The New World Order
Waking World. By Olaf Stapledon. (Methuen. 7s. 6d.) Tins is an exceedingly difficult book to review, for Mr. Stapledon uses a broad brush upon a large canvas. The canvas has hitherto been the universe at large : it now contracts and becomes western civilization: Mr. Stapledon withdraws his view from the " Milky Way " to take a look at the New Deal, and ceases to speculate about the end of man's life in the solar system in order to consider the end of his civilization in the next war. He still advocates loyalty to a world view which finds in stoical resignation to the tragedy of the universe the germ of an adult man's religion ; but he also advocates loyalty to a World State which finds in work and sacrifice for the new international order the basis of an adult man's duty. NoW this diminution in scope brings with it for a writer such as Mr. Stapledon a growth in difficulty. It is permissible for a mind to be " all over the place " when it has all place—that is to say, all space-time—at its disposal ; but the need for discipline and limitation appears when it must move within the comparatively restricted confines of modern civilization during the next hundred years. It is, I suspect, easier for Mr. Stapledon to predict the pursuits of men in the millennium thin to say what Smith will be doing in twenty years' time. Nevertheless, this is a book wholly in the grand manner, a book whose nobility and essential goodness it is impossible to mistake. It is—if I may resort to Victorian expressions so long disused that they are beginning again to have meaning —"a strictly elevating book, and one is sensibly the better for reading it.
I will try very briefly to summarize what appears to be its main theme. The coming of a world order, Mr. Stapledon hOlds, is the only remedy for the ills of our civilization. This world order will be established in pursuance of that " ' world' aim' " which " is the fulfilment of man's capacities, both his animal capacities and his distinctively huinan capacities; whatever these in fact are." It is argued that " mechanical power has put man for the first time in a position to realize this ideal." Nevertheless, owing to an obsolete economic system and an inadequate educational system, the first of which consciously opposes the realization of the world order, while the second results in it being only intermittently desired by an unrepresentative few, it is unlikely that it will be realized in our time. For, in the first place, it is probable that there will be war ; in the second, even if we avoid war, the necessary transformation of society is unlikely • to . be accomplished without the employment of force ; also the use of force will almost certainly enthrone Fascism. Even the " Threat of red revolution is a strength to Fascists." Hence " what seems probable is decline and widespread misery, or at best an age of confusion, of prolonged conflict between the old order and the new hope ; and then at last, centuries hence, the dawn."
Meanwhile we can at least make up our minds upon the steps which are necessary to avoid this fate, if only mankind can be persuaded to take them. Two things are described as fundamental. First an economic revolution whose purpose will be to insure that " the productive power of the world is to be controlled in such a manner that all extant human beings may be able to exercise their capacities to the full, and that the quality of civilization may continuously improve." Secondly, and more fundamental still, is an educational revolution which " since the world as a whole has not yet come to desire this change " will prescribe the ends which the economic revolution will give men the means to realize.
The object of true education is defined follows : " TO help the future citizens of the world to experience vividly, zeStfully;- in many. spheres, to think about their _experience honestly and accurately,. and to will sanely, distinguishing betWeen,less important and more important end.S." • How are these pre-requisites of the world order themselves to be realized ? Only, Mr. Stapledon seems to say, by the slowly strengthening will of an increasing number of people for their realization: In a moving chapter at the end of his book he describes the formation in modern society of a new order of men dedicated to the service of the World State. They will be pacifists; refOsing to fight in any "national war even if their country is invaded, yet willing to serve in a supernational war declared by a real League against an aggressor State ; they will be revolutionary, though knowing the hope from revolution to be " indeed forlorn " ; they will be democrats and libertarians, valuing the development of the individual personality above all things. Finally, they must be men _ of all kinds—" intellectuals " to give " breadth of understanding and depth of purpose " and men of the people " not unused to desperate remedies " to give " their drive, their passion, their 'consecration." These, if they are to " achieve their aim, must form themselves into is very special kind of party or order made up of very diverse persons, each one a vital self, but all united by the supreme world aim."
An inspiring conception, yet strangely familiar. Surely, one feels, one has read something of the kind before. And so one has in The Open Conspiracy and The World of William Clissold, where the voice of H. G. Wells was heard calling in similar accents for men of knowledge, devotion and good will, to conic together for the salvaging of civilization and the establishment of the World State. Mr. Stapledon acknow- ledges yet disowns his master ; disowns him, because his approach is, it seems, too humanistic. Mr. Wells, in fact, does not subscribe to Mr. Stapledon's mystical religion, a religion of reverence for the drains of the universe, and of " delight in this strange beauty of existence." In fact, Mr. Stapledon sadly reflects, there is no mysticism about Mr. Wells at all. The impeachment is untrue ; but if it were true, what of it ? Mr. Stapledon is, I feel, definitely unfair to Mr. Wells. Mr. Wells is a great man who has inspired all of us, and not least Mr. Stapledon. And Mr. Stapledon of all writers should have the perception to discern and the generosity to acclaim greatness when it conies his way.
C. E. M. Joan.
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