Build the socialist commonwealth

The Socialist Party always makes it quite clear as to our exact aim and object. We as socialists, wish to advance the case for socialism, and by socialism we mean the common ownership of all the agencies of wealth production, and this involves the complete supercession of the capitalist system, and the conducting of all production on a co-operative basis. We seek to overthrow capitalism, and build the socialist commonwealth. Socialism is the highest stage of human society, economically, socially, and intellectually. All the accumulated treasures in machines and technical appliances created by the genius of man, all that science and art had given to the human race in generations is to be utilised, not for the few, but for the benefit of mankind as a whole. This socialist commonwealth, liberating the individual from all economic, political and social oppression, will provide the basis for real liberty and for the full and harmonious development of the personality, giving full scope for the growth of the creative faculties of the mind.

To substitute common, for private, ownership in the means of production, this it is what economic development is urging upon us with ever-increasing force. The abolition of the present system of production means replacing for production for sale with production for use. In a socialist system the people own and control the means of production and distribution through democratically controlled workers councils, cooperatives, or other collective groups. The primary goal of economic activity is to provide the necessities of life, including food, shelter, health care, education, child care, cultural opportunities, and social services. The Socialist Party strives to establish a radical democracy that places people’s lives under their own control in which people cooperate at work, at home, and in the community. Planning takes place at the community, regional, and world levels, and is determined democratically with the input of workers, consumers, and the public to be served. Socialism is not government ownership, a welfare state, or a repressive bureaucracy. Socialism is a new social and economic order in which workers and consumers control production and community residents control their neighbourhoods, homes, hospitals and schools. Democracy in daily life is the core of our socialism. State ownership is a fraud as decisions are made by distant bureaucrats or authoritarian managers. In socialist society power resides in worker-managed and cooperative enterprises. Community-based cooperatives help provide the flexibility and innovation required in a dynamic socialist economy. The production of society is used for the benefit of all humanity, not for the private profit of a few. Socialism produces a constantly renewed future by not plundering the resources of the earth. The capitalist system forces workers to sell their abilities and skills to the few who own the workplaces, profit from these workers’ labour, and use the government to maintain their privileged position. The inevitable product of the capitalist system is a class society with gross inequality, draining productive wealth and goods of the society into military purposes and war in which workers are compelled to fight other workers. People around the world have more in common with each other than with their rulers. We condemn war, preparation for war, and the militaristic culture. We ally with no nation, but only with working people throughout the world. A socialist society carefully plans its way of life and technology to be a harmonious part of our natural environment. The cleanup of the polluted and contaminated environment will be among the first tasks of a socialist society.

Socialism and democracy are one and indivisible. The Socialist Party is democratic, with its structure and practices visible and accessible to all members. It ought to be obvious to every socialist that socialism will not come into existence unless the majority of the people are willing to struggle for socialism and that means that they have to understand what it is. If the people who vote for a socialist candidate do not do so because he or she is a socialist then of what earthly use can that be for achieving the socialist goal? Socialism must depend upon the consciousness of the workers and not upon their lack of knowledge. The idea that we should first be elected and then teach socialism is absurd. It can be stated with the greatest of assurance that a socialist candidate who refrains from advocating and explaining socialism during the campaign, with the idea that he or she will do so after elected will forget all about socialism.  The building of socialism requires widespread understanding and participation, and will not be achieved by an elite working “on behalf of” the people. The working class is in a key and central position to fight back against the ruling capitalist class and its power. The working class is the major force worldwide that can lead the way to a socialist future – to a real radical democracy from below. Socialists participate in the electoral process to present socialist alternatives. The process of struggle profoundly shapes the ends achieved. Our tactics in the struggle for radical democratic change reflect our ultimate goal of a society founded on principles of egalitarian and non-exploitative relations among all people. Our aim is the creation of a new social order, a society in which the commanding value is the preciousness of every woman, man and child.