"[A]ny idea which assumes that the interests of the proletariat are so simply opposed to those of the bourgeoisie as to make the proletariat feel a oneness of economic interest is purely formal and artificial... [T]o-day there is still a goodly number of workmen who cross the line and become employers or employing managers, whilst the great thrift movements, the Friendly Societies, the Building Societies, the Co-operative Societies, connect working class interests to the existing state of things. In addition, there are considerable classes of workers in the community whose immediate interests are bound up with the present distribution of wealth, and who, obedient to class interests, would range themselves on the side of the status quo. Of course (it could be said that) they are making a mistake from the point of view of their own interests, and that if they were properly enlightened they would see that they belong to an exploited class, one and indivisible. That may be true, but a mode of action which is ineffective until men are "fully enlightened" is a chimera."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Prime Ministers of the United KingdomAcademics from the United KingdomLabour Party (UK) politiciansPresbyteriansPoliticians from Scotland
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Socialism and Society (1907), pp. 112-113
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ramsay_MacDonald
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Ramsay MacDonald
Ramsay MacDonald (12 October 1866 – 9 November 1937) was a British statesman who was the first ever Labour Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, leading a Labour Government in 1924, a Labour Government from 1929 to 1931, and a National Government from 1931 to 1935.
122 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Ramsay MacDonald →
Related Quotes
"The Hindu from his traditions and religion regards India not only as a political unit naturally the subject of one so…"
"I cannot refrain from wishing you God-Speed in your election contest... [L]et the consequences be what they may, do n…"
"The Labour party is no class champion. In politics it is frankly democratic, in economics it is co-operative... It wa…"
"There is too much expected of parliament. Localities should manage their own affairs and unions of localities should …"
"Our loss of belief in the Liberal party is therefore owing to the fact that its day of historical fitness has passed …"
"The end we have to strive for is complete democratic liberty in politics and complete freedom in industry from the ty…"
"Mr. Rockefeller not only owns the Standard Oil supplies: he controls the railways, the banks, the shops...upon which …"
"Factory Laws, Fair Wages resolutions, Trade Unionism itself, are...all Protection – not the Protection of Mr. Chaplin…"
"[Trade unions should identify] with something higher and wider than trade union industrial demands. It must set these…"
"[W]e shall begin the exploitation of national resources like mines; or we shall begin the process of industrial recon…"