Socialism will be an association of free and equal producers

Although Marx did not leave us with a detailed description of a communist society his new mode of social production would in essence be an association of free and equal producers. It will not be the state which is director and administrator of production and distribution, but rather it will be the producers and consumers themselves to whom these functions would fall. Reformists have turned this theory completely upside down. The struggle for social reforms and the steady transformation of the various branches of industry into state or municipal enterprises meant for them a steady approach towards socialism. Social Democracy conceived of realising socialism through a continuous and gradual process of nationalisation.

Socialisation is the genuine authentic organisation of the economy. Undoubtedly the economy has to be organised; but not according to the old methods. The working class, in order to accomplish its purpose, must, first of all, secure entire political control of the state. But to the Socialist Party political power is only a means to an end. It is the instrument with which labour will achieve the complete, fundamental reconstruction of our entire industrial system. To-day all wealth, the land, the mines, the mills and the factories belong to a small group of capitalists. From them, the toilers receive a scanty wage in return for long hours of arduous labour, hardly enough for a decent livelihood. The enrichment of a small class of parasitic idlers is the purpose and end of present-day society. To give to modern society and to modern production a new impulse and a new purpose – that is the foremost duty of the revolutionary working class. To this end, all social wealth the land and all that it produces, the factories and the mills must be taken from their exploiting owners to become the common property of the entire people. Production is to be carried on for the sole purpose of securing to all a more humane existence, of providing for all plentiful food, clothing and other cultural means of subsistence. In the interest of general welfare, society will become more economical, more rational in the utilisation of its commodities, its means of production and its labour power. Waste such as we find to-day on every hand, will cease. In a Socialist society, where all work together for their own well-being, the health of the individual worker, and his or her joy in work must be conscientiously fostered and sustained. Short hours of labour not in excess of the normal human capacity must be established: recreation and rest periods must be introduced into the workday, so all may do their share, willingly and joyously.

Today the capitalist with his whip stands behind the worker, in person or in the form of a manager or overseer. Hunger drives the worker to the factory, into the business office. Everywhere the employer sees to it that no time is wasted, no material squandered, that good, efficient work is done. In socialism, the capitalist with his whip disappears. Here all workingmen and women are free and on an equal footing, working for benefit and enjoyment, tolerating no waste of social wealth, rendering honest and punctual service. To be sure, every workplace needs its technicians who understand its workings, who are able to supervise production so that everything runs smoothly. As far as economic functions are concerned, each factory will have its own factory council elected by the workers; this will have a part to play in the socialisation and subsequent management of the plant in accordance with suitable criteria. Workers must show that they can work without slave-drivers behind their back.

Socialism is the only salvation for humanity. The establishment of the socialist society is the mightiest task which has ever fallen to a class and to a revolution in the history of the world. This task requires a complete abolition of the state and a complete overthrow of the economic and social foundations of society. This cannot be decreed by any bureau, committee, or parliament. It can be begun and carried out only by the masses of people themselves. In all previous revolutions, a small minority of the people led the revolutionary struggle, gave it aim and direction, and used the mass only as an instrument to carry its interests, the interests of the minority, through to victory. The socialist revolution is the first which is in the interests of the great majority and can be brought to victory only by the great majority of the working people themselves. Workers must do more than stake out clearly the aims and direction of the revolution. It must also personally, by its own activity, bring socialism into life. The emancipation of the working class must be the work of the working class itself. The socialist revolution requires no terror for its aims; it hates and despises killing. It does not need these weapons because it does not combat individuals but institutions. It is not the desperate attempt of a minority to mould the world forcibly according to its ideal, but the action of the great majority of people.