Socialism - A New Perspective

The objective of the Socialist Party is the establishment of a socially and economically equal society. We work for the total abolition of the present system of wage slavery through a social revolution. We seek to win the adherence of the masses to socialism and to spur the workers on towards the social revolution. The Socialist Party conducts an unflinching, campaign against the power of capitalism, and relentlessly strives to urge the working class on towards revolution. Sentimental individuals may hope to persuade the propertied class to stand politely aside. But experience taught by the ruling classes themselves that they will respect only one thing—and that is a power—and a power more mightily wielded than anything which they possess. The Socialist Party repeats that political power is the driving force of the class struggle.

We oppose the mechanical theory that every economic crisis inevitably carries the working class towards socialism.  The Socialist Party does not believe in the automatic theory that capitalism must collapse and that socialism must emerge from the ruin. Capitalism is flexible and complex, there are many avenues which it can travel along and in which it can drag out a slow and painful existence. It could even transform the whole world into a universal battlefield as some observers have determined the present American foreign and military policy to be; such an eventuality could easily end in the complete rending of the social fabric and in the extinction of society itself. History does not solve its own problems and contradictions. It is precisely at the most critical moments in history that human will-power and initiative comes forward as vital factors in social development. Modern history is presenting us with problems which we must solve.  It is because socialists alone hold the solution to the present historical problems that history is on our side.  Historical problems being of a social character are responsive to human will-power and endeavour. Any day a revolutionary situation may develop in this country. The ultimate development of that crisis will depend upon whether the reactionaries or revolutionaries have the best-organised forces. Marxists recognise the influence of the human factor upon history, and it is this that compels us to pay so much attention to revolutionary strategy. Marx, after examining capitalism and foretelling its decadence, concluded the famous Communist Manifesto by appealing to human effort in the now historic slogan: “Workers of all lands unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains; you have a world to win.” Victories during revolutionary situations, as Marx says, are not bestowed upon us, they have to be won.

 A revolution only becomes possible, and therefore historically necessary, when the ruling class finds their institutions unworkable. When this takes place it is the political indication that economic contradictions and class antagonisms are reducing society to chaos and that a new way out is needed. If at such a period no revolution takes place it is because the challenging class lacks the will and courage to seize their opportunity and because they have not created a new political apparatus that will enable the hampered economic forces to sweep forward. The revolutionary struggle is, indeed, the conflict between the old ruling class trying to preserve their institutions and the new challenging class attempting to stamp out the old in order to build up new social organs to solve the political and economic problems of the period. This explains why every revolutionary struggle becomes, in essence, one of class power. The revolutionary class can only become a ruling class by having the power to enforce the new institutions upon the die-hards of the old regime.

 The Labour Party places the blame for all crises upon the sitting Tory Government and contends that it could permanently improve the material comfort of the masses if it were returned to office The Labour Party occupies a most important and strategical position in appealing to the workers because it is the most important and only real influential opposition to the present government. On the other hand the Socialist Party points out to the working class that the present and future capitalist crises cannot be solved within capitalism, even if the Labour Party controlled the government to-morrow. The advocacy of these two opposing policies makes it complicated to our bewildered fellow-workers. Our task, therefore, is to simplify the problem and make it clear and distinct for the workers. How, then, can we assist the workers to understand the problem and win their confidence? By a policy where we drive the Labour Party into revealing itself as the defender of capitalism and profit, and as the oppressors of the working class. As socialists, we know that the Labour Party cannot solve any single important economic problem at present bearing upon the working class. We know that their servile acceptance of the propertied interests can only result in the perpetuation of capitalism and its many problems. To thus expose the Labour Party and to turn the British workers against it would increase the opportunities for socialism. The Labour Party is becoming discredited in the eyes of many voters. Even now, when millions are suffering from benefit cuts, the attitude of the Labour Party has been one of cowardice and characteristic ineptitude. Its timidity and apathy regarding the policies of austerity have been so apparent.  A Labour Party worthy of its name would have used every difficulty of the propertied-interests to have battled for concessions for the workers.  It would have indignantly repudiated every one of its and the Tories desperate and bloody imperialist adventures. A Labour Party worthy of the name would have enforced environmental regulations. Political cowardice can be found in abundance in the Labour Party.

When workers are on strike, or when they are locked out, The Socialist Party stands by their side and try to show them the real cause of their industrial struggle and the only way to end it. We do this because we are on the side of our fellow-workers in all their conflicts. We are not superior theoreticians seeking to create a sect apart from the masses. We are an integral part of the working class movement. We are neither above it nor below it, but of it. The capitalist class can make no concessions to the workers and are actually trying to depress their already low standard. These attacks of the employers and the chronic conditions of capitalism must keep driving all alert workers towards the idea of socialism.  It is at this great moment in history when crisis-ridden capitalism is showing its inability to solve the immense problems confronting humanity and at this moment when hundreds of millions are determined to throw off the fetters of an enslaving sweat-shop existences, and leave behind the ignorance, squalor, and hunger enforced upon them by their rulers - it is at this moment that socialism appears with all its hopes and potentials. Great possibilities are urging forward humanity.

Today mankind is planning the scientific control of production and distribution, and abundance for all, as the basis of a class-free and peaceful society. This is demanded by the imperative need of the historical process; this social need is reinforced by the urge of scientific and technological development. Henceforth instead of being the plaything of powerful economic forces and social crises, mankind will make and direct the process of history. Here mankind will be able to develop their real social characteristics. In the words of Frederick Engels—“It is humanity’s leap from the realm of necessity to the realm of freedom.”