266 267 THE CLASS STRUGGLE WHAT IS BOLSHEVISM?
upon an entirely new basis, from a wholly different point of view.
In the first place, now that production is to be carried on for the sole purpose of securing to all a more humane existence, of providing for all plentiful food, clothing and other cultural means of subsistence, the productivity of labor must be materially increased. Farms must be made to yield richer crops, the most advanced technical processes must be introduced into the factories, of the mines only the most productive, for the present, must be intensively exploited. It follows, therefore, that the process of socialization will begin with the most highly developed industries and farm lands. We need not, and will not deprive the small farmer or artisan of the bit of land or the little workshop from which he ekes out a meager existence by the work of his own hands. As time goes by he will realize the superiority of socialized production over private ownership and will come to us of his own accord.
In order that all members of society may enjoy prosperity, all inust work. Only he who performs useful service to society, manual or mental, will be entitled to a share of products for the satisfaction of his needs and desires. Idleness must cease and in its stead will come universal compulsory labor for all who are nhysically capable. Obviously those who are unable to work, children, invalids and the aged, must be supported by society.
But not as it is done to day, by niggardly charity. Bountiful sustenance, socialized education for the children, comfortable care for the aged, public health service for the sick these must form an important part of our social structure.
For the same reason, e. in the interest of general welfare, society will be more economical, more rational in the utilization of its commodities, its means of production and its labor power.
Waste such as we find to day on every hand, must cease. The production of munitions and other implements of warfare must pass out of existence, for a Socialist state of society needs no tools of murder. Instead the precious materials and the enormous labor power that were devoted to this purpose will be used for useful production. The manufacture of useless and costly foolishness for the edification of wealthy idlers will stop. Personal service will be prohibited, and the labor power thus released will find more useful and more worthy employment.
While we are thus creating a nation of workers where all must be productively employed for the general welfare, labor itself must be completely revolutionized. Today labor in industry, on the farm and in the office is usually a torture and a burden to the proletarian. Men and women work because they must in order to obtain the necessities of life. In a Socialist state of society, where all work together for their own well being, the health of the individual worker, and his joy in his work must be conscientiously fostered and sustained. Short hours of labor not in excess of the normal human capacity must be established; recreation and rest periods must be introduced into the workday, so all may do their share, willingly and joyously.
But the success of such reforms depend upon the human beings who will carry them out. Today the capitalist with his whip stands behind the workingman, in person or in the form of a manager or overseer. Hunger drives the worker to the factory, to the Junker or the farm owner, into the business office.
Everywhere the employer sees to it that no time is wasted, no material squandered, that good, efficient work is done.
In a Socialist state of society the capitalist with his whip disappears. Here all workingmen are free and on an equal footing, working for benefit and enjoyment, tolerating no waste of social wealth, rendering honest and punctual service. To be sure, every Socialist plant needs its technical superintendents who understand its workings, who are able to supervise production so that everything runs smoothly, to assure an output commensurate with the labor power expended by organizing the process of manufacture according to most efficient methods. To insure successful production the individual workingman must follow his instructions entirely and willingly, must maintain discipline and order, cause no friction or confusion, In a word: the workingman in a Socialist industrial state must show that he can work decently and diligently, without capitalists and slavedrivers behind his back; that of his own volition he can maintain discipline and do his best. This demands mental discipline, moral stamina, it demands a feeling of selfrespect and responsibility, a spiritual rebirth of the workingman.
Socialism cannot be realized with lazy, careless, egotistic, thoughtless and shiftless men and women. Socialist state of society needs people everyone of whom is full of enthusiasm and fervor for the general welfare, full of a spirit of self sacrifice and sympathy for his fellow men, full of courage and tenacity and the willingness to dare even against the greatest odds.
But we need not wait centuries or decades until such a race of human beings shall grow up. The struggle, the Revolution will teach the proletarian masses idealism, has given them mental ripeness, courage and perseverance, clearness of purpose and a self sacrificing spirit, if it is to lead to victory. While we are