How to build socialism from below
All right. So you want to look into how to build socialism from below. And you've given us a really interesting mix of stuff to dig into here.
Yeah.
We've got some theory. We've got some real world examples.
Yeah. It's a good mix.
It's like a starter kit.
I like that. A starter kit.
For this whole movement.
What I find fascinating is your sources don't just talk about socialism like it's some abstract concept.
Right.
They actually get down into the like the nitty gritty of how people are trying to actually build it.
Yeah.
Which I think is what you're after.
Exactly.
Yeah.
It's not about just waiting for some big revolution. Right. You know, it's like, what can we do right now? Yeah. Right where we are.
Absolutely. And that's where this whole building socialism from below thing comes in. OK. It's about creating change from the ground up through everyday actions and grassroots movements.
OK, so less about top down control, more about people power.
Exactly. And one of the key things your sources highlight is this idea of prefigurative politics.
OK. Have you heard of this before?
I have heard of this. Yes.
OK. So it's basically the idea that the way we organize and make decisions like within our movements should reflect the kind of society we actually want to create.
So if we want a society that's democratic and egalitarian, we need to practice that right now within our movements.
Precisely. It's about building the world we want to see one step at a time. And it's not just about formal organizations. It's about fostering a culture of mutual aid, cooperation, respect in all aspects of our lives.
So this makes me think of one of the things that John Holloway talks about the idea of doing as a form of resistance. Right. He argues that even under capitalism. Yeah. We still have this power to do this capacity to create and produce things outside of you know the market system.
It's a really interesting concept. Yeah. He's saying that every time we engage in activity purely for the love of it, for the joy of creating something or helping someone. Yeah. We're kind of subtly pushing back against that logic of capitalism.
OK. So like when I spend hours baking a cake with my kids just for the fun of it. Yeah. I'm actually engaging in like a mini rebellion.
In a way, yes.
Whoa.
Because you're not doing it for profit.
Right.
You're not doing it for some external reward. Right. You're doing it for the intrinsic satisfaction of the activity itself.
Yeah.
And that's like a powerful act of defiance. Yeah. In a world that's increasingly dominated by market forces.
That's a pretty mind blowing way to look at it.
It is. Yeah.
So if we want to build socialism from below, it's not just about protesting or organizing. It's about reclaiming our power to do and creating these spaces where different values can flourish.
Exactly. And your sources offer some really good concrete examples of how this is already happening. Things like worker cooperatives, community land trusts.
movements like cooperation Jackson.
Yeah.
They're actively building alternative systems right within like the existing framework.
It's like they're creating these pockets of socialism.
Yeah.
These little glimpses of what a different kind of society could look like.
And what's really interesting about these examples is that they're not just about creating like a better economic system. Right. They're about addressing the deeper inequalities and injustices that are like baked into our current society.
Right. So if we're talking about building socialism from below, it can't just be about economics.
Right.
It has to be about social justice as well.
Absolutely. And your sources are really clear about that. This work often involves focusing on the needs and experiences of those who have been most marginalized by the current system.
So groups like Cooperation Jackson, which specifically focuses on empowering black working class communities. They're saying that building socialism from below needs to start by addressing those systemic inequalities.
Yes. And they argue that by centering their efforts on those who have been most impacted by injustice, they're not only creating a more equitable local economy. Right. But they're also laying the groundwork for a broader societal transformation. Yeah. So they're showing us that building socialism from below is not just about creating something new.
It's about dismantling the old structures of oppression that hold us back.
Yeah, that's a powerful point.
Yeah.
It's not just about building a better future. It's about reckoning with the past and addressing the injustices that continue to shape our present.
Absolutely.
So how do they actually go about doing this? Well, what are some of the strategies they use?
One of the key ideas that comes up again and again is this concept of dual power. So it's this idea of participating in existing political systems while simultaneously building these alternative structures that embody the values of the society they're striving to create.
So it's like working within the system.
Yeah.
While also building something new outside of it.
Exactly. It's a double pronged approach.
Right.
And your sources highlight that this requires a very specific kind of movement building. OK. One that's not just focused on winning a particular campaign or policy change. Yeah. But on developing the skills and relationships and consciousness necessary for a truly democratic and participatory society.
So it's about changing the way we do things, changing the way we relate to each other.
Absolutely.
Even in the smallest of our interactions.
Precisely. And this is where the idea of direct democracy comes in, which seems to be a recurring theme throughout your sources.
Right. Direct democracy from ancient Greece to modern day movements. There's this idea of people coming together face to face to make decisions collectively without relying on representatives.
And what's fascinating is how this concept challenges the limitations of our current like representative democracies where power is often concentrated in the hands of, you know, a select few.
Yeah.
It's about reclaiming our power to directly shape our own lives and communities.
