Throughout history there have been struggles over power and income distribution between different groups in society. There are the ones exploited and oppressed and the ones who make all the profit by exploiting others. The labour class that rose from the industrial revolution in the 19th century was the first group to become aware of being treated in an unjust way and organised a movement to demand its rights. This movement then became the biggest one in the world - the Social Democratic Workers' Movement.

Many of the movement's aims have been achieved in Finland and in other Western countries: common and equal voting, health care and education have become basic human rights and employment legislation has experienced a revolution. However, we cannot forget the fact that in many parts of the world these basic rights are still to be put into practice.

Also in Finland and other industrialised countries there’s still a lot to do. Technological advancement is quickly changing the basic structures of our society. The Social Democratic Youth believe that technological development can only bring welfare to people if its fruits are handed out equally. The Social Democratic movement is largely responsible for controlling how this is done.

The rich north has to adapt its lifestyle to a level which can be considered internationally justified; our welfare must not be a hindrance to other people's welfare. The world is not only for us: the future generations' living environment is in our hands.

Social Democracy is more than just a democratic version of Marxist thoughts: it has its own theorists, own traditions, own history and own approach to questions of society, different from all other ideologies. There is no other ideology which is as much against all kinds of fundamentalism, fanaticism, violence and inequality. Social Democracy might have different forms depending on the time and people who practise the ideology, but one thing is commonly accepted despite time and place: making the world a better place can never be regarded as a completed task.

The work of the Social Democratic Youth is conducted by a strong desire for justice. The incorruptible pursuance of the basic values of Social Democracy, connected to everyday realism, offers the new millennium a good opportunity to create a better and fairer society.