6 NEW HUMANISM

ing catastrophe. In this gravest crisis of its entire history,,
the civilised world needs a new hope, a new faith, a new
ideal—a new philosophy of revolutionary theory and
practice suitable for the conditions of the time.

For the moment, the tragedy appears to be inevit-
able. The drama of post-war Europe seems to be
unfolding with the inexorable fatality of the Greek tra-
gedy. On the one hand, wedded to the dogma of dicta-
torship by a monolithic party, which may be camouflag-
ed for tactical rensons, the Communists in Russia and'
their satellites abroad simply would not believe in the
bona fides of others who hold that Socialism could be
established democratically. On the other hand, honestly
progressive elements throughout Europe, who have lost
faith in the capitalistic order, and are therefore ready tt>
co-operate in the building of n new society, are repelled
by the idea of dictatorship, particularly after having
suffered and sacrificed so much in the bitter struggle
against Fascism. Nor would the numerous army of con-
firmed Socialists in the countries with a democratic tra-
dition countenance any kind of dictatorship. There
does not seem to be any hope of a synthesis or reconcili-
ation of the conflicting views.

The political history of Europe during the last
quarter of a century and more was embittered by an
endless recrimination between the Social-Democratic
and Communist Parties. The regrettable tradition can-
not be obliterated. It was not a superficial difference.
The notions of democracy and dictatorship are mutually
exclusive; they are logically associated with conflicting