ARM YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE

Socialism was born in response to the social problems generated by capitalism's uses of technology in the Industrial Revolution. Socialism grew out of the disruption of society capitalism caused. It was pitiless and inhumane as it used the factory system to exploit human labour and it made the socialist movement necessary. Socialism is not an idea that fell from the skies, but a natural response to the material conditions and social relations that took shape as the capitalist system of production developed. Even after nearly two hundred years, the need for socialism has only grown stronger. Socialists don't deny that the world is changing.  No one can deny that computers and other technological advances in the implements of production have swept through and profoundly transformed many industries.They were the first to point out that capitalism cannot exist without constantly revolutionising the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production, and with them the whole relations of society. But the nature, pace and purpose of such changes are not determined by society: they are governed by the whims and needs of that tiny minority that owns and controls the means of producing and distributing wealth. That is one of the two constants in capitalist society, no matter how many changes come along. The other is that the majority -- the working class -- has no say in the process. Capitalists hire and fire to suit their needs. As long as that division exists class divisions will continue. As long as class divisions continue the class struggle will exist. Today, the whole purpose of the socialist movement, is to apply its solution to the the grave social ills resulting from the march of technology monopolised by a numerically insignificant capitalist class so that the possibilities and advances of modern technology may benefit all of humanity. The goal of the Socialist Party is to replace capitalism with the economic and social democracy of socialism. The working class is the only progressive force capable of transforming society into one in which economic freedom and material security will be the birthright of every human being. And by the working class we understand all those who must sell their abilities to perform useful mental or physical labour to live.

It is absolutely certain that capitalism will continue to introduce new and increasingly sophisticated technology into industry. It is a certainty that millions of workers will be expelled from the economy -- and not only workers in the manufacturing and extractive industries, but millions who now hold service and so-called "white-collar" jobs. Promises that capitalism would create re-training and "high-paying" jobs to replace those that have been eliminated have proven hollow. A capitalist future of human misery is almost certain because of the economic laws on which capitalism is based -- laws which compel every capitalist concern to strive for the greatest possible profit at the lowest possible cost. That can only mean one thing. It can only mean that permanent joblessness is the only future that millions -- perhaps the majority -- of workers can look forward to as long as capitalism survives. Unless the working class becomes conscious of what a capitalist future holds the time may well come when it will be reduced to the beggar state of the proletariat of ancient Rome who was rendered useless by chattel slavery; that of today's proletariat is being displaced by computerized machines. At some stage in the mass displacement of workers by modern technology and automation the fear that already touches millions of workers will mature into the realization that they must act in their own defence. The realisation will grow that there is no solution to the problem within the capitalist system. Thought, discussion, enlightenment will produce action. The real question, therefore, is: At when will this occur? The answer will doubtless involve many other factors, not the least of which will be the bread and circuses. The spectacles used to distract our fellow-workers may well keep workers apathetic. The Socialist Party does not think it will, and we shall do our best to ensure that they won't. Nevertheless, it is possible. In this case, society would move into an era of industrial feudalism which, while it would not last forever, might keep the workers in a state of industrial serfdom for decades to come. To avert such social regression the Socialist Party works hard to spread the ideas of socialism.

The sad fact is that workers still buy into the notion that capitalism can somehow solve the problems and miseries it creates and confronts them with. This misunderstanding is no accident. That misconception is nurtured deliberately by capitalism's politicians, and by assorted capitalist agencies of mis-education and mis-information -- the media, the intellectuals and academics, and the ever-present reformists, whose interests are primarily concerned with the preservation of their system -- the source of their wealth and their positions of privilege. They will not and do not hesitate to mouth any promise, no matter how hypocritical. A sane and decent society can never be realised within the confines of the capitalist system. Furthermore, the system cannot be reformed, regardless of how well-meaning or how good-intentioned the reformers may be. Capitalism is beyond fixing. The task of the Socialist Party is to arouse the working class to abolish capitalism and replace it with socialism. For sure, the capitalist class appears to be all-powerful and seems to be winning the class struggle. That, however, is because the capitalists are united in their battle against the workers, despite differences regarding strategy and tactics and their own rivalries. They have their goal clearly in mind -- the pursuit of ever-greater profits through the continued and ever-intensified exploitation of the workers. The capitalist system prevails by default. It exists because the working class is weak. The working class is weak because it is unorganised. It is unorganised because it lacks a fundamental understanding of the class nature of capitalism and its own class interest. The workers must realise that the hope of their emancipation is in their hands. They must focus their concerns and political perspectives on themselves, on their collective interests as a class, on their latent economic and political power and its potential for changing society in a manner that will assure economic security and social welfare for all.