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Just so in the present state. The interest of the people does not come in question, but exclusively the interest of the ruling minority.
To make the interests of the ruled subservient to the interests of the rulers is the foundation and purpose of rule—is the meaning of ruling. So long as there are rulers and ruled it must be so, for rule is by its very nature exploitation. It follows therefrom that the interests of the subject people demand the transformation of the state from its foundation, according to their interest. It must cease to be the possession of a few persons of position and class and must become the possession of citizens with full and equal rights, of whom no one rules over the other, and none will be ruled by another.
For this the social democracy strives. In place of the present class rule we will institute a free government of the people.
The clear statement of our party programme stamps as a slander the assertion of our opponents that socialism will secure the ruling power in the state for the laboring class. We have already said that the idea of mastery is above all undemocratic and consequently in opposition to the principles of socialism. All demands for liberty made by democracy are likewise demands of the social democracy. The difference between democratic and social democratic is that the latter sees the consequences which the former, entangled in civil prejudices, has not the courage to see. Social democracy is consequently actual democracy.
It will bring into existence an organization of the state and society, which, resting on the equality of all men, will choke the source of inequality, will tolerate neither ruler nor servant and will found a fraternal community of free men. In order to make this
