COUNCIL COMMUNISM Meaning and
Definition
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Council communism is a political and socio-economic theory that advocates for the establishment of worker councils as the central element of a socialist society. It views these councils, consisting of elected delegates from workplace and community organizations, as the foundation of decision-making and governance. Council communism emerged as a response to the perceived limitations and failures of both capitalist systems and traditional socialist models, particularly those led by traditional political parties and bureaucratic structures.
At its core, council communism promotes the elimination of wage labor and the abolition of the capitalist class, aiming to replace it with a system of worker self-management. In this framework, workers would take direct control over production and distribution, removing the need for a centralized authority or state bureaucracy.
Council communism emphasizes the importance of worker autonomy and the exercise of democratic decision-making within these councils. It aims to create a society where workers have equal access to resources and participate in decision-making processes that directly affect their lives.
The theory of council communism also rejects the idea of a transitional period, as proposed by other socialist ideologies, arguing that the workers should immediately take control of the means of production and establish a society based on socialist principles.
Overall, council communism envisions a society where power is decentralized, economic resources are collectively owned, and the workers have full control over their own labor. It seeks to establish a society based on direct democracy and the elimination of class hierarchies, ultimately striving for a more equitable and just socioeconomic order.
Etymology of COUNCIL COMMUNISM
The term "council communism" was coined during the early 20th century as a political concept describing a particular form of communism that emphasizes the establishment of workers' councils as the basis for revolutionary organization and governance.
The etymology of the word "council" itself comes from the Latin word "concilium", meaning assembly or gathering. It has been used for centuries to refer to a group of individuals convened for discussion or decision-making purposes. In the context of council communism, the term "council" specifically refers to workers' councils, which are democratic organizations formed by workers to represent their interests, manage production, and coordinate activities.
The addition of "communism" to "council" in the term "council communism" signifies the ideology's association with communism, an economic and political system that seeks to establish a classless society where the means of production are collectively owned and controlled by the community as a whole.
