The Socialist Party - Anti-Nationalist

 

Nicola Sturgeon "must fire the starting gun" in a bid to secure another independence referendum, former first minister who now leads the Alba party, Alex Salmond has said. Salmond told BBC Scotland that if Sturgeon and the Scottish government were serious about winning a referendum next year, they must start campaigning for it now. The Socialist Party has never ceased its campaigning against any form of nationalism.

 

In order to change the future, remember the past. In the struggle to win the minds of the working class the Socialist Party has to contend not, on the whole, with rational critiques of our socialist position but with deeply held and unquestioned values. A few of these, for example, might be religion, "human nature", "a fair day's wage for a fair day's work" or the association of socialism with the former Soviet Union. One of the strongest of these sacred beliefs, and one of the biggest obstacles to the establishment of socialism, is nationalism ― the loyalty felt by many members of the working class to "their country", the political unit in which they happen to reside.

The Socialist Party holds that the only real divisions which exist in the world are horizontal ones, between different social and economic groups. In advanced capitalist countries this consists in a division between the capitalist class, which owns and controls the means of production, and the working class, which owns none of them and which has to sell its mental and physical labour-power to the capitalist class in order to live. Feelings of loyalty to a nation-State are purely subjective, having no basis in reality; the working class in Scotland has more in common with the workers in other countries than it has with the Scottish capitalist class.

There, is however, an alternative view of the world. This is the belief that the important divisions are not horizontal, between different classes, but vertical, between various nations. A "nation" consists, according to this view, of a hierarchy of men and women who, although having differing incomes, social status and power, all have a common interest in working in harmony for the benefit of the whole unit and, if necessary, in fighting against other nations to defend this interest. This completely mistaken outlook is the one held by most members of the working class and nearly all political parties. Most historians reject Marx's declaration that "the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggle", preferring instead to see history as a succession of struggles of nations against foreign domination, of subjects against tyrannical kings and of nations and races against each other.

Broadly speaking, nationalist ideologies and movements represent the interests of the capitalist class. Nationalism as such did not exist in pre-capitalist society and its growth and development represents the parallel development of the capitalist class. Nationalism as we know it today first made its appearance during the French Revolution. In the early stages of the revolution cosmopolitan ideas were prevalent ― it was believed that the rest of Europe would be inspired by France's example and would likewise overthrow the old order. When this failed to happen strong feelings of nationalism developed; France was seen as a chosen nation, picked out to be the standard-bearer of revolution throughout Europe.

Politically, nationalism is ambiguous, in that it can take on a "right-wing" or a "left-wing" form. This depends upon the position of the capitalist class in the particular time and place. If political power is held by the aristocracy or nobility, and the middle-class is struggling to assert itself, then nationalism will have "left-wing" connotations. This was the case in Europe until 1848, when nationalism was a romantic, revolutionary force against the traditional ruling class. However, once the bourgeoisie has captured and consolidated its power, then nationalism becomes a conservative and right-wing force.

Although every nationalist movement believes it is unique, there exist basically these two forms of nationalism side by side. In the advanced parts of the world ― the United States, Britain, Western Europe ― nationalism is conservative, whilst in pre-industrial countries engaged in struggles against a foreign ruling class, nationalism is a "left-wing" force.

The World Socialist Movement opposes all nationalist movements recognising that the working class has no country. There are certain other groups the so-called Left ― which, though claiming to have a class outlook, have a wholly opportunist and ambiguous attitude to nationalism, which reflects not so much the interest of the working class as it does Russian or Chinese foreign policy. These groups fully accept the mythology of the existence of "the nation".

 

 

This attitude is a complete denial of Marxism; it is almost incomprehensible that people who describe themselves as socialists should write of the right to re-establish the Scottish nation. The Scottish independence movement is in essence no different from any other nationalist movement. Socialists give the Left nationalists or the SNP  no support whatsoever.

