Here we see that Marxism and Darwinism are not two independent theories,
each of which applies to its special domain, without having anything in
common with the other. In reality, the same principle underlies both
theories. They form one unit. The new course taken by men, the
substitution of tools for natural organs, causes this fundamental
principle to manifest itself differently in the two domains; that of the
animal world to develop according to Darwinian principle, while among
mankind the Marxian principle applies.
When men freed themselves from the animal world, the development of
tools and productive methods, the division of labor and knowledge
became the propelling force in social development. It is these that
brought about the various systems, such as primitive communism, the
peasant system, the beginnings of commodity production, feudalism, and
now modern capitalism, and which bring us ever nearer to Socialism.
X. CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM.
The particular form that the Darwinian struggle for existence assumes
in development is determined by men’s sociability and their use of
tools. The struggle for existence, while it is still carried on among
members of different groups, nevertheless ceases among members of the
same group, and its place is taken by mutual aid and social feeling.
In the struggle between groups, technical equipment decides who shall
be the victor; this results in the progress of technique. These two
circumstances lead to different effects under different systems. Let us
see in what manner they work out under capitalism.
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