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and to live in our midst； and that is the sword。 If Americans
and Europeans forget that their privileged position is held only
by force of arms； Asia will soon have taken her revenge。''
We know that in America the invasion of Chinese and Japanese；
owing to the competition between them and the workers of white
race； has become a national calamity。 In Europe the invasion is
commencing； but has not as yet gone far。 But already Chinese
emigrants have formed important colonies in certain centres
London； Cardiff； Liverpool； &c。 They have provoked several riots
by working for low wages。 Their appearance has always lowered
salaries。
But these problems belong to the future； and those of the present
are so disquieting that it is useless at the moment to occupy
ourselves with others。
2。 The Evolution of the Working…Classes and the Syndicalist
Movement。
The most important democratic problem of the day will perhaps
result from the recent development of the working…class
engendered by the Syndicalist or Trades Union movement。
The aggregation of similar interests known as Syndicalism has
rapidly assumed such enormous developments in all countries that
it may be called world…wide。 Certain corporations have budgets
comparable to those of small States。 Some German leagues have
been cited as having saved over three millions sterling in
subscriptions。
The extension of the labour movement in all countries shows that
it is not； like Socialism； a dream of Utopian theorists； but the
result of economic necessities。 In its aim； its means of action；
and its tendencies； Syndicalism presents no kinship with
Socialism。 Having sufficiently explained it in my Political
Psychology； it will suffice here to recall in a few words the
difference between the two doctrines。
Socialism would obtain possession of all industries； and have
them managed by the State； which would distribute the products
equally between the citizens。 Syndicalism； on the other hand；
would entirely eliminate the action of the State； and divide
society into small professional groups which would be
self…governing。
Although despised by the Syndicalists and violently attacked by
them； the Socialists are trying to ignore the conflict； but it is
rapidly becoming too obvious to be concealed。 The political
influence which the Socialists still possess will soon escape
them。
If Syndicalism is everywhere increasing at the expense of
Socialism； it is； I repeat； because this corporative movement；
although a renewal of the past； synthetises certain needs
born of the specialisation of modern industry。
We see its manifestations under a great variety of circumstances。
In France its success has not as yet been as great as elsewhere。
Having taken the revolutionary form already mentioned； it has
fallen； at least for the time being； into the hands of the
anarchists； who care as little for Syndicalism as for any sort of
organisation； and are simply using the new doctrine in an attempt
to destroy modern society。 Socialists； Syndicalists； and
anarchists； although directed by entirely different conceptions；
are thus collaborating in the same eventual aimthe violent
suppression of the ruling classes and the pillage of their
wealth。
The Syndicalist doctrine does not in any way derive from the
principles of Revolution。 On many points it is entirely in
contradiction with the Revolution。 Syndicalism represents rather
a return to certain forms of collective organisation similar to
the guilds or corporations proscribed by the Revolution。 It thus
constitutes one of those federations which the Revolution
condemned。 It entirely rejects the State centralisation which
the Revolution established。
Syndicalism cares nothing for the democratic principles of
liberty； equality； and fraternity。 The Syndicalists demand of
their members an absolute discipline which eliminates all
liberty。
Not being as yet strong enough to exercise mutual tyranny； the
syndicates so far profess sentiments in respect of one another
which might by a stretch be called fraternal。 But as soon as
they are sufficiently powerful； when their contrary interests
will necessarily enter into conflict； as during the Syndicalist
period of the old Italian republicsFlorence and Siena； for
examplethe present fraternity will speedily be forgotten； and
equality will be replaced by the despotism of the most powerful。
Such a future seems near at hand。 The new power is increasing
very rapidly； and finds the Governments powerless before it； able
to defend themselves only by yielding to every demandan odious
policy； which may serve for the moment； but which heavily
compromises the future。
It was； however； to this poor recourse that the English
Government recently resorted in its struggle against the Miners'
Union； which threatened to suspend the industrial life of
England。 The Union demanded a minimum wage for its members； but
they were not bound to furnish a minimum of work。
Although such a demand was inadmissible； the Government agreed to
propose to Parliament a law to sanction such a measure。 We may
profitably read the weighty words pronounced by Mr。 Balfour
before the House of Commons：
‘‘The country has never in its so long and varied history had to
face a danger of this nature and this importance。
‘‘We are confronted with the strange and sinister spectacle of a
mere organisation threatening to paralyseand paralysing in a
large measurethe commerce and manufactures of a community which
lives by commerce and manufacture。
‘‘The power possessed by the miners is in the present state of
the law almost unlimited。 Have we ever seen the like of it？ Did
ever feudal baron exert a comparable tyranny？ Was there
ever an American trust which served the rights which it holds
from the law with such contempt of the general interest？ The
very degree of perfection to which we have brought our laws； our
social organisation； the mutual relation between the various
professions and industries； exposes us more than our predecessors
in ruder ages to the grave peril which at present threatens
society。 。 。 。 We are witnesses at the present moment of the
first manifestation of the power of elements which； if we are not
heedful； will submerge the whole of society。 。 。 。 The attitude
of the Government in yielding to the injunction of the miners
gives some appearance of reality to the victory of those who are
pitting themselves against society。''
3。 Why certain modern Democratic Governments are gradually
being transformed into Governments by Administrative Castes。
Anarchy and the social conflicts resulting from democratic ideas
are to…day impelling some Governments towards an unforeseen
course of evolution which will end by leaving them only a nominal
power。 This development； of which I shall briefly denote the
effects； is effected spontaneously under the stress of those
imperious necessities which are still the chief controlling power
of events。
The Governments of democratic countries to…day consist of the
representatives elected by universal suffrage。 They vote laws；
and appoint and dismiss ministers chosen from themselves； and
provisionally entrusted with the executive power。 These
ministers are naturally often replaced； since a vote will do
it。 Those who follow them； belonging to a different
party； will govern according to different principles。
It might at first seem that a country thus pulled to and fro by
various influences could have no continuity or stability。 But in
spite of all these conditions of instability a democratic
Government like that of France works with fair regularity。 How
explain such a phenomenon？
Its interpretation； which is very simple； results from the fact
that the ministers who have the appearance of governing really
govern the country only to a very limited extent。 Strictly
limited and circumscribed； their power is exercised principally
in speeches which are hardly noticed and in a few inorganic
measures。
But behind the superficial authority of ministers； without force
or duration； the playthings of every demand of the politician； an
anonymous power is secretly at work whose might is continually
increasing the administrations。 Possessing traditions； a
hierarchy； and continuity； they are a power against which； as the
ministers quickly realise； they are incapable of struggling。＇14＇
Responsibility is so divided in the administrative machine that a
minister may never find himself opposed by any person of
importance。 His momentary impulses are checked by a network of
regulations； customs； and decrees； which are continually quoted
to him； and which he knows so little that he dare not infringe
them。
＇14＇ The impotence of ministers in their own departments has been
well described