It will be argued that Marx and Engels supported nationalist movements and that therefore the Socialist Party should do so today. Such an assertion is based on a faulty understanding of the Materialist Conception of History. Marx and Engels were living in an era when the bourgeoisie was engaged in a struggle to assert itself against the old feudal regimes. The victory of this class was a historically progressive step at that time in that it brought about the re-organisation of society on a capitalist basis, the essential pre-condition for the establishment of socialism; and it created an urban proletariat, the only class which can bring about socialism. This was why Marx supported the rising capitalist class in their bid to capture political power. However, once capitalism reaches the point where socialism is a practical proposition, there is no need for socialists to advocate the capitalist industrialization of every corner of the globe; they can concentrate fully on the task of establishing socialism. Hence we give no support to any nationalist group, and in place of the opportunism and hypocrisy of the myriad left-wing groups in advocating "national self-determination", socialists echo the rallying cry of Marx and Engels, "Workers of All Countries, Unite!"

What Do You Want Out Of Life?

 The Socialist Party is the political expression of the interests of the workers in this country and is part of the International working-class movement. The economic basis of present-day society is the private ownership and control of socially necessary means of production, and the exploitation of the workers, who operate these means of production for the profit of those who own them. The interests of these two classes are diametrically opposed. It is the interest of the capitalist class to maintain the present system and to obtain for themselves the largest possible share of the product of labour. It is the interest of the working class to improve their conditions of life and get the largest possible share of their own product so long as the present system prevails, and to end this system as quickly as they can. In so far as the members of the opposing classes become conscious of these facts, each strives to advance its own interests as against the other. It is this active conflict of interest which we describe as the class struggle. The capitalist state, by controlling the old political parties, control the powers of the state and uses them to secure and entrench its position. Without such control of the state its position of economic power would be untenable. The workers must wrest the control of the government from the hands of the masters and use its powers in the building of the new social order, the cooperative commonwealth. 

The Socialist Party seeks to organise the working class for independent action in the political field. Such political action is absolutely necessary to the emancipation of the working class, and the establishment of genuine liberty for all. To accomplish this aim of the Socialist Party is to bring about the common ownership and democratic control of all the necessary means of production — to eliminate profit, rent, and interest, and make it impossible for any to share the product without sharing the burden of labour — to change our class society into a society of equals, in which the interest of one will be the interest of all.

The aim of the Socialist Party is the common ownership of the means of production and distribution, and the consequent economic equality of every human being on earth. The Socialist Party, as a party, is simply preparing the way for the peaceful and orderly reception of the socialist commonwealth, and if the transition from capitalism to socialism is in any degree violent, it will be in spite of the efforts and desires of the Socialist Party because, unlike them, others were blind to the trend of economic evolution. Wealth creation and health creation will go hand in hand. Then there will be ample leisure for every human being and in such an invigorating mental and moral atmosphere, the human race will unfold and expand in heart and brain and soul. The cooperation of all for the good of all will inspire the love of all, and for the first time since the planet rolled into space, the human race will be truly civilised.

The Socialist Party sets itself the aim of spreading socialist ideas.

The essence of its outlook can be expressed in the following few propositions: 

I. The economic emancipation of the working class will be achieved only by the transfer to common ownership by the working people of all means and products of production and the organisation of all the functions of social and economic life in accordance with the requirements of society.

II. The modern development of technology in civilised societies not only provides the material possibility for such an organisation but makes it necessary for solving the contradictions which hinder the quiet and all-round development of those societies.

III. This radical economic revolution will entail the most fundamental changes in the entire constitution of social and international relationships.

Eliminating the class struggle by destroying the classes themselves; making the economic struggle of individuals impossible and unnecessary by abolishing commodity production and the competition connected with it; briefly, putting an end to the struggle for existence between individuals, classes and whole societies, it renders redundant all those social organs which have developed as the weapons of that struggle during the many centuries it has been proceeding.

Without falling into utopian fantasies about the social and international organisation of the future, we can already now foretell the abolition of the most important of the organs of chronic struggle inside society, namely, the state, as a political organisation opposed to society and safeguarding mainly the interests of its ruling section. In exactly the same way we can already now foresee the international character of the impending economic revolution. The contemporary development of the international exchange of products necessitates the participation of all civilised societies in this revolution.

That is why the socialist parties in all countries acknowledge the international character of the present-day working-class movement and proclaim the principle of international solidarity of producers.

Only Socialism

 

Liberal progressives  are openly committed to the support of capitalism and the rule of the capitalists. The left is openly committed to the appeasement policy of the “lesser evil.” 