But let's be real. Isn't that incredibly challenging to implement on a large scale?
Yeah.
Especially in today's complex societies. Sure. How do you get millions of people to participate in every single decision?
That's a great point. And one of your sources, Murray Bookchin, he actually acknowledges both the potential and the limitations of direct democracy.
Right.
He suggests that while the ideal of a fully participatory society might seem utopian, there are practical ways to implement elements of direct democracy, even within the constraints of existing systems.
So things like neighborhood assemblies, worker councils, community based decision making processes. Exactly.
And Bookchin argues that these localized forms of direct democracy can serve as a training ground for developing those skills and that consciousness.
Right.
Necessary for a more radically democratic future.
Interesting.
Yeah.
So it's not about throwing out everything and starting from scratch. Right. It's about finding ways to introduce these more democratic practices into our existing structures and gradually expand their reach.
Precisely. And this brings us to an important question that your sources raise. Can we really build socialism from below solely by focusing on these local grassroots movements? Yeah. Or do we need to engage with these larger scale political and economic systems as well?
That's been nagging at me too. It seems like a lot of the examples we've been talking about are very localized. But how do we scale that up to create systemic change?
That's the million dollar question. And it's something that we're going to delve into further in part two of this deep dive. We'll explore how these grassroots initiatives can actually connect and expand and how they can potentially influence larger systems of power. But for now, let's just take a moment to digest what we've learned so far.
Yeah, we've covered a lot of ground already.
We have.
Yeah.
You know, it's interesting how much our idea of work has been shaped by capitalism. Right. Like we're so used to thinking of it as just a way to make money. Right. But what if we could reimagine work as something more, something more fulfilling, something that benefits both us and our community?
OK, but that sounds like a pretty huge shift.
Yeah.
I mean, are we talking about getting rid of wages altogether?
Right.
Is that even realistic?
It's a big question. And even socialists have different ideas about how work would function.
Right.
In a post-capitalist world. Right. But one of your sources suggests that, you know, change doesn't have to happen all at once. OK. They point to worker cooperatives as a way to kind of bring democratic ownership into the workplace, even within the current system.
So it's like planting the seeds of a new economy right within the old one.
Exactly. As these cooperatives grow and connect, they could create a whole parallel system.
Right.
Based on cooperation and shared decision making.
And that reminds me we are about to dive into some real world examples. Yes. Of these cracks in capitalism.
Yeah.
Before we pause. Mm hmm. Your source mentioned things like community gardens, time banks, even open source technology and the sharing economy.
Right. Each of those shows how people are meeting their needs outside of the traditional market based on helping each other out, not just making a profit.
OK, so let's break these down a little bit. OK. Community gardens. I get that.
OK.
You know, growing your own food, being sustainable, building community.
Right.
It fits right in with this whole from below idea.
And it's not just about the food itself.
Right.
Jackson Rising Redux talks about how these gardens become spaces for learning, sharing skills, connecting people from different backgrounds.
Like a mini socialist society in action. Yeah. Working together, sharing the rewards.
Precisely. And it's a model that could be scaled up to create a more local, resilient food system, less reliant on big industrial farms and global supply chains.
Which is especially important these days.
Absolutely.
With climate change and all the uncertainty in the world.
Now time banks and LEDs.
OK.
Those are really interesting.
Yes.
People are literally creating new currencies.
Right.
To trade their skills and time directly. OK. Without needing traditional money.
So instead of paying someone to fix my leaky faucet.
Yeah.
I could trade them like an hour of my questionable guitar skill.
Exactly. And what's cool about time banks is they value all kinds of work equally.
Right.
So an hour of child care is worth the same as an hour of legal advice.
So it's a way of recognizing those essential jobs that often don't get paid enough.
Right.
Like the care work that women usually end up doing.
Precisely. It's a system built on community and helping each other out.
Right.
Not just on individual gain.
Okay. This is all starting to sound pretty utopian. I mean, could it really work on a large scale?
That's the question, isn't it?
Yeah.
While time banks might not replace money entirely.
Right.
They do show us a different way of valuing and exchanging things, making it more equitable and sustainable.
OK, let's tackle the tricky one. Open source tech and the sharing economy.
OK.
I mean, companies like Uber and Airbnb. Right. They're all about profit.
Yeah.
Even if they're using shared resources.
You've hit on a crucial point.
Yeah.
There's a big difference between sharing for genuine cooperation and sharing as a way to make money within the capitalist system.
So a community owned ride sharing platform that's nonprofit is totally different from a corporation like Uber that's exploiting its workers and driving inequality.
Exactly. It all comes down to the values behind the model. True sharing in this context is about access and distribution based on need, not profit.
And that's where open source tech comes in.
Exactly.
Making technology free and modifiable. So communities can build their own platforms instead of relying on corporations.
