What is socialism? If we are socialists, what are we
actually striving towards? This question, long a subject of debate is
receiving even more attention today because of the inability of capitalism to
address its mounting crises. Nothing less than the fate of humanity hinges upon
the speediest implementation of the socialist solution yet hardly anyone nowadays
retain hope in the anti-capitalist strivings and sentiments of the working
people or believe that they can in time participate in a mighty movement
oriented toward socialist objectives. For adhering to these convictions and
being guided by them, the Socialist Party is looked upon as a political
dinosaur, ridiculed as a relic of a by-gone age, dogmatists to outworn views
who cannot understand that the world has changed. Indeed, it may seem odd to argue
against the preponderance of public opinion so why not go along with the
prevailing mood? Unfashionable and unpopular as it may be, we in the Socialist
Party have solid reasons for our principled stand and our convictions are not those
of religious-like faith but derived from a scientific conception of the course
and driving forces of world history, a reasoned analysis of the decisive trends
of our time, and an understanding of the mainsprings and the necessities of
capitalist development. Socialist ideas
have clarified many perplexing problems in philosophy, sociology, history,
economics, and politics, explaining the key role of the working class in
history. Nothing less is at stake than the destiny of civilisation and with it
the future of mankind.
Too often, too many radicals place too much importance upon the
undeniable shortcomings of the labour movement than by any of its positive
accomplishments. They disparage the significance of the sheer existence of trade
union organisations which act as a shield against lowering wages and working
conditions and check the aggressions of capitalist reaction. They ignore the
working conditions of a century ago, before unionisation, the fourteen- to
sixteen-hour day, the exploitation of child labor, the early mortality rate for
all workers; and they neglect to study what happens when unions are
exceptionally weak and fragmented. The widespread under-estimation of the
working class comes from a short-term perspective. We are living in a world of
rapidly changing events and many unexpected developments. The working class
will be roused from its slumber by events beyond anyone’s control. We do not
believe that they can be summoned into battle on anyone’s command. The class
struggle unfolds with a rhythm of its own, determined by historical conditions.
The Socialist Party takes full advantage of opportunities in good times or bad.
That is its reason for its existence. We are no idle dreamers. We want to make
things happen.
But how was this new society to be achieved? The critical
first step, in our view, is taking political power, replacing the government of
the capitalist class with the rule of the working class. People should rule
society in their own interests. Socialism is a society dedicated to the
interests of the vast majority of the population. The basic means by which
society produces its wealth – factories, mines and farms – are transferred from
private to public ownership, and exploitation is for the most part eliminated.
Socialism unleashes the creativity of the common people, who are capable of
tremendous advances when not laboring under a system of exploitation. The key
to the solution of the problem lies, for us, in a social revolution throughout
the capitalist world. There is no other way. Socialism has to become a tool and
a weapon again for going to the roots of existing social problems and pointing
the way to their solution. If you want to fight the only battle worth fighting,
for the socialist revolution – join us.
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