It is the antecedent to the creation of a rural civilization. We have
to organize the community so that it can act as one body. It is not
enough to organize farmers in a district for one purpose only--in a
credit society, a dairy society, a fruit society, a bacon factory, or in
a co-operative store. All these may be and must be beginnings; but if
they do not develop and absorb all rural business into their
organization they will have little effect on character. No true social
organism will have been created. If people unite as consumers to buy
together they only come into contact on this one point; there is no
general identity of interest. If co-operative societies are specialized
for this purpose or that--as in Great Britain or on the Continent--to a
large extent the limitation of objects prevents a true social organism
from being formed. The latter has a tremendous effect on human
character. The specialized society only develops economic efficiency.
The evolution of humanity beyond its present level depends absolutely on
its power to unite and create true social organisms.
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