Letter: Elements of socialism (1996)

Letter to the Editors from the July 1996 issue of the Socialist Standard

Elements of socialism

Dear Editors,

I have recently come across two examples where people who do not necessarily regard themselves as part of the socialist movement nevertheless have been advocating and trying to practice what are. in my opinion, elements of socialism.

I found the first down a country lane in Western Ireland, where a tiny sign directed drivers to visit a woodcraft workshop—a shed with its doors flung wide, with lathes and benches in and outside, and lots of hand-crafted useful items for sale. There were also pieces of text on display, which explained the ideals of the man who made things: here is an extract:

"In this computerised and mechanised age we are in danger of neglecting the artistic, romantic side of man, pretending to ourselves that we are purely practical beings with no emotions. If a machine can produce it cheaper than man, fine, the important thing is the price tag. But is such an attitude not depriving us of something money can't buy . . . the personal touch? Can a computer reproduce the Mona Lisa? Yes I'm sure it can, perhaps well enough to fool all but the experts. Then why aren’t we all decorating our hallways with computer reproductions of Old Masters at £4.99 a pair: because . . . well you know why. For a pointing or craft piece to have real value it must have a personality, something to appeal to the sentiment, to carry it beyond vulgar monetary worth. At Glendun Woodcraft we want to have a relationship with our customers. Ideally we want to know them, to meet them in the street, to socialise with them so that our craftwork has meaning for them . . . not simply because it was worth the money or a good investment... Of course we would love to be able to pass on our work for no cost, but I am afraid we fall short of that ideal yet"

I bought a couple of things and the man told me and my partner what pub he and his friends would be in that evening, if we could drop by. He clearly lacked the middle class pretentiousness or lifestyle which might have turned the above sentiments in candidates for Pseuds Corner. I said that I presumed he found inspiration in William Morris. "Who is that?", he asked, “never heard of him!" Clearly socialist ideals come spontaneously from within people: you don't have to get them from books.

The second example comes from an article in the latest issue of Communes Network about some “free shops" in Wales where goods are donated and taken rather than bought and sold: "join and everything in the Free Shop is free. Available without charge. People can give or take goods as they please."

We might think of such examples of socialism (and ecologism) "in action” very partial, insignificant and associated with utopianism, but I get encouragement from them. I hope you do.

David Pepper, 

Oxford