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preserving the peace of the world； the problem is to parcel out the
advantages which white men derive from their position in Africa in such a
way that no nation shall feel a sense of injustice。 This problem is
comparatively simple； and might no doubt be solved on the lines of the
war aims of the Inter…Allied Socialists。 But it is not this problem which I
wish to discuss。 What I wish to consider is； how could a Socialist or an
Anarchist community govern and administer an African region； full of
natural wealth； but inhabited by a quite uncivilized population？ Unless
great precautions were taken the white community； under the
circumstances； would acquire the position and the instincts of a slave…
owner。 It would tend to keep the negroes down to the bare level of
subsistence； while using the produce of their country to increase the
comfort and splendor of the Communist community。 It would do this with
that careful unconsciousness which now characterizes all the worst acts of
nations。 Administrators would be appointed and would be expected to
keep silence as to their methods。 Busybodies who reported horrors would
be disbelieved； and would be said to be actuated by hatred toward the
existing regime and by a perverse love for every country but their own。 No
doubt； in the first generous enthusiasm accompanying the establishment of
the new regime at home； there would be every intention of making the
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natives happy； but gradually they would be forgotten； and only the tribute
coming from their country would be remembered。 I do not say that all
these evils are unavoidable； I say only that they will not be avoided unless
they are foreseen and a deliberate conscious effort is made to prevent their
realization。 If the white communities should ever reach the point of
wishing to carry out as far as possible the principles underlying the revolt
against capitalism； they will have to find a way of establishing an absolute
disinterestedness in their dealings with subject races。 It will be necessary
to avoid the faintest suggestion of capitalistic profit in the government of
Africa； and to spend in the countries themselves whatever they would be
able to spend if they were self…governing。 Moreover； it must always be
remembered that backwardness in civilization is not necessarily incurable；
and that with time even the populations of Central Africa may become
capable of democratic self…government； provided Europeans bend their
energies to this purpose。
The problem of Africa is； of course； a part of the wider problems of
Imperialism； but it is that part in which the application of Socialist
principles is most difficult。 In regard to Asia； and more particularly in
regard to India and Persia； the application of principles is clear in theory
though difficult in political practice。 The obstacles to self…government
which exist in Africa do not exist in the same measure in Asia。 What
stands in the way of freedom of Asiatic populations is not their lack of
intelligence； but only their lack of military prowess； which makes them an
easy prey to our lust for dominion。 This lust would probably be in
temporary abeyance on the morrow of a Socialist revolution； and at such a
moment a new departure in Asiatic policy might be taken with
permanently beneficial results。 I do not mean； of course； that we should
force upon India that form of democratic government which we have
developed for our own needs。 I mean rather that we should leave India to
choose its own form of government； its own manner of education and its
own type of civilization。 India has an ancient tradition； very different from
that of Western Europe； a tradition highly valued by educated Hindoos； but
not loved by our schools and colleges。 The Hindoo Nationalist feels that
his country has a type of culture containing elements of value that are
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absent； or much less marked； in the West； he wishes to be free to preserve
this； and desires political freedom for such reasons rather than for those
that would most naturally appeal to an Englishman in the same subject
position。 The belief of the European in his own Kultur tends to be fanatical
and ruthless； and for this reason； as much as for any other； the
independence of extra…European civilization is of real importance to the
world； for it is not by a dead uniformity that the world as a whole is most
enriched。
I have set forth strongly all the major difficulties in the way of the
preservation of the world's peace； not because I believe these difficulties to
be insuperable； but； on the contrary； because I believe that they can be
overcome if they are recognized。 A correct diagnosis is necessarily the first
step toward a cure。 The existing evils in international relations spring； at
bottom； from psychological causes； from motives forming part of human
nature as it is at present。 Among these the chief are competitiveness； love
of power； and envy； using envy in that broad sense in which it includes the
instinctive dislike of any gain to others not accompanied by an at least
equal gain to ourselves。 The evils arising from these three causes can be
removed by a better education and a better economic and political system。
Competitiveness is by no means wholly an evil。 When it takes the
form of emulation in the service of the public； or in discovery or the
production of works of art； it may become a very useful stimulus； urging
men to profitable effort beyond what they would otherwise make。 It is
only harmful when it aims at the acquisition of goods which are limited in
amount； so that what one man possesses he holds at the expense of another。
When competitiveness takes this form it is necessarily attended by fear；
and out of fear cruelty is almost inevitably developed。 But a social system
providing for a more ju