Hermann von Schullern zu Schrattenhofen · 1893
Schullern’s review of Fischer’s 1892 book concentrates on its practical proposals, explicitly limiting its coverage of a broadly conceived work. It moves from Fischer’s diagnosis of social democracy to his Christian reconciliation of individualism and socialism, then outlines the institutions intended to realize that reconciliation. The concluding assessment recommends the book while reserving judgment on its reasoning and polemics.
As Schullern presents it, Fischer treats social democracy as a symptom of social illness: genuine economic grievances have produced misguided remedies because their causes were misunderstood. Fischer examines social democracy’s doctrines and historical development from a Christian standpoint. Schullern’s critical move is to distinguish accepting that standpoint provisionally for the purpose of testing its conclusions from endorsing the premise itself. He credits Fischer’s conviction and non-aggressive tone without claiming that all readers must share his worldview.
The institutional centre of Fischer’s programme is stated compactly:
Die richtige Vermittlung bietet nach Fischer der Genossenschaftsstaat, nach Berufsständen gegliedert; hierin gipfeln auch seine sämmtlichen Vorschläge.
English translation: The right mediation is offered, according to Fischer, by the cooperative state, articulated according to occupational estates; in this, too, all his proposals culminate.
This occupationally organized cooperative state links the book’s philosophical mediation to its economic proposals. Schullern singles out the priority of domestic consumption over exports as a particularly sound proposition. It supports strengthening the agricultural population through a national occupational association divided into production groups, with corresponding associations for industry and handicrafts. Economic organization, public regulation, and moral education thus become complementary instruments of reform:
Die Staaten müssen ihre Arbeiterschutzgesetzgebung noch viel weiter ausbilden und in noch viel grösserem Maasse als bisher Einfluss auf die wirtschaftlichen Verhältnisse üben; die Erziehung durch Kirche und Schule hat eine gewisse Rücksicht auf social-politische Propädeutik zu nehmen.
English translation: The states must develop their legislation for the protection of workers still much further and exert influence upon economic conditions to a still much greater extent than hitherto; education through church and school has to take a certain regard for social-political propaedeutics.
The passage shows why social pedagogy belongs alongside social policy: church and school are to prepare people for the proposed social order, while the state expands labour protection and economic intervention. Schullern leaves aside further measures directed chiefly at the German Empire’s particular circumstances.
His final recommendation remains qualified. He acknowledges substantial disagreements, occasional gaps in induction, and sometimes one-sided polemics, but praises Fischer’s extensive reading, clarity, conceptual unity, and ideal purpose. The review’s significance lies in this discriminating reception of Christian social reform: Schullern treats the programme as worthy of examination for its practical insights without making intellectual coherence or moral earnestness a substitute for critical scrutiny.
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