The Principles and Aims of SAC

First Congress of SAC in 1910

1. The Central Organization of Sweden’s 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. For this reason, SAC is also a feminist and anti-sexist organization.

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 wealth. This conflict results in a class struggle where the workers have no one 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 are abused and unable to continue a productive working life, irreplaceable natural resources are destroyed, the means of production are ruined and the gap between various societies is widened.

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 minorities. The democratic rights and liberties already attained must therefore be both 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 the decision-making process. No group however, may act in contradiction to common resolutions.

6. Larger groups of people must reach decisions via representatives. In a socialist society the task of representation should rotate within the entire group structure. Representatives are given limited authority and their powers may be revoked, thus ensuring that no elite arises and promotes its own interests.

7. The syndicalist organization may be extended to encompass all functions of society. It can 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 structures. 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 co-operation among wage earners the world over. 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 as blue or white-collar workers.

11. The SAC considers violence to be unworthy of the human race and it therefore rejects both social 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 libertarian socialism.

* In Swedish the word syndicalism is synonymous with the term revolutionary syndicalism. The word syndicalism originates from the French "syndicat" and means trade union or association, in English speaking and Latin countries the word revolutionary or prefix "anarcho" is used.