The dirty work under socialism.
Hunts.,
September 22nd, 1933.
The Editor,
Socialist Standard,
42, Gt. Dover Street,
S.E.l.
Sir,
As a reader of the Socialist Standard, I should be interested to read some observations on the probable method of procedure of a Socialist Administration once it gained power, because it seems to me that certain difficulties would arise which would need very careful consideration. To-day, men work at jobs requiring more or less skill, incurring greater or less danger or pleasure; for example, one man goes down into a coal mine, among the dirt and danger, to perform hard labour, while another spends his time pleasantly, designing handsome buildings in an architect’s studio. And quite possibly the coal-miner might have made a better architect than the other, if he had had the opportunity for training, etc. It is plain that, under Socialism, as under Capitalism, the “ real ” work would still have to be done. But why should this man be compelled to risk his life in a coal mine while that one works on a design for a house; or this man again be compelled to clean out drains while that man performs the cleaner job of tuning pianos. In short, how would Socialism share out the pleasant and intellectually satisfying work and the unpleasant and laborious work?
Yours truly,
Ralph Sewell.
Reply.
In general, when we are asked what methods will be used under Socialism to solve the various economic and social problems that will arise then, we can give no other answer than that we do not know, for we do not know in what form the problems will arise nor what means will be available to solve them. Our correspondent’s letter serves as an example of the difficulties in which Socialists would place themselves if they accepted the rôle of prophets. How does our correspondent know that coal-mining will be dirty and dangerous in ten, twenty or thirty years' time ? How does he know that an architect's work will at that time be relatively pleasant? Indeed, how does he know that there will be any coal miners or piano tuners or architects ? They may all have gone the way of the coal tubs that were hauled by women and boys 100 years ago.
It is worth recalling that before the War the question used to take the form: “Who will sweep the crossings under Socialism?" Nowadays, the relatively much better paid and pleasanter occupation of driving a motor sweeper has driven most of the crossing sweepers into oblivion.
We do not wish to give the impression that there will be no problems to solve once Socialism is established, for, of course, there will be problems. What we do say is that these are questions which would be of small importance to us now, even if we could profitably attempt to answer them. We are not telling the workers that they ought to support Socialism because it has a beautiful cut and dried scheme and an answer to every problem. What we urge is that there is one problem existing now—the poverty problem—which is of such fundamental importance that it overshadows every other problem. The only solution is the abolition of the private ownership of the means of production and distribution. Once Socialism is achieved then society will have a new and entirely different foundation on which to work. In keeping with that different foundation the problems which will present themselves will be different. Some will be new, while old ones will have taken on a greater or less importance than now. Most important of all they will be solved by Socialists working with greater freedom and with greater means at their disposal than society can utilise now.
Of course, every effort will be made to eliminate dirt, danger and laboriousness from all occupations as far as possible.
More than that we cannot say.
It may be added that the end achieved will colour the view of each individual on the question of dirt and discomfort. Wealthy men and women put up with considerable dirt and discomfort when hunting, etc., and hikers accustomed to refined surroundings will live exceedingly "roughly” while pursuing their pleasures.
Ed. Comm.
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