Proudhon - A Biography

THE MAN OF AFFAIRS
and England. In that manner, differences o f opinion can be
brought to light; one can achieve an exchange of ideas and an
impartial criticism. It will be a step forward for the socialist move­
ment in its “ literary” expression, a step towards shaking off the
limitations o f “ nationality.” And at the moment o f action it is
certainly o f great importance for each of us to be informed on the
state of affairs abroad as well as at home... Our relations with
England are already established; as for France, we all believe that
we can find there no better correspondent than yourself— you
know that up to the present the English and German socialists
have appreciated you more than your own fellow countrymen.’
Proudhon accepted this approach without enthusiasm, and his
reply revealed a number of aspects of his character which Marx
had evidently left out of consideration. Proudhon’s native
shrewdness made him detect the latent authoritarian traits which
were to become so prominent in Marx’s subsequent activity, and his
innate independence made him cautious about entering into com­
mitments that might compromise his freedom of judgment. His
letter laid down clearly and frankly the differences that divided
him from the authoritarian socialists. He began by expressing
his willingness to participate, but at the same time made a series
o f significant reservations.
‘First, although my ideas in the matter of organisation and
realisation are at this moment more or less settled, at least as
regards principles, I believe it is my duty, as it is the duty o f all
socialists, to maintain for some time yet the critical or dubitive
form; in short, I make profession in public of an almost absolute
economic anti-dogmatism.
‘Let us seek together, if you wish, the laws o f society, the
manner in which these laws are realised, the process by which we
shall succeed in discovering them; but, for G od’s sake, after
having demolished all the a priori dogmatisms, do not let us in
our turn dream o f indoctrinating the people... I applaud with
all my heart your thought of bringing to light all opinions; let us
carry on a good and loyal polemic; let us give the world the
example o f a learned and far-sighted tolerance, but let us not,
because we are at the head o f a movement, make ourselves the
leaders o f a new intolerance, let us not pose as the apostles o f a
new religion, even if it be the religion o f logic, the religion of
reason. Let us gather together and encourage all protests, let us