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by dividing the vast power now wielded by industrial capitalism can the
individual hope to be free'' （p。 91）。
＇54＇ Bell； 1917。
Will the system suggested by Mr。 Cole have this result？ I think it is
clear that it would； in this respect； be an improvement on the existing
system。 Representative government cannot but be improved by any
method which brings the representatives into closer touch with the
interests concerned in their legislation； and this advantage probably would
be secured by handing over questions of production to the Guild Congress。
But if； in spite of the safeguards proposed by the Guild Socialists； the
Guild Congress became all…powerful in such questions； if resistance to its
will by a Guild which felt ill…used became practically hopeless； I fear that
the evils now connected with the omnipotence of the State would soon
reappear。 Trade Union officials； as soon as they become part of the
governing forces in the country； tend to become autocratic and
conservative； they lose touch with their constituents and gravitate； by a
psychological sympathy； into co…operation with the powers that be。 Their
formal installation in authority through the Guilds Congress would
accelerate this process。 They would soon tend to combine； in effect if not
obviously； with those who wield authority in Parliament。 Apart from
occasional conflicts； comparable to the rivalry of opposing financiers
which now sometimes disturbs the harmony of the capitalist world； there
would； at most times； be agreement between the dominant personalities in
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PROPOSED ROADS TO FREEDOM
the two Houses。 And such harmony would filch away from the individual
the liberty which he had hoped to secure by the quarrels of his masters。
There is no method； if we are not mistaken； by which a body
representing the whole community； whether as producers or consumers or
both； can alone be a sufficient guardian of individual liberty。 The only way
of preserving sufficient liberty （and even this will be inadequate in the
case of very small minorities） is the organization of citizens with special
interests into groups； determined to preserve autonomy as regards their
internal affairs； willing to resist interference by a strike if necessary； and
sufficiently powerful （either in themselves or through their power of
appealing to public sympathy） to be able to resist the organized forces of
government successfully when their cause is such as many men think just。
If this method is to be successful we must have not only suitable
organizations but also a diffused respect for liberty； and an absence of
submissiveness to government both in theory and practice。 Some risk of
disorder there must be in such a society； but this risk is as nothing
compared to the danger of stagnation which is inseparable from an all…
powerful central authority。
We may now sum up our discussion of the powers of Government。
The State； in spite of what Anarchists urge； seems a necessary
institution for certain purposes。 Peace and war； tariffs； regulation of
sanitary conditions and of the sale of noxious drugs； the preservation of a
just system of distribution： these； among others； are functions which could
hardly be performed in a community in which there was no central
government。 Take； for example； the liquor traffic； or the opium traffic in
China。 If alcohol could be obtained at cost price without taxation； still
more if it could be obtained for nothing； as Anarchists presumably desire；
can we believe that there would not be a great and disastrous increase of
drunkenness？ China was brought to the verge of ruin by opium； and every
patriotic Chinaman desired to see the traffic in opium restricted。 In such
matters freedom is not a panacea； and some degree of legal restriction
seems imperative for the national health。
But granting that the State； in some form； must continue； we must also
grant； I think； that its powers ought to be very strictly limited to what is
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PROPOSED ROADS TO FREEDOM
absolutely necessary。 There is no way of limiting its powers except by
means of groups which are jealous of their privileges and determined to
preserve their autonomy； even if this should involve resistance to laws
decreed by the State； when these laws interfere in the internal affairs of a
group in ways not warranted by the public interest。 The glorification of the
State； and the doctrine that it is every citizen's duty to serve the State； are
radically against progress and against liberty。 The State； though at present
a source of much evil； is also a means to certain good things； and will be
needed so long as violent and destructive impulses remain common。 But it
is MERELY a means； and a means which needs to be very carefully and
sparingly used if it is not to do more harm than good。 It is not the State；
but the community； the worldwide community of all human beings present
and future； that we ought to serve。 And a good community does not spring
from the glory of the State； but from the unfettered development of
individuals： from happiness in daily life； from congenial work giving
opportunity for whatever constructiveness each man or woman may
possess； from free personal relations embodying love and taking away the
roots of envy in thwarted capacity from affection； and above all from the
joy of life and its expression in the spontaneous creations of art and
science。 It is these things that make an age or a nation worthy of existence；
and these things are not to be secured by bowing down before the State。 It
is the individual in whom all that is good must be realized； and the free
growth of the individual must be the supreme end of a political system
which is to re…fashion the world。
CHAPTER VI
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
THE main objects which should be served by international relations
may be taken to be two： First； the avoidance of wars； and； second； the
prevention of the oppression of weak nations by strong ones。 These two
objects do not by any means necessarily lead in the same direction； since
one of the easiest ways of securing the world's peace would be by a
combination of the most powerful States for the exploitation and
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PROPOSED ROADS TO FREEDOM
oppression of the remainder。 This method； however； is not one which the
lover of liberty can favor。 We must keep account of both aims and not be
content with either alone。
One of the commonplaces of both Socialism and Anarchism is that all
modern wars are due to capitalism； and would cease if capitalism were
abolished。 This view； to my mind； is only a half…truth； the half that is true
is important； but the half that is untrue i