CHAPTER V THE POSITION OF THE INDIVIDUAL UNDER SOCIALISM
§ 1 Selection of Personnel and Choice of Occupation
In a socialist community, the organization is like an army, where orders come from a central authority, and everyone has a specific job to do. People stay in their positions until they are officially moved, which means they often have little control over their roles. It is important that the best-qualified individuals fill each position. When it comes to deciding who leads, there are different methods, including charismatic authority, where leaders are seen as chosen by a higher power, and democratic methods, where leaders are chosen by the majority. Although appointed officials are believed to have special qualities that make them better than regular citizens, they are often chosen based on formal qualifications like passing exams or having certain work experience. This can be problematic, as just passing a test does not mean someone is fit for the job. Some suggest using psychological testing to improve how people are chosen for positions, but those methods might not effectively address the complex needs of leadership in a socialist system. Overall, the system has shortcomings, but there are currently no better options widely known.
§ 2 Art and Literature, Science and Journalism
Socialist society leads to a lifestyle governed by officials, which affects people's thinking and expectations. In such a system, individuals do not have the freedom to choose their work and are assigned tasks by authorities. This structure impacts the fields of art, science, literature, and journalism. Under regimes like Bolshevism in Russia and Hungary, recognized artists, scientists, and writers received fixed salaries and were exempt from mandatory labor, while others had no support for their creative endeavors. Nationalization of the press prevented diverse voices, as those in power controlled who could create art or literature. This restricted innovation and the growth of new talent, as official bodies tended to favor established creators, limiting opportunities for fresh perspectives.
In contrast, capitalism offers artists and scientists various paths, including patronage or public positions, but these also come with risks. The creative process involves breaking old norms and cannot be easily organized or supported by society. Genuine progress often comes at the expense of individual struggle, as society can only provide limited support without stifling creativity. Additionally, the attempt to nationalize intellectual life under socialism inhibits advancement, despite the emergence of new art forms within existing frameworks. Meanwhile, proposals like those from Bebel that place art and science in leisure time fail to recognize the resources needed for serious creative work, thus making substantial progress nearly impossible. Ultimately, a socialist community could potentially suppress intellectual freedom more effectively than any past authority.
§ 3 Personal Liberty
The idea of personal liberty under Socialism is often criticized, with some claiming individuals would be unfree in a socialist community. However, freedom is a sociological concept that cannot be judged simply as good or bad. It involves understanding where freedom exists and how it operates within society.
Freedom is fundamentally connected to natural laws that govern both personal actions and social interactions. Individuals are limited by these laws and depend on them. For example, everything a person does is influenced by natural conditions that are beyond their control. Therefore, true freedom cannot exist outside these constraints.
In social life, laws of nature also apply. Human actions are interconnected, meaning that people influence each other's freedom. When one person acts, it affects others, creating a system of mutual dependence. This relationship forms what is defined as external freedom. Individuals must adapt to societal norms and the actions of others, leading to interdependence.
In a capitalist system, the relationship between employers and employees exemplifies this idea. Employers might seem to hold power over their employees, but their actions are also shaped by social expectations and consequences. If an employer behaves unjustly, they face repercussions, demonstrating that freedom is not an absolute condition but rather a dynamic interplay between individuals.
History shows that freedom is not a natural right but emerged through social evolution, particularly with the development of capitalism that moved beyond feudal relationships. Under capitalism, relationships are transactional and no longer based on arbitrary power. This economic freedom encourages individuals to seek rights in other areas, including politics, where people push for limits on state power to increase their freedom from arbitrary actions of officials.
Political freedom alone does not guarantee true freedom. To be free, individuals must act without fear of unexpected social consequences. Capitalism provides this by establishing impersonal exchange principles that govern social relations. While some argue that capitalism favors the wealthy, it is indicated that work is a necessary condition for all, as productivity in society benefits everyone, including those without possessions. If socialism cannot enhance productivity, it would ultimately reduce individual freedom.
