Such
communities would be real social organisms. The individual would be
free to do as he willed, but he would find that communal activity would
be infinitely more profitable than individual activity. We would then
have a real democracy carrying on its own business, and bringing about
reforms without pleading to, or begging of, the State, or intriguing
with or imploring the aid of political middlemen to get this, that, or
the other done for them. They would be self-respecting, because they
would be self-helping above all things. The national councils and
meetings of national federations would finally become the real
Parliament of the nation; for wherever all the economic power is
centered, there also is centered all the political power. And no
politician would dare to interfere with the organized industry of a
nation.
There is nothing to prevent such communities being formed. They would
be a natural growth once the seed was planted. We see such communities
naturally growing up in Ireland, with perhaps a little stimulus from
outside from rural reformers and social enthusiasts.
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