Letter: The policy of the Socialist Party. (1926)

Letter to the Editors from the March 1926 issue of the Socialist Standard

An Answer to a Correspondent.

Mr. H. G. Robinson asks :—

1. Does not Marx say somewhere that a proletarian dictatorship must necessarily exist during the transition period from Capitalism to Socialism? In other words, do you think it possible to make the Capitalists hand over the spoils by simply voting for revolution, or will the workers be compelled to use some sort of physical force?

2. “Declaration of Principles” states that “as political parties are but the expression of class interests . . . the party seeking working-class emancipation must be hostile to every other party.” Does this apply to the Communist Party? Surely that party cannot be construed to be a Capitalist party, even though they may be “off the track”? Are they not also a working class party?

3. Could not members of the S.P. help Socialism by propaganda within the ranks of the Labour Party?

Answers.

1. This is partly answered elsewhere in this issue (see reply to “Anti-Parley”) and has been dealt with at length in back numbers, to which you are referred. “Dictatorship” and “force” need careful definition to avoid the confusion which arises through attaching loose meanings. The vote does not itself abolish Capitalism ; but the vote in the hands of an organised Socialist working class in advanced “democratic” Capitalist countries, gives control of the machinery of force, the army, etc. Whether and how that force will need to be used depends on the Capitalist minority, who will then, if they resist the majority, be rebels. If the questioner means by “dictatorship” the special steps taken in such an emergency, then we can admit the pos¬sibility of such a “dictatorship” democratically and constitutionally maintained by the working class majority against the minority, which is offering armed resist¬ance. Usually, however, in the mouths of Communists, for instance, “dictatorship” means the rule of a minority based on open force. In Russia such a dictatorship has been in existence, the dictatorship of a few hundred thousand Communists over a population of millions. No evidence has ever been offered by the Communists entitling them to claim that Marx endorsed such anti-democratic, and for the purposes of Socialism, such futile procedure.

2. This is a generalisation explaining the existence of political parties, not the sentiments of their members. We do not suggest that Communists, any more than Conservatives, are actuated by motives of malice towards the working class. But it is not, therefore, a “working class party,” except in the sense that its supporters are largely workers—and this applies equally to the Liberal and Conservative parties. Our main differences from the Communists are concerned with fundamentals of Socialist policy. We cannot both be advocating the correct method, and wrong methods—minority action, armed revolt, etc., are no less dangerous because the advocates are sincere. In our view sound principles clearly understood are of absolutely first importance to the workers; both soundness and clarity would be sacrificed if we ceased to oppose policies we regard as suicidal.

3. If Socialists joined the Labour Party they could do so only by accepting a constitution and programme they regard as fundamentally anti-Socialist. How, in face of this dishonesty, could they consistently and persuasively urge the need for political honesty and plain speaking? They would, too, as many have found by experience, have the bulk of their energies absorbed in explaining, not Socialism, but their inability to agree with the policy of the party to which they belonged.

Lastly, it is assumed that the Labour Party would allow membership to those who were hostile to the principles of the Labour Party, as that Party is bent on getting non-Socialist votes it would gain nothing by admitting Socialists unless the latter consented to remain silent about Socialism. It would, as is shown by its rejection of the Communists, decline to retain Socialists except on terms which would make Socialist propaganda impossible.

Editorial Committee