As I have previously stated, it is a fact that Soviets -or Councils, in English- first appeared, quite spontaneously, during the Russian Revolution of 1905. They were not a creation of Marxists, and could not have been created by Marxists, for the very fine reason that at that time, all of the Russian Marxists had been first thrown in prison, and were then either killed or exiled. As is well known, Lenin was exiled.
It is also well known that these first Soviets were crushed, at the same time the First Russian Revolution was crushed, in 1907. This was followed by the ‘’counter Revolution’’ of 1907-14. Yet the Soviets reappeared, at the same time as the Russian Revolutionary Motion once again flared up, in 1914. The lesson to be learned from this, is that Revolutionary Motion gives rise to Soviets.
This is of exceptional importance, because as Lenin stated, ‘’The basic question of every Revolution is state power’’. Soviets are nothing other than state power! Proletarian Power! A workers government! A direct challenge to the authority of the capitalists!
Just as the Russian Revolution gave birth to Soviets, so too the current Revolutionary Motion is also giving birth to Soviets, in various parts of the world.
We know this for a fact, because in the city of Seattle, within the state of Washington, on June 8, 2020, a sector of that city declared itself to be ‘’autonomous’’. They referred to this as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. In the spirit of the finest tradition of the United States of America, they issued a ‘’Declaration of Independence’’. No one was terribly surprised when that Declaration of Independence, was ‘’shot down’’.
This self declared ‘’Autonomous Zone’’ was brief, lasting a mere three weeks, as it was crushed on July 1. Yet it gives us an idea of what to expect, after the Socialist Revolution.
A huge Black Lives Matter mural was created. There were free film screenings. Live music. A ‘’no cop co-op’’ was formed. There was free food and other supplies. A community vegetable garden was constructed. Donations were taken up for the homeless. Portable toilets were set up, as well as tents and medical stations.
As well, there were frequent ‘’town hall’’ meetings. The ‘’occupants’’ within the Zone favoured consensus decision making, although there were references to an elected Council (Soviet). The press is reluctant to make any mention of this, because the very idea of Soviets within America, is too terrible to print!
It is significant that the Zone embraced the ‘’open carry of firearms’’. After sundown, armed guards of volunteers kept watch. For that reason, the Zone was one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city of Seattle.
Those within the Zone, who were variously referred to as ‘’occupants’’, or ‘’protesters’’, or more accurately, ‘’Revolutionaries’’, initially came up with a list of three demands, although additions came later.
- Cut the budget of the Seattle Police Department by half
- Shift funding to community programs and services in historically Black communities
- Ensure that protesters would not be charged with crimes
The response from onlookers varied, depending upon their class background, and upon their identification with the ‘’Left’’ or the ‘’Right’’.
Several of the more ‘’kind’’ descriptions, from the Right, included that of the Mayor of Seattle, who stated that the Zone had a ‘’block party’’ atmosphere. Others mentioned getting the impression of a ‘’hybrid of other movements’’, of ‘’part protest, part commune’’, a ‘’blend of Occupy Wall Street and a college cooperative dorm’’, a ‘’centre of peaceful protest, free political speech, co-ops and community gardens’’. One of the more accurate descriptions was that of ‘’an anti capitalist vision of community sovereignty, without a police presence.’’
From this, it is clear that the Right leaning critics could not find anything ‘’bad’’ to say about the Zone, so tried to come out with neutral statements.
On the other hand, the response of Donald Trump was more honest, as he spoke from the heart. He referred to those protesters, those Revolutionaries, as ‘’Ugly Anarchists’’! Typical Trump! Supremely ignorant!
Of course, the occupants of the Zone were anything but anarchists, but that in no way alters the fact that they amounted to a challenge, to the authority of the capitalists! State Power! The Zone was a challenge to the state power of the capitalists! The ‘’basic question of every Revolution’’! No wonder the capitalists were so anxious to crush the Zone!
That in no way changes the fact that these American Councils (Soviets), one of which emerged in Seattle, represents another government! As yet they are very weak, well hidden, never mentioned in the mainstream press. For that matter, much of the mainstream press may not even be aware of their existence.
