Selections
From FREE AMERICA
And Other Works
by Bolton Hall
"One of the most curious of delusions is the belief that wide-spread and deep-rooted
evils can be cured by trifling remedies. Thus, for the ills arising from
political corruption and misgovernment by organizations formed for the
purpose of securing political offices, we find it gravely suggested as
a remedy that we should 'elect good men to office.' Apart from the absurdity
of dividing men into the good and the bad, this plan for abolishing effects
without touching causes is ridiculous. Political corruption is not, as
some moralists seem to believe, the result of men's sinful nature, nor
is it due to unscrupulous 'machines.' It has its origin in the conditions
which keep large numbers of people in involuntary idleness; which every
year force ten thousand business men into bankruptcy, which make a struggle
for a bare subsistence the lot of the great majority of the voters of the
country; and which create large classes ready to ally themselves for gain
with adventurers who trade as professional politicians. Having its roots
thus deep in the rotten soil of ignorance and violation of economic laws,
it is easy to see that the efforts of 'Good Government Clubs,' 'Municipal
Reform Leagues,' and similar organizations of well-meaning citizens must
fail to accomplish the ends for which they are working. So long as law-created
conditions prevent the masses from acquiring intelligence or using their
intelligence for useful purposes, so long will it be impossible to have
clean politics."
Bolton Hall wrote those words in 1904. This book collects more than
20 of his essays from 4 of his books: Free America, A Little Land And
A Living, Who Pays Your Taxes?, and Things As They Are.
A pioneer of alternative economics, Bolton Hall rubbed elbows with the
radicals of his day, from Benjamin Tucker to Emma Goldman.
Unfortunately, today Bolton Hall is little-known. We are proud to offer
you this collection of his writing, with an introduction by Mark Sullivan,
"Bolton Hall & The 'Third Tradition.' "
5½ x 8½, 199 pp, illustrated,
soft cover.
FREE AMERICA: $8.95
(ORDER NUMBER 94105)
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