History
Imagine that a meeting has been called in your area to discuss the socialist idea of doing away with private property and introducing collective ownership. Write the speech you would make at the meeting if you are:
- a poor labourer working in the fields
- a medium-level landowner
- a house owner
Answer
The Poor Labourer Working in the Fields
Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you for gathering here today to discuss an idea that has the potential to transform our lives—the concept of collective ownership. As a poor labourer toiling in the fields, I have experienced firsthand the hardships of life. My family and I work tirelessly under the scorching sun, hoping for a better future.
Collective ownership ensures that everyone has an equal stake in the land. No longer will a few hold the ownership while the rest of us struggle to make ends meet. It’s time for fairness and justice. When we collectively own the land, we share the responsibility of maintaining it. We can pool our resources to improve irrigation, build better roads, and enhance our overall quality of life. No one will fear eviction or displacement. Collective ownership provides security even during tough times. So, let us embrace this vision. Let us stand united, shoulder to shoulder, and create a future where no one sleeps hungry, where every child receives an education, and where our sweat and labour benefit us all.The Medium-Level Landowner
Esteemed members of the assembly, I stand before you as a medium-level landowner — a person who has worked hard to cultivate and manage a piece of land. While I appreciate the ideals of collective ownership, I also recognize the complexities involved. Over the years, I’ve invested time, money, and effort into my land. It feels like an extension of myself. The thought of relinquishing it is daunting. Will collective ownership lead to efficient land use? How do we ensure that everyone contributes equally? Collective ownership fosters stronger community bonds. We can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and collectively address challenges. During droughts or crop failures, we won’t bear the burden alone. Our collective strength will sustain us. My proposal is, let’s explore hybrid models — where we retain some individual ownership while contributing to communal projects. This way, we preserve our hard-earned gains while supporting the greater good.The House Owner
Distinguished attendees, As a house owner, I recognize that our homes are more than mere structures. Sharing house is not a practical idea. It is a private space which is built by our hard earned money. We will lose our privacy. How do we balance communal living with personal space? Who will maintain our homes? How do we prevent neglect? Therefore, I recommend to explore cooperative housing models. We retain our individual homes but collaborate on common facilities. Together, we can build a vibrant, caring neighborhood.
Related Questions
List two differences between the capitalist and socialist ideas of private property.
Why were there revolutionary disturbances in Russia in 1905? What were the demands of revolutionaries?
The year is 1916. You are a general in the Tsar’s army on the eastern front. You are writing a report for the government in Moscow. In your report suggest what you think the government should do to improve the situation.
Look again at Source A and Box 1.
(a) List five changes in the mood of the workers.
(b) Place yourself in the position of a woman who has seen both situations and write an account of what has changed.
Box 1
Women in the February Revolution
'Women workers, often … inspired their male co-workers … At the Lorenz telephone factory, … Marfa Vasileva almost single handedly called a successful strike. Already that morning, in celebration of Women’s Day, women workers had presented red bows to the men … Then Marfa Vasileva, a milling machine operator stopped work and declared an impromptu strike. The workers on the floor were ready to support her … The foreman informed the management and sent her a loaf of bread. She took the bread but refused to go back to work. The administrator asked her again why she refused to work and she replied, “I cannot be the only one who is satiated when others are hungry”. Women workers from another section of the factory gathered around Marfa in support and gradually all the other women ceased working. Soon the men downed their tools as well and the entire crowd rushed onto the street.'
From: Choi Chatterji, Celebrating Women (2002).