“We must give full weight to Sir Charles's reminder that millions in the East are still half starved. To these my fears would seem very unimportant. A hungry man thinks about food, not freedom. We must give full weight to the claim that nothing but science, and science globally applied, and therefore unprecedented Government controls, can produce full bellies and medical care for the whole human race: nothing, in short, but a world Welfare State. It is a full admission of these truths which impresses upon me the extreme peril of humanity at present.”

I think he is presenting the great appeal of socialism, not making a case for it.
Walt

Chaos precedes totalitarianism

Walter Clark, I think you are right. That was brought into focus by the last sentence of the quote, "extreme peril of humanity at present" and the name of the book from where the quote derived.

C.S. Lewis is NOT making a case for a world Welfare State -- he is warning us of going in that direction.

Yes it does seem 5 families will rule the world. Chaos comes quickly, plundering of the individual sovereign. 5 the number of death, in a KJB. We are there already, most just don't acknowledge it. Regress not progress has been the theme for a long time, whether one has riches or not. Darkest before the day break. Jacobs trouble comes, Hope fulfilled first, then false peace, afterwards all hell breaks loose.

" A hungry man thinks about food "