councilcommunist

Council communism is a far-left radical political ideology that emerged in the early 20th century. It advocates for a society governed by workers' councils, which are seen as a more direct and democratic form of working-class organization than traditional political parties or trade unions. Proponents believe that these councils, formed through direct election and recallable by their constituents, can manage production and distribution without the need for a state or capitalist class.

The core idea is that the working class should seize control of the means of production and organize society through decentralized, federated councils. These councils would operate at various levels, from the factory floor to regional and national coordination, ensuring that decisions are made by the workers themselves. This contrasts with Marxist-Leninist approaches, which often emphasize the role of a vanguard party to lead the revolution and establish a transitional state.

Key thinkers associated with council communism include Anton Pannekoek, Otto Rühle, and Hermann Gorter. They were critical of the authoritarian tendencies they observed in Bolshevik Russia and argued that the revolution should be based on spontaneous worker action and the establishment of self-governing councils. Council communists generally reject parliamentary democracy and advocate for direct action and revolutionary overthrow of capitalism. They believe that a stateless, classless society can be achieved through the collective power and self-organization of the working class.