of great misfortune and suffering, "It is a case of us or the other fellow. In these realms and others, nothing is counted but brutal might, an order devised by those who possessed it for the subjugation of those who did not." (Pg.229) Luckily, Jurgis found himself in the territory of a Socialist convention. He was delightfully enlightened with the ideas the speaker conveyed to Jurgis in his energetic and compelling presentation. The socialist movement seemed to provide answers for practically all of the problems which Jurgis and his family had faced and struggled against in their strife for survival in America.The socialists saw two major problems forced upon humanity that were caused by capitalist America. These were greed and ruthless competition. Because society had its base in money and class, people did anything in their power to overcome another in order to survive in the harshness of the world. The socialist movement claimed it could put an end to this bitter competition and greed by placing the welfare of the people as the primary concern in the hands of their government. Emphasis would be placed on the well being of the people, not the money which they each individually possessed. Working conditions, therefore, would be of initial concern. Socialism would obliterate all class boundaries, so that the rich could no longer manipulate the working class to gain profit. According to Sinclair, the socialist movement would require a complete restructuring of society as it was known. In theory, socialism advocates the ownership and control of the means of production, capital, land, and property by the society as a whole, and their administration and distribution in the interests of all. The socialist party pushed for a society in which everything is common ground and all people are equal with no regards to class or financial standing. The socialists said they would solve all of society's nagging problems and issues. Socia...
