International Socialist Principles V.2 Cheat Sheet (DRAFT) by [deleted]

78. In order to generate employment and prosperity all across the world, there is a need for ecolog­ically balanced develo­pment. Growth which is not designed to meet ecological and social impera­tives runs counter to progress, since it will cause enviro­nmental damage and destroy jobs. The market system alone can never ensure the attainment of the social goals of economic growth. It is the legitimate function of democratic economic policy to promote develo­pment which opens up future opport­unities while improving the quality of life.

79. To achieve these objectives on a global basis, it is imperative to establish a genuinely new intern­ational economic order. This must reconcile the interests of both indust­ria­lised and developing countries. A fundam­ental reform of financial relations must create the conditions for intern­ational economic cooper­ation. A more equitable intern­ational economic order is necessary not only for reasons of solida­rity, but also in order to create a more efficient, productive and balanced world economy.

80. The priority in the case of intern­ational debt must be to write down, write off or capitalise the debts of the poorer countries. Instit­utional arrang­ements are needed to stabilise both the terms of trade and the export earnings of the countries of the South by establ­ishing intern­ati­onally supported commodity funds. The North must open its markets to the products of the South, and end its policy of subsid­ising exports from the North.

81. As produc­tivity rapidly increases due to new techno­logies, it is also necessary to redefine working life. The aim must be to humanise working conditions by both approp­riate production techno­logies and workers' partic­ipa­tion. Employment should be created by investment in social services and in enviro­nmental recons­tru­ction, as well as by public spending on the develo­pment of new techno­logies and on improving infras­tru­cture. By contrast, conser­vative economic policies in many indust­ria­lised countries have allowed for mass unempl­oyment, thus jeopar­dising social justice and security, and giving rise to new manife­sta­tions of poverty in the rich world. It is of paramount importance that govern­ments take on in practice their overall respon­sib­ility to provide for full employ­ment.

82. In many cases, a reduction of working hours can help achieve a fair distri­bution of both paid jobs and work at home between men and women. It also increases the leisure time of workers, farmers and employees, thus giving them more time for other activi­ties.

74. The increasing interd­epe­ndence of the world leaves little space for fundam­ent­alist contro­versies and hostil­ities. Common survival and develo­pment demand both cooper­ation and civilised forms of dispute even between antago­nistic political forces and ideas. We therefore reject and condemn any form of religious or political fundam­ent­alism.

75. Communism has lost the appeal that it once had to parts of the labour movement or to some intell­ectuals after the October Revolution or during the struggle against fascism.

The crimes of stalinism, mass persec­ution and the violation of human rights, as well as unsolved economic problems, have undermined the idea of communism as an altern­ative to democratic socialism or as a model for the future.

76. The Socialist Intern­ational supports all efforts aimed at the transf­orm­ation of communist societies through libera­lis­ation and democr­ati­sation. The same support must apply to the develo­pment of decent­ralised market mechan­isms, struggles against bureau­cra­tis­ation and corruption and, above all, the realis­ation that human rights and political openness are important elements of a dynamic and progre­ssive society.

77. Detente, intern­ational cooper­ation and peaceful compet­ition create an atmosphere in which the most promising of the present initia­tives may prosper. The Socialist Intern­ational wants to promote a culture of intern­ational dialogue. All sides must cooperate in mutual trust where there are basic common interests, and argue openly and frankly where the commitment to human rights, democracy and pluralism is at stake. Socialists want to play a prominent role in that dialogue.