Workers' Councils

by Pannekoek, Anton

• ISBN13: 9781902593562
• ISBN10: 1902593561
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• Publisher: A K Pr Distribution

Summary

What the working class strives for in its struggle, liberty and security, to be master of its own life, is only possible through control of the means of production. State socialism is not control of the means of production by the workers, but control by the organs of the state. If it is democratic at the same time, this means that workers themselves may select their masters. By contrast direct control of production by workers means that the employees direct the enterprises and construct the higher and central organizations from below. This is what is called the system of workers councils. -- Pannekoek, 1952. In this timeless text. Anton Pannekoek provides his analysis of how we can create and sustain this practical model for social equality. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION, BY ROBERT F. BARSKY V
INTERVIEWS
ROBERT F. BARSKY AND NOAM CHOMSKY	VIII
ROBERT F. BARSKY AND KEN COATES	XVII
ROBERT F. BARSKY AND PETER HITCHCOCK	XXIII
J. J. LEBEL AND PAUL MATTICK	XXVIII
WORKERS' COUNCILS
PREFACE	3	(2)
I. THE TASK
1. LABOR	5	(8)
2. LAW AND PROPERTY	13	(5)
3. SHOP ORGANIZATION	18	(5)
4. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION	23	(5)
5. OBJECTIONS	28	(11)
6. DIFFICULTIES	39	(5)
7. COUNCIL ORGANIZATION	44	(6)
8. GROWTH	50	(7)
II. THE FIGHT
1. TRADE UNIONISM	57	(4)
2. DIRECT ACTION	61	(5)
3. SHOP OCCUPATION	66	(2)
4. POLITICAL STRIKES	68	(8)
5. THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION	76	(7)
6. THE WORKERS' REVOLUTION	83	(16)
III. THE FOE
1. THE ENGLISH BOURGEOISIE	99	(4)
2. THE FRENCH	103	(6)
3. THE CARMAN BOURGEOISIE	109	(6)
4. NATIONALISM	115	(9)
5. AMERICAN CAPITALISM	124	(8)
6. DEMOCRACY	132	(6)
7. FASCISM	138	(6)
8. NATIONAL SOCIALISM	144	(17)
IV. THE WAR (1944)
1. JAPANESE IMPERIALISM	161	(5)
2. THE RISE OF CHINA	166	(8)
3. THE COLONIES	174	(4)
4. RUSSIA AND EUROPE	178	(5)
5. IN THE ABYSS	183	(6)
V. THE PEACE (1947)	189	(20)
1. TOWARD NEW WAR
2. TOWARD NEW SLAVERY	196	(6)
3. TOWARD NEW FREEDOM	202	(7)
FURTHER READING, COMPILED BY ROBERT F. BARSKY	209