As the question of principle seems to be settled the problem becomes almost exclusively a practical one. A certain number of industries have become more or less nationalized or even socialized and will become still more so, their number also probably growing. The discussion now seems to be only on the modes of application, on the degree of “maturity” necessary; on whether this or that industry is or is not ripe; on the mode of calculating the cost of exploitation; on bonuses for output, etc., etc.

Like the idea of the Councils, this doctrine of nationalization seems to gain more and more. What will come of it for Germany and for the States that will follow this road? Are not these new formulas the ephemeral result of the upheaval due to the war? Or will they, improved and tested by practice, be definitely installed in the economic organization of all modern peoples? To the countries that adopt them, will they bring ruin or economic prosperity and social peace? On these matters, one can only write interrogation marks. In any event, however, it is important to follow the German experiment with the greatest possible interest.


GLOSSARY

GermanTranslation
ReichCommonwealth
Reichs-of the Commonwealth, national
ReichsarbeiterratNational Workers’ Council
ReichsgerichtNational Judicial Court
ReichskanzlerNational Chancellor
ReichsministerNational Minister
Reichsministerium, pl., -IENNational Department
ReichspräsidentPresident of the Commonwealth, National President
ReichsratNational Council
ReichsregierungNational Cabinet
ReichstagNational Assembly
ReichsverwaltungsgerichtNational Administrative Court
ReichswirtschaftsratNational Economic Council
LandState (an integral part of the Commonwealth)
Landes-of the State, State
LandesregierungState Cabinet
LandtagState Assembly
WahlprüfungsgerichtElectoral Commission
Staatcountry, state (one of the family of nations); referring to Germany, it designates the Commonwealth and separate States as a single political entity.
StaatsgerichtshofSupreme Judicial Court
STAATLICHpolitical
FREISTAATLICHrepublican

APPENDIX
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE GERMAN COMMONWEALTH

PREAMBLE