Oh yeah, this... ================================================== ======== STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES OF THE LIBERTARIAN SOCIALIST PARTY ================================================== ======== PREAMBLE ======== The Libertarian Socialist Party is grounded on two beliefs, libertarianism and socialism. These may sound like conflicting ideologies to people who have not heard of our position, but to us the two are inseparable. Libertarianism is the belief that all authority must be justified and that people should have authority over decisions in proportion to how much they are affected by them, not more or less. Socialism is the belief that capitalism needs to be replaced by an economic system oriented to maximize social benefit. We call this system 'communism' because the fundamental unit of economic activity is the worker collective, a form of democratic association for the purpose of production. STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ======================= 1. We understand capitalism cannot be reformed into a humane and equitable system, and must be replaced by a system that can ensure the material wellbeing, the individual freedom, and the democratic participation of the human being in society. 2. We believe that the relations of workers to the means of production and the extraction of surplus labor in the form of profit are the defining characteristics of the capitalist mode of production. These relations distort human relationships and result in great suffering. It is their overthrow that is the primary meaning of revolution--socioeconomic revolution. 3. We want to replace capitalism with communism, a rationally coordinated economic system, which is typified by the organization of capital around democratically-managed worker collectives, and the absense of private property. There is no need for bossess or bourgeoisie in a modern, technologically advanced society. We believe that a just society asks from each according to ability and gives to each according to need, though it is not utopia. 4. We reject the rhetoric and dogmas of the past. Though our praxis may be informed by the past, we have no allegiance to any particular movement or tendency. 5. We acknowledge that multiple strategies may be appropriate for our goals, and we judge these strategies empirically based on their effectiveness and relevance to modern society. In light of our goals, we debate and select strategy on its own merits in the present situation we find ourselves. 6. We take no official position on any philosophy, social theory, or explanation of history, Marxist or otherwise. We do not require a belief in Marxism, historical materialism, or dialectical materialism, but we do not interfere with such beliefs. The party exists to present a positive vision and practical program for creating the future. Any viewpoint that supports the goals of the party is welcome. 7. We believe that authoritarian forms of Communism and state capitalism, such as those in the former Soviet Union and the DPRK, misunderstand or misuse the true meaning of communism, and we do not look to them as models. Communism cannot coexist with dictatorship, and in the absence of worker control. The party stands for direct democracy in political, social, and economic affairs wherever possible. 8. We believe in the libertarian principle that all authority in society needs to be either justified or dismantled. We believe that everyone should have a say in decisions that affect them, a share that is equal to the proportion by which they are affected. We believe in local self-determination and the limitation of government to the smallest necessary size. 9. We have nothing to say about religion or other personal beliefs. Those who desire communism for religious, ethical, or humanist reasons are welcomed by the Party and in the revolutionary society we seek to establish. 10. We stand for socioeconomic revolution first and foremost, and steer clear of identify politics or nonrevolutionary activism. We support other strugges only insofar as they are relevant to the revolutionary economic aims of the Party. 11. We manage the party itself as close to a direct democracy as possible. Although caucuses and other representative groupings are allowed by the party, all representatives are elected and subject to recall at any time. Any person or group attempting to monopolize formal power will be ejected from the party. 12. Last but not least, we abhor violence as a means of social transformation. We are happy to employ the methods of the velvet revolutionaries, labor activists, and nonviolent protesters of the past. 13. This statement of principles may only be altered by the consent of a two-thirds majority of party members, assembled together in special session. ==================================
You have my full approval. In the event that we get enough members to constitute a two- third majority, do you not think it would be both appropriate and vital to have a vote on our constitution?
I figure we would eventually, once any changes people wanted were incorporated.
There should also be feedback in the fact that people who no longer agree would eventually leave, and people who start to agree would join. So we should have some feedback even before a formal vote, but I would expect one at least for formality's sake.
