I think that if I was writing this article I would have placed the word
inevitable differently. If socialism was inevitable it would not be
worth fighting for. We could just sit back and let it happen. It would
be more accurate to say that the collapse of capitalism is inevitable
and that we had better make sure that socialism replaces it because the
alternative is incredibly ghastly.
http://themilitant.com/2015/7933/793349.html
The Militant (logo)
Vol. 79/No. 33 September 21, 2015
(Books of the Month column)
‘Socialism is the next inevitable
stage of social evolution’
Below is an excerpt from America’s Road to Socialism, which contains
five talks given by James P. Cannon in December 1952 and January 1953 in
Los Angeles. It is one of Pathfinder’s Books of the Month for September.
Cannon, born in Kansas in 1890, joined the Socialist Party at the age of
18. He was an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World before
and during World War I and became a founding leader of the Communist
Party. Expelled in 1928 for leading a political fight against Stalinism,
Cannon helped found the Socialist Workers Party, serving as SWP national
secretary and national chairman. Copyright © 1975 by Pathfinder Press.
Reprinted by permission.
BY JAMES P. CANNON
Almost as soon as I was old enough to look around and see and think for
myself, I rebelled against the poverty, injustice, and all-around
crookedness of capitalism. I became a socialist and joined the movement
when I was a boy, and have been working at it ever since.
And if I made a mistake, I can’t say I wasn’t warned. Quite a few
practical people who were interested in my welfare and thought I was
marked for success in life began to shake their heads sadly when they
heard me popping off on the street corners about socialism.
“It’s a fine idea, son, but it’ll never work,” I was told. “It’s against
human nature.” “There always have been rich and poor and there always
will be. Be a realist. Don’t waste your life on a utopian dream that can
never be realized. If you want to get ahead in this world, you’ve got to
be practical and look out for Number One.”
I mention this to show you that I know all the arguments against
socialism. I heard them more than forty years ago. And I won’t say that
I didn’t pay attention to them. I did. Especially the argument that
socialism is a utopian dream that can never be realized. I was then, as
I am now, inclined to realism, and I never saw any point in expending
energy on impossible and unrealizable projects. The argument that
socialism is not practical and not realizable worried me.
It was this troubled frame of mind that brought me, more than forty
years ago, to an open forum such as this, conducted by the Socialist
Educational Society in Kansas City. I went there in search of more
detailed information about this thing called socialism, which had
charmed me and inspired me with its grand promise of the future society
of secure peace and abundance for all; a society based on equality,
solidarity, and comradeship.
It was at that forum that I got my introduction to the ideas of Marx and
Engels, the ideas of scientific socialism. From the discussions of that
forum and the further study inspired by them, I became acquainted with
Marx’s analysis of capitalism, and his sweeping assertion that socialism
is not only a good idea, but is the next inevitable stage of social
evolution; that the further development of capitalism cannot lead to
anything else but its downfall and the socialist reorganization of society.
That did it. That settled all my youthful doubts about practicality and
realizability of the idea. It convinced me theoretically, and that is
the firmest conviction there is, that all the forces of history were
working on my side, on the side of socialism, and that all I had to do
was lend a hand, along with others, to help the historic process along.
Compared to the privilege of participating in this magnificent
historical mission, all the so-called practical concerns of life and the
possible material rewards of conformity seemed trivial to me more than
forty years ago, and they still do. I have never changed my mind about
this question in all the intervening years. That was not because of
dogmatic obstinacy, but simply because I saw no good reason to change my
mind. …
If I grew stronger in my socialist convictions as the years passed by,
it was because it appeared to me that the development of events was
confirming in life the analysis and predictions of Marx.
It was Marx himself who said that no social system can be superseded
until it has exhausted its progressive capacities. If capitalism is
capable of further progressive development on a world scale, and is
therefore invulnerable against any attempts to change it in a radical
manner, then there is not much point in arguing that socialism would be
a better system.
But on the other hand, if capitalism has lost its progressive character
and become reactionary, has ceased to grow and expand and develop the
productive forces of the people, upon which all human welfare is based;
if it has entered into its period of decline and decay — then the
optimistic defenders of capitalism are in the wrong. They are the real
utopians of the present day.
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