The distinguishing feature in the political world
today is the disappearance of the monarchy in many countries of the world and
the appearance of popular governments in them. It is a new venture which is
still young. The ideal of monarchy had held the field for many centuries. The
new popular governments that are on the saddle in many countries cannot boast
of such a long record or illustrious pedigree.
Three distinct types stand out in popular management
nationalization -- the democratic form, the socialistic form and the form. The
advanced nations of the west--the U.S.A Great Britain and France are all
democracies. Even where the survives as in Norway Sweden in Belgium, there is democratic
set-up. The communist form exists in the U.S.S.R. a” her allies.
The democratic form depends upon the will of the
people as exercised through votes in elections. Different parties contest the
elections. The Government is run according to parliamentary traditions. Private
capital and enterprise form the backbone of the system. In socialist and
communist countries, the power is largely in the hands of the socialist or
communist party. The socialists and the communists believe in nationalization —
that is taking over and managing of industries, mines, transport, banks, etc.
in fact, all the vital aspects of industry and commerce.
The supporters of nationalization urge that as much
as all the people of the country have to be engaged in work (i.e., kept
employed) and the profits of the undertakings made valuable to the State,
nationalization is necessary. Under nationalization, the State dictates the
procedure and mops up the profits. The laborers would have flow option but to
merely obey and accept what the State awards them b way of wages.
Those who oppose nationalization point out its inherent
defects. First nationalization saps private initiative and enterprise. Secondly
it reduces human effort to a dead monotonous level. Thirdly it makes sheep of
the people who gradually drift into a condition of being led. Fourthly, it
inhibits the enthusiasm of the people which will become slaves of the State.
The problem of nationalization looms large in
underdeveloped countries. Only State management can bring into being huge
steel. Fertilizer and other basic industries and immense irrigation projects. There
will be chaos if the post. Telegraph and communications pass out of the hands
of the State. And when the State engages itself in these tasks and tastes the
immensity of the power, it is apt to think of nationalization of over
enterprises too in the name of planning. Then arises the real danger to popular
control. If the electorate thinks deeply over the matter and takes and
effective decision, nationalization can be kept within bounds and made to yield
beneficial results.