Friday, March 26, 2021

50 Years Ago: Socialism, Pacifism and Politics (1993)

The 50 Years Ago column from the March 1993 issue of the Socialist Standard 

Capitalism can last only as long as the majority of the workers are prepared to preserve it. and as long as it lasts the so-called abnormal periods of economic blizzards and wars will continue. These crises are normal to capitalism, and it is the duty of pacifists and other workers to grasp this fact and work to end this system. Mere resistance to war is insufficient as it cannot even achieve its purpose—peace—because it cannot rid the world of capitalism. The social problems we are troubled with to-day can be solved only when everyone has free access to the means of life; when goods are produced solely for use and freely distributed amongst the members of society. Socialism offers all that is worthwhile to the workers. It is an historical necessity, and it is in their interests, and we earnestly ask them to give serious thought to it as the solution to their problems. Only from the workers’ class-conscious political activities can Socialism be achieved, and war, want and insecurity be banished from the earth for ever.

[From an article by “L. J.”, Socialist Standard, March 1943.]

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