SOCIAL DEMOCRACY.

American Socialist, May 27, 1915.

First of all, allow me to quote with approval the following paragraph
from "An Introduction to Sociology" by Arthur Morrow Lewis: " * * * the
greatest single achievement of the science of sociology is the concept
of society, not as a collection of institutions, and sociology as an
explanatory catalog or inventory--after the fashion of Spencer, but as a
process of development, and the science of sociology as the analysis and
explanation of the process."

Also the following from an essay on Revolution by George D. Herron:
"Every revolution or true reform, every new and commanding faith, is in
the direction of man's becoming his own evolver and creator. Every
uplifting light or law perforces, in the place of the evolution that is
blind and chanceful, an evolution that is chosen and humanly directed."

There is still room for reform and betterment in the present social
system, but this is of minor consequence compared to the world's crying
need for industrial and social reorganization.

* * * * *

The next great change in history will be, must be, the socialization of
the means of our common life.

Privately owned industry and production for individual profit are no
longer compatible with social progress and have ceased to work out to
humane and civilized ends.

With all its marvelous progress through invention and discovery and all
its monumental achievements in the arts and sciences, this poor world of
ours has not yet learned how to feed itself. That is the problem of
problems now confronting us more and more insistently and until that is
solved the world is halted and it will either resume its march toward
industrial and social democracy or be shaken to its foundations and into
possible chaos by violent explosion.

There is no longer the shadow of an excuse for a hungry being. All the
laws, all the materials and all the forces are at hand and easily
available for the production of all things needed to provide food,
raiment and shelter for every man, woman and child, thus putting an end
to the poverty and misery, widespread and appalling, which now shock and
sicken humanity and impeach our vaunted civilization. But these tools
and materials and forces must be released from private ownership and
control, socialized, democratized, and set in operation for the common
good of all instead of the private profit of the few.