A LIBERTARIAN SOCIALIST
WORLDSOCIALISM.ORG/SPGB
Part of the World Socialist Movement
INTRODUCTION TO WHAT WE STAND FOR
The short articles in this section give an overview of the Socialist Party’s ideas and how we think the world should change. We cover how the current system that governs the world – capitalism – operates and how it inevitably causes the worst of the planet’s problems – war, poverty, starvation, environmental damage and climate change. We describe a different system – socialism – that could solve those problems and provide a better life for virtually everyone. Lastly we tackle the question of how capitalism can be ended and replaced by this better way of life.
The articles are written as a sequence and a link at the end of each one goes to the next. However, if you prefer to browse them in a different order, the titles are given below, For more detailed information about our views, see these more in depth articles. Our monthly publication, the Socialist Standard, can be read here and you can request 3 free copies here.
The World Socialist Party US is part of the World Socialist Movement. The World Socialist Movement consists of socialist ‘companion parties,’ groups, and individuals in various countries. You may like to explore the websites of our companion parties in Britain and Canada: The Socialist Party of Great Britain and The Socialist Party of Canada.
The goal of the World Socialist Movement is world socialism, which we define as ‘a world society based on the common ownership and democratic control of the means of production and distribution by and in the interest of the community as a whole.’
The word ‘socialism’ is used by different people to mean different things. An essential feature of socialism as we understand it is democracy. We also hold that socialism must be established by democratic means. The World Socialist Movement itself is organized democratically.
For further discussion of the meaning of socialism, see the website ‘What Is Socialism?’.
Capitalism is inherently unjust, exploitative, and predatory. Its ruthless pursuit of profit ruins the natural environment on which all life depends. Its rivalries sow conflicts that may escalate to nuclear war and destroy civilization. Only socialism can ensure human survival.
We invite you to join us, help spread socialist ideas, and lay the basis for a better life for everyone. Where else will you get the chance to argue about the finer points of dialectical materialism? We also encourage you to donate and buy some of our merch. Your generous donations and purchases allow us to continue our organizational and educational efforts. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions and remember: the emancipation of the working class must be the work of the working class itself.
How We’re Different
Photo byEric ProuzetonUnsplash
The WSPUS and our companion parties in the WSM
- claim that socialism will, and must, be a wageless, moneyless, worldwide society of common (not state) ownership and democratic control of the means of wealth production and distribution.
- claim that socialism will be a sharp break with capitalism with no “transition period” or gradual implementation of socialism (although socialism will be a dynamic, changing society once it is established).
- claim that there can be no state in a socialist society.
- claim that there can be no classes in a socialist society.
- promote only socialism, and as an immediate goal.
- claim that only the vast majority, acting consciously in its own interests, for itself, by itself, can create socialism.
- oppose any vanguardist approach, minority-led movements, and leadership, as inherently undemocratic (among other negative things).
- promote a peaceful democratic revolution, achieved through force of numbers and understanding.
- neither promote, nor oppose, reforms to capitalism.
- claim that there is one working class, worldwide.
- lay out the fundamentals of what a socialist society must be, but do not presume to tell the future socialist society how to go about its business.
- promote an historical materialist approach—real understanding.
- claim that religion is a social, not personal, matter and that religion is incompatible with socialist understanding.
- seek election to facilitate the elimination of capitalism by the vast majority of socialists, not to govern capitalism.
- claim that Leninism is a distortion of Marxian analysis.
- oppose all war and claims that socialism will inherently end war, including the “war” between classes.
- noted, in 1918, that the Bolshevik Revolution was not socialist. Had noted even earlier that Russia was not ready for a socialist revolution.
- was the first to recognize that the former USSR, China, Cuba and other so-called “socialist countries” were not socialist but state capitalist.
- claim an accurate and consistent analysis since the first Companion Party was founded in 1904.
Other “Socialist” Parties and Groups
We don’t want to go into a long rant against these groups, but we are occasionally asked what makes the World Socialist Movement (WSM) different from them. The intent here is to list some organizations of which we are aware, and the reasons we oppose them.
Some members of the organizations we criticize have the best of intentions, but good intentions do not change the nature of those organizations, and membership carries the responsibility for the actions of those organizations.
First we list some specific points which we think are important and differentiate the World Socialist Movement from the others listed. Our ideas are listed, and under each point some comments on the other “socialist” parties and groups. After this we list, in four categories, some parties and groups which claim to be socialist, with some specific comments on the parties and groups in each category.
Clearly this is a “broad brush” approach. If this results in minor errors in our assignment of ideas to these groups, we apologize and are willing to make corrections. Overall, however, the comments will give a good perspective of how they differ from the World Socialist Movement (WSM):
- We believe that socialism will be a wageless, moneyless, free-access society.
- None agree with this.
- Most support a market system. Some suggest that a non-capitalist market is possible. These suggestions show a lack of understanding of market economics. While non-capitalist market systems have existed, they are impractical in a modern world. If a “non-capitalist” market system was established it would eventually become a capitalist market system.
- We believe that leaders are inherently undemocratic; socialists oppose leadership.
- All support leadership.
- We believe that socialists shouldn’t work for reforms to capitalism, because only a movement for socialism itself can establish socialism.
- Those which work for reforms hold either that reforms to capitalism will eventually result in socialism, or that supporting reforms is an appropriate way to convince workers to support socialism.
- Some put forward a reasonable analysis of capitalism, but then work to give capitalism a “human face”. Some claim that they want to end capitalism. Their bottom line is, however, just capitalism with reforms. Democratic Socialists of America is a good example of this.
- We believe that socialism will be a cooperative, world wide system, and it has clearly not yet been established.
