Source: Liberation, no. 6, Summer 1995, p. 7;
Transcribed: by Zdravko Saveski, 2025.
Today the belief in animal rights is inspiring thousands of young people across Europe to challenge the authorities. What attitude should socialists take to the struggle for animal rights? What is meant by "rights" and do animals have them?
Most animal rights campaigners argue that animal and human rights are universal, and are based on the sanctity of all living creatures. Socialists however, believe that rights depend on cultural and material conditions: the ability of people to value themselves and other living things, and the ability to exercise rights.
All societies value some animals. The key question is, can animals exercise rights? At least some animals feel pain. They experience freedom and well being. They can therefore "enjoy" rights and "suffer" their denial. Some, but maybe not all, animals have rights.
If animals have rights, should socialists support them? The goal of socialism is human emancipation -- a world free from the exploitation and oppression of one person or a group or social class by another, and from the suffering which results. If it is wrong for people to abuse other humans, how can it be right for them to abuse animals?
Some animal rights campaigners call the abuse of animals by humans "speciesism". They liken it to the racial abuse perpetrated under fascism.
Socialists do not equate human and animal rights in the same way. We recognize that many cultures depend on animals for their livelihood, and that historically the exploitation of animals has been necessary for the development of social and economic life.
However we also recognise that cruelty to animals can condition people to accept cruelty to people, and that respect for animal welfare can make us more human and compassionate.
Another reason why Socialists should support animal rights is that we are fighting the same enemy: capitalism. Powerful economic interests are responsible for massive cruelty to animals.
Rival cosmetic companies test new brands on animals, inflicting great suffering. The products and therefore suffering are unnecessary. Furthermore, the cosmetics industry exploits young people, women especially, targeting their insecurities, and causing misery to women who don't fit the latest beauty craze.
The meat industry keeps millions of people hungry in the "Third World", as well as mistreating and slaughtering livestock and poultry. In Latin America rainforests are cut down and huge tracts of fertile land turned over to cattle ranching while local people starve. The beef is exported to hamburger chains in Europe and North America.
Meat is a very inefficient source of protein. The area of land needed to produce meat protein is far greater than that needed to produce the equivalent amount of vegetable protein. Over grazing is also creating large scale soil erosion.
Modern battery farming methods cause great suffering in the name of "efficiency". Hens and pigs are crammed into cages or pens with no opportunity for exercise, kept weak and prone to disease. More human methods would cost more, reducing profits.
A socialist revolution would create the conditions for ending the abuse of animals. Workers and communities could jointly plan the production and distribution of goods for the benefit of society, animals and the environment. The use of animal products could be phased out, and alternatives developed. Production would no longer be for profit, ending the incentive to use cruel battery methods. At the same time a planned economy could end the waste involved in producing meats.