We are taught that working class progress no longer lies along the path of class independence and class action, but in the practice of tying the workers movement to one capitalist politician as against another.  The capitalists always defend their class interests. If the labour movement does not fight as a class, capitalist reaction will surely triumph. It is the time to dedicate yourselves to the revolutionary socialist principles and to the struggle for socialist freedom. Turn your back on the base falsehoods and cynical treachery of left-wingers who try to treat you like robots and not like revolutionary socialists! Unite in battle against capitalism. The World Socialist Movement appeals to you to join it and thereby to engage in  the noble fight for working-class emancipation and socialist freedom. We have the right to call upon you to enter our organisation, for we have never flinched from the struggle against capitalism and never forsaken the principles of socialism.

We charge against the prevailing social system that by it the workers are robbed of the wealth that they produce. Internationalism is an essential part of socialist principles. Workers, as Marx said, have no fatherland. We have to translate the slogan ‘Workers of the world unite’, into a reality.

The ground is being ploughed ready for the seed of socialism. Let those whose hands are scored with toil go forth boldly and scatter the seed. Amid scenes of chaos and disaster let us keep alight the torch handed to us by the comrades who in the past nobly played their part.

We have now our opportunity. Let us make the most of it. It is not anti-social for the working-class to aspire to bring about the common ownership of the means of life. It is right. The movement to which we have the honour to belong is approaching a stage in which incessant political activity will be the order of the day.

Much will be expected from the exponents of the cause. They will, however, be encouraged and stimulated by the response they receive.

Conditions existing in the capitalist world leave no option to the working-class : they are called upon by history to emancipate mankind or perish. Whether the time be long or short before a conscious democratic effort is made to transform the system by those to whom the change means so much, it must eventually come.

In times like the present, men’s minds ripen quickly; reality provides an unanswerable argument. “The capitalist class are their own grave diggers”: they are compelled to set in motion those forces that bring about their elimination as a class: they are compelled by the laws inherent in their own system to place in the hands of the proletariat the means of freeing him and all society from economic bondage.

Though capitalism may change its form and give rise to social structures which differ in many respects, yet at rock bottom it remains the same. Its pillars are wage-labour and capital: these are the constants of capitalism, which is based upon the exploitation of wage-labour.

With the establishment of socialism, this exploitation will cease. Man is to-day exploited by man, because the means of wealth production are owned by and operated for the profit of a relatively small section of the world’s population. The masses, without any ownership in the means of production, are obliged, in order to get a living, to work in factories, in mines, on railways, etc., so that the owners thereof can reap profits.

The Socialist Party knows that the ills from which the workers suffer, degrading poverty and the multitude of other evils that accompany it, are due to the present system of society, the roots of which are wage-labour and capital.

Cut Away the Roots

The World Socialist Movement, therefore, wishing to put an end to these evils, logically urges upon the workers the need to abolish capitalism, roots and all, and replace it by a new social system, the basis of which is the common ownership of the means of life by all society.

It will be seen at once that in a socialist society man could not exploit man, because no single person or group of persons would own the instruments for wealth production. The ownership of all these things would be vested in all society.

Of course, with the abolition of private property, capital and wage-labour will disappear. Production will proceed, not to satisfy the profit-making lust of capital, but to satisfy the wants of man.

With socialism, man will enter a new life. No longer exploited by his fellow, no longer grubbing to make ends meet, he will be free. As never before, he will harness nature to satisfy man’s wants. Thanks to the high stage of efficiency industrial technique has now reached, plenty will be assured to all.

When socialists advocate the abolition of private property, capital and wage-labour, up goes the cry: “Would you deprive of ownership those people who have laboured so hard to build up their businesses?”

This is Capitalism

The question itself is an anachronism today. In the early days of capitalism, when the capitalists, the “captains of industry,” worked side by side with the men they employed, there might have been some truth in the statement that owners of industry worked hard to build up their businesses. But that was long ago.

Capitalism to-day is not the capitalism of the small trader. Present-day capitalism is large-scale industry, growing ever larger. In growing it becomes more and more impersonal: the worker-owner of yore is replaced by the absentee shareholder and by the bureaucracy of the State.

The first point, then, that the WSM makes is that capitalism ignores present-day realities.

