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Program of the German Progressive Party (November 25, 1878)

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4. Preservation of the Reichstag's right to approve annual state budgets; until that right is fully guaranteed, maintenance of the states' matricular tax contributions to the Reich [Matrikularbeiträge] in a different form on the basis of a fairer distribution scale; distribution of the tax burden according to individual taxable income; in particular, no overburdening of the less well-to-do classes through disproportional taxes on general consumer goods; adherence to the proven principles of the policies of the Customs Union [Zollverein]; no tax and tariff policies serving one-sided interests. – No monopolies.

5. Maintenance of freedom of movement, freedom of trade, and freedom to form unions; further extension of economic legislation, especially for the protection of life and the health of workers, women, and children; extension of liability; industrial arbitration tribunals; legal recognition of associations founded on the principle of self-help (pension funds, employers' associations, labor unions, and arbitration offices); promotion of general and technical education for the working class; and reform of legislation governing joint-stock companies.

6. Determination of the terms required in the public interest for the establishment and operation of railroads through Reich laws and handling of the latter by Reich authorities with direct executive power; by contrast, rejection of the Reich railroad project.

7. Individual freedom of conscience and freedom of worship; definition of the legal jurisdiction of ecclesiastical and religious communities vis-à-vis the state by way of state legislation; accordingly, general legislation concerning religious communities without consideration for individual confessions and without preferential treatment or neglect of certain churches; in particular, determination of the conditions under which religious communities are recognized by the state and must be given the rights of corporate bodies.

8. Independence of schools vis-à-vis the church, irrespective of regulations concerning religious instruction; general, mandatory elementary education, free of charge.



Source: Deutsche Parteiprogramme [German Party Programs], Berlin, 1894, pp. 39-40.

Original German text reprinted in Felix Salomon, ed., Die deutschen Parteiprogramme [German Party Programs], Issue 2, Im Deutschen Kaiserreich 1871-1918 [In the German Kaiserreich 1871-1918], ed. Wilhelm Mommsen and Günther Franz, 4th ed. Leipzig and Berlin: B.G. Teubner, 1932, pp. 37-38.

Translation: Erwin Fink

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