In neglecting or minimizing the great factor of sex in human society,
the Marxian doctrine reveals itself as no stronger than orthodox
economics in guiding our way to a sound civilization. It works within
the same intellectual limitations. Much as we are indebted to the
Marxians for pointing out the injustice of modern industrialism, we
should never close our eyes to the obvious limitations of their own
"economic interpretation of history." While we must recognize the great
historical value of Marx, it is now evident that his vision of the
"class struggle," of the bitter irreconcilable warfare between the
capitalist and working classes was based not upon historical analysis,
but upon on unconscious dramatization of a superficial aspect of
capitalistic regime.
In emphasizing the conflict between the classes, Marx failed to
recognize the deeper unity of the proletariat and the capitalist.
Nineteenth century capitalism had in reality engendered and cultivated
the very type of working class best suited to its own purpose--an inert,
docile, irresponsible and submissive class, progressively incapable
of effective and aggressive organization. Like the economists of the
Manchester school, Marx failed to recognize the interplay of human
instincts in the world of industry. All the virtues were embodied in the
beloved proletariat; all the villainies in the capitalists. The greatest
asset of the capitalism of that age was, as a matter of fact, the
uncontrolled breeding among the laboring classes. The intelligent and
self-conscious section of the workers was forced to bear the burden of
the unemployed and the poverty-stricken.
Marx was fully aware of the consequences of this condition of things,
but shut his eyes tightly to the cause. He pointed out that capitalistic
power was dependent upon "the reserve army of labor," surplus labor,
and a wide margin of unemployment. He practically admitted that
over-population was the inevitable soil of predatory capitalism. But he
disregarded the most obvious consequence of that admission. It was all
very dramatic and grandiloquent to tell the workingmen of the world to
unite, that they had "nothing but their chains to lose and the world
to gain." Cohesion of any sort, united and voluntary organization, as
events have proved, is impossible in populations bereft of intelligence,
self-discipline and even the material necessities of life, and cheated
by their desires and ignorance into unrestrained and uncontrolled
fertility.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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