To the biologist the problem of socialism appears largely as a problem of size. The extreme socialists desire to run every nation as a single business concern. I do not suppose that Henry Ford would find much difficulty in running Andorra or Luxembourg on a socialistic basis. He has already more men on his pay-roll than their population. It is conceivable that a syndicate of Fords, if we could find them, would make Belgium Ltd or Denmark Inc. pay their way. But while nationalization of certain industries is an obvious possibility in the largest of states, I find it no easier to picture a completely socialized British Empire or United States than an elephant turning somersaults or a hippopotamus jumping a hedge.
[J. B. S. Haldane, “On Being the Right Size” 1928]
Melbourne-based, U Sydney and U Melb affiliated historian and philosopher of science, especially biology. Apple tragic. Pratchett fan. Curmudgeon. Punster. Fatso.
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” I find it no easier to picture a completely socialized British Empire or United States than an elephant turning somersaults or a hippopotamus jumping a hedge.”
Or a completely socialized — and prosperous — Soviet Union or China.
Very slick piece of writing.
The introduction to this brings the point vividly and dramatical to life.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7166801834924005619
…I’m not sure that the question of whether political/economic systems “work” is a biological question (or “problem”), unless many (many, many, many) parameters can first be defined in biological terms (jumping ability of elephants, for example). Unless, of course, all problems are biological problems.
Yes these mad Marxist scientist and their strange theories, as any sane historian would note the first question to ask is one of context.
Nice strawman in those ‘extreme socialists’ Haldane conjured up for us.
What’s next, posts on how ‘extreme facists’ have it all wrong?
In 1928, this was indeed a concern. If he made comments about fascists of any stripe in 1928, I would say he was unduly prescient.