The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-08-14
The New Economics.
BY ARTHUR W. CALHOUN

you are ready now to go at an actual
analysis of economic life with view
to systematizing your knowledge and
opinions about how the world makes
its living. Up until a few years ago,
there was no book written by uni
yersity economist that one could re-
commend to labor people, but Edie's
principles of the New Economics"
published by Thomas Y. Crowell com
pany, is really worth while.
The first part, dealing with Econ
omic Psychology, is especially note
worthy because it analyses, Classics,
and explains the interests at work in
the world of economic affairs. If the
worker will read thru this section and
try to recall in his own experience
instances that illustrate each trait dis
cussed by the author, the exercise will
be very valuable. 1t is worth while.
too, to ask which of the tendencies are
an asset to the labor movement and
which are a hindrance.
There is only one qualification at
this point: Edie's psychology is not
up to date in every respect. For in
stance he assumes that the traits
manifested in human behavior are
largely instructive or based on definite
instincts, just as in the case of ami
mails. In reality there is no conclusive
evidence that man has any inherited
tendencies that should be called in
stincts; so whenever you find the
author talking about instincts, replace
the word by interests" or "tenden-
cies" and assume that they are quail
ties acquired by experience rather
than inherited traits. Ask yourself,
too, how person acquires the interest
in workmanship, in possession OF
things, in selfassertion. Ask how he
acquires submissiveness, the DISPOSE
ton to herd together, the tendency to
fear and to fight, and all the other
desires that the author discusses.
Moreover you may discount what
Edie says about the army nut tests"
The intelligence testers have not
really proved their claims of being
able to measure the native intelli-
gence of individuals, and you may
assume for the present that the gen
eral quality of the people is good
enough to carry on the job of civiliza-
ton.
When these allowances have been
made, you may safely stick by Eddie
ON most other points. If he does not
always look at things from a view
point sufficiently revolutionary to suit
you, you can correct his bias as you
like; but you don't need to be afraid
Of his facts. You will find, indeed, that
his analysis of the economic process
gives you just the sort of stuff you
need for the underpinning of the labor
philosophy.
Especially valuable is Edie's pres
entatiOn in chapter v of the "Mechan-
ical and Scientific Basis of Econom-
les" Why do the workers need to
concern themselves with the technical
aspects of industry? Have the techni-
clans and the engineers anything in
common with Labor? What prospect
do you think there is that some of
them may break away from sub
servience TO the capitalist? Do the
workers need to interest themselves
in winning over the engineers?
When you come to chapter vi, on
Labor's Part in Production, you may
feel more at home. Has Edie inter
preted the situation and experience of
the workers as well as a university
professor could be expected to do7
Do you find any points on which you
want to quarrel with him? What new
material does this chapter provide
for propaganda? II you start with
these questions and follow them clear
through, the chapter will do you good.
From the next chapter, on Capital"
you will want TO carry away a lot OF
r.