' He who confuses political liberty with freedom and political equality with similarity has never thought for five minutes about either ', says ' John Tanner ' in the Revolutionist's Handbook and Pocket Companion appended to Man and Superman. ' Nothing can be unconditional ; consequently, nothing can be free.' Again: Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.'
Man and Superman was written thirty-two years ago. But Mr. Shaw has recanted few of the fundamental articles of his creed. He has never cherished any illusions about democracy ; his admiration for certain European dictators, or for his own masterful King Magnus in The Apple
Cart, betokens no fresh development in his views. He himself has certainly never confused political liberty with freedom.
But Shaw has always been the deadliest of sharpshooters in the fight for true freedom, and listeners may confidently look forward to some brilliant marksmanship tonight.