Page 78 - CONSCIENCISM By Kwame Nkrumah_Neat

72 CONSCIENCISM SOCIETY AND IDEOLOGY 73
This might indeed be termed a contradiction. It is a social level oflife. Capitalism does this too, but not for the same purpose.
contradiction in so far as it is contrary to genuine principles of Increased productivity under capitalism does indeed lead to a rise in
social equity and social justice. It is also an economic contradiction the standard ofliving; but when the proportion ofdistribution of
in so far as it is contrary to a harmonious and unlimited economic value between exploited and exploiter is kept constant, then any
development. increase in levels ofproduction must mean a greater quantity, but
Capitalism is a development by refmement from feudalism, just
nor proportion, ofvalue accruing to the exploited. Capitalism thus
as feudalism is a development by refmement from slavery. The
discovers a new way ofseeming to implement reform, while really
essence of reform is to combine a continuity of fundamental
genuinely avoiding it. It creates the welfare state.
principle, with a tactical change in the manner ofexpression ofthe
Whereas capitalism is a development by refmement from
fundamental principle. Reform is not a change in the thought, but
slavery and feudalism, socialism does not contain the funda­
one in its manner ofexpression, not a change in what is said but one
mental ingredient of capitalism, the principle of exploitation.
in idiom. In capitalism, feudalism suffers, or rather enjoys reform,
Socialism stands for the negation of that very principle wherein
and the ftmdamental principle of feudalism merely strikes new
capitalism has its being, lives, and thrives, that principle which
levels of subtlety. In slavery, it is thought that exploitation, the
links capitalism with slavery and feudalism.
alienation of the fruits of the labour of others, requires a certain
If one seeks the social-political ancestor of socialism, one must
degree of political and forcible subjection. In feudalism, it is
go to communalism. Socialism has characteristics in common
thought that a lesser degree of the same kind of subjection is
with communalism, just as capitalism is linked with feudalism
adequate to the same purpose. In capitalism, it is thought that a still
and slavery. In socialism, the principles underlying communalism
lesser degree is adequate. In this way, psychological irritants to
are given expression in modern circumstances. Thus, whereas
revolution are appeased, and exploitation fmds a new lease oflife,
communalism in an untechnical society can be laissez jaire, in a
until the people should discover the opposition between reform and
technical society where sophisticated means of production are at
revolution. hand, ifthe underlying principles of communalism are not given
In this way, capitalism continues with its characteristic pompous centralised and correlated expression, class cleavages arise, which
plans for niggardly reforms, while it coerces one section ofa society are the result ofeconomic disparities, and accompanying political
somehow into making itself available to another section, which
inequalities. Socialism, therefore, can be and is the defence of the
battens on it. That development which capitalism marks over
principles of communalism in a modern setting. Socialism is a
slavery and feudalism consists as much in the methods by means
form ofsocial organisation which, guided by the principles under­
ofwhich labour is coerced as in the mode ofproduction. Capital­
lying communism, adopts procedures and measures made
ism is but the gentleman's method ofslavery.
necessary by demographic and technological developments.
Indeed, a standard ruse ofcapitalism today is to imitate some of
These considerations throw great light on the bearing of
the proposals ofsocialism, and tum this imitation to its own use.
revolution and reform on socialism. The passage from the an­
Running with the hare and hunting with the hounds is much more
cestralline ofslavery via feudalism and capitalism to socialism can
than a pastime to capitalism; it is the hub ofa complete strategy. In only lie through revolution: it cannot lie through reform. For in
socialism, we seek an increase in levels ofproduction in order solely
reform, fundamental principles are held constant and the details
that the people, by whose exertions production is possible, shall
of their expression modified. In the words of Marx, it leaves the
raise their standard of living and attain a new consciousness and
pillars of the building intact. Indeed, sometimes, reform itself
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