SAC - The Syndicalists Central Organization of Swedish Workers Box 6507 113 83 Stockholm - Sweden Tel: +46 (8) 6735272 Fax: +46 (8) 6730345 international.committee@sac.se
1. The Central Organization of Swedish Workers (Sveriges Arbetares Centralorganisation) the SAC, is a syndicalist* workers movement whose goal is the realisation of libertarian socialism in which the means of production are the property of all, and are administered by the workers, thereby creating the conditions for a classless society.
2. The crucial conflict in capitalism is that which exists between the class that own the means of production and the class whose work generates the wealth. This conflict results in a class struggle where the workers have nobody but themselves to turn to.
3. Capitalism uses all means necessary to increase productivity and profits. The cost of unrestrained economic growth is the ruthless exploitation of both people and the environment. Workers become worn out and unable to continue a productive working life, irreplaceable natural resources are destroyed, the means of production are ruined and the gap widens between various societies.
4. The bourgeois concept of democracy is limited to the political sphere. The SAC seeks to replace the parliamentary system built on political parties with a true democracy that also includes the economic, industrial and cultural sectors.
A libertarian socialist society can only be created by a majority of the people with due consideration of the needs of the minorities. The democratic rights and liberties already attained must therefore be defended and developed.
5. As in the libertarian socialist society which syndicalism aims to create, the SAC itself is built upon the principles of federalism. This means that all those who are affected by a decision have the right to participate in its making. No group, however may act in contradiction to the joint resolutions.
6. Larger groups of people must reach decisions via representatives. In a socialist society the representative task should circulate within the entire group structure. Representatives are given limited authority and their powers can be revoked, thus ensuring that no elite promoting Its own interests can arise.
7. The syndicalist organization should be extended to encompass all functions of society. it will replace the present system of administration with its own social structure. As a consequence the SAC struggles on two fronts, one dealing with union work and the other with social structure. The growth of this militant organization, along with a greater knowledge and experience amongst its members, leads inevitably to new demands, culminating in the ultimate seizure of the means of production.
8. Syndicalism is international by nature and strives for solidarity and cooperation among wage earners in all countries. Its aim is to create federations of independent communities which will replace the present national states.
9. People reach their full potential in and through their work. Consequently the SAC strives for everyone's right to a meaningful occupation. It is only within the framework of workers self-management, that individuals are given the opportunity to shape their situation at work.
10. The basis for the struggle of the working classes against exploitation and oppression is union solidarity, awareness and organization. Therefore, the SAC organises all wage earners regardless of whether they label themselves blue or white-collar workers.
11. The SAC considers violence to be unworthy of the human race and it rejects both institutional and individual violence. Situations may arise, however, in which wage earners are compelled to defend the liberties and rights which they have struggled to obtain.
12. The SAC considers direct action to be the means for changing society and living conditions. Only through direct action can the self-reliance be developed which is a prerequisite for socialism.
* In Swedish the word syndicalism is synonymous with the word revolutionary syndicalism. The word syndicalism originates from the French "syndicat" and means trade union or association, in English speaking and Latin countries the prefix revolutionary or "anarcho" is used.
SAC - The Syndicalists Central Organization of Swedish Workers Box 6507 113 83 Stockholm - Sweden Tel: +46 (8) 6735272 Fax: +46 (8) 6730345 international.committee@sac.se