Contribution to Swedish Seminar on the 25 anniversary of the publication of “Socialism Is A Science”

On the 1st of November it will be 25 years since the publication of the work "Socialism Is A Science " by  great leader comrade KIM JONG IL .


It can be said without any hint of exaggeration nor fear of contradiction that this was the most important piece of writing on socialism published in the last part of the 20th century and comrade KIM JONG IL was the only leader of a socialist country and leader in the international communist movement to tackle the question of defending and expounding the scientific nature of socialism and its inevitability.

  I can remember reading this work with great excitement when it was first published in 1994 . At the time socialism in a number of countries had been frustrated and many communist parties were a poor state. The bourgeois imperialist mass media were trumpeting about the ‘collapse of communism ‘ ,”end of socialism “ and even the “end of history “ Many communists were sunk in disillusionment and others turned to dogmatism or nostalgia politics. However the great leader comrade
KIM JONG IL cut through the fog of confusion and disillusion by publishing  “Socialism Is A Science “ and many other excellent works.


Marx, Engels and Lenin had turned socialism from a Utopian dream into a science. However towards during the late 1980s and early 1990s a series of abnormal events took place namely the frustration of socialism in a number of countries owing to the conspiracy and intrigue of the modern revisionists the agents of imperialism with the socialist camp and international communist movement. As the great leader comrade KIM JONG IL wrote:"The crumbling of socialism in various countries does not mean the failure of socialism as science but the bankruptcy of opportunism which has corrupted socialism. Although socialism is temporarily experiencing a heartrending setback because of opportunism, it will without fail be revived and win ultimate victory for its scientific accuracy and truth".

This was a timely rebuff to the imperialists and reactionaries who taking advantage of the abnormal developments  made extremely  false and slanderous assertions  that 'socialism had failed’ and socialism was in some way "unscientific " or 'infeasible'.

  The work was an unparalleled inspiration to the world revolutionary people looking for answer in the difficult international situation caused by the frustration of socialism in some countries . It was a real shot in the arm, a tonic for the international communist movement.

    Eternal Chairman KIM JONG IL  smashes sophistries about 'class co-operation ' advocated by reformists and revisionists  explaining that : "The exploiter class and their stooges put forward the "theory of class cooperation" and tried to block the struggle of the exploited working masses against exploitation and oppression. Within the communist movement, reformists and revisionists demanded "class cooperation" and seriously harmed the revolutionary movement, Today, traitors to socialism are also clamoring for a return to capitalism, harboring illusions about capitalism and expecting "aid" and "cooperation" from the imperialists. History shows that to expect "good will" or "class cooperation" from the exploiter class is to make a mess of the revolution."

This was a telling blow to the theories collaborating with imperialism and given up class struggle. In some capitalist countries reformists and traitors advocated  "social partnership "  , compromise with the exploiting class but the teachings of comrade KIM JONG IL in "Socialism In A Science "  demonstrates that such ideas are fallacious . Comrade KIM JONG IL also refutes the idea that capitalism can be reformed, saying that  “ The farce of “reform” staged by the ruling bourgeoisie is essentially aimed at extricating themselves from the crisis of capitalism. Social transformation on progressive lines can only be carried out by the awakened and united popular masses.  Since everything in society is created by the masses, they must naturally be the masters of everything. Only in socialist society, where state power and the means of production belong to the people, can the masses be the real masters of everything in society.

Since they are the masters of everything in society, the popular masses must occupy the position of masters.  They must exercise their rights, fulfil their responsibility and role as masters and enjoy a worthy and happy life as masters.

As they are the masters of everything in society, the popular masses must hold the position of masters and exercise their rights as such.”

All those who aspire for socialism and who are active in the labour movement should take to heart this teaching of the great leader comrade KIM JONG IL and uphold like a red torch.

    In the work "Socialism Is A Science  " the great leader comrade KIM JONG IL showed that socialism is the banner of independence for the popular masses and the means for the popular masses including the working class to realise their independence, to become masters of their destiny. Thus leader KIM JONG IL defined socialism in a fresh way  free from any dogmatic interpretations.

"Socialism Is A Science " proved the accuracy and validity of the socialist idea. It fully demonstrated the scientific nature of socialism and inevitability of its victory . At the time of its publication it served a beacon or lighthouse for the socialist ,communists and progressives of the world groping in the darkness caused by the frustration of socialism . "Socialism Is A Science " was the second "Communist Manifesto". It showed the true genius of comrade KIM JONG IL as a great theorist and ideologist .

There is no doubt that "Socialism Is A Science " is as relevant and valid today as it was 25 years ago. It charts the way ahead for the world socialist movement . The work of the great leader comrade KIM JONG IL is carried forward by dear respected Marshal KIM JONG UN  who is leading the Korean people forward to final victory under the banner of Juche and self-reliance.

Dr Dermot Hudson

Chairman Juche Idea Study Group of England

President Association for the Study of Songun Politics UK.

Chairman UK KFA