It would be a sterile undertaking merely to analyse and criticise Socialism and the Socialistic proposals. Therefore, after having described the policy, ideals, and aims of the Socialists, I mean to analyse the disease of which Socialism is a consequence and a symptom, and to propose practical measures for curing it. In the course of this book I shall show that Socialism seems likely to become a very great danger in this country--a far greater danger than is generally realised. Therefore its opponents will be wise not to sneer at Socialism, but to study it and to try to understand it. That task will be found worth our while, and only after it shall we be able to further Socialism if it is beneficial, to combat it if it is pernicious, and to correct it if it is only the misguided expression of genuine suffering and want. Indifference to a great and dangerous political movement such as Socialism may have the gravest consequences. Idlers do not make history. They suffer it. FOOTNOTES: [1] Millar, _Socialism_, p. 21. [2] Herbert Spencer, _The Man versus the State_, p. 18 ff. [3] Roosevelt, Presidential Message, December 1907. [4] Walter Crane in Squire, _Socialism and Art_, Foreword. [5] Bebel, _Woman_, p. 256. [6] Kessack, _Capitalist Wilderness_, p. 2. [7] Ford, _Woman and Socialism_, p. 3. [8] Keir Hardie, _From Serfdom to Socialism_, p. 1. [9] Webb, _The Difficulties of Individualism_, p. 3. [10] Hyndman, _Socialism and Slavery_, Preface. [11] Blatchford, _Merrie England_, p. 100. [12] Shaw, _The Impossibilities of Anarchism_, p. 3. [13] "Veritas," _Did Jesus Christ teach Socialism?_ p. 1. [14] Macdonald, _Socialism_, p. 3. [15] _Labour Record_, February 1907. [16] Webb, _The Difficulties of Individualism_, p. 15. [17] _Will Socialism benefit the British People?_ p. 4. [18] Ball, _The Moral Aspects of Socialism_, p. 3. [19] Williams, _The Difficulties of Socialism_, p. 3. [20] Bebel, _Woman_, p. 257. [21] Sorge, _Socialism and the Worker_, p. 13. [22] _Ibid._ p. 16. [23] Bax, _Religion of Socialism_, p. ix. [24] Lafargue, in Bliss, _Encyclopedia of Social Reform_, p. 1264. [25] Macdonald, _Labour and the Empire_, p. 108. [26] Blatchford, _What is this Socialism?_ p. 2. [27] _Justice_, October 19, 1907. [28] Keir Hardie, _From Serfdom to Socialism_, p. 96. [29] Ethel Snowden, _The Woman Socialist_, p. 44. [30] Gronlund, _Co-operative Commonwealth_, p. 126. [31] Guyot, _Pretensions of Socialism_, p. 11. [32] Hird, _From Brute to Brother_, p. 1. [33] Robert Blatchford, _Real Socialism_, p. 15. [34] Williams, _Difficulties of Socialism_, p. 4. [35] Bliss, _Encyclopedia of Social Reform_, p. 1265. CHAPTER II SOME SOCIALIST VIEWS OF PRESENT SOCIETY AND OF THE SOCIETY OF THE FUTURE