[A Critical Examination of Socialism by William Hurrell Mallock]@TWC D-Link book
A Critical Examination of Socialism

CHAPTER IX
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They will constantly fix their thoughts on it; no other fluid will satisfy them.

But if it is placed altogether beyond their reach, they will be compelled by the force of circumstances to drink lemonade, tea, or even plain water instead.

In time they will come to drink them with the same avidity; and their health and their powers of enjoyment will be indefinitely improved in consequence.

In the same way, it is argued, the monopolists of business ability, though, so long as it is possible for them to appropriate a considerable share of their products, they will insist on getting this share, and will not exert themselves otherwise, need only be placed under conditions which will render such gain impossible, and at once they will find out that there exist other inducements which will prove before long to be no less efficacious.
Such is the general argument of the modern school of socialists; but they do not leave it in this indeterminate form.

They have, to their own satisfaction, worked it out in detail, and claim that they are able to demonstrate from the actual facts of human nature precisely what the character of the new inducements will be.
It may be looked upon as evidence of the methodical and quasi-scientific accuracy with which modern socialists have set themselves to discuss this question of motive that the thought of all of them has moved along the same lines, and that what all of them fix upon as a substitute for the desire of exceptional pecuniary gain is one or other, or all, of a few motives actually in operation, and notoriously effective in certain spheres of activity.
These motives practically resolve themselves into four, which have been classified as follows by Mr.Webb or one of his coadjutors: "The mere pleasure of excelling," or the joy of the most powerful in exercising their powers to the utmost.
"The joy in creative work," such as that which the artist feels in producing a great work of art.
The satisfaction which ministering to others "brings to the instincts of benevolence," such as that which is felt by those who give themselves to the sick and helpless.
And, lastly, the desire for approval, or the homage which is called "honour," the efficiency of which is shown by the conduct of the soldier--often a man of very ordinary education and character--who will risk death in order that he may be decorated with some intrinsically worthless medal, which merely proclaims his valour or his unselfish devotion to his country.
Now, that the motives here in question are motives of extraordinary power, all history shows us.


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