The Socialist Alliance Manifesto

Foreword

"Long the people of Aotearoa have remained oppressed. For years and years, the failed system of capitalism has made the poor poorer and the rich richer. We see people hoard wealth like never before, while the poor keep on suffering. Billionaire after billionaire keeps appearing, and there does not seem to be an end in sight. It is time we put an end to this failed system.

The rich need to pay their fair share. Through our taxation policies we will make sure billionaires cannot exist in this country without paying large amounts of tax. We will implement an inheritance tax to stop children inheriting the wealth from their parents, which only serves to create an unfair playing field which reinforces this unequal capitalist system. The revenue from these taxes will be put in many social programs to help the poor, those who really need it. Through KiwiFood we will eliminate hunger in New Zealand, through KiwiCare we will ensure that no one dies from preventable illnesses, and through KiwiHome we will make sure that every single resident has a roof over their head.

We need to put more focus on equality in our society. Equality based on wealth is one part, but of course so are equality based on gender, sex, and race. No one person should have to suffer discrimination, especially when there are plenty of changes we can make to solve these problems. We will implement bills to fight LGBTQ+ discrimination and to create a multicultural society where racism is eliminated. We will make it easier for transgender persons to receive the surgeries they desire and the sex hormones that match their gender.

What our society also needs is true justice. Justice based on helping the victim and on getting the offender back into society, not on punishing the offender. Restorative justice has time and time again shown to be the most effective method of justice, leaving both the victim satisfied and the offender understanding the victim's pain. We have seen across many studies by many different people that this is the method that leads to the highest victim satisfaction, and the lowest recidivism rates. This is why we will implement a restorative justice system and completely abolish the cruel practice of putting people in prisons. No one person should have to face days, weeks, months, or even years of punishment, simply because of a mistake they made one time. But we will not stop at our system of justice. Our entire society needs to be changed in favour of one based on transformative justice, only then can true justice be reached.

But the problems that capitalism brings do not stop at our borders. Capitalism is a global problem, and as such it must be eliminated all across the globe. Only once capitalism is totally defeated can socialism reach its true potential. Solidarity should not stop at our borders, but should extend to the rest of the world. We will support our comrades struggling for self-determination, current ones, as well as future ones. We will abolish our standing army, working only towards keeping peace in the world and helping those struggling for self-determination against their oppressors, instead of imperialistic wars. We will stop the unjust spying on our citizens and those abroad and end the relationship that the GCSB has with the CIA and FBI. We will also implement a Pacific Union, similar to the European Union, to help richer regions fund poorer ones and provide complete freedom of movement between all members states, among other things, while keeping in mind the flaws of the EU and not making the same mistakes that they made.

Of course, there are many more policies we will implement, but a foreword can only be so long. All of our other policies can be found on their respective pages. Every single one of our policies will bring us to a more fair, free, and just society, where no one has to suffer under capitalist oppression. No one should have to suffer from poverty, discrimination, or an oppressive justice system. We need to redistribute the wealth to the poor, end discrimination, and work towards a system that works for everyone."

- Sylviagony, Socialist Alliance leader