A

1. Why may socialism be considered a distributive problem?

2. May it be also a productive problem? Explain.

3. Why should every one carefully examine the claims of socialism ?

4. Account for the hazy notions many people have concerning socialism.

5. Do socialists look forward to an equal distribution of wealth? of income ?

6. What essential beliefs divide socialists into groups ?

7. Just what did Marx mean by the expression, "surplus value"?

8. Do socialists urge friendly relations between employer and employee? Why, or why not?

9. What human motives hinder socialism ?

10. What is meant by the expression, "the institution of private property"?

11. What administrative problems would confront a socialistic state ?

12. What important present-day questions of production would persist under socialism?

13. Why, or why not, may we justly demand that the solution of every administrative problem be pointed out before we give a respectful hearing to the principles of socialism?

14. What is a substitute for socialism?

B

1. Consult with some well-known socialist in your community. a. Ask him about the socialistic attitude toward present-day production, consumption. 6. Get his opinion on the trend of public thought regarding socialism since 1910.

c. Inquire concerning the administrative difficulties socialism is likely to meet.

d. Get his views on the relation of socialism to organized labor.

e. Learn the general attitude which socialism takes toward religion, education, marriage, charity.

2. Inquire at random among older acquaintances concerning their notions of socialism.

a. How many of the whole number appear to have given socialism any serious thought?

b. How many appear to have fixed convictions on the subject?

c. From your experience in this connection, what would you say regarding the general attitude of the American public toward socialism?

3. Confer with the best-informed anti-socialist in the community and get his reaction on the claims made by your socialistic friends. Then you will be in a fairly good position to think for yourself.

4. Analyze the answers of the business men to whom you put the following questions: a. What is the origin of private property?

b. Why should an individual be permitted to own and control private property?

c. Would you favor the socialization of all private property?

d. How would such a change affect society? industry?

5. List any arguments you may think important in support of the government ownership of railroads. List also opposing arguments.

C

1. How would you expect a change to socialism to affect the following: a. Farming?

b. Plumbing?

c. Retailing ?

d. Manufacturing?

e. Teaching? f. Preaching ?

g. Professional begging?

h. Lending money ?

i. Renting residence houses?

j: Coal-mining ?

k. Professional singing?

2. Imagine a system of socialism in operation in this country. a. What problems concerning production might arise?

b. How would society be able to secure the services of skilled enterprisers ?

c. From what source would capital come?

d. What would determine the wages of plumbers, carpenters, unskilled workers?

3. To what extent, if at all, are the following socialistic: a. Maintenance of free public schools ?

b. Regulation of street-car fares?

c. City ownership of a gas plant?

d. Fixing the price of wheat?

4. Explain just why socialism should oppose labor strikes, cooperation, profit-sharing, social insurance.

Supplementary Reading

Bullock, Introduction to the Study of Economics, 3d ed., pages 494-513,

Ely, Outlines of Economics, 3d ed., pages 627-640.

Fetter, Economics, Vol. II, pages 470-490.

Fisher, Elementary Principles of Economics, pages 35, 36, 369-371.

Seager, Principles of Economics, pages 613-627.

Seligman, Principles of Economics, 5th ed., pages 64, 136, 655-658.

Taussig, Principles of Economics, 2d ed., Vol. II, pages 443-478.