WHY LEARNED ECONOMISTS ASSERT WHAT IS FALSEHOWEVER obviously unjust may he the assertion of the men of science that the welfare of humanity must consist in the very thing that is profoundly repulsive to human feelings-in monotonous, enforced factory labor-the men of science were inevitably led to the necessity of making this obviously unjust assertion, just as the theologians of old were inevitably led to make the equally evident unjust assertion that slaves and their masters were creatures differing in kind, and that the inequality of their position in this world would be compensated in the next.
The cause of this evidently unjust assertion is that those who have formulated, and who are formulating, the laws of science belong to the well-to-do classes, and are so accustomed to the conditions, advantageous for themselves, among which they live, that they do not admit the thought that society could exist under other conditions.
The condition of life to which people of the well-to-do classes are accustomed is that of an abundant production of various articles necessary for their comfort and pleasure, and these things are obtained only thanks to the existence of factories and works organised as at present.
And, therefore, discussing the improvement of the workers' position, the men of science belonging to the well-to-do classes always have in view only such improvements as will not do away with the system of factory-production and those conveniences of which they avail themselves.
Even the most advanced economists-the Sociaists, who demand the complete control of the means of production for the workers-expect production of the same or almost of the same articles as are produced now to continue in the present or in similar factories with the present division of labor.
The difference, as they imagine it, will only be that in the future not they alone, but all men, will make use of such conveniences as they alone now enjoy.They dimly picture to themselves that, with the communalisation of the means of production, they, too-men of science, and in general the ruling classes-will do some work, but chiefly as managers, designers, scientists or artists.To the questions, Who will have to wear a muzzle and make white lead? Who will be stokers, miners, and cesspool-cleaners? they are either silent, or foretell that all these things will be so improved that even work at cesspools and underground will afford pleasant occupation.That is bow they represent to themselves future economic conditions, both in Utopias such as that of Bellamy and in scientific works.
According to their theories, the workers will all join unions and associations, and cultivate solidarity among themselves by unions, strikes, and participation in Parliament till they obtain possession of all the means of production, as well as the land, and then they will be so well fed, so well dressed, and enjoy such amusements on holidays that they will prefer life in town, amid brick buildings and smoking chimneys, to free village life amid plants and domestic animals; and monotonous, bell-regulated machine work to the varied, healthy, and free agricultural labor.
Though this anticipation is as improbable as the anticipation of the theologians about a heaven to be enjoyed hereafter by workmen in compensation for their hard labor here, yet learned and educated people of our society believe this strange teaching, just as formerly wise and learned people believed in a heaven for workmen in the next world.
And learned men and their disciples, people of the well-to-do classes, believe this because they must believe it.This dilemma stands before them: either they must see that all that they make use of in their lives, from railways to lucifer matches and cigarets, represents labor which costs the lives of their brother men, and that they, not sharing in that toil, but making use of it, are very dishonorable men; or they must believe that all that takes place takes place for the general advantage in accord with unalterable laws of economic science.Therein lies the inner psychological cause, compelling men of science, men wise and educated, but not enlightened, to affirm positively and tenaciously such an obvious untruth as that the laborers, for their own well-being, should leave their happy and healthy life in touch with nature, and go to ruin their bodies and souls in factories and workshops.The Slavery of Our Times -- Ch 6 -- Leo TolstoyFrom The Slavery of Our Times by Leo Tolstoy
