按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
capital the number of crimes can be made exceedingly small。 By the
method of individual curative treatment it will generally be possible to
secure that a man's first offense shall also be his last； except in the case of
lunatics and the feeble…minded； for whom of course a more prolonged but
not less kindly detention may be necessary。
Government may be regarded as consisting of two parts： the one； the
decisions of the community or its recognized organs； the other； the
enforcing of those decisions upon all who resist them。 The first part is not
objected to by Anarchists。 The second part； in an ordinary civilized State；
may remain entirely in the background： those who have resisted a new law
while it was being debated will； as a rule； submit to it when it is passed；
because resistance is generally useless in a settled and orderly community。
But the possibility of governmental force remains； and indeed is the very
reason for the submission which makes force unnecessary。 If； as
Anarchists desire； there were no use of force by government； the majority
could still band themselves together and use force against the minority。
The only difference would be that their army or their police force would
128
… Page 129…
PROPOSED ROADS TO FREEDOM
be ad hoc； instead of being permanent and professional。 The result of this
would be that everyone would have to learn how to fight； for fear a well…
drilled minority should seize power and establish an old…fashioned
oligarchic State。 Thus the aim of the Anarchists seems hardly likely to be
achieved by the methods which they advocate。
The reign of violence in human affairs； whether within a country or in
its external relations； can only be prevented； if we have not been mistaken；
by an authority able to declare all use of force except by itself illegal； and
strong enough to be obviously capable of making all other use of force
futile； except when it could secure the support of public opinion as a
defense of freedom or a resistance to injustice。 Such an authority exists
within a country： it is the State。 But in international affairs it remains to be
created。 The difficulties are stupendous； but they must be overcome if the
world is to be saved from periodical wars； each more destructive than any
of its predecessors。 Whether； after this war； a League of Nations will be
formed； and will be capable of performing this task； it is as yet impossible
to foretell。 However that may be； some method of preventing wars will
have to be established before our Utopia becomes possible。 When once
men BELIEVE that the world is safe from war； the whole difficulty will be
solved： there will then no longer be any serious resistance to the
disbanding of national armies and navies； and the substitution for them of
a small international force for protection against uncivilized races。 And
when that stage has been reached； peace will be virtually secure。
The practice of government by majorities； which Anarchists criticise；
is in fact open to most of the objections which they urge against it。 Still
more objectionable is the power of the executive in matters vitally
affecting the happiness of all； such as peace and war。 But neither can be
dispensed with suddenly。 There are； however； two methods of diminishing
the harm done by them： （1） Government by majorities can be made less
oppressive by devolution； by placing the decision of questions primarily
affecting only a section of the community in the hands of that section；
rather than of a Central Chamber。 In this way； men are no longer forced to
submit to decisions made in a hurry by people mostly ignorant of the
matter in hand and not personally interested。 Autonomy for internal affairs
129
… Page 130…
PROPOSED ROADS TO FREEDOM
should be given； not only to areas； but to all groups； such as industries or
Churches； which have important common interests not shared by the rest
of the community。 （2） The great powers vested in the executive of a
modern State are chiefly due to the frequent need of rapid decisions；
especially as regards foreign affairs。 If the danger of war were practically
eliminated； more cumbrous but less autocratic methods would be possible；
and the Legislature might recover many of the powers which the executive
has usurped。 By these two methods； the intensity of the interference with
liberty involved in government can be gradually diminished。 Some
interference； and even some danger of unwarranted and despotic
interference； is of the essence of government； and must remain so long as
government remains。 But until men are less prone to violence than they
are now； a certain degree of governmental force seems the lesser of two
evils。 We may hope； however； that if once the danger of war is at an end；
men's violent impulses will gradually grow less； the more so as； in that
case； it will be possible to diminish enormously the individual power
which now makes rulers autocratic and ready for almost any act of tyranny
in order to crush opposition。 The development of a world where even
governmental force has become unnecessary （except against lunatics）
must be gradual。 But as a gradual process it is perfectly possible； and
when it has been completed we may hope to see the principles of
Anarchism embodied in the management of communal affairs。
How will the economic and political system that we have outlined bear
on the evils of character？ I believe the effect will be quite extraordinarily
beneficent。
The process of leading men's thought and imagination away from the
use of force will be greatly accelerated by the abolition of the capitalist
system； provided it is not succeeded by a form of State Socialism in which
officials have enormous power。 At present； the capitalist has more control
over the lives of others than any man ought to have； his friends have
authority in the State； his economic power is the pattern for political
power。 In a world where all men and women enjoy economic freedom；
there will not be