Social democracy is the oldest political party in Ukraine. It was founded in 1890 and has celebrated its centennial. Such famous Ukrainians as Mykhailo Drahomanov and Ivan Franko, Lesia Ukrainka and Dmytro Antonovych were there at the beginning of our movement. Social democracy has a great history and gives us much to uphold.
The founders of Ukrainian social democracy raised the banner of our movement in difficult times. Ukraine was not a state and was left territorially disintegrated. National oppression, massacre, propaganda and chauvinism were the every day practice of imperial power. Economically, Ukraine lagged behind other European countries. Peasants suffered from the lack of land ownership and dependence on large land barons. Industrial development was carried out at the expense of unlimited exploitation of the workers. A normal workday could be anywhere from 12 - 14 hours, medical insurance and medical service for these workers was non-existent, and salary was disputed. Ultra-radical ideas were spread among the impoverished and tired masses.
Social democracy outlined an alternative programme for social development, which stipulated political and economic reforms to address the interests of the majority, creating an independent Ukrainian state. The organisation of workers and peasants seeking to protect their interests was deemed the tool to implement social democratic reform. Social democrats took an active role in the formation of the Ukrainian trade union movement and development of co-operation; this brought public recognition of their heritage and culture world-wide. The leaders of Ukrainian social democracy: Yulian Bachyns'kyi, Volodymyr Vynnychenko, Mykola Porsh, Symon Petliura, and Volodymyr Starosols'kyi made a significant contribution to the Ukrainian liberation movement.
The National Democratic Revolution of 1917 - 1918 paved the way for solving political, socio-economic and national problems. Under these circumstances, social democrats became responsible for the destiny of Ukraine. The activity of social democratic governments of 1917 - 1920 is still an invaluable source of reference today.
The Government of social democrats started a radical reformation of all the systems of power. Social democrats took the lead in proclaiming the Ukrainian People's Republic, the creation of Tsentral'na Rada (Parliament) and local democratic bodies, allowing for local self-governing. All restrictions enforced during Czarist times were cancelled.
The social democratic Government introduced the most progressive labour legislation of its kind in Europe. Working days were restricted to 8 hours; workers control was introduced in enterprises. Special attention was paid to providing the unimpeded development of free trade unions and workers' unions. Agrarian reform was started and stipulated assignation of land for peasants.
Social democrats introduced special legislation for the protection of rights of national minorities. Conditions for free development of national and cultural societies, education and cultural use of national languages, as well as special representatives and ministries of minorities.
Finally, social democrats secured recognition of the independence of Ukraine and withdrawal of Ukraine from World War I and signing a peace agreement.
However, social democrats and their political allies did not manage to fully implement their programme. Considering that the democratic reforms were irreversible, they underestimated the necessity of constant diligence to protect their democratic rights. History illustrates that tired and disillusioned people can follow the demagogues, who promise a quick solution. In times of crisis, there is an increasing risk of using moral and physical terror to achieve these ends.
A four-year war and an economic blockade exhausted and weakened Ukraine. The Bolshevik regime in Ukraine became established by means of terror and irrepressible social demagogy. The victory of the Bolsheviks meant the loss of social democracy, extermination or emigration of supporters, and idealism broken.
With no possibility to act legally at home, the social democrats continued the fight by informing the world about the reality in Ukraine. Having witnessed dictatorship and terror, one tends to cast a watchful eye on the glorification of the Bolshevik rule. For the common goal, experience has shown that people of different beliefs and views can co-operate for a more peaceful existence.
Gradual decomposition of the communist regime accelerated the possibility of reviving social democracy in Ukraine. A party organisation of the social democrats was restored in 1990 at the Kyiv Congress. The revival of social democracy began on a new note by renewing traditions, following the examples of European and world democracy, and defining modern tendencies of social development.
Time has proved our choice correct. In the post-communist society, when economics requires market reforms and the national independence of Ukraine is still threatened, unilateral insistence of social protection is inexpedient and dangerous. Social democracy may become an influential power only when it combines social democratic, reformative and national values.
The struggle for independence in 1990 - 1991, the struggle for democratisation and economic reforms in our country enriched the experience of our movement. It ensures us in fact, that we can reach better changes only by means of uniting with all democratic forces, leaning on the support of wide coalition of all those interested in reform.
Nowadays, when some of the communists are trying to use certain slogans of social democracy in order to keep their political positions, the existence of influential and popular social democratic party is necessary. Today Ukraine requires not slogans, but serious political alternatives. We are confident that this alternative can be provided only by a strong and influential social democracy.
