THE FUTURE OF SOCIALISM
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on the European continent, and allows us to hope reasonably, in Rus–
sia too, for great changes. The peace of the world and the reconstruc–
tion of a Europe that will be socialist seem to me to depend on
this perspective, which I cannot dwell on here. But were such changes
remote or were the USSR inevitably verging on a catastrophic war,
the socialist point of view would still not be altered. The defense
of mankind is not so strictly conditioned by historical expediency. The
blackest moments establish the most categorical imperatives.
The aspirations toward the rational organization of society for
the realization of a higher human dignity could never, I believe,
either be eliminated or lastingly repressed. They have survived up to
now during many agonized times; even engendered and stimulated
a difficult progress, born of the uncertain, during the whole course
of our civilization. It is pleasing to me to write here the word "pro–
gress" at a time when writers whom I respect debate its meaning,
as if nothing valuable had been accomplished since the human animal
renounced cannibalism. That the atomic bomb is more inhuman,
more evil than saturation bombing, I doubt; but that atomic energy
can soon become an immense factor in the liberation of the prole–
tariat, I cannot doubt. That a planned economy, founded on poverty
and for the purpose of war, will end in a new slavery, I know, because
I have seen it; but that the superior forms of production, governed
no longer by the profit motive but by intelligence, need liberty as our
organism needs oxygen, I can no longer doubt after having observed
intimately the crises of Soviet industry. That philosophies of despair
are fashionable in a time like ours, does not astonish me. We can
well question our own destiny, and from this question draw material
for literature. The destiny of the world unfolds with a vitality that
outlives individuals and literatures. And for this reason the resolute
choice for confidence in intelligence and the human will seems to me
the most justified of choices.
(Translat ed from the French
by
George Schloss )
