Many and varied are those who at the present time call themselves either socialists or communists. How many of them can correctly be so described ?
It is obvious that a knowledge of Socialism must be gained before one can correctly answer the question: “Am I a socialist?”
What, then, is Socialism or Communism?
“Socialism” or “Communism” are synonymous terms describing a social system based upon the common ownership and democratic control of the means of producing and distributing wealth by and in the interest of the whole community. In this system there could be no capitalist class and no working class: no capitalist class because none would privately own the land, factories, railways or state bonds, etc., which empowered them to exploit others: no working class because the whole of the community would have access to the things produced by the community and would thus obtain life’s needs without wages.
In this manner buying and selling would come to an end and neither the state nor private employers could buy labour power and sell the products of that labour power. The state, which Capitalism builds within itself to ensure its own preservation, will, with the establishment of Socialism, disappear, and with it will pass the armed forces which will no longer be required to conserve the monopolistic position of a privileged class or to fight the wars arising from the competition between rival capitalist groups.
This then is what Socialism or Communism implies: —No social divisions or classes, no coercive factions or armed forces, no commodity production and, in consequence, no money, wages, profits, markets, etc., etc.
The high degree of productivity brought about by Capitalism has made the world economically ripe for Socialism. One thing only prevents the overthrow of the present social system and the establishment of the classless society. The socialist knowledge which, possessed by the majority, would enable the world's workers to discard leaders and themselves usher in the new social order, is at present possessed by only a relatively small number. Not until a majority possess this knowledge will Socialism be achieved. In short—the establishment of Socialism requires a majority of socialists.
If the above has increased your socialist knowledge you can now apply to yourself such questions as these: —Do I believe that nationalisation is an example of Socialism and cuts out profit-making and exploitation, or am I a socialist and know that nationalisation leaves untouched the capitalist system wherein profits are made by the exploitation of labour power ?
Do I consider that the social system prevailing in Russia is Socialism?, or am I a socialist and realise that in the Russia of 1917 the semi-feudal backwardness of productive means and the political ignorance of most of the people precluded the possibility of achieving Socialism or Communism? Do I realise too that the continued existence in Russia of money, wages, buying and selling, police and armed forces reveals the Soviet social system as one of Capitalism?
Do I believe that a Labour government can bring in reforms which will eventually bring Socialism, or am I a socialist and know that reforms patch up and prolong the capitalist system?
These and many other questions you can put to yourself when you have a grounding of socialist knowledge. If your answers to such questions show you arc already a socialist your place is plainly within the ranks of the Socialist Party of Great Britain.
If, however, your self-questioning reveals you are not a socialist, we of the S.P.G.B., urge you to continue reading our literature and listening to our speakers. By so doing and eventually becoming converted to our views you will swell our numbers and thus help to produce that pre-requisite of Socialism—a majority of socialists.
F. W. Hawkins.
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