In every community the bureaucracy,
representing the more comfortable and secure elements of the population,
is asking the less well placed class groups to "take it easy," take "one
step at a time," and remember that "Rome was not built in a day."
Conservatives, urging law and order under the status quo, have reason
on their side. The movement of a technologically oriented community from
monopoly capitalism into socialism-communism is without historical
precedent and therefore largely experimental. Plans are tentative; there
are shortages of materials and particularly of skills based on
experience. Costly mistakes are made leading to delay until they can be
corrected. The counter-revolution, abundantly financed by the forces of
reaction, operates constantly, in critical situations almost always
through the military, to preserve the "law and order" which are the
prime forces behind its wealth and its power. In an untrod, untested
area ignorance is a blank wall until it is pierced by ingenuity and
innovation. There are many ways to miss a defined objective and only a
few ways to reach it.
Cautious, experienced people, living comfortably, are inclined to let
well enough alone. Restless, hopeful idealists are eager to reject,
modify, improvise and replace.
Conservatives try to preserve both the structure and the traditional
activities of a community on the plea that a bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush.
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