Imperialism or socialism.

Not only is capitalism a system built on exploitation and oppression in its imperialist stage, it is becoming increasingly parasitic and obsolete. Its intrinsic profit motive produces militarism and war. Compared with what is possible, capitalist production relations are today a barrier to the development of society's productive forces and their use by human beings for the full, free and beneficial development of all.

Replacing private ownership of the means of production (land, workplaces, power, machinery, raw materials, et.c) with common ownership will not only put an end to exploitation. It will also ensure that production takes place in order to meet society's needs, not in order to maximise private profit. The democratic planning of production would enable the full use of scientific and technological advances to eradicate poverty, raise living standards and put an end to the massive inequalities of wealth and power. The guiding principle of socialism would be: 'from each according to their ability to each according to their work'.

Socialism would make possible the creation of genuine democracy and participation in all areas of society, allowing people to fulfil their potential free not only from economic and social pressures, but from all forms of prejudice and discrimination. It also provides the only hope of saving our planet's ecological balance from irreparable damage.

How can socialism be achieved? Communists strive to formulate the road to socialism in the concrete conditions of each country, taking as their starting point the real-life developments and forces in society.