War and Economics

Bert Merchant

[Reprinted from Land and Freedom, May-June 1939]

One fact no one dare dispute is that the ordinary man does not want war. This is true in every country. All that the ordinary man everywhere asks, is an opportunity to earn an honest living, to work at his trade, raise his family and be a useful citizen. Given tbis, he sees no reason for war, nor does he care to shoot down men of other nations who are asking but the same simple things he himself hopes for. They are not in any way his "enemies."

But if the diplomats of this country bring about a war and the ordinary man enlists, he is then assured of three meals a day and a little money for his family if he is killed. Does civilization of today promise him that in times of peace? Does our age, so rich in mechanical invention, in material advance, offer the ordinary man the security he deserves to live a natural life, work and support his family? Can we say that it does so, even in our own country, referred to as the "land of unlimited opportunity," when we have today, in round numbers, thirteen million unemployed?

Therein and only therein the braggings and howlings of dictators to the contrary, lies the great danger of war. We do not make peace profitable for that great and important stratum of our population that asks only opportunity to earn a living. Today, peace is profitable only for those who, by their control of natural resources, exploit the labor of their fellow-men.

An all-important lesson for the world of today and maybe even of tomorrow to learn is this:

Make peace profitable for the ordinary man who asks only an opportunity to work and earn a living, and we will make peace possible for all humanity.