change of the basis of society; it may frighten people, but it will
at least warn them that there is something to be frightened about,
which will be no less dangerous for being ignored; and also it may
encourage some people, and will mean to them at least not a fear, but
a hope.
Fear and Hope--those are the names of the two great passions which
rule the race of man, and with which revolutionists have to deal; to
give hope to the many oppressed and fear to the few oppressors, that
is our business; if we do the first and give hope to the many, the
few MUST be frightened by their hope; otherwise we do not want to
frighten them; it is not revenge we want for poor people, but
happiness; indeed, what revenge can be taken for all the thousands of
years of the sufferings of the poor?
However, many of the oppressors of the poor, most of them, we will
say, are not conscious of their being oppressors (we shall see why
presently); they live in an orderly, quiet way themselves, as far as
possible removed from the feelings of a Roman slave-owner or a
Legree; they know that the poor exist, but their sufferings do not
present themselves to them in a trenchant and dramatic way; they
themselves have troubles to bear, and they think doubtless that to
bear trouble is the lot of humanity, nor have they any means of
comparing the troubles of their lives with those of people lower in
the social scale; and if ever the thought of those heavier troubles
obtrudes itself upon them, they console themselves with the maxim
that people do get used to the troubles they have to bear, whatever
they may be.
I'm seeing capitalism as the failed system right now...
This is a brilliant book that presents an excellent working form of socialism, one that's prosperous and peacefully implemented. The author points out that it is not necessary for change come about through violent or coercive methods. It is just a matter of the people uniting under the desire for a fairer and more equitable solution to the problems that the vast majority face.
My parents are firm believers in capitalism, and I embraced their views for quite some time. It was only recently that I began to re-think everything. With the housing crisis, the bailouts, and all the scandals and corruption I just can't see how the average Joe can get a fair shake. Then I started looking into our economic history and found that the people have been being fleeced in the name of capitalism for a very long time.
People are always saying that socialism can't ever be truly implemented, but I'm seeing capitalism as the failed system right now, one that can never be truly exist as long as robber barons continue to keep congress in their pockets.
The only system that gives the people the power, protection, and prosperity that they deserve is socialism, and this book will explain all of that. True socialism would put an end to the thievery and suffering that the current system has caused. Something has to change, and this book will show us how to make that change and explain why it's so necessary.
Buy Signs of Change by William Morris At The Lowest Price!
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