The Industrial Policies of the Large Political Parties in Germany

Abstract

OCIALIZATION and free industry are the outstanding economic issues in present-day Germany. The socialist and communist parties represent the supporters of the principle of socialization, while all other political parties are, in a greater or lessmeasure, opposed to it. Although recognizing the necessity of contributing to meet the increased financial requirements of the Empire by an extension of its activities in the industrial field, all non-socialist parties are in favor of preserving private property and private effort as the foundations of the nation's industrial life. They reject, particularly, any form of industrial organization within which bodies representative of the working people would take a prominent place in the control of production and distribution of commodities. The main demands of an industrial nature contained in the programs of the large parties are summarized below. The German Nationalist Party (formerly the Conservative Party) proclaims in its platform that private property, private industry, acquisitiveness and enterprising spirit shall, on principle, remain the foundations of economy. The party favors transformation of private industries into enterprises of cooperative associations, or of the state, or of a municipality, whenever social necessity demands such a course to be followed, and if it is effected in a way affording security to accomplish the purpose in view. Abuses of capitalism are to be fought against. The system of government control of industries established in war time is to be abolished gradually. Moreover, the platform demands state aid for the middle classes on account of the damages wrought upon them in the war, promotion and protection of national industries, continuation of labor legislation, legal recognition of vocational associations, ample provision for ex-soldiers and pensioned officials, etc. In regulating taxation, due regard is to be had for the principles of social justice and the capacity for payment, and productive work is to be treated with consideration. The possession of colonies is held absolutely necessary for German industry. The German People's Party (succeeding the National Liberal Party of prewar time) has a rather comprehensive industrial platform, the first plank of which claims for every citizen the right to free development of his powers, adding that everyone's aspirations after gain must be kept within the limits of morals and must not offend against the welfare of co-nationals. The party adheres to the principle of private property and its inheritance within the family in the narrower sense. Property is to be regarded as purely entrusted to the holder and obliging him to productive effort. Private property may be transferred to public bodies on payment of compensation only; the party agrees to it insofar as substantial and permanent advantages to the whole people are guaranteed to result. Preference is given, however, to the system of mixed public and private ownership,