Freedom in Danger (1933–4)

Abstract

From 1933 Laski was ever more prolific as a popular journalist, and became increasingly active in numerous Left-wing organisations, as well as the Labour Party. He also urged unity of action with the Communist Party. He remained as much of an ‘intellectual’ as ever, quoting with approval Goethe’s aphorism: ‘action is easy, it is thought that is so difficult’.¹ But he argued that intellectuals needed to have the courage to shun wealth and respectability and to speak the truth as they saw it. It was, he claimed, far easier to avoid doing so and to be accepted as someone with ‘sound’ views.’ Later he proclaimed: