WeWantSocialism - Manifesto

Our motto is: LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY!

1. DEFINITION

WWS is a group gathering artists, authors and thinkers from the 'far' (some would say the 'true') left wing of politics. We encompass a range of thoughts: Scientific Socialism (Marxism[-Leninism], Bolshevism, Trotskyism), and Revolutionary Social Anarchism, also the variations of these ideals (Anarcho-Communism, Libertarian Socialism/Communism, Anarcho-Syndicalism, etc.).

Where not otherwise noted, we use the term 'Socialism' (and derived words) as a broad term which gathers all these groups, based on the historical fact that we all sprout from the same root. Anarchists, Socialists/Communists all seek the same goal: a classless, stateless society, with an economy based in the principle of "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need", where the workers organize themselves and rule their workplaces, property and wages are abolished, armies and repressive forces are dissolved, and representative democracies give way to direct, participative, assembleary democracies where the words "ègalite, libertè, fraternitè" fulfill their meaning. This ultimate goal is called by Socialists and Communists 'the communist society', and by Anarchists 'anarchy'. In both situations it refers to the same.

We, as true Socialists, defend Revolution as the only way to achieve the ultimate goal. Revolution can be achieved through an electoral process from within the bourgeois democracy itself, through a spontaneous and massive uprising of the people who overthrow government, or through violent action (if needed) where the opressed confront the opressors and their lackeys. Reformism, understood as the appliance of small changes to the capitalist system in order to better it and relieve injustice, does not approach the real solution of the problem (which is the ultimate removal of capitalism) and can even be counter-reactionary (in the classical stance of ’bread and circus' that keeps the masses calm while injustice unfolds).

We, as true socialists, believe that Revolution will come from the educated masses of workers and peasants, and from them alone, with the help of the vanguard, the Revolutionary Party.  No illuminated leader, nor `revolution from above', nor "God, King or Tribune" can break the chains of the people. Only we can liberate ourselves. We, thus, reject any kind of deformed Socialism implying a `temporary authority', transitional states or enforced Socialism. Socialism will only happen with the voluntary cooperation of each and every individual in society, and revolution will only be real if it is the working masses who support it.

Specifically rejected from this definition, aswell from adhession to the cause of our group, is anyone who identifies him or herself as: Authoritarian (including Stalinists, Maoists, Titoists and the like), Capitalist (Neo-Liberalist, Libertarist, Calvinist, etc.), Individualist (as opposed to Socialist) , Reformist (Lassaleist, Social-Democrat), Racist, Right-wing Nationalist (including National-Socialists, National-Bolsheviks, Fascists, etc.), Theocratic (integrist Christians/Jews/Muslims, and any other kind of god-guided Fundamentalist), Totalitarian (dictatorship of a ruling elite, Bonapartism in general).

2. PURPOSE

2.1. The theoretical and historical exploration of Socialism.

Because the founding group is mainly marxian, our main target of debate and exploration is that of Scientific (Marxist) Socialism. This does not mean that everyone in WWS must be strictly a Marxist, but a good knowledge of (or at the very least, a good will to know) Marxist thought is required. We recommend that you read, at least, the Communist Manifesto. Non-Marxists are encouraged to join the group and enter the debate; their ideas and thoughts will enrichen and evolve the Marxian doctrine. Other forms of Socialism (those not excluded from joining) may be explored as supporters of them join and contribute their ideas.

2.2. Education of the masses.

In the conviction that education of the masses is an axial element for the construction of Socialism and its ultimate goal, WWS shall serve as a place of education and reference, where polite people can debate and be informed on what the socialist ideals are. Anyone seeking information on the history, facts or philosophy of Socialism may approach the group as a source of data and opinions.

Where our time and knowledge is not enought to serve this need, WWS will gather (and point people towards) a collection of other reference sites on the subject of Socialism.

2.3. The promotion of a joint front of united Socialists.

We see with worry the drifting of worldwide politics twards the conservative, the ultra-neo-liberals, and generically the right-wing. In the knowledge that Socialist ideals should appeal to the vast majority of the world's populace, we must assume that this failure of success from the left must be the result of lack of education (covered in point 2.2) and lack of union amongst the different Socialist alternatives.

Ever since the First International (and before) different factions of Socialism have dissented not on the final goal (that stated in point 1), but on the means to reach it. Along history, this has caused splintering and forks of the doctrine, and unconnected and, at times, opposite efforts. Sad events like the confrontation of communists and anarchists must not happen again, for we don't have that strength to spare quarreling among ourselves.

We find that, given the current situation worldwide, and the crisis of the left, all and every means within our reach, that do not contradict the final goal of Socialism, are acceptable and should be used.

WWS shall promote frontism: the joint and coordinated action of the Socialist collectives across the world (of course with no ties to bourgeois parties). We condemn sectarism and the ’purity of ideals' as being unpragmatic and counter-revolutionary. Instead, every Socialist faction is demanded to try and reach an agreement with the rest, and join efforts for the common goal of the ultimate realization of the Socialist society (see point 1).

3. INTERNAL REGULATIONS. CONDITIONS OF JOINING. CAUSES OF EXPULSION

3.1. About the organization of the group

WWS has members, who are supporters which want to be linked and take an active part in the development of the group and its purposes. Beyond that, WWS is not structurally organized in any way other than the administrative division between members and administrators.

We have a definate number of administrators. Administrators will be elected when a member requests to become so (thus proposing himself as candidate), or when the current administrators feel that more help is necessary (thus proposing a candidate among the members, who may or may not accept the proposal). After the announcement of the candidate is made, members of the group will vote in a two-week span. If three-quarters of the votes are affirmative, the member may become an administrator.

In order to assure a certain concordance to the ways, purposes and attitudes of the group, to become an administrator a candidate must have been an active member for at least three months prior to the candidature.

3.2. Ideological qualification

- Even if you think you are certain of your ’label', we suggest that you take this test: http://www.politicalcompass.org . While not very accurate, it should give you a general orientation of where you stand in the political spectrum. If you stand in the lower-left quadrant (between coordinates [-10;-10] and [0;0]) it is likely that you will fit in the group.

- Since our main current is Marxism, you must read, understood, and agreed with basic Marxist literature. The minimum is:
The Communist Manifesto

Other recommended reading:
Vladimir Lenin's State and Revolution
Vladimir Lenin's The Proletarian Revolution and the Renegade Kautsky
Leon Trotsky's Revolution Betrayed
Leon Trotsky's The ABC of Materialist Dialectics
Leon Trotsky's Stalinism and Bolshevism
Fredrick Engels' Anti-Dühring

- You must stand against the power of Capital, and for the abolishment of wage labour.

- Here’s a basic list of concepts we stand for and against. If you think that you generally agree, but would like to debate on subtleties of the topic, consider it valid. If you don't know what something is, don't hesitate to ask:

We stand for:

+ Revolution and Class Struggle
+ Freedom of speech
+ Freedom of the press
+ Freedom of association (both political -- syncicates, parties -- and civil)
+ Freedom of the individual (individual religion, pro-choice laws, voluntary euthanasia, legalization and control of drugs, etc.)
+ Equality of means (not just of chances)
+ Fraternity (Unity, Solidarity)
+ Social justice (Eradication of Wage Labour and Capital's Rule)
+ Diversity of cultures, and preservation and promotion of them
+ Free access to all knowledge (all that can be considered information must be `in the public domain')
+ Free education (from birth to university; and constant education of the masses, compatible with work time)
+ Free healthcare and implementation of the Social Protecting Net (Social Security)
+ Right to self-determination
+ Proletarian Internationalism
+ Coordinated prosperity of the entire world
+ International peace
+ Socialization of the means of production (factories and workplaces becoming property of all society)
+ Running of the means of production by Workers' Councils
+ Planned, coordinated, solidary, moneyless and marketless economy (`From each according to their ability, to each according to their need') which avoids competition and the duplication of efforts
+ Direct, participative democracy (Popular Democracy)
+ Disposable bureaucrats (every bureaucrat must be elected, and can be recalled at any time)

We stand against:

- Counter-revolutionarism, conservativism, reactionarism
- Social injustice
- Inequality
- Exploitation of the workers
- Poverty, poorness and hunger
- Destruction of, and indifference towards, the environment
- Brutality and violence, wether by the individual (extorsion, domestic violence) or by the state (police brutality, tortures)
- Discrimination (by race, gender, creed, ideals or otherwise)
- Individualist Anarchism
- Totalitarianism (Any form, Dictatorship of the minority, Bonapartism in General, etc.)
- Bourgeois Democracies (as opposed to Direct, Popular Democracies)
- Stalinism, Post-Stalinism, Titoism, Maoism and other forms of deformed Socialism
- Reformism in general (Lassaleism, Proudhonism, Social Democratics, etc.)
- Sectarism (dissention on the base of doctrine, and refusal to negotiate an agreement between factions seeking the same goal)
- Cultural intolerance and homogeneization
- Right-Wing Nationalism (This Includes National-Socialism, Fascism and derivates)
- Imperialism (the subjugation of one nations by others, the denial of right to self-determination)
- International war
- Capitalism (Neo-Liberalism, Libertarianism, Globalisation, etc.) and private property (means of pruduction in the hands of everyone, aswell ceasing money as a result of overproduction)
- Consumerism

3.3 Joining

Send a note to the group, and the administrators will add you to the joiners' pool.

Then, the members (including the Administrators) will have to vote about the acceptance of the applicant(s). A three-quarter accepting majority of the group members is needed for acceptance. If the vote doesn't come with a usable result in two weeks, the Administrators will decide about acceptance (this might seem dictatorical, but as :devthefreedomfighters:'s example shows, voting may become forgotten, and membership approval might take forever).

3.4. Causes and method of expulsion

A member of the group (who will be called "the censored") will be expelled if a motion of censure is made by another member of the group (who will be called "the censor" and will notify the motion publicly in the comments area of this document), and three quarters of the members agree on the charges exposed by the censor, in a span of two weeks before the motion of censure was presented.

Causes of explusion are:

- Lack of respect for the rest of the members of the group.
- Ceasing to comply with the conditions of joining.
- Defense of the following counter-revolutionary ideals: capitalism (and variants), fascism (and nazism and variants), imperialism, religious integrism.
- Arguing in a sectarian manner. Closed-mindedness: we are here to learn and debate, and not to defend inmobile positions.
- Spamming or otherwise disrupting the group's activity. In this case, the attention of the deviantART administrators will be called too into the subject.


Have questions? Here's our Q&A on Socialism: http://wewantsocialism.deviantart.com/journal/6476228/