Amongst the Socialists are many men of many minds: there are parsons, atheists, labourers, employers, men of peace, and men of force. These men differ on many points, but they all agree upon one point.
Now, this point on which men of different views agree is called a principle.
A principle is a main idea, or main thought. It is like the keelson of a ship or the backbone of a fish—it is the foundation on which the thing is built.
Thus, the principle of Trade Unionism is "combination," the combining, or joining together, of a number of workers, for the general good of all.
The principle of Democratic (or Popular) Government is the law that the will of the majority shall rule.
Do away with the "right of combination," and Trade Unionism is destroyed.
Do away with majority rule, and Popular Government is destroyed.
So if we can find the principle of Socialism, if we can find the one point on which all kinds of Socialists agree, we shall be able to see what Socialism really is.
Now, here in plain words is the principle, or root idea, on which all Socialists agree—
That the country, and all the machinery of production in the country, shall belong to the whole people (the nation), and shall be used by the people and for the people.