Page:Wilhelm Liebknecht - No Compromises No Political Trading (1900).pdf/58

 class struggle for the bourgeoisie against the proletariat,—for capitalism against socialism, for our enemies and against us. From the standpoint of the class struggle which is the foundation of militant socialism, that is a truth which has been raised by the logic of thought and of facts beyond the possibility of doubt. A socialist who goes into a bourgeois government, either goes over to the enemy or else puts himself in the power of the enemy. In any case the socialist who becomes a member of a bourgeois government separates himself from us, the militant socialists. He may claim to be a socialist but he is no longer such. He may be convinced of his own sincerity, but in that case he has not comprehended the nature of the class struggle,—does not understand that the class struggle is the basis of socialism.

In these days, under the rule of capitalism, a government, even if it is full of philanthropy and animated by the best of intentions can do nothing of real value to our cause. One must keep free from illusions. Decades ago, I said: "If the way to hell is paved with good intentions,the way to defeat is paved with illusions." In the present society, a non-capitalist government is an impossibility. The unfortunate socialist who casts in his lot with such a government if he will not betray his class only condemns himself to impotency. The English bourgeoisie offers the best example of weakening the opposition by permitting them to participate in the government. It has become the traditional policy of all parties in England that the most radical member of the opposition who is naive enough to be taken in should be given a place in the government. This man serves as a shield to the government and disarms his friends who cannot shoot at him,—just as in battle one may not shoot at the hostages that the enemy has placed in front of itself.

That is my answer concerning the question of