IV. Current Demands
In the area of state and administrative policy, Social Democracy strives for a democracy that is borne by the joint participation and joint responsibility of all citizens. It wants a republic characterized by extensive decentralization and self-government.
The German republic of the future shall be made up of federal states that do not see their own existence as their highest purpose but regard themselves as building blocks of a larger national order. The bearer of state power shall be the German people as a whole.
None of the current federal states and provinces should regard its existence and boundaries as guaranteed. There is no sufficient historical legitimacy that overrides present exigencies.
Administrative Reform
The administration must be reformed from the bottom up, and lower-level pillars of communal life must be given as much authority as possible. The people, represented by their parties, will determine the tasks and goals of the administration. All employees and civil servants working for public bodies must be protected by a uniform employment law and through the preservation of their rights as citizens.
All citizens are eligible for public office, irrespective of origin, faith, race, or gender, in keeping with the law and in accordance with their qualifications and accomplishments.
All citizens must be equal before the law. No one may be denied access to his statutory judge. Special courts are prohibited.
Church, State, and Culture
Freedom of belief and conscience for all; separation of church and state. This will give the churches – and all communities that share a single worldview – the opportunity to achieve their particular objectives in freedom. No one will be obligated to disclose his religious convictions.
Art, science, and their teachings shall be free in order to rebuild our destroyed cultural and intellectual life. Through the achievements of art and science, the German people will regain the trust and respect of the world.
The general school system must be public. Schools shall be rid of totalitarian and intolerant views and shall educate young people in the spirit of humanity, democracy, social responsibility, and international understanding. Educational opportunities must be open to all Germans solely on the basis of their ability and without regard to faith, class, or ownership of property.
Freedom of opinion and freedom of criticism must find expression in freedom of the press.
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