The Watchtower Society and John and Morton Edgar - A2Z.org

'ia@d any 10s that others might sueer was truly deaeried.More than that, these officials would require to be possessedof unlimited powers, that they might exercise their authorityto the best advantage for the community; and, finally,they would require to be so wise, loving and just in alltheir words and actions, that the people would eventuallybe perfectly satisfied and bow to their decisions.That would be a consummation to be desired, would itnot? If such conditions were established, then indeed thedesire of all nations would to a great extent be realised.But with human nature as it is, how hopeless for us to' expect so glorious a consummation1 ' Men have not thatkeenness of perception and accuracy of judgment, whichwould enable them to fulfil the duties of such unerringauthorities; and even if some with more than ordinaryacumen were elected to office, the people, having tastedthe sweets of liberty and individual judgment, would notallow them to exercise unlimited power. Indeed, it wouldbe necessary for the officials to be in an unassailableposition, that they might successfully defy the will of thepeople should occasion demand. This, however, wouldnot be a Socialist government.With human nature as it is, acts of injustice would beinevitable on the part of the authorities, some of themintentional due to moral obliquity, some of them unintentionaldue to lack of judgment, thoughtlessness, or carelessness.The result would be much grumbling anddiscontent. No board of officials, however well-intentioned,could satisfy all, or even the majority. The people wouldeventually break away from restraint, and anarchy wouldcertainly follow.(11) Let us now considerThe Argument From Economy.Under this head there are four main difficulties in theway of Socialism proving successful. (a) There is thediflc%lty of organisation. Efficiency would require oneI1