Democratic centralism
From Infoshop OpenWiki
Democratic centralism is what communists think is the basic method of organization in the working class: "democracy in discussion — centralism in action".
The concept was first elaborated by Lenin in his fight for centralism and against the "circle" mentality of Russian revolutionaries prior to the formation of the R.S.D.L.P. and the Bolsheviks, but the term only came into general use around 1917. As a result, the term is often taken to refer to the specific organizational practices of the Bolshevik Party. The basic principles of democratic centralism have deep roots however in the history of the working class.
For example, the way many trade unions make policy through branch and regional structures, putting leadership proposals for action to the vote at mass meetings and then using picket lines and other temporary forms of organization to enforce majority decisions and conduct actions, are practices with hundreds of years of tradition behind them. The Rules of the Communist League and the International Workingmen's Association of Marx's day are based on the same principles, reflecting some of the organizational norms of the working class of their day. However, it was Lenin who was first to make a special study of working class organization and coined the term.
Democratic Centralism is not a set of rules or principles to which working class organizations ought to adhere, but rather constitutes an ideal within the Marxist theory of organisation.
There are three inter-related aspects of democratic centralism: the definition of membership, proletarian (or participatory) democracy and unity in action.
[edit] The definition of membership
Different organizations have quite different concepts of "membership": a small group of soldiers behind enemy lines has a very strict understanding of who they are, and as a result a very tight concept of the rights and obligations of each of their members; a broad social movement, on the other hand, has only a vague concept of membership, and its members only a limited commitment. Lenin elaborated the principles of Democratic Centralism in relation to a working class Political Party operating under conditions of illegality, and consequently insisted on a very clear criterion of membership — agreement with the Party’s program and the obligation to work under the direction of one of its organisations.
Clearly, the rights and obligations of members differ according to the criterion of membership. On the other hand, communists think that whether the organization is a trade union, a social movement or a secret party cell, the rights and obligations of members, whether greater or less, must be "in balance".
[edit] Proletarian (or participatory) democracy
Communists think the principles of proletarian democracy were given their most objective demonstration in the Paris Commune. As described by Lenin in his State and Revolution, proletarian democracy implies the widest, most democratic and most exhaustive discussion prior to any decision, and emphazises the right of people to determine their own activity, and opposes the separation of legislative and executive branches, i.e., the division of labor between administration and labor, theory and practice. Consequently, democratic centralism implies that an organization ought to be so structured as to provide the capacity of any part of organization to participate in determining policies relevant to their own responsibilities.
[edit] Unity in Action
Communists consider unity a fundamental question of survival for the working class. It is in the nature of an oppressed class, that if it is to emancipate itself, unity cannot be achieved by "orders from above". Communists think that it can only be based on agreement and commitment achieved by means of proletarian democracy, among members whose commitment to the organization is consonant with their rights within it. When a policy has been determined by means of protracted and thoroughgoing discussion amongst those who must carry it out, then unity in action is easily achieved. However, "action" inevitably implies unforeseen obstacles and changes which require an instant and coordinated response. Communists think it is inescapable that effective coordination in action presupposes leadership which is obeyed without question. Consequently, unity in action necessarily involves an acceptance of leadership. It is this problem which has been the source of most pain and controversy in the history of the workers’ movement.
The balance between centralism and democracy: A small group of soldiers under enemy fire would be ill-advised to subject their tactics to thoroughgoing discussion — communists think total centralism is the best policy, with one of their number assuming the responsibility to issue instructions. On the other hand, a trade union deciding whether or not to accept the bosses’ offer or continue the strike can and must take as long as is necessary to ensure that every member of the strike is in agreement on what to do: consensus decision-making is the order of the day, and ‘leaders’ should take a back seat.
Thus, communists think the balance between democracy and centralism must move according to circumstances.
Communists think too much democracy in action leads to disorganization and confusion, and usually defeat; too much centralism in discussion leads to bureaucratism, bad decisions and a loss of commmitment amongst members.
"Democratic Centralism" should not be identified with a specific model of organization, such as a political party, and counterposed to another, such as a federation. The specific mode of organization depends on circumstances. "Democratic Centralism" is a basic principle of working class organization, developed by Marxism, in opposition to theories which communists think overemphasize or become fixated upon just one mode or stage of development in organization, or fail to recognize what communists think is the necessary balance between democracy and centralism and how it must move or fail to establish clarity on the criterion of membership. The aim of Marxist organizational practice is to be able to freely move between one or another form of organization according to circumstances, and according to the needs of the working class as a whole.
