Laski Declares in Favor of Peaceful Transition to Socialistic Democracy

Capitalist democracy as we know it is incompatible with the so called planned economy, in the opinion of Professor Harold J. Laski, of the London School of Economics.

Laski believes, however, that if the transformation from the capitalist democracy to a democracy founded on the principles of Socialism is accomplished peacefully, that it will be possible to have what he termed "Real democracy" coupled with planning. "No country in the Western Hemisphere has a real democracy now," he said.

Violent Transition

If, on the other hand, the transition from capitalism to some form of collectivism were to be accomplished by violence, then, said Professor Laski "Dictatorship is necessary and inevitable."

The best thing for college graduates to do who lack opportunities and are faced with blank futures is to join the Socialist party and work for the spread of that doctrine, Laski thinks. Questioned as to why he favored the Socialist party rather than the Communist, he said, "If I were a member of the Catholic Church. I would appear very funny if I urged people to become Baptists. Since I am a member of the Socialist party. I naturally urge people to join it."

Sanctions and Baldwin

Turning to questions of current interest in Britain. Professor Laski explained that sanctions have not been applied against Italy because Prime Minister Baldwin's Conservative government never really intended to do so. The events at Geneva just preceding the General Election in England, when the Baldwin ministry seemed to be moving toward application of sanctions, was just a gesture to win the pacifist vote, in Laski's opinion.

The British Labor party made such a poor showing in that election because they allowed themselves to be maneuvered into such a position on foreign policy by the Conservatives that the issue became muddled, and the elector are was unable to think the matter through clearly.