What socialism is (1986)

From the Summer 1986 issue of the World Socialist

Socialism is not the state capitalism that is oppressing the workers in the USSR, China, Yugoslavia, Poland or any other country that claims to be socialist. Socialism also is not the nationalization of industries that Sweden, Great Britain and others have set up. In fact, socialism has never been truly tried anywhere on the face of the earth.

A socialist society is a stateless, moneyless, classless society based on production to satisfy human needs. A socialist society has collective ownership by all of the railroads, factories, mines and other means of production. These means of production will be controlled through a democratically elected administration. The persons in this administration will be subject to removal at any time by the people who elected them.

The only way the above society can become a reality is if the working class organizes into a political party of socialism and through democratic elections captures the state. Socialism cannot be established by a vanguard party. Socialism must be established through a majority of persons wishing it so. In places where there are no electoral ways of taking power other democratic means may have to be taken. But, in such places as the US, Great Britain and Canada where workers have access to the ballot, peaceful electoral methods should be used.

Rich Foland

(United States)