§ 1 Selection of Personnel and Choice of Occupation
In a socialist community, the organization is like an army, where orders come from a central authority, and everyone has a specific job to do. People stay in their positions until they are officially moved, which means they often have little control over their roles. It is important that the best-qualified individuals fill each position. When it comes to deciding who leads, there are different methods, including charismatic authority, where leaders are seen as chosen by a higher power, and democratic methods, where leaders are chosen by the majority. Although appointed officials are believed to have special qualities that make them better than regular citizens, they are often chosen based on formal qualifications like passing exams or having certain work experience. This can be problematic, as just passing a test does not mean someone is fit for the job. Some suggest using psychological testing to improve how people are chosen for positions, but those methods might not effectively address the complex needs of leadership in a socialist system. Overall, the system has shortcomings, but there are currently no better options widely known.
§ 2 Art and Literature, Science and Journalism
Socialist society leads to a lifestyle governed by officials, which affects people's thinking and expectations. In such a system, individuals do not have the freedom to choose their work and are assigned tasks by authorities. This structure impacts the fields of art, science, literature, and journalism. Under regimes like Bolshevism in Russia and Hungary, recognized artists, scientists, and writers received fixed salaries and were exempt from mandatory labor, while others had no support for their creative endeavors. Nationalization of the press prevented diverse voices, as those in power controlled who could create art or literature. This restricted innovation and the growth of new talent, as official bodies tended to favor established creators, limiting opportunities for fresh perspectives.
In contrast, capitalism offers artists and scientists various paths, including patronage or public positions, but these also come with risks. The creative process involves breaking old norms and cannot be easily organized or supported by society. Genuine progress often comes at the expense of individual struggle, as society can only provide limited support without stifling creativity. Additionally, the attempt to nationalize intellectual life under socialism inhibits advancement, despite the emergence of new art forms within existing frameworks. Meanwhile, proposals like those from Bebel that place art and science in leisure time fail to recognize the resources needed for serious creative work, thus making substantial progress nearly impossible. Ultimately, a socialist community could potentially suppress intellectual freedom more effectively than any past authority.
§ 3 Personal Liberty
The idea of personal liberty under Socialism is often criticized, with some claiming individuals would be unfree in a socialist community. However, freedom is a sociological concept that cannot be judged simply as good or bad. It involves understanding where freedom exists and how it operates within society.
Freedom is fundamentally connected to natural laws that govern both personal actions and social interactions. Individuals are limited by these laws and depend on them. For example, everything a person does is influenced by natural conditions that are beyond their control. Therefore, true freedom cannot exist outside these constraints.
In social life, laws of nature also apply. Human actions are interconnected, meaning that people influence each other's freedom. When one person acts, it affects others, creating a system of mutual dependence. This relationship forms what is defined as external freedom. Individuals must adapt to societal norms and the actions of others, leading to interdependence.
In a capitalist system, the relationship between employers and employees exemplifies this idea. Employers might seem to hold power over their employees, but their actions are also shaped by social expectations and consequences. If an employer behaves unjustly, they face repercussions, demonstrating that freedom is not an absolute condition but rather a dynamic interplay between individuals.
History shows that freedom is not a natural right but emerged through social evolution, particularly with the development of capitalism that moved beyond feudal relationships. Under capitalism, relationships are transactional and no longer based on arbitrary power. This economic freedom encourages individuals to seek rights in other areas, including politics, where people push for limits on state power to increase their freedom from arbitrary actions of officials.
Political freedom alone does not guarantee true freedom. To be free, individuals must act without fear of unexpected social consequences. Capitalism provides this by establishing impersonal exchange principles that govern social relations. While some argue that capitalism favors the wealthy, it is indicated that work is a necessary condition for all, as productivity in society benefits everyone, including those without possessions. If socialism cannot enhance productivity, it would ultimately reduce individual freedom.