- Most, perhaps all, of them support nationalism, which is closely akin to racism (which they explicitly claim to oppose), and in any case hinders worldwide working class solidarity. Nationalism is a concept only useful to separate people, and is therefore anti-working class.
- We believe that a scientific approach and understanding by the working class are necessary to establish socialism.
- Generally support emotionalistic campaigns, in which logic and rational analysis are ignored.
- Any group which wants people to follow their leadership is unlikely to promote real understanding. What needs to be understood if one is just following the leader and doing what one is told?
- We believe that democratically capturing the state through parliamentary elections is the safest, surest method for the working class to enable itself to establish socialism.
- Most seem to support this, parliamentary, approach at some level. But their commitment varies so that some support both parliamentarism and anti-parliamentarism at the same time.
This list is by no means complete. It is only intended to put some real names to parties claiming to be “socialist”. If you have a specific interest in one not on the list, send us some of their literature, or preferably a few issues of their journal, and we’ll consider adding them—and our critique.
Leninists and Trotskyists
Notable past and present Leninist and Trotskyist organisations include the following:
| Name | Country |
|---|---|
| Communist Party of Britain | UK |
| Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) | Canada |
| Communist Party of Canada | Canada |
| Communist Party of Cuba | Cuba |
| Communist Party of the Soviet Union | USSR |
| Communist Party of the United States of America | USA |
| Fourth International | international |
| International Communist League (a.k.a. Spartacist League) | international |
| International Socialists | international |
| Progressive Labor Party | USA |
These comments apply to both the Leninists and the Trotskyists.
Free access
No. Support a market economy.
Leadership
Noted for their vanguardist approach (the idea that a small group of leaders—the vanguard—will lead the working class to socialism). Lenin said that if workers were not led by a vanguard, it would take them 500 years to understand and establish socialism. This apparently justified the brutal subjugation of the Russian people (and later all of eastern Europe), because they had to be led to socialism against their will.
Reformism
Campaign explicitly for reforms.
One-country socialism
Claim that socialism was established in Russia in 1917, even though Lenin correctly noted in 1920 that state capitalism would be a step forward for Russia.
Democratic approach
When the Bolsheviks lost the first election in Russia after their 1917 revolution, they dissolved the new constituent assembly as soon as it met, in January 1918. By the middle of 1918 the Bolshevik government had arrested leaders who opposed the Bolsheviks, expelled their delegates from the Soviets, and driven the parties underground, making the Communist Party the only legal party in Russia.
For more information on Trotskyists, read Trotsky: The Prophet Debunked.
Socialist International
The Socialist International is a worldwide organization of “social democratic” parties, including the following:
| Name | Country |
|---|---|
| African National Congress | South Africa |
| Australian Labor Party | Australia |
| Democratic Socialists of America | USA |
| Labour Party | UK |
| New Democratic Party of Canada | Canada |
| New Zealand Labour Party | New Zealand |
| Social Democratic Party of Germany | Germany |
| Social Democrats USA | USA |
| Socialist Party | France |
Free access
No. Support a market economy.
Reformism
Usually do not, or cannot, distinguish between reforms and socialism. Most of them explicitly consider socialism and capitalism compatible (usually by defining “socialism” so that it means capitalism).
One-country socialism
Claim the existence (past or present) of socialism in at least one country.
Democratic approach
When the Bolsheviks lost the first election in Russia after their 1917 revolution, they dissolved the new constituent assembly as soon as it met, in January 1918. By the middle of 1918 the Bolshevik government had arrested leaders who opposed the Bolsheviks, expelled their delegates from the Soviets, and driven the parties underground, making the Communist Party the only legal party in Russia.
Some of these parties have, on occasion, been the provincial or national governments in several countries. If they do not claim to have established socialism, after apparently being elected to do so, then they have no justifiable claim to be socialists, even using their own, flawed definitions of socialism.
DeLeonists
| Name | Country |
|---|---|
| De Leonist Society of Canada | Canada |
| Industrial Union Party | USA |
| New Union Party | USA |
| Socialist Labor Party of America | USA |
| Socialist Labour Party (1903–1980) | UK |
Free access
No. Supported labour vouchers, which although not exactly the same as money, are very similar in some ways. Labour vouchers were supported by Marx to accommodate the real shortages that existed in 1875. Even if they were appropriate in 1875, and that is at least questionable, they are not now. For a description of labour vouchers, please see the article on Labour Vouchers.
Leadership
Appeared to recognize that only a working class that understands the problems can build the solution, but occasional concerns were raised by ex-SLPers and others over perceived autocratic leadership in the SLP (which was the largest DeLeonist organization). The reliance of the SLP on leaders was exposed when the whole organization suddenly disappeared, apparently due to exhaustion of the existing leaders, even though there were still quite a few activists at the local level.
One-country socialism
Their position varied. DeLeonism was generally an American phenomenon, and this may be partly responsible for the tendency, by some, to talk about establishing “socialism” in the United States. Nevertheless, this tendency fostered a nationalist approach that the WSM opposes.
The SLP said that “socialism” can be established in one country. As evidence, we quote from the SLP journal, The People (1 May 1993), in answer to an unprinted letter:
What would a socialist America do about the wages, or capitalist, system in the “third world”?You are wrong when you say that socialism in America would leave Europe and Japan unaffected. Today, capital is increasingly international. What affects capitalism at its heart affects all its limbs.
Parliamentary approach
Supported the socialist industrial union (SIU) model, which we claim was somewhat at odds with their stated support for a parliamentary approach.
The SIU model has some clear attractions. It is easy to explain and understand, it builds upon recognizable, existing structures, and it is worker-oriented. However, the SIU model creates or continues as many problems as it addresses. The SIU model deserves a longer discussion than is appropriate for this immediate discussion (of differences), so if you want to review a longer article, please see the article on Socialist Industrial Unions.
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