Functional socialism

172 FUNCTIONAL SOCIALISM

yeoman spirit, with its congeners in the towns and on the seas, were the Whigs. And that is why they remained, with few breaks, in power for two centuries. Thus we see that the gigantic industrial system, with its sequel of financial power, its tentacles over the face of the globe, is no mere chance: has a definite historic genesis. And that is why the burden is on Great Britain to bring the industrial system, of which it has become the parent and guardian, into harmony with the new spirit. More than that: into harmony with its own developments. For it has brought production and distribution to a stage beyond economic scarcity and to the verge of universal plenty.

Viewed in this light, it becomes obvious that Great Britain must now adapt industry to the social needs of the world—an adaptation that is clearly a condition precedent to an enduring federation of Europe. When, therefore, we speak of Great Britain leading the world towards federation, it is in no spirit of vainglory; it is the humble recognition of a duty historically laid upon us. There are many doors to be opened into the future edifice of international association. Great Britain has the keys to two of these doors: of functional economy; of constitutional government.