As we have entered a new century we face great crises both in society and in
the natural world. Today we are not only still witnessing poverty, hunger and
devastating wars: enormous environmental dislocations even threaten the stability
of the planetary climate and vital ecological processes, on which our human
existence depends.
The crises we encounter have their roots in a society pitted against itself
in hierarchical relationships and oppressive institutions, as well as in an
economic system guided by no higher aim than profits. Capitalism is steadily
destroying the world, not only through pollution and the reduction of biological
diversity, but also through a cultural barbarism that pervades even the most
personal spheres of life. Our period is marked by a sinister disintegration
of human values and a simplification of social life, all created in the image
of the marketplace. A direct result of our period of disintegration is the fact
that humanity seem to lack any sense of meaning and directionality. This points
to grim prospects for the continued development of human society and the reharmonization
of our relationship to the natural world.
Although the general public acknowledges the fact that we are facing grave problems,
it has been unable to discern possible solutions. Despite futile attempts to
dismiss or relativize the ecological crises of our times, capitalist ideologues
has nonetheless managed to present Capitalism as natural, eternal and unevitable,
and has left very little space for alternative social visions. For a great deal,
this is also caused by the failure of the Left in all its traditional forms,
whether Marxist, social democratic or anarchist. Historically the Left has been
in the foreground of presenting humane alternatives to oppression, injustice
and barbarism, but today the remains of the Left are more concerned with how
to function within the existing system, instead of constituting a fundamental
challenge to it.
In these times in which resignation and cynicism is the prevailing mood, we
proudly put forward a revolutionary and utopian vision of a free and rational
society in which domination, oppression and injustice are abolished and the
general interest of all people is garanteed. This vision, Communalism, builds
on the best elements in the revolutionary socialist and libertarian tradition,
but transcends the classical Marxist and anarchist ideologies. Communalism is
firmly rooted in the secular tradition of the Enlightenment – we defend
the liberatory potential of science, technology and reason – and oppose
the current rise of irrational trends, mysticism and obscurantism.
The need for a viable social and political alternative to Capitalism and the
nation-state is more pressing than ever, and visions of a free, cooperative
society must find their political expression in a movement committed to fighting
for a rational future. We must rebuild a principled Left that is able to assert
itself as a promising presence on the social agenda and relentlessly fight for
the changes necessary to ensure human progress. Considering the historical failure
of classical socialist approaches in both its statist and communitarian forms,
we claim Communalism to be the point of departure for the revival of a Left
that upholds a principled commitment to a rational society.
Communalism presents a political alternative – libertarian municipalism
– that explicitly seeks to empower municipalities and citizens through
direct democracy. Such a democracy must be structured around the establishment
and continual radicalization of popular assemblies coordinated in municipal
confederations. These democratized municipalities will constitute the framework
of a social and political system where the decisionmaking power remains at the
grassroots level. An empowered citizenry must regain control over all the important
social and political functions that today are in the hands of bureaucracies
and privileged elites. In fact citizens must have the institutional means necessary
to confront and challenge Capitalism and the state, and replace them with direct
democracy and a moral economy. Unlike all other political tendencies, Communalism
is based on the empowerment of the people through new popular institutions of
municipal self-management.
Fundamental for this revolutionary philosophy is the need to recreate ideals
of citizenship and a new political culture. Democratic institutions remain lifeless
unless populated by an empowered citizenry eager to defend reason and expand
social freedom. Radical movements must therefore focus on how to undertake the
education for citizenship on which any kind of new politics ultimately rests,
while fighting oppression, irrationalism, injustice and ecological destruction.
Communalism has united concepts of citizenship, politics and confederalism in
a coherent theory and practice for social change. Every revolutionary project
is indeed an educational one, and communalists seek to develop the most advanced
revolutionary theory, capable of giving inspiration and direction to a new political
movement.
The purpose of this journal is to provide a forum for the exposition of Communalism
as a viable political alternative, as we strive to develop these ideas further.
This journal will present a variety of articles and essays on culture, philosophy,
politics and organizational challenges, both critical and constructive. At the
same time it will open for debates around important issues in revolutionary
theory and strategy. With this journal, we hope to clarify the communalist approach,
thereby contributing to the theoretical foundations of an international communalist
movement.
– The Advisory Board