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widespread public recognition； nor that ignorant； half…sincere respect
which is commonly accorded to artists who have achieved success。
Neither of these serves much purpose。 What I mean is rather
understanding； and a spontaneous feeling that things of beauty are
important。 In a thoroughly commercialized society； an artist is respected if
he makes money； and because he makes money； but there is no genuine
respect for the works of art by which his money has been made。 A
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millionaire whose fortune has been made in button…hooks or chewing…gum
is regarded with awe； but none of this feeling is bestowed on the articles
from which his wealth is derived。 In a society which measures all things
by money the same tends to be true of the artist。 If he has become rich he
is respected； though of course less than the millionaire； but his pictures or
books or music are regarded as the chewing…gum or the button… hooks are
regarded； merely as a means to money。 In such an atmosphere it is very
difficult for the artist to preserve his creative impulse pure： either he is
contaminated by his surroundings； or he becomes embittered through lack
of appreciation for the object of his endeavor。
It is not appreciation of the artist that is necessary so much as
appreciation of the art。 It is difficult for an artist to live in an environment
in which everything is judged by its utility； rather than by its intrinsic
quality。 The whole side of life of which art is the flower requires
something which may be called disinterestedness； a capacity for direct
enjoyment without thought of tomorrow's problems and difficulties。 When
people are amused by a joke they do not need to be persuaded that it will
serve some important purpose。 The same kind of direct pleasure is
involved in any genuine appreciation of art。 The struggle for life； the
serious work of a trade or profession； is apt to make people too solemn for
jokes and too pre…occupied for art。 The easing of the struggle； the
diminution in the hours of work； and the lightening of the burden of
existence； which would result from a better economic system； could hardly
fail to increase the joy of life and the vital energy； available for sheer
delight in the world。 And if this were achieved there would inevitably be
more spontaneous pleasure in beautiful things； and more enjoyment of the
work of artists。 But none of these good results are to be expected from the
mere removal of poverty： they all require also a diffused sense of freedom；
and the absence of that feeling of oppression by a vast machine which now
weighs down the individual spirit。 I do not think State Socialism can give
this sense of freedom； but some other forms of Socialism； which have
absorbed what is true in Anarchist teaching； can give it to a degree of
which capitalism is wholly incapable。
A general sense of progress and achievement is an immense stimulus
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to all forms of creative work。 For this reason； a great deal will depend； not
only in material ways； upon the question whether methods of production
in industry and agriculture become stereotyped or continue to change
rapidly as they have done during the last hundred years。 Improved
methods of production will be much more obviously than now to the
interest of the community at large； when what every man receives is his
due share of the total produce of labor。 But there will probably not be any
individuals with the same direct and intense interest in technical
improvements as now belongs to the capitalist in manufacture。 If the
natural conservatism of the workers is not to prove stronger than their
interest in increasing production； it will be necessary that； when better
methods are introduced by the workers in any industry； part at least of the
benefit should be allowed for a time to be retained by them。 If this is done；
it may be presumed that each Guild will be continually seeking for new
processes or inventions； and will value those technical parts of scientific
research which are useful for this purpose。 With every improvement； the
question will arise whether it is to be used to give more leisure or to
increase the dividend of commodities。 Where there is so much more
leisure than there is now； there will be many more people with a
knowledge of science or an understanding of art。 The artist or scientific
investigator will be far less cut off than he is at present from the average
citizen； and this will almost inevitably be a stimulus to his creative energy。
I think we may fairly conclude that； from the point of view of all three
requisites for art and science； namely； training； freedom and appreciation；
State Socialism would largely fail to remove existing evils and would
introduce new evils of its own； but Guild Socialism； or even Syndicalism；
if it adopted a liberal policy toward those who preferred to work less than
the usual number of hours at recognized occupations； might be
immeasurably preferable to anything that is possible under the rule of
capitalism。 There are dangers； but they will all vanish if the importance of
liberty is adequately acknowledged。 In this as in nearly everything else；
the road to all that is best is the road of freedom。
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CHAPTER VIII
THE WORLD AS IT COULD BE MADE
IN the daily lives of most men and women； fear plays a greater part
than hope： they are more filled with the thought of the possessions that
others may take from them； than of the joy that they might create in their
own lives and in the lives with which they come in contact。
It is not so that life should be lived。
Those whose lives are fruitful to themselves； to their friends； or to the
world are inspired by hope and sustained by joy： they see in imagination
the things that might be and the way in which they are to be brought into
existence。 In their private relations they are not pre…occupied with anxiety
lest they should lose such affection and respect as they receive： they are
engaged in giving affection and respect freely； and the reward comes of
itself without their seeking。 In their work they are not haunted by jealousy
of competitors； but concerned with the actual matter that has to be done。 In
politics； they do not spend time and passion defending unjust privileges of
their class or nation； but they aim at making the world as a whole happier；
less cruel； less full of conflict between rival greeds； and more full of
human beings whose growth has not been dwarfed and stunted by
oppression。
A life lived in