Breaking the Iron Law: Leftists, Electoral Politics, and The Reform/Revolution Debate
Submitted by mactyler on Fri, 01/14/2011 - 2:58pm
Panel Abstract:
In 1911, the German socialist Robert Michels published Political Parties, his analysis of socialist politics and the tendency for the structure of the modern electoral system to blunt revolutionary drives in leftist parties and towards reforms. This tension was the source of the early-20th century reform/revolution debate between Bernstein, Luxembourg, and Kautsky, and more recently the Realo/Fundi debate in the Germany Green Party. We propose to examine the tendency of leftist parties committed to social transformation to bend to the realities of the representative electoral system and abandon revolutionary aims once they have a chance of becoming a successful electoral machine. Is this an inevitable result of electoral politics in the modern era? Is there another way for left-wing political parties to remain committed to radical change? Or is a new approach necessary after a century of engagement with electoral politics? Is Michel's Iron Law of Oligarchy too strong to break?
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- Marxism and Theory
- Political and Social Movements
- L. Panel Session 5—Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
- Peter LaVenia—Green Party of New York State
- Approved
- David Doonan–Mayor, Green Party of NY State, Green Party of NY State
- Gloria Matteria–Greenwich, Hunger Action NY, IWW
- Mark Dunlea–Hunger Action of NY State, Green Party of NY State
- 82
- W613
Panel Abstract:
In 1911, the German socialist Robert Michels published Political Parties, his analysis of socialist politics and the tendency for the structure of the modern electoral system to blunt revolutionary drives in leftist parties and towards reforms. This tension was the source of the early-20th century reform/revolution debate between Bernstein, Luxembourg, and Kautsky, and more recently the Realo/Fundi debate in the Germany Green Party. We propose to examine the tendency of leftist parties committed to social transformation to bend to the realities of the representative electoral system and abandon revolutionary aims once they have a chance of becoming a successful electoral machine. Is this an inevitable result of electoral politics in the modern era? Is there another way for left-wing political parties to remain committed to radical change? Or is a new approach necessary after a century of engagement with electoral politics? Is Michel's Iron Law of Oligarchy too strong to break?
Go Back to Search for Panels by Topic