Precisely. Imagine open source software for things like decentralized energy grids, community owned communication networks, platforms for collaborative production. The possibilities are pretty exciting.
OK. I'm starting to see the bigger picture here.
Yeah.
It's about creating a more decentralized democratic society.
Mm hmm.
Where people have more control over their own lives.
Right.
And share resources fairly.
And it goes beyond just economic systems. It's changing our relationship with technology, with nature, with each other.
It's a shift from this like me first mentality to one of cooperation and understanding that we're all connected.
Exactly. And while it might seem like a huge undertaking, your sources emphasize that it doesn't have to happen overnight.
Right.
These small localized initiatives can grow and connect.
Yeah.
Eventually creating a ripple effect that leads to larger changes.
It's like that quote from The Ecology of Freedom.
Yeah.
The most distant journey begins with a single step.
Exactly. And while there's no clear roadmap.
Right.
The sources you've given us are like a compass pointing us towards a more just and equitable future.
Okay, that's a lot to process.
It is, yeah.
Before we get lost in these big ideas, let's make sure we've got the key takeaways down.
Okay, good idea. We've been exploring how to build socialism from below, focusing on grassroots action, prefigurative politics, and creating alternatives within the existing system.
We talk about how even doing things we love outside of the market can be a form of resistance. And we looked at real world examples like community gardens, time banks, open source tech.
Right.
Showing these principles in action.
So the question now is how can you as an individual contribute to this?
Right.
How can you take these concepts and apply them to your own life and community?
Right. We've talked about big ideas, but what are the actual steps you can take starting today? I think that's what our listener really wants to know. OK, so we've explored all these inspiring ideas.
Yeah.
But like, I think our listeners ready for some action.
Yeah.
What can they actually do to start building socialism from below?
Well, the good news is you don't have to, like, wait for a revolution or become a full time activist.
Right.
Your sources emphasize starting small right where you are.
OK.
Look around your community. What needs aren't being met?
Yeah.
What are the things that like bug you that you wish were different?
So it's about finding those little cracks in the system.
Yeah.
And seeing how you can fill them with something better.
Exactly. And it doesn't have to be some huge project, you know.
Right.
Maybe you start a community garden in your neighborhood. Organize a skill sharing workshop. Right. Or join a local time bank.
You know, one of your sources, Jackson Rising Redux, really stressed the power of connecting with like-minded people. It's about finding those individuals and groups who are already working towards these goals.
Yeah.
And seeing how you can plug in.
Absolutely. There's strength in numbers.
Yeah.
And working together amplifies your impact.
Right.
Plus, it's a lot more fun to build a new world with friends.
Right.
Yeah.
Speaking of working together.
Okay.
We've talked a lot about grassroots efforts.
Mm-hmm.
But what about the existing political system?
Right.
Is there a role for that?
Yeah, that's a great question.
Building socialism from below.
And as we discussed, this idea of prefigured of politics.
Right.
Means engaging with existing systems while also creating these alternatives.
Right.
But it's about being strategic and discerning.
So it's not about blindly supporting any politician who calls himself a socialist.
Exactly.
It's about asking tough questions.
Right.
Are they walking the talk?
Mm hmm.
Are they truly working to empower communities and redistribute power?
Yeah.
Or are they just playing the same old game?
Precisely. And political engagement goes beyond just elections.
Right. It's about finding ways to influence policy at the local level, pushing for things that create space for these alternative systems to thrive.
Things like advocating for community land trusts, promoting worker ownership models, supporting policies that help time banks and local exchange systems grow.
Exactly. It's about using whatever tools you have to create a more fertile ground for socialism from below to take root.
You know, one of the most important takeaways for me from all of this is that it's not just about changing external systems. It's about changing ourselves.
That's so crucial.
Yeah.
It's about cultivating those values of cooperation, solidarity, compassion, even in our everyday interactions.
Yeah, it's about shifting from a mindset of scarcity and competition to one of abundance and collaboration, realizing that we're all interconnected. Absolutely. And our well-being is tied to the well-being of everyone else. Beautifully put. And honestly, this inner transformation might be the most important step of all.
Yeah, because at the end of the day, the world we create starts with the choices we make each day.
Right.
How we treat each other, how we consume, how we engage with our community.
And like Murray Bookchin wrote, to conceive of a liberated society is to conceive of a society that fosters the liberatory potential of every individual.
So as we wrap up this deep dive, I want to leave you, our listener, with this question.
Okay.
If you were to start building socialism from below in your own community, what would your first step be?
Don't let the enormity of the task intimidate you.
Right.
Remember, even the longest journey starts with a single step.
And who knows, your step might inspire others to follow, creating a ripple that could change the world.
Absolutely.
Thanks for joining us on this deep dive.