Page 23 - Issue 20

pleasures of others (which is a contribution to
others' self-realisation) are primary. This is not to
say that there an no constraints under socialism,
only that the total quantity of realised human
potential can be greater and the overall
distribution more equitable.

At any rate socialism believes that individual
fulfilment is a co-operative rather than an
individualistic endeavour. Under capitalism
competition is the order of the day. It follows that
the individual must fight for himself. This means
that not only are his resources more limited but
that his energy is consumed in trying to compete
and survive, rather than in creative activity.
Socialism on the other hand believes that
individual potential is more likely to be realised
under conditions where individuals promote the
potential of others, and are in turn promoted by
them. Socialism is not opposed to the drive,
initiative and creativity we have witnessed under
capitalism, but rejects the egoism, competition,
stress and materialism on which they are based in
a capitalistic system. There is no contradiction
whatsoever between individualism and creativity
on the one hand and socialism on the other,
provided people in the socialistic society, both
individually and collectively, have cultivated both a
high degree of self-awareness and a fine sense of
inter-personal sensitivity. The fact that the track
record of some countries calling themselves
socialistic is poor, if not appalling, does not deny
the validity of the above - just as the fact that 90%
of available literature is trash does not require one