Capitalism is our Enemy

Capitalism, the private ownership of the means of production, is responsible for the insecurity of subsistence, the poverty, misery, and degradation of the majority of working-people. The present system of social production and private ownership is rapidly converting society into two antagonistic classes — i.e., the capitalist class and the propertyless class. Independent political action and the trade union movement are the chief emancipating factors of the working class, the one representing its political, the other its economic wing, and both must cooperate to abolish the capitalist system. Therefore the Socialist Party declares its object to be:

 First — The organisation of the working class into a political party to conquer the public powers now controlled by capitalists.

Second — The abolition of wage slavery by the establishment of a system of cooperative industry, based upon the common ownership of the means of production and distribution, to be administered by society in the interest of all its members, and the complete emancipation of the wage-slaves. 

Socialism shall satisfy all the material needs without stint or measure from the common storehouse, according to their desires. The abundant production now possible, and which invention will constantly facilitate, will remove any need for rationing or limiting of consumption. Every individual, relying on the great common production, will be secure from material want and anxiety. There will be no class distinctions. There will be neither rich nor poor. There will be neither masters nor servants, all being in a position of economic equality — no individual will be able to become the employer of another. When wages have disappeared, when all are upon a basis of economic equality, when the position of manager, director, organiser, etc., brings no material advantage, the desire for it will be less widespread and less keen, and the danger of oppressive action by the management will be largely nullified. Nevertheless, management imposed on unwilling subordinates will not be tolerated; where the organiser has chosen the assistants, the assistants will be free to leave, or change him; where the assistants choose the organiser, they will be free to change him. Co-operation for the common good is necessary, but freedom, not domination, is the goal.

Money will no longer exist, and none will desire to hoard commodities not in use, since a fresh supply may be obtained at will. There will be no selling, because there will be no buyers, since everyone will be able to obtain everything at will, without payment. The possession of private property, beyond that which is in actual personal use, will disappear. Since co-operative work and mutual reliance on mutual aid renders some kind of organisation necessary, the best possible form of organisation must be chosen: the test of its worth is its efficiency and the scope for freedom and initiative it allows to each of its units.

The land, factories, mines, transport, all the means of producing are owned by the capitalist class. The majority of the people own nothing except their muscles and brains, that is, their power to work. The capitalist will only buy labour if he can make profit out of it. The capitalist will compel the worker to work as hard and as long as he can, for as little money as possible. The worker has nothing to sell but his or her labour power. Working-people sells their labour power to an employer for so many hours a day for a certain price, that is, wages. Since one cannot separate labour power from one’s body it comes to this, that a worker actually sells oneself like a slave. Wages are determined by what it costs to keep a worker and  family. What does capitalism offer workers? A life of toil, a bare subsistence. Always the dread fear of unemployment. The whole world must become a huge cooperative society, and working people, instead of slaving to enrich the idle capitalist, creates wealth for the whole community. The workers will enjoy the results of their labour, without having to pay tribute to stock exchange speculators and industrial profiteers. They are no longer slaves of a master but a member of a great global community. Together we shall build a worldwide Co-operative Commonwealth.

The words socialism and communism have the same meaning. They indicate a condition of society in which the wealth of the community: the land and the means of production, distribution and transport are held in common, production being for use and not for profit. We must fight, struggle, be ready for defeats and disappointments, but once we have consciously set our feet on the right road, with a clear vision of the task ahead, nothing can daunt us and all causes for pessimism disappear.