Co-operative Commonwealth not Corporate Capitalism

A socialist revolution first must take place in the heads of the workers, then will follow the conquest of political power, the overthrow of the capitalist system and the establishment of socialism. Certain characteristics distinguish the socialist revolution from all previous revolutions. For the first time has a social revolution become possible and necessary in the interests of the great bulk of the population, the working class. The lack of socialists is all that stands in the way of socialism. The revolution cannot be rammed down the throats of the workers against their understanding or desire. In the name of building up a socialist movement among the masses, some have emasculated and compromised socialist principles.

 The only factor in all the material conditions of today that I can see standing in the way of socialism is the political ignorance of the workers. Socialism is possible, necessary and practical today the moment the great majority become conscious of their interests. The notion that the workers are dumb is plain hogwash but often confused, especially by the “friends” of socialism, speaking in the name of socialism.

The lure and fascinations of protest demonstrations and making demands is very attractive. It indicates how deep-rooted discontent with capitalism really is, and it demonstrates the latent strength of socialism once the masses wake up to the need for changing the system instead of adjusting to it. The bond that makes us as one and inspires us is the recognition that capitalism can no longer be reformed or administered in the interest of the working class or of society, and the understanding that conditions are now ripe for socialism, which is the solution for society’s problems. All that is lacking is a socialist majority. This says it all! This is the essence of our principles. The socialist movement is not only heart, but is a combination of heart and head. Socialism is not the result of blind faith, followers, or, by the same token, vanguards and leaders. Nothing is more repugnant to socialism than clever strategy and conspiratorial tactics.

Socialism is not possible without socialists. What makes socialist work stirring and inspiring is not that there are short cuts, but that there is nothing else worth a tinker’s damn. The seeming failures, the disappointments and discouragements, the slow growth, only indicate that socialist work is not an easy task. There is no short cut to socialism, short of socialist determination. Our latent strength lies in the fact that science, truth, and above all, necessity, is on the side of the scientific, revolutionary socialist movement.

But the alternative facing us is either socialism or chaos.

All over the world, wastelands or arable lands or resource-rich lands, where resource-poor populations live in tenuous relationships with the environment, are grabbed by the state and corporate giants for the accumulation of capital. We live in a world where conflicts erupt over natural resources. We don’t look to a different government to solve problems, nor make ‘demands’ on government like left groups. We were committed to working without leaders in a non-hierarchical way. Our goals are conceived in terms of achieving a socialist transformation of our global society along democratic and emancipatory lines.

The steady state economy is a genuine alternative to a capitalist economy and it is feasible. Capitalist economics is an erratic process of booms and slumps, and an unpleasant process of competition, where those who win necessarily do so at the expense of those who lose. The socialist vision of a steady-state economy is where goods and services are provided locally as much as possible and at a sustainable level. This would have the positive side-effect of prioritizing the well-being of the planet and all its people over the profit-making of the few who dominate the present economy. Capitalist growth cannot be stopped, or even slowed and the market is driving us toward ecological collapse.

For many people socialism is an economic concept synonymous with government ownership of the means of production and centralized planning of economic activity. Capitalism is leading humanity to disaster. This profit-driven system is using natural resources at a faster rate than they are being replenished. Our atmosphere, land and water are being filled with poisons that are choking the lifeblood out of the planet and its peoples. Socialists aim to raise the living standards of the poorest workers in the world. That does not mean rampant growth that pays no attention to environmental and other considerations. Nor is it is true that people would always clamour for more. We want a decent, stimulating life for ourselves and the generations after us. Consumption would tend to stabilise once a certain level had been reached.

 The same is true for population growth. It is poverty which promotes large families to overcome high infant mortality rates.  Reducing growth can only be accomplished by the transformation of capitalism, which is based on private property, to a democratic, socialist system based on common ownership. From the local to regional and global levels, democratic and accountable bodies would discuss and plan production. Advanced production techniques and aspects of planning already employed by multi-national corporations, market research and internet communication would all help develop a modern socialist society. Production would respond to the needs of society and resources would be allocated accordingly. Sustainable development would be a top priority.

Socialist society can only exist globally. Just as capitalist society is global. Workers will not be tricked into the fight for socialism. Certainly the propaganda of Socialism must start from the simplest daily needs of life of men, women and children, and the failure of capitalism to meet those needs. But at the same time it must be shown that no short cut can find the way out, no magic panaceas of pretended reforms, money-control or other trickeries, but only the conquest of the means of production by the working class, and, therefore, as the necessary condition of this, the overthrow of capitalist class power and conquest of power by the working class; and it must be shown that this class struggle will involve heavy fighting and sacrifice, demanding the strongest discipline and solidarity of the working class.

The clamor is always money, money, and more money but money won’t fill our stomachs.