RADICALISM
For exposition of the leading radical theories the reader is urged to go, not to second-hand authorities, but to their foremost advocates. “Capital” by Karl Marx (Charles H. Kerr) is of course the chief basis of Socialism. There is nothing better on Anarchism than the article in the “Encyclopedia Britannica” by Prince Kropotkin. For revolutionary industrial unionism it is important to know “Speeches and Editorials” by Daniel de Leon (New York Labor News Co.). De Leon was one of the founders of the I.W.W., and his ideas not only influenced the separatist labour movements in the United States but the shop-steward movement in England and the Soviets of Russia. “Guild Socialism” by G. D. H. Cole is the best statement of this recent theory, while “The State and Revolution” by Nikolai Lenin (George Allen and Unwin) explains the principles and tactics of modern Communism. To these should be added another classic, “Progress and Poverty” by Henry George (Doubleday Page).
On the origins of the American government it is important to read “Economic Origins of Jeffersonian Democracy” and “Economic Interpretation of the Constitution” by Charles A. Beard (Macmillan).
The “History of Trade Unionism” by Sidney and Beatrice Webb (Longmans, Green), is an invaluable account of the growth of the British labour movement, which has many similarities to our own. “Industrial Democracy” by the same authors, issued by the same publisher, is the best statement of the theories of trade unionism. The “History of Labor in the United States” by John R. Commons and associates (Macmillan), is a scholarly work, while “Trade Unionism in the United States” by Robert F. Hoxie (Appleton), is a more analytical treatment. “The I. W. W.” by Paul F. Brissenden (Longmans, Green), is a full documentary history. Significant recent tendencies are recorded in “The New Unionism in the Clothing Industry” by Budish and Soule (Harcourt, Brace). The last chapters of “The Great Steel Strike” by William Z. Foster (B. W. Huebsch), expound his interesting interpretation of the trade unions.
For a statement of the functional attitude toward public problems one should read “Authority, Liberty and Function” by Ramiro de Maeztu (Geo. Allen and Unwin). For a brief and readable application of this attitude to economics, “The Acquisitive Society” by R. H. Tawney (Harcourt, Brace), is to be recommended.
“Modern Social Movements” by Savel Zimand (H. W. Wilson), is an authoritative guidebook to present radical movements throughout the world, and contains an excellent bibliography. And we must not forget the voluminous Report of the New York State Legislative Committee on Radicalism (the Lusk Committee), which not only collects a wealth of current radical literature, but offers an entertaining and instructive example of the current American attitude toward such matters.
G. S.