THE UNFUtURE OF UTOPIA
749
any class or group to evade its demand for complete control. A total–
itarian-collectivist state is rigidly organized along hierarchical lines, but
that very fact, so damaging to its socialist claims, necessitates the dom–
ination of all citizens, of whatever class, in the attempt to "abolish"
the contradiction between its theory and practice by means of boundless
demagogy and violence.
These are minor faults, however. This novel is the best antidote to
the totalitarian disease that any writer has so far produced. Everyone
should read it; and
I
recommend it particularly to those liberals who still
cannot get over the political superstition that while absolute power is bad
when exercised by the Right, it is in its very nature good and a boon
to humanity once the Left, that is to say "our own people," takes hold
of it.
