166. NECESSITY OF A DEFINITE PROGRAM OF INDUSTRIAL REFORM.--Socialism
appeals to certain types of people because it offers a confident
program, even though it is a mistaken and probably a dangerous
program. And it is the almost universal failure of non-socialists to
advance a substitute program that is responsible for a large share of
the resentment which industrial evils have aroused among non-
socialists. _If not socialism, what?_ is the cry. We are challenged to
move, to do something, to present a reform program which will justify
the rejection of socialism.

Lest our survey of industrial reform seem negative and devoid of
constructive elements, therefore, the next chapter will be devoted to
what may be called a democratic program of industrial reform. The
basic idea of this program is that poverty is as unnecessary as
malaria or yellow fever, and that we can abolish poverty without
sacrificing private property, personal initiative, or any of the other
institutions which we hold dear.


QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT

1. What are some of the administrative difficulties which would
confront a socialist state?

2. Why would socialism tend to give rise to a bureaucratic government?

3. In what way does socialism run counter to human nature?

4. In what way does the socialist differ from the non-socialist in his