Page:The International Socialist Review (1900-1918), Vol. 1, Issue 1.pdf/6

6 want to know what the writer means by saying that the present government is a plutocracy. Then we shall want to know whether there are good reasons for desiring a change in the form of our government. We shall want to know what the change from plutocracy to democracy would mean. And, finally, if such a change commends itself to our judgment, we shall want to consider whether it is possible and how we may in bringing it about.

First of all, what do I mean by saying that the government of the United States is a plutocracy? I mean that the interests of private property in the products of social effort are the supreme concern of government, that for which it exists. I affirm that all the institutions of government, all its departments and policies, are determined in the last analysis by commercial considerations. You will understand, I hope, that when I say that, I am making no criticism on any man or set of men. I am simply trying to state the facts. If I am wrong, I shall hope to be set right. I mean to say that every official of the government is elected by capitalistic interests and for the purpose of serving such interests. The Supreme Court of the United States has for its highest function, practically its sole function, the defense, protection, and maintenance of the institution of private property. The Senate, as we all know, has become a millionaires' club and little else. That is only a symptom of the disease. That fact respecting the Senate is simply indicative of what is universally true. Wealth is the dominating concern, the supreme power, and therefore we should expect that the Congress of the United States would be officered by men representing wealth. We are not disappointed in this expectation. We have representative government, it is true. But it is representative of dollars rather than men. We know perfectly well that no legislation can possibly pass either house or gain the executive approval unless it is plainly intended to serve the interests of wealth. The President is chosen by the influence of money, and he is nothing more—can be nothing more—than the agent of the interests of capital. You do not need to have me tell you that the United States treasury is at the disposal of corporate wealth. I do not think any one would deny it. The whole banking system, the system of currency and the financial policy of the government in the past and in the present, no matter which party holds the offices, are the creation and expression of plutocracy.

The same principle will be found to hold true through the whole list of national and social institutions. Wealth has built all our churches and controls them. It has erected our school edifices and determines what shall be taught in them. It is the one power that holds the world in its hand. If you can think of any political policy that has been seriously broached by public