On The Shoulders Of Giants . . . '1896 Irish Socialist Republican Party Manifesto'
The Irish Socialist Republican Party was founded in Dublin, in May 1896. The first explicitly socialist republican party in Ireland, it had an impact on the Irish political landscape that belied a membership which never exceeded a few dozen.
Primarily based in Dublin, the ISRP campaigned on the issues of the day such as the Boer War and the centenary of the 1798 Rebellion. The party also contested elections, with James Connolly being one of three party candidates that stood in the 1902 election.
The consistent production of The Workers Republic newspaper was arguably the greatest achievement of the ISRP. It provided readers with a coherent socialist republican analysis of contemporary Ireland and laid out the theoretical basis for a future Irish socialist republic.
Politically the ISRP was ahead of its time, putting the demand for an independent Irish republic at the centre of its political programme at a time when the demand for Home Rule dominated political discourse.
In addition to The Workers’ Republic, the party’s 1896 manifesto leaves a record of just how far reaching the ideology of the party was. Some of the demands of the manifesto have been achieved partially or in full, such as the minimum wage, maximum working week, universal suffrage, free education and progressive income tax to fund public services.
Less progress has been made on the more radical demands of the ISRP manifesto, including the nationalisation of banking and democratic control of education.
The opening statement contains the words of the French revolutionary, Camilles Desmoulins, “The great appear great because we are on our knees, let us rise.” These words would go on to become the rallying cry of the workers’ movement in Ireland. Today, as part of our On the Shoulders of Giants series, we republish that manifesto in full.
Irish Republican Socialist Party members in Phoenix Park (1901)
Irish Socialist Republican Party Manifesto (1896)
“The great appear great to us only because we are on our knees”
LET US RISE!
OBJECT
Establishment of AN IRISH SOCIALIST REPUBLIC based upon the public ownership by the Irish people of the land, and instruments of production, distribution and exchange. Agriculture to be administered as a public function, under boards of management elected by the agricultural population and responsible to them and to the nation at large. All other forms of labour necessary to the well-being of the community to be conducted on the same principles.
PROGRAMME
As a means of organising the forces of the Democracy in preparation for any struggle which may precede the realisation of our ideal, of paving the way for its realisation, of restricting the tide of emigration by providing employment at home, and finally of palliating the evils of our present social system, we work by political means to secure the following measures:
Nationalisation of railways and canals.
Abolition of private banks and money-lending institutions and establishments of state banks, under popularly elected boards of directors, issuing loans at cost.
Establishment at public expense of rural depots for the most improved agricultural machinery, to be lent out to the agricultural population at a rent covering cost and management alone.
Graduated income tax on all incomes over £400 per annum in order to provide funds for pensions to the aged, infirm and widows and orphans.
Legislative restriction of hours of labour to 48 per week and establishment of a minimum wage.
Free maintenance for all children.
Gradual extension of the principle of public ownership and supply to all the necessaries of life.
Public control and management of National schools by boards elected by popular ballot for that purpose alone.
Free education up to the highest university grades.
Universal suffrage.
Although James Connolly was the most well known member of the ISRP, other historically important political and trade union figures were also members
THE IRISH SOCIALIST REPUBLICAN PARTY
That the agricultural and industrial system of a free people, like their political system, ought to be an accurate reflex of the democratic principle by the people for the people, solely in the interests of the people.
That the private ownership, by a class, of the land and instruments of production, distribution and exchange, is opposed to this vital principle of justice, and is the fundamental basis of all oppression, national, political and social.
That the subjection of one nation to another, as of Ireland to the authority of the British Crown, is a barrier to the free political and economic development of the subjected nation, and can only serve the interests of the exploiting classes of both nations.
That, therefore, the national and economic freedom of the Irish people must be sought in the same direction, viz., the establishment of an Irish Socialist Republic, and the consequent conversion of the means of production, distribution and exchange into the common property of society, to be held and controlled by a democratic state in the interests of the entire community.
That the conquest by the Social Democracy of political power in Parliament, and on all public bodies in Ireland, is the readiest and most effective means whereby the revolutionary forces may be organised and disciplined to attain that end.
BRANCHES WANTED EVERYWHERE. ENQUIRIES INVITED. ENTRANCE FEE, 6d. MINIMUM. WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION 1d.
Offices: 67 MIDDLE ABBEY STREET, DUBLIN.