Norman’s Teenage Views on Socialism

Calgary
July 11, 1927

Dear Howie and Gwen,
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It is quite true that a hard and fast definition of the term socialist is practically impossible to give—so all we have to judge as a model for socialists are the type now attempting to dictate in Western Europe, Gr. Britain, Central Europe, parts of Asia etc.—The real socialists in my eyes are the disciples of Karl Marx who hold annual conferences in various European capitals to discuss the teachings of the irascible old Teuton philosopher. He, in his writings, boldly states that Socialism necessitates an eternal inter-class warfare in order to evolve his great pet theme the leveling of all classes. Pacifism was decidedly not one of his catch words, and the greatest commentators on his work almost all declare that when his subtle aphorisms and shifty logic or theory are simmered down to their significance […] they amount to nothing less than a doctrine of state. He was a man, who, embittered by his exile from the intellectual and elite society of Berlin due to his own uncontrollable and caustic tongue, followed the example of the proverbial Reynard who declared that the grapes were still immature. He aroused the baser and ignoble passions of the lower strata of society by telling them what unstable, selfish snobs the upper classes of their country were, which was all very true without a doubt, but was his antagonistic spirit any better!”

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Socialism, as I have said, is jealous of any inequality and as all men are not born equal there must be superior ability, talent, etc. which are as much hated and shunned as financial and territorial inequalities—Socialism is intensely intolerant—Socialism has a tendency to drag down to mob level, not to elevate – for as long as we exist there will also always exist the Iron Law of Inequality.

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Your affectionate brother,
Herbert