Statement of Core Principles
Updated: May 18, 2001 Please see also our full Philosophical Basis We believe that:
Life on Earth is under immense pressure. The environment around us is threatened with massive destruction. Conventional politics has failed us because its values are fundamentally flawed.
The Green Party isn’t just another political party. Green politics is a new and radical kind of politics guided by these core principles;
1. Humankind depends on the diversity of the natural world for its existence. We do not believe that other species are expendable.
2. The Earth’s physical resources are finite. We threaten our future if we try to live beyond those means, so we must build a sustainable society that guarantees our long-term future.
3. Every person should be entitled to basic material security as of right.
4. Our actions should take account of the well-being of other nations and future generations. We should not pursue our well-being to the detriment of theirs.
5. A healthy society is based on voluntary co-operation between empowered individuals in a democratic society, free from discrimination whether based on race, colour, sex, religion, national origin, social origin or any other prejudice.
6. We emphasise democratic participation and accountability by ensuring that decisions are taken at the closest practical level to those affected by them.
7. We look for non-violent solutions to conflict situations, which take into account the interests of minorities and future generations in order to achieve lasting settlements.
8. The success of a society cannot be measured by narrow economic indicators, but should take account of factors affecting the quality of life for all people: personal freedom, social equity, health, happiness and human fulfilment.
9. Electoral politics is not the only way to achieve change in society, and we will use a variety of methods to help to affect change, providing those methods do not conflict with our other core principles.
10. The Green Party puts changes in both values and lifestyles at the heart of the radical green agenda.
