Introduction
The everyday experience with the sophistication of modern technology, transportation and communication has made evident the increasing international nature of Man's economic affairs and social interests. This fact has been well noted by writers of science fantasy as well as having influenced the equally fictional extrapolations of organizations and individuals who may be inclined to philosophize on the future of society.
The expression one world is often used in this connection as a vague, tentative goal of this social direction. It has a nice friendly ring to it, and while it offends practically no one, it offers very little information either. Whatever the extent of any particular concept of one world, the typical description invariably retains vestiges of propertied relationships, nationalistic overtones and other hangovers of capitalist values and behavior.
The world socialist likes the sound of one world too, but its implications lack substance. He realizes that an understanding of the social relationships and historical forces of a continually evolving human society must be the basis of his analysis of the present and projections of the future. This is his perspective, free of preconceptions and wish-thinking, and its development leads to the inexorable conclusions that result in and are expounded by the broad concept of world socialism.
That’s what this pamphlet is all about. It is a selection of lively essays from the perspective of the world socialist on the problems and questions that beset society. They expose the assumptions, shibboleths, imponderable fantasies and false codes for what they are and not for what we are told they are. They are never ambiguous in pointing out the necessary alternative to the present human condition and the means of realizing it. In time, the reader learns that not only should he do something about a world plagued by inhumanities but, more important, what he can do. This perspective is represented by a world socialist movement that demonstrates a consistency of analysis and objectives that transcend all social and geographical divisions; In essence, these essays could have had their origin in many parts of the world.
The supplement at the back features our popular amplification of the more formal Declaration of Principles endorsed by the companion parties of world socialism. It has been published and reprinted both as a leaflet in English and French and as a feature article in The Western Socialist and Socialisme Mondial and may soon be more widespread. The original document was propounded by the Socialist Party of Great Britain in 1904, the year of its formation. During the entire existence of this political party and of companion parties In various countries, these principles have pointed the way to a sane society — world socialism.
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