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which they support the status quo。 Many of the actions by which men have
become rich are far more harmful to the community than the obscure
crimes of poor men； yet they go unpunished because they do not interfere
with the existing order。 If the power of the community is to be brought to
bear to prevent certain classes of actions through the agency of the
criminal law； it is as necessary that these actions should really be those
which are harmful to the community； as it is that the treatment of
‘‘criminals'' should be freed from the conception of guilt and inspired by
the same spirit as is shown in the treatment of disease。 But； if these two
conditions were fulfilled； I cannot help thinking that a society which
preserved the existence of law would be preferable to one conducted on
the unadulterated principles of Anarchism。
So far we have been considering the power which the State derives
from the criminal law。 We have every reason to think that this power
cannot be entirely abolished； though it can be exercised in a wholly
different spirit； without the vindictiveness and the moral reprobation
which now form its essence。
We come next to the consideration of the economic power of the State
and the influence which it can exert through its bureaucracy。 State
Socialists argue as if there would be no danger to liberty in a State not
based upon capitalism。 This seems to me an entire delusion。 Given an
official caste； however selected； there are bound to be a set of men whose
whole instincts will drive them toward tyranny。 Together with the natural
love of power； they will have a rooted conviction （visible now in the
higher ranks of the Civil Service） that they alone know enough to be able
to judge what is for the good of the community。 Like all men who
administer a system； they will come to feel the system itself sacrosanct。
The only changes they will desire will be changes in the direction of
further regulations as to how the people are to enjoy the good things
kindly granted to them by their benevolent despots。 Whoever thinks this
picture overdrawn must have failed to study the influence and methods of
Civil Servants at present。 On every matter that arises； they know far more
than the general public about all the DEFINITE facts involved； the one
thing they do not know is ‘‘where the shoe pinches。'' But those who know
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this are probably not skilled in stating their case； not able to say off…hand
exactly how many shoes are pinching how many feet； or what is the
precise remedy required。 The answer prepared for Ministers by the Civil
Service is accepted by the ‘‘respectable'' public as impartial； and is
regarded as disposing of the case of malcontents except on a first…class
political question on which elections may be won or lost。 That at least is
the way in which things are managed in England。 And there is every
reason to fear that under State Socialism the power of officials would be
vastly greater than it is at present。
Those who accept the orthodox doctrine of democracy contend that； if
ever the power of capital were removed； representative institutions would
suffice to undo the evils threatened by bureaucracy。 Against this view；
Anarchists and Syndicalists have directed a merciless criticism。 French
Syndicalists especially； living； as they do； in a highly democratized
country； have had bitter experience of the way in which the power of the
State can be employed against a progressive minority。 This experience has
led them to abandon altogether the belief in the divine right of majorities。
The Constitution that they would desire would be one which allowed
scope for vigorous minorities； conscious of their aims and prepared to
work for them。 It is undeniable that； to all who care for progress； actual
experience of democratic representative Government is very disillusioning。
Admitting as I think we mustthat it is preferable to any PREVIOUS
form of Government； we must yet acknowledge that much of the criticism
directed against it by Anarchists and Syndicalists is thoroughly justified。
Such criticism would have had more influence if any clear idea of an
alternative to parliamentary democracy had been generally apprehended。
But it must be confessed that Syndicalists have not presented their case in
a way which is likely to attract the average citizen。 Much of what they say
amounts to this： that a minority； consisting of skilled workers in vital
industries； can； by a strike； make the economic life of the whole
community impossible； and can in this way force their will upon the
nation。 The action aimed at is compared to the seizure of a power station；
by which a whole vast system can be paralyzed。 Such a doctrine is an
appeal to force； and is naturally met by an appeal to force on the other side。
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It is useless for the Syndicalists to protest that they only desire power in
order to promote liberty： the world which they are seeking to establish
does not； as yet； appeal to the effective will of the community； and cannot
be stably inaugurated until it does do so。 Persuasion is a slow process； and
may sometimes be accelerated by violent methods； to this extent such
methods may be justified。 But the ultimate goal of any reformer who aims
at liberty can only be reached through persuasion。 The attempt to thrust
liberty by force upon those who do not desire what we consider liberty
must always prove a failure； and Syndicalists； like other reformers； must
ultimately rely upon persuasion for success。
But it would be a mistake to confuse aims with methods： however
little we may agree with the proposal to force the millennium on a
reluctant community by starvation； we may yet agree that much of what
the Syndicalists desire to achieve is desirable。
Let us dismiss from our minds such criticisms of parliamentary
government as are bound up with the present system of private property；
and consider only those which would remain true in a collectivist
community。 Certain defects seem inherent in the very nature of
representative institutions。 There is a sense of self…importance； inseparable
from success in a contest for popular favor。 There is an all…but unavoidable
habit of hypocrisy； since experience shows that the democracy does not
detect insincerity in an orator； and will； on the other hand； be shocked by
things which even the most sincere men may think necessary。 Hence arises
a tone of cynicism among elected representatives； and a feeling that no
man can retain his position in politics without deceit。 This is as much the
fault of the democracy as of the representatives； but it seems unavoidable
so long as the main thing that all bodies of men demand of their
champions is flattery。 However the blame may be apportioned； the evil
must be recognized as one which is bound to occur in the existing forms of
democracy。 Another evil； which is especially noticeable in large States； is
the remoteness of the seat of government from many of the constituencies…
…a remoteness which is psychological even more than geographical。 The
legislators live in comfort； protected by thick walls and innumerable
policemen from the voice of the mob； as time goes on they remember only
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dimly the passions and promises of