ROBERTO TUMMINELLI

Il socialismo etico di François Vidal (II) 

N. 1/1987

Summary - The socialization of the means of production is the only solution of the social question, the only way to free workers. But in the new society, man will have to change mentality and engage himself not only for his own profit but also for the good of the collectivity. This true anthropological mutation could take place through a strict control of the education, instruction and culture. Vidal, although a communist, is not egalitarian. In fact, he is favourable to the diversity of remunerations inasmuch as incomes must be distributed according to the needs. Moreover, work must be alternate and varied to avoid alienation and laziness.

After 1848 Vidal deems a policy is possible of radical reforms which will lead to a communist society. From a political point of view he considers as the maximum level of development the representative democracy, whereas from the economic and social view-point it is necessary to proceed towards collectivism. The reforms, social and economic, will have as objective: the right to work, abolition of exploitation of man on man, organization of work through association. The scientific development is, for Vidal, the main propelling force of history and will set up a just society. It is up to the State to bring about a just society through rigorous but democratic methods, and by the planning of the economy. The State will progressively get rid of the failures connected with the mechanism of free competition. With Pecqueur, Blanc, Considérant, Cabet, Laponneraye and others, Vidal belongs to that trend of thought that, in those years, endeavours to join democracy to collectivism,.