'War of the Classes', is a compilation of essays that sets out London's views regarding the subject. Much of its contents will be familiar to those on the Left, but even veteran radicals will find London's expression of these issues refreshing, such is his writing style. Regarding the substance of the book, there are two areas where London was ahead of his time, and raised questions which are pertinent to ours. The first is the possibility of capitalism enduring in the form of an oligarchy (a 'benevolent feudalism') - which seems to describe the current situation all too well. The other is the problem of how the human race is to be improved if even the weak and worthless members are nurtured, cared for and permitted to reproduce - as would invariably happen in a socialist society (an issue which seems to have been on the mind of Friedrich Nietzsche among others).
(Arindam Basu)
(Arindam Basu)
