The opening chapter of this book starts with presenting
the choices after the Second World War. To the author the conflict between USA
and USSR seems very obvious.
The author believes that majority of British opinion is
in favor of economic planning and political freedom. The author views the
modern world as having numerous structural faults in society. Furthermore the
author sees Europe with sufficient economic resources to stand as an
independent power. Keeping that in mind, the author states that there is still
time. During this time democratic socialism must organize its moral and
political forces for the current challenges.
Britain cannot continue her traditional foreign policy,
involving heavy military commitments all over the world. The British policy
towards Europe was of maintenance of a divided continent. On the other hand for
the socialist a united Europe has been a dream. In the political arena any new
democracy for Europe cannot, like Athenian democracy, be based on slavery,
whether German, African or Asiatic.
Chapter five of the book focuses solely on Germany and
its role in Europe. Before the war she produced more than half that of Europe’s
coal, half of pig iron and steel, and over half of Aluminum. The author says
that for success of a constructive policy for Germany will depend on the
European peoples, especially the democratic socialists.
And for a success of democratic socialism in Europe a clear
break with imperialism is essential. In addition imperialism has provided
profits to a tiny minority of the populations of Western Europe. Moreover in
the book the role of the centralized power of the state is also briefly
explained. He says that: ‘Co-ordination
rather than administration, strategy rather than treaties should be the role of
the centralized power of the state’.
In the concluding chapter the author stresses on the need
of a socialist Union which would only promise the preservation of a human
culture. Escaping arrogance and assuming moral leadership should be the chief
aim of democratic socialist in the future.
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