No direct path to socialism

The left if it is wise elaborates a strategic policy at each stage of struggle. After all, there is no direct or inevitable path to a fulsome democracy or democratic socialism. Nor is the working class going to simply “rise up” at some appointed time and fight for a society of justice. The struggle for substantive democracy and democratic socialism goes through phases and stages, probably more than we allow for in current writings and political practice.

A strategic policy rests on an estimate of the alignment of political and social forces at each stage of struggle along the road to advanced democracy and socialism. On this basis, a specific strategic and tactical policy emerges that brings into bold relief the contending array of class and social forces, the main democratic and class tasks at that moment, and the political coalition that has to be assembled if the balance of forces is to shift in a progressive and socialist direction.

The historical landscape of our country is marked by periods during which such transformations occurred: 1765-1790, 1840-1876, 1890-1915, 1932-1948, 1954-1965.

In each period the contending forces and the nature of the struggle were different in content and form. But in each instance, the boundaries of democracy were qualitatively enlarged, a new alignment of class and social forces took shape, and new democratic and class tasks came to the fore.

The election victory in 2008 cracked open the door for another “burst of freedom.” But the realization of this possibility was blocked in the first place by right wing extremism – the political grouping that emerged on a new level at the time and since has morphed into the MAGA movement and captured the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court. Its unchallenged leader sits in the White House, dominates the Republican Party, and does the bidding for his family and the most reactionary sections of the transnational capitalist class.

Trump and MAGA are not the only obstacle to social change and transformation. But this movement and its leader, both of which have taken on a fascist coloration, are the main obstacles to social progress at this stage of struggle. And only broad people’s unity has the wherewithal to decisively defeat this deeply entrenched and fascistic movement.

It makes little sense to take on the entire capitalist class when it is not necessary and boneheaded to artificially “hurry” the political process along when pursuing such an option would result in defeat.

It is in this context that we should understand the current elections. They offer an opportunity not to “scale the heavens,” but to put a brake on the fascist threat and regain some momentum for the democratic, anti fascist movement. That might not seem like much, but it could make a world of difference to the future of the country.