Looking Backward · Chapter
VII explained
Julian West continues his conversation with Dr.
What happens
Julian West continues his conversation with Dr. Leete about the organization of the industrial army, learning that individuals choose their occupations based on natural aptitude, that the government equalizes the attractiveness of trades by adjusting hours and conditions, and that wages are not a source of discontent because the system is designed to ensure fairness. Dr. Leete prescribes sleep for Julian after a long discussion.
Themes in this chapter
Labor and Dignity of Work
The chapter emphasizes that work is a voluntary, dignified choice based on natural aptitude, with the state ensuring fair conditions.
Economic System and Cooperation
Dr. Leete describes a cooperative economic system where the nation is the sole employer and trades are balanced by adjusting hours and privileges.
Education and Physical Culture
The educational system is designed to help individuals discover their aptitudes and prepare for their chosen occupations.
Characters to notice
- Julian West
Asks detailed questions about the industrial army, wage determination, and professional training.
- Dr. Leete
Explains the principles of the industrial army, including voluntary occupation selection, equalization of trade attractiveness, and the absence of wage disputes.
Key passages
“the rate of wages and determine just how much everybody shall earn, from the doctors to the diggers. All I can say is, that this plan would never have worked with us, and I don’t see how it can now unless human nature has changed.”
Julian argues that setting wages by government fiat would have caused universal discontent in his time, and he doubts it could work without a change in human nature.
Julian expresses skepticism about centralized wage determination.
“The administration has nothing to do with determining that point.”
Dr. Leete clarifies that the government does not assign jobs; individuals choose their occupations based on their natural aptitudes.
Dr. Leete explains the principle of voluntary occupation selection.
“The supply of volunteers is always expected to fully equal the demand.”
Dr. Leete states that the system ensures the number of volunteers for each trade matches the need, by adjusting working conditions.
Dr. Leete describes how labor supply is balanced.