For the purposes of this article, I have chosen to refer to these proletarian organizations as Soviets. It remains to be seen if the American Revolutionaries will continue to refer to them as Councils, or as Soviets. That is entirely up to them.
Weak they may be, at present, but very soon, they will become very powerful. These Soviets amount to ‘’an organization of the workers, the embryo of a workers government’’, according to Lenin. For the moment, they are no match for the ‘’magnificent organization of the bourgeoisie’’. Yet in Revolutionary times, ‘’the limits of what is possible expand a thousand times’’, also according to Lenin! Bear in mind that we are currently living in Revolutionary times!
Perhaps an example will be helpful.
Immediately after the Tsar was deposed, in March of 1917, there existed a dual power in Russia! No one thought this was possible! Yet it happened!
As Lenin explained: ‘’Along side the Provisional Government, the government of the bourgeoisie, another government has arisen, so far weak and incipient, but undoubtedly a government that actually exists and is growing- the Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies …It consists of the proletariat and the peasants (in soldiers’ uniforms)….it is a Revolutionary Dictatorship, a power directly based on Revolutionary seizure, on the direct initiative of the people from below, and not on a law enacted by a centralized state power’’. (italics by Lenin)
Lenin went on to stress the importance of ‘’the only possible Revolutionary government’’, the ‘’Soviet of Workers’, Agricultural Labourers’, Peasants’ and Soldiers’ Deputies’’.
Of course, he was referring to the situation in Russia, early 1917.
Our current situation is somewhat different, more simplified. At least in North America, as well as in other parts of the world, we have very few peasants, or family farmers, as they sometimes refer to themselves. Yet the fact remains that the ‘’only possible Revolutionary government’’ is that of the ‘’Soviets of Workers’’, along with Soviets of other groups of working people, including the military personnel, whose titles have yet to be determined.
At the time of the forthcoming Revolution, the existing state apparatus, of the capitalists, must be destroyed. It must be replaced by these Revolutionary Soviets. This will be the form of the new Dictatorship of the Proletariat, a proletarian state apparatus, which will be used to crush the capitalists.
But first, the level of awareness of the working people, the common people -as that is the manner in which they refer to themselves- must be raised. The majority of working people must be won over to our side, the side of Revolution, to the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.
That is where a true Communist Party comes into play, one which calls for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Only such a Party can organize country wide -or even international!- exposure of the capitalists.
As Lenin went on to state, ‘’The class conscious workers stand for the undivided power of the Soviets…for undivided power made possible not by adventurist acts, but by clarifying proletarian minds, by emancipating them from the influence of the bourgeoisie.’’
As I stated in my previous article, such a Communist Party, Dictatorship of the Proletariat, will no doubt, soon be created. We can count on the capitalists, to persuade middle class intellectuals, to form such a Party! So many of them are about to be driven into bankruptcy! Too Small To Succeed!
No doubt, there are many who are skeptical, who think that the capitalists are prepared to reward their loyal and devoted servants, those who have ‘’given the best years of their life’’, in the service of their capitalist masters. Such is hardly the case!
Allow me to point out one example, one which is well known to most Americans, that of former President Richard Nixon.
Historians rate Nixon as one of the most corrupt presidents that ever held that office! That is quite an accomplishment, as the competition is so fierce! They also rate him as one of the most stupid! Also a ‘’high bar’’! But then, he is the one and only president who ‘’wiretapped himself’’!
Indeed, Nixon set up a tape recorder, in his desk, in his own office! In that office, he ordered his most trusted ‘’associates’’ to commit a burglary! A burglary they ‘’bungled’’! They were caught! And the order which their boss, Richard Nixon, had issued, had been ‘’taped’’! By Richard Nixon! The height of stupidity!
Incidentally, I use the word ‘’associates’’, as a reference to the people who were closest to Nixon. They were the members of his ‘’inner circle’’, his most loyal, devoted followers. At least, most of them were loyal. But not all!
This simple burglary gave rise to a ‘’public outcry’’, or a mass movement, to put it in scientific terms. The government officials were forced to investigate, to ‘’find and prosecute the perpetrators, to the fullest extent of the law’’, to use their stilted jargon.
Nixon saw this in different terms. As far as he was concerned, the ‘’wolves were closing in’’. So in the interests of