The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

392 THE FREEMAN Julyeither increase or diminution',. (c)'profits decrease in proportion aswages increase.'" Saint-Simon andProudhon are guilty of viciousdistortions and Ricardo of abjectassininity unworthy of yet anothertiresome refutation."N0 Socialist," Huneker continues,"has succeeded in explainingthe conditions for production,the remuneration, and the distributionof capital in a collectivistsystem. No Socialist has succeededin determining the motives foraction which an individual wouldobey. When pressed for an answer,they allege that human natureshall be metamorphosed, but thatthe individual remains a constantquantity! Rank materialism, allthis, and absolutely without vision..."It may be said that man isready for every form of sacrificesave one: nowhere and at no timehas he been found to labor voluntarilyand constantly from a disinterestedlove for others. Man isonly compelled to productive laborby necessity, by fear of punishment,or by suitable remuneration.The Socialists of today, like thoseof former times, constantly denouncethe waste of competition.Competition involves losses, butbiological evolution, as well ashumanity proves that they arelargely compensated by gain. Furthermore,there is no question ofabolishing competition in socialisticconceptions; the question ismerely one of substitution of politicalfor economic competition.If economic competition leads towaste, and claims its victims, it isnone the less productive. Politicalcompetition has secured enormousplunder to great conquerors suchas Alexander, Caesar, Tamerlane,and Napoleon; it always destroysmore wealth than it confers on thevictors. The Socialist formulatesa theory of robbery and calls it'restitution to the disinherited.'Disinherited by whom? Disinheritedof what? Let them producetheir title deeds ... Georges Bernardsays that 'socialism will be aregime of authority.' On this pointGuyot grimly agrees with him. Inreality it will be the most oppressivespiritual and material systemever invented by man." ... The future - which is saidby some to belong to socialismwillwork out the problem of mediocrity,especially if socialism isinvolved; mediocrity and socialismare not poles asunder. Concretehouses filled with concretepeople who will eat, drink, .andthink alike will cover the land.Everything will be concrete, evenour opinions. In his concrete Capitola concrete President will deviseconcrete laws. Art, music,literature will be so concrete thatour native Gradgrinds, hungry for