WHY RUSSIAN COMMUNISM HAS FAILED

its rulers, has to pay the price. In the principles of
Bolshevism there is more desire to destroy ancient evils
than to build up new goods; it is for this reason that
success in destruction has been so much greater than
in construction. The desire to destroy is inspired by
hatred, which is not a constructive principle. From this
essential characteristic of Bolshevik mentality has
sprung the willingness to subject Russia to its present
martyrdom. It is only out of a quite different mentality
that a happier world can be created.

And from this follows a further conclusion. The
Bolshevik outlook Is the outcome of the cruelty of the
Tsarist regime and the ferocity of the years of the
Great War, operating upon a ruined and starving
nation maddened into universal hatred. If a different
mentality is needed, for the establishment of a success-
ful Socialism, then a quite different conjuncture must
see its inauguration; men must be persuaded to the
attempt by hope, not driven to it by despair. To bring
this about should be the aim of every Socialist who
desires the happiness of mankind more than the
punishment of capitalists and their governmental
satellites.

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