State and National Social programs
In the previous article, I noted the socialist theories of a radical European politician. In this article, I intend to describe some of the programs pressed by him in an attempt to recruit party members, votes, and representation in the legislature.
As noted earlier, our author was sympathetic to the idea that social justice could be found through two paths: trade unions and social legislation. These are necessary -- in his terms -- to protect labor from the greedy, close-minded bourgeoisie who work for their own interests only. Among other things, this social program calls for universal representation by citizens, guaranteed provision of a livelihood by the government, equal rights and obligations of citizens (including the powerful elite, and especially the obligation to work), outlawing of unearned incomes (interest on capital) and "rent-slavery", confiscation of war profits, nationalization of trusts, division of profits in heavy industry, wide expansion of pensions, communalization of warehouses and low cost provision to small firms, recognition of small firms in public contracting, land reform, public lands, abolition of land speculation, strong penalties against usury, widescale public education reform and provision of higher education and identification and support of gifted children, family protection (generous support for mothers), outlaw of child labor, establishment of physical fitness programs, freedom of religion, and other reforms as necessary to make it clear that the society comes before the individual.
Of course, in order to build a Parliamentary majority, these were presented to different groups and different regions (analogous to States in the US) according to what was perceived to be in their own interest. For example, land reform, protectionism (basically autarky), and agricultural cooperatives are emphasized to small farmers; anti-usury proposals, guarantees of a profession, and education and pension benefits are emphasized to working class districts; and measures designed to support small business are emphasized when talking to artisans and small business associations. According to party enrollment figures and voting patterns, these seem to have been successful after some time with broad swaths of the population.
This is essentially an appeal to what might be distinguished as the "old middle class" -- farmers, artisans, shopkeepers -- as against the "new middle class" of white collar workers and clerks. This is entirely consistent to what we see in many countries such as France and Germany where protectionist policies shield farmers and small businessmen against foreign competition, theoretically preventing the commoditization and vulgarization of those honorable professions. Today, it is generally accepted that those countries have superior cuisine (see, for example, Tyler Cowen's discussion) in part because they have superior ingredients courtesy of those protected farmers. This is an intelligent strategy for a politician, especially a European politician.
It also appears that our man and/or his party generally are generally influenced by Keynes. Not only did Keynes happen to write about things that they happened to support, but they apparently draw heavily from Keynes in an attempt to support their platform of full employment. No attempt is made here to say that Keynes, who died in 1946, favored this party, only that they happen to have converging views in some areas and that the party would seem to have followed a Keynesian economic program.
In future discussions of this man, his party, and his program, I intend to discuss internal squabbles among the socialists and odd problems that pertain to European politics in particular.
As noted earlier, our author was sympathetic to the idea that social justice could be found through two paths: trade unions and social legislation. These are necessary -- in his terms -- to protect labor from the greedy, close-minded bourgeoisie who work for their own interests only. Among other things, this social program calls for universal representation by citizens, guaranteed provision of a livelihood by the government, equal rights and obligations of citizens (including the powerful elite, and especially the obligation to work), outlawing of unearned incomes (interest on capital) and "rent-slavery", confiscation of war profits, nationalization of trusts, division of profits in heavy industry, wide expansion of pensions, communalization of warehouses and low cost provision to small firms, recognition of small firms in public contracting, land reform, public lands, abolition of land speculation, strong penalties against usury, widescale public education reform and provision of higher education and identification and support of gifted children, family protection (generous support for mothers), outlaw of child labor, establishment of physical fitness programs, freedom of religion, and other reforms as necessary to make it clear that the society comes before the individual.
Of course, in order to build a Parliamentary majority, these were presented to different groups and different regions (analogous to States in the US) according to what was perceived to be in their own interest. For example, land reform, protectionism (basically autarky), and agricultural cooperatives are emphasized to small farmers; anti-usury proposals, guarantees of a profession, and education and pension benefits are emphasized to working class districts; and measures designed to support small business are emphasized when talking to artisans and small business associations. According to party enrollment figures and voting patterns, these seem to have been successful after some time with broad swaths of the population.
This is essentially an appeal to what might be distinguished as the "old middle class" -- farmers, artisans, shopkeepers -- as against the "new middle class" of white collar workers and clerks. This is entirely consistent to what we see in many countries such as France and Germany where protectionist policies shield farmers and small businessmen against foreign competition, theoretically preventing the commoditization and vulgarization of those honorable professions. Today, it is generally accepted that those countries have superior cuisine (see, for example, Tyler Cowen's discussion) in part because they have superior ingredients courtesy of those protected farmers. This is an intelligent strategy for a politician, especially a European politician.
It also appears that our man and/or his party generally are generally influenced by Keynes. Not only did Keynes happen to write about things that they happened to support, but they apparently draw heavily from Keynes in an attempt to support their platform of full employment. No attempt is made here to say that Keynes, who died in 1946, favored this party, only that they happen to have converging views in some areas and that the party would seem to have followed a Keynesian economic program.
In future discussions of this man, his party, and his program, I intend to discuss internal squabbles among the socialists and odd problems that pertain to European politics in particular.
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