Forget that you are a joiner or a spinner, a Catholic or a Freethinker, a Liberal or a Tory, a moderate drinker or a teetotaler, and consider the problem as a _man_. If you had to do a problem in arithmetic, or if you were cast adrift in an open boat at sea, you would not set to work as a Wesleyan, or a Liberal Unionist; but you would tackle the sum by the rules of arithmetic, and would row the boat by the strength of your own manhood, and keep a lookout for passing ships under _any_ flag. I ask you, then, Mr. Smith, to hear what I have to say, and to decide by your own judgment whether I am right or wrong. I was once opposed to _Socialism_ myself; but it was before I understood it. When you understand it you will, I feel sure, agree with me that it is perfectly logical, and just, and practical; and you will, I hope, yourself become a _Socialist_, and will help to abolish poverty and wrong by securing BRITAIN FOR THE BRITISH. CHAPTER I THE UNEQUAL DIVISION OF WEALTH _Section A: the Rich_ Non-socialists say that self-interest is the strongest motive in human nature. Let us take them at their word. Self-interest being the universal ruling motive, it behoves you, Mr. Smith, to do the best you can for yourself and family. Self-interest being the universal ruling motive, it is evident that the rich man will look out for his own advantage, and not for yours. Therefore as a selfish man, alive to your own interests, it is clear that you will not trust the rich man, nor believe in the unselfishness of his motives. As a selfish man you will look out first for yourself. If you can get more wages for the work you do, if you can get the same pay for fewer hours and lighter work, self-interest tells you that you would be a fool to go on as you are. If you can get cheaper houses, cheaper clothes, food, travelling, and amusement than you now get, self-interest tells you that you would be a fool to go on paying present prices. Your landlord, your employer, your tradesman will not take less work or money from you if he can get more. Self-interest counsels you not to pay a high price if you can get what you want at a lower price. Your employer will not employ you unless you are useful to him, nor will he employ you if he can get another man as useful to him as you at a lower wage. Such persons as landlords, capitalists, employers, and contractors will tell you that they are useful, and even necessary, to the working class, of which class you are one. Self-interest will counsel you, firstly, that if these persons are really useful or necessary to you, it is to your interest to secure their services at the lowest possible price; and, secondly, that if you can replace them by other persons more useful or less costly, you will be justified in dispensing with their services.