The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-15
Liberal Viewpoint
BY DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES;

bOHN is well-known for his book
~ on The Coming Struggle of Power" which
IS perhaps the most powerful attack Inon the
caplCanStlc system published since the war. He
mas now written a book on Fascism (The Men
ace OF taSclSm. By John Strachev Covici
Frlede. S2.25). He views Fascism as the fnai
EFFORT OF capitalism to maintain itself
10 40 so, Mr.. Strachey contends that IT, is
Wlllng TO sacrifice democracy. In his opinion
however, FaSclsm can have no. permanent sue
cess since it is an effort to apply by force an.
unWorkable social and economic system More
over, it is almost inevitably bound 70 hring y,
announcer world war which it will be well nigh
impossible for capitalism to survive.
lie warns progressives against any comoro-
mise with FaScism and urges that thew unite
nehlno socialism: w are driven, therefore. to
the conclusion that the only possible wav ont
for the progressive movements is to end the mi
Vate ownership of the means of production"
while Mr.. Strachey believes that Fascisrn
mas a good prospect for success in both Britain
and the United States, he does not believe that
Fasclsm IS inevitable in either Of these conn
tries. The main safeguard against it. is for iih-
erals ana progressives to be on the lookout and
TO withhold their support from Fascist. programs
ana parties, even though this may involve the
loss OF certain temporary material advantages
NOT only radicals, but also many liberals. are
appfehenslVe with respect to the future of de-
mocracy. Professor Calender has prenared a.,
unusually useful symposium on the present crisis
IN democratic government and Institutions (The
Crisis OF Democracy. The Annals of the Amer
lean Academy of Political and Social Science
S2-2.5O. The contributors are drawn from lead
ing experts in the field of government. eco
nomics, sociology and ethics.
THE great majority recognize. that the old
L style democracy and party government have
failed to meet the responsibilities imposed nv
our advanced urban and industrial civilization
BUT tney nave not given up hope and most of
them feel that rigorous reforms will still suffice
to make democracy workable.
l have not read any other publication which
PROVIDES SO much Illuminating and diversified
information on the critical problems involved in
modern democracy. Those who have any hone
OF preserving democratic institutions will do well
to study this volume with care and thoucht-
fulnesS.
In many parts of Europe. political narties
have subsidized in the face of the growing strength
OF Fascism which offers no place for vigorous
party conflicts. The Irish free state. however,
has Of late developed a vigorous party life in
spite OF the most violent emotions and hatreds.
Ferhaps nowhere else in the western world is
party government as vital and animated.
DR.. Moss has analysed contemporary Irish
party government in terms of the latest con-
ceptions of party government prevailing among
social scientists political Parties in the Irish
Free State. BY Warner Moss. Columbia Uni
VerSlty Press. SD. The conditions described
represent a vivid contrast to the situation in
Germany today. Ireland may turn out to be
the last stand of vital party government in
Europe,
WH1LE the students who are politically
w minded look to Fascism or Socialism for
the solution of the present social crisis, the BIZ
ologlsts frequently contend that the only way
out lies in the adoption of a eugenics program
which VIII breed a race of super men capable
or coping with the increasingly difficult prob
lens Of our era. Usually, however, discussions
OF eugenics are unsatisfactory. The biologists
tend TO be uncritically optimistic, while social
reformers are prone to dismiss eugenics as of
no practical import.
Dr.. Holmes gives us the sensible type of dis
cuSslon which we are in the habit of expecting
from his pen THE Eugenic Predicament. BY
j. Holmes. Harcourt, Brace g. Co. So. He
shows that the burdens Of human society today
have been greatly increased as the result of the
vast number Of biologically defective types which
exist and swell the ranks of the maladjusted.
He believes that if a sweeping eugenics program
could be adopted. it would enormously benefit
mankind.
AT the same time. he honestly states the ex-
tensive biological and cultural difficulties which
stand in the way of a successful adoption of
~eugenics. He believes that the first step is to
develop a wide popular interest in race better
ment, and his last chapter is devoted to a very
Illuminating discussion Of how this result can
best be brought about. !