No recipes for the cookshops of the future

 We are invariably asked for specifics as to what socialism will look like, and that if we cannot present a precise plan of how socialism will operate how can we expect people to give up a system that they now live under for something in the future that has never been tried, and that cannot be laid out in detail in advance.

We readily admit that we are unable to satisfy such a question with a comprehensive layout of future socialist society. The answer in a nutshell is - we don't know. But let us elaborate because the question is most worthwhile. The World Socialist Movement’s companion parties are just a handful of men and women. It is only within our capabilities to give an economic presentation of the definition of socialism together with its implications. We cannot submit a blueprint of a future socialist society because,

(1) it is not our function, 

(2) this can only be achieved by a world-wide socialist majority, which will then have at its disposal the wishes, desires, and preferences of the majority of the population, together with the knowledge, techniques, and talents then available,

(3) we are not in a position to know what the prevailing conditions will be at the time socialism is established; therefore to speculate on details would be a waste of time, and

(4) how can we be expected to know the preferences of a socialist society in the future which will be ascertained democratically only when socialism is finally established?

 

It would be absurdly presumptuous for us to attempt such detailed planning; a waste of effort which would involve everyone concerned in futile debate, because we would be without adequate numbers to arrive at proper decisions, and without adequate facts and material knowledge. The prerogative for such organizational work belongs to the socialist population as a whole. However, once the foregoing is understood, the question can be answered by presenting in a positive manner some of the features that we do know about socialism.

In socialism there would of course be production, transportation, and distribution of goods and services. All these instruments would be owned in common by the whole of society, and they al ready exist. However, with the establishment of worldwide socialism a change of ownership would take place. All the deeds, documents, bonds, stock certificates, and legal records that previously conveyed ownership rights, would overnight become worthless scraps of paper. In their place would be the international declaration that every single person living on the face of the earth enjoyed the same rights of common ownership to all the world-wide means of production and distribution.

This wealth, which would then be commonly owned, would be refined and transformed according to the democratic wishes of the population. Anything harmful or injurious to health, all physical aspects considered unnecessarily ugly or distasteful, would be eliminated. All modifications and innovations in the realm of production and distribution would be effected with one main thought in mind-the welfare and good of humanity. The factories, transportation, and distribution centers would continue to operate, but the overriding principle would be the production and distribution of goods and services solely to satisfy needs, without affecting the health and working pleasure of men and women. The distribution centers would lack one conspicuous attribute - there would be no cash registers. You would be a co-owner with your fellows in the true sense of the word with complete free access to everything that is available.

A new incentive for work will emerge within socialism. It will be the personal gratification that work will automatically afford, plus the desire for each person to receive the approbation of their comrades. There is no reward or incentive that could be greater or stronger; the fact that in reality you will not only be working for society as a whole, but for yourself as well, because the interests of the individual and society will coincide. Work will be come a pleasure; you will enjoy the companionship of your fellows, for you will be working together for the common good of all.

A form of International World Congress would no doubt be set up where delegates would gather and express viewpoints from all over the world.

Administrations, democratically controlled by society, would be established. Their function would be to determine what people need, in what quantity, and how to achieve the finest quality, and what work has to be performed to fulfill these requirements. Computers would be used, polls and referendums taken, statistics compiled and co-related. All relevant information on all issues would be made available, and these administrations would work together throughout the world with this prime objective the satisfaction of human needs and human welfare.

This futuristic, partial picture of socialist society requires your help to bring it to full development and fruition.

Now we have a question to ask - when do we start?

Samuel Leight - 'World Without Wages'