Secondly, not socialism but capitalism is the great expropriator. Capital has already deprived of ownership the vast majority of the population. Even in his day, in 1848, Marx was able to answer this self-same question by showing that for the masses private property had been destroyed. Since Marx’s day, the tendency has continued; capital becomes concentrated into fewer hands. Periodically we are able to see this closely: when small businessmen are driven out of business by big trusts. How many small capitalists have such firms as giant corporations reduced to the ranks of the working-class ?

It is worthwhile thinking for a moment about how businesses are built up. Certainly big businesses are not usually built up by the labours of the capitalists.

Big businesses are, of course, built up by the exploitation of workers. Proof of this can be seen all around us. Who would say, for example, that the shareholders (the owners) of the railways have built them up and make them work ? Long ago, Engels pointed out that the capitalist class has ceased to contribute by its labour to production. Frequently the capitalist never visits the works in which his capital is invested. No longer does the capitalist even figure as a supervisor—his place has been taken by “well-paid” managers—members of the working-class. The role the capitalist plays today is of a parasitical character. He appropriates the profits produced by the exploitation of wage-labour.

 

 Fortunes come to the capitalists, not because they are intelligent or hard-working, but simply because they own, and because masses of people, without any means of life, are driven to work to provide profits for the owners.

 

 

 As with the passing of time, small-scale industry counts less and less, and the struggle becomes one between a capitalist-class who do nothing towards production, and a working-class who do all the work and run industry from top to bottom.

 

An Appeal to Fellow-Workers

 We address you as socialists and that may well be the reason many of you will have for not listening to us. Socialists, some will say, are impractical visionaries holding mistaken theories. Yet it is forgotten that our fellow workers hold to theories not their own but those of the mainstream media, ideas proven false and found useless.

 

The great goal of socialism is the abolition of capitalism and its protector, the State, and the aim is the transformation of society  into a socialised communal world. We know it requires a mental effort to envisage such a future because you are contemplating a society in which all share rule and all are free. A complete collective ownership of the means of production and of distribution will necessarily deprive  governing and governed, rich and poor, master and wage slave of distinction. In place of the present miserable existence everyone shall receive all that one requires, not only food, healthcare and shelter, but leisure and cultural arts. This can be done by associated effort only – call it communismor socialism, as you will. 

 

It is a question of human freedom versus wage slavery. The Socialist Party offers the only remedy, which is world socialism. The overthrow of capitalism—that is a DEMAND—it is THE demand. It advocates men and women to think for themselves and have convictions of their own.

 

Anti-capitalist parties  may initially aim to follow a different course, but if they gain strength, they tend to be assimilated by the State that they set out to reform and to become buttresses of capitalist rule. Three factors come into play:

• The party acquires an apparatus of well-paid staff and elected officials with a stake in the existing political system, and this bureaucracy gradually takes control.

• The party dilutes its programme by giving political support to the  government in return for minor reforms.

• The party takes office, but finds itself the prisoner of the surrounding capitalist state (ministerial department, courts, the police and army, mechanisms of financial control, all backed up by the capitalist media), and is forced to abandon almost all of its programme as the price of “power.”

What is needed to challenge their power is a party with a different class foundation, one rooted in the struggles of working people. Building such a party is today the common task of all who seek an alternative to the misery and exploitation of the present capitalist order.

We are committed socialists out of conviction–because we see capitalism as harmful to the vast majority of  the world’s people. This system we live under, by its very nature, grinds the poor and working people, sets one group against another, and acts violently against people at home and around the world when they resist.

 

We see in socialism the seeds and the method of achieving a more just, more cooperative and more peaceful society. The Socialist Party can offer an alternative which can meet basic needs of people and which is based on cooperation. The alternatives which capitalists will propose will be based on hatred or fear of particular groups. Socialists will inspire confidence among working people and win them over. Socialism offers a future free from the fears of poverty, sexism, racism, dog-eat-dog competition, joblessness, and the loneliness of old age.

 

As our movement grows, we will be nearer to creating a society that allows each person to create and produce according to her or his ability and to obtain what she or he needs.

 

We see the primary task of the Socialist Party to assist in the building of a mass movement of the working class to fight for socialism. People are our most precious resource.  We see capitalism tas a destructive system that hurts, divides and exploits the vast majority of our people for the sake of profits and power for the few. We advocate and work for socialism–that is, common  ownership and collective control of the means of production (factories, fields, utilities, etc.) We want a system based on cooperation, where the people build together for the common good.