Work Place Collectives: A Strategy Toward Decentralized Democratic Socialism

Authors

David G. Gil, Brandeis University

Abstract

I explore in this essay a possible strategy for the transformation of democratic, capitalist states into decentralized, democratic, socialist societies. The strategy suggested here can be pursued now within the United States and similar nation-states whose formal legal frameworks provide for certain civil and political rights including freedom of speech, press, assembly, association and life-style, due process, etc. More specifically, I will examine the notion of voluntary, social, economic, and political collectives, and networks of such collectives, organized in and around existing urban and non-urban places of work -- fresh cells of participatory democracy and socialism within the aging, crises-ridden bodies of liberal, capitalist states, a notion akin to the Kibbutz model and federation among Kibbutz settlements. (1) I will also touch on a related issue, namely, who is to benefit from a revolution toward democratic socialism, and hence, who should be encouraged to join transformation movements and the proposed work place collectives.

Recommended Citation

Gil, David G. (1979) "Work Place Collectives: A Strategy Toward Decentralized Democratic Socialism," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 6: Iss. 5, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1372
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol6/iss5/2