years of the eighteenth century, liquidated in so miserable a fashion the bankruptcy of the Revolution, did but prepare a generation of rebellious pigmies.
The social question-for, in the clear light of facts, who can deny that it exists?—is not only based on an economic problem, but constitutes of itself a vast moral problem, the resolution of which modern society may try to delay, but which sooner or later must be faced.
It is the Sphinx of modern times, and we stand in the presence of the same cruel dilemma which in bygone days tortured other societies no less flourishing, no less endowed with intellectual light than is our modern society: cruel dilemma which, if we would not perish, must be solved.
If in spite of our criticisms and its own errors and uncertainties, Socialism has spread so rapidly, it means that within its very nature lies a great moral force, which we may indeed refuse to acknowledge but cannot suppress.
All those who have written on the subject of Socialism show how difficult they find it to completely divest their minds of prejudice.
My intention is to study throughout a series of volumes, and with the utmost calm and impartiality, the principal forms of modern Socialism: Religious Socialism, Anarchical Socialism, Collectivism, State Socialism, etc. In setting myself this task I fully appreciate the difficulties that beset the undertaking before me, in which my strength indeed may fail me, my courage never!
Even those who dedicate themselves to the special study of Socialism very frequently show that they are unacquainted with the real tendencies of the numerous