Change the World

The Socialist Party hold many ideas about how to change society for the betterment of all of humanity. It had a vision of a world where all people work without compulsion, of order without government or authority and of peace without violence and coercion. The Socialist Party realised that there is a wealth of materials, technology and human power, enough to make possible a high living standard coupled with considerably less labour time per person than the current full-time job. The chaos of capitalist production and distribution of wealth can only be stopped by creating a new economic and social system based on human needs. It is apparent that the survival of life on Earth itself is also dependent on the overthrow of capitalism, for as long as it exists, profits for the few will come before human needs and environmental survival.

The Socialist Party agreed that the majority of working people must be the primary forces in stopping the capitalist class and its governments. When this vast majority of humanity realises that the inherent inequality and futility of capitalism are wrong and no longer acceptable, and when these people realise the power they have to shape society, they will shut down the system and take back the wealth sucked out of them by the rich minority.

The understanding of the need for an alternative to capitalism will come when leading voices show the validity of a free society, and because of mass disillusionment with the status quo and its violence, wars, prisons and poverty. Already this disillusionment appears to be affecting a majority of Americans, but positive alternatives to the current world situation are not yet being sought out, perceived or thought possible. Most people probably desire a socialist future, and if shown the options towards this possibility they could create such a conscious society, after an initial struggle with the leaders of the world capitalist minority. We all need to continue to insist that a free, positive culture is up to the people to create. When the majority does overturn the capitalists, the direction society takes will of course be up to those same people who have made the revolution. Capitalism, even in its profitable periods, is inherently weak, directly dependent upon the very people it oppresses and exploits.

The Socialist Party believe that the creation of a new state will perpetuate centralised power beyond the control of individuals. They contend that if the vast majority agree with the goals of a free and equal society, they could defend themselves in a coordinated way but control their own lives and communities at an individual and community level. That way, delegated decision-makers would not be beyond the reach of the people. Working people are entitled to full information about, and control over, the environmental conditions that affect their health and survival where they work and live. The poisoning and destruction of the environment is a crime that threatens human survival, and should be treated as such. 

Environmental and health standards must be established by working people and communities with full access to technical information and based on consultation with experts of their own choice. Community committees must be empowered to decide directly on projects to establish factories or use industrial processes that may adversely affect the local environment. Such committees must be empowered to gather full and accurate information about the relevant ecological and health issues, and to make their decisions on the basis of this information, not out of concern for corporate profits. Just as they must reject the false dilemma of having to choose between employment or cuts in wages, working people must reject arguments by the capitalists that they cannot afford to take the measures necessary to clean up and protect the environment, or that workers’ jobs will be threatened by environmental protection measures. Working people cannot afford bosses who put profits before the health of their employees and the community.