COMMUNISM is the most dynamic political force in the world today.
Science has undermined religious faith. Fascism is beaten. Social Democ-
racy is split into rival groups. Monarchy is dead. Parliaments battle out.
dated procedures. Free enterprise is in retreat.

All over the world there is fear of communism. This is a fear of the
unknown. The familiar may be disconcerting. It may even be recognized
as dangerous. But it is the vague and shapeless that causes fear or panic.
Communism, the great unknown of our time, wears the aura of a super.
natural force.

World communism has shrouded itself in secrecy. It seems to work
with mysterious and irresistible precision. Secrecy often guards weakness,
errors of judgment, internal intrigues, human frailties. By making a fetish
of secrecy, communism has made itself look invulnerable. It has also
created irrational fear. As a seemingly all-knowing entity, it lends itself
to extremes of adherence and opposition.

Communism is hailed as a salvation, or cursed as a menace. Its leaders
are called heroes, or criminals. Its organization and plans are presented
as the people's will, or as a gigantic conspiracy.

But who are these leaders? What are these plans? What is this organi-
zation?

To many of us, communism remains the great unknown, to be fostered
or fought, defended or destroyed. But fear is not enough. And uncritical
echoing of slogans is not enough. Communism is not something vague
and threatening. It is not an enormous entity of supreme evil or supreme
good.

Men organize communism. Written words convey its policies. Printing
presses produce its propaganda. Artists design its posters. Cables carry

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