Yes, we can

We in the Socialist Party are not reformers; we are revolutionaries.  We do not propose reforms. We should not forget the fate of Wat Tyler from the 14th-century revolt of English peasants when the rebels allowed themselves to be duped into placing their movement into the hands of Richard II, who promised 'relief’ -- and took them to the gallows and gibbets. We want a change of society. In our system of production, no one person, no one city, no one country can be said any longer to be independent of the other; the whole people of the world, every individual, is dependent and interdependent upon all the others.  The nature of the machinery of production; the division of labour, which aids cooperation and which cooperation fosters, and which is a requirement for the abundance of products that civilisation provides, compel a harmonious working together of all – a cooperative commonwealth. We know that movements make men and women, but they make movements. Movements cannot exist unless they are carried on by mankind; in the last analysis, it is the human hand and the human brain that serve as the instruments of revolutions.

Socialism will exist to organise and coordinate production on a basis and scale ensuring forever the elimination of want, and the fear of want, in society; and, further, to train, to organise cooperatively, and to coordinate functionally, the people. Socialism will bring into existence a liberated, class-free society where, there will be no need for either servants nor slaves, nor room for masters and bosses. Capitalism, having long since ceased to be useful in the evolutionary scheme of things, having in fact, become an obstruction in the path of social progress, must now be abolished, as former social systems were abolished. 

While corporate and media control of the political arena is strong, it still offers the best means for peaceful and meaningful change. Rigged to protect the existing regime, its 'two parties' are really just one - a duopoly. Both exist solely at the discretion of corporations and to serve their interests. The only 'fight' is for dominance between big and the bigger corporations, one capitalist interest or another. Republican or Democrat, Tory or Labour either party gains office only by how well it serves to protect capital and profits, not how well it solves our real problems. Why vote, some say? But what if we use our ballot differently? Not to vote for reform, but for a totally new society.  We do need well-informed candidates and voters. We need to help clarify the goals of our various 'groups' which recognise capitalism as the fundamental cause of our social ills. Change can happen, peacefully in the way and at the time it is needed. The idea is nothing new, but is, in fact, a few hundred years old.

  For fundamental change to begin, of course, will require a broad base of awareness, consistency and principles and the dialogue has begun. For the first time in many decades, dire economic and environmental conditions call into question the old assumptions about capitalism's ability to reform itself. Coupled with that, for the first time in many decades political activity is burgeoning. Yes, there is plenty of apathy and cynicism but that's not from being content. It’s from distrust of the old politics that haven't worked: The promise of reforms have no broader goal or deeper vision and therefore have limited mass appeal. Reform agendas have increasingly become suspect as ineffectual because it is known they're dependent on Big Money and/or big compromise, and trying to work within capitalism, are bound to fail. The so—called alternative option of the 'revolutionary theory' parties which seem remote. Rebuilding society democratically through the ballot has never had too much opportunity for success until now. With the advent of new ways of communicating our message and getting together 'on-line', we think that we may be at the start of a new era, a new chance to be heard. Through the use of the internet small no longer means what it once did. We can also hear from other voices who call for fundamental changes, discovering many of us are not that far apart so we should start to talk about our similarities not just our differences. We need to get political power and we can by using social-networking, blogs and websites, involving the internet to organise. We need people who want real change. And, importantly, we need to vote for them.

The idea that the people can change the way we do things as a society can actually progress and better our lives has become a difficult argument to make. Many have grown deeply disillusioned with our system, our politics, and rightly so. We see the corruption and collusion between corporations, and that so-called reforms are a sham. An uprising is brewing amongst voters. While we agree that much has improved, from technology to human rights, too many of us have become convinced that when it comes to real social or economic progress, it's impossible. Too many have been convinced that the present system, capitalism- with its basis in competition, greed and aggression- isn't perfect but the best we can do given our 'human nature'. We're endlessly told that 'co-operation' is for dreamers, idealists and while socialism sounds nice, it is utopian. Our gut-feeling tells us our present road is leading to a disaster that we must change. But with all evidence in front of us, the question has actually come down to 'can we?' We should know better.

Until we recognise the basic relationships and framework of our society are causing the problems and finally admit that regulations or reforms cannot 'tweak them away', we will not solve our problems.  We do have very real options, real and achievable. We can make peaceful, profound, positive change. We have the vote. Rather than automatically accept the conviction that greed, aggression and competition are what makes us tick, we need to be aware that these are behaviours that have been over- exaggerated as 'natural' to survival because they support capitalism.  But now the tipping point is being reached for the well-being and health of both the planet and its inhabitants. Our very survival is now being threatened by too much insistence on competition and individualism and thoughtless disregard for the future. Seeing that all life is interconnected and co-dependent, as the dominant species we need to create ways to a more constructive and sustainable path. The point is, we can