VIII
LIEBKNECHT ON SOCIALIST TACTICS
Liebknecht considered that the general tactics of the party were necessarily variable and dependent on circumstances. That method of procedure which of late years has gone by the somewhat insulting name of Socialist opportunism has never been more energetically formulated. I translate:
“We have now finished with general considerations. Before we begin on details, let us briefly sum up what has been said.
“We have seen that it is impossible to decide beforehand on tactics for our Party which would hold good in every case. Tactics must depend upon circumstances. The interest of the Party is our only law, our only rule.
“We have seen that the ends of the Party should be wholly distinct from the means it adopts to gain those ends.
“The ends are inalterable; it being of course clearly understood that we may look for a scientific extension, a perfecting of the programme. On the other hand, the means of combat and the
