The first release in ASP’s PAMPHLETEER series-Ellis argues that philosophically Labor is committed to developing a humanistic, socially egalitarian state, yet historically its approach has never been doctrinaire, but always basically utilitarian. That is, political institutions and policies are always to be assessed by how well in practice they serve the interests of the majority. Today, Labor’s historic mission must be to develop pragmatically a welfare state consistent with the demands of its position