Lenin CW-Vol. 23.pdf - From Marx to Mao

142V. I. LENINin order to advocate reforms “acceptable” to the bourgeoisie,and therefore powerless to remove the principal and fundamentalevils suffered by the masses. The aim should bepropaganda in favour of Switzerland’s socialist transformation,which is quite feasible economically, and is becomingmore and more urgently necessary because of the intolerablyhigh cost of living and the oppression of finance capital,and also because the international relations created bythe war are impelling the proletariat of the whole of Europeon to the path of revolution.17. Abolition of all restrictions without exception on thepolitical rights of women compared with those of men. Itmust be explained to the masses why this reform is particularlyurgent at the present time, when the war and the highcost of living are agitating the minds of the broad massesand, in particular, are rousing the interest and the attentionof women towards politics.18. Compulsory naturalisation (Zwangseinbürgerung) ofall foreigners, free of charge. Every foreigner shall becomea Swiss citizen after three months’ residence in the country,unless he, on very good grounds, applies for a postponement,which may be granted for not more than three months. Itmust be explained to the masses that such a reform is particularlyurgent for Switzerland, not only from the generaldemocratic standpoint, but also because, owing to its imperialistenvironment, Switzerland has a larger percentage offoreigners than any other European country. Nine-tenthsof these foreigners speak one of the three languages used inSwitzerland. The disfranchisement and alienation of foreignworkers serve to increase political reaction, which is alreadymounting, and weaken international proletarian solidarity.19. Immediate propaganda for Social-Democratic candidatesin the 1917 Nationalrat* elections to be nominated onlyon the basis of a political platform that has been previouslywidely discussed by the electors. This applies in particularto the question of the attitude towards the war anddefence of the fatherland, and the question of reformist orrevolutionary struggle against the high cost of living.* National Council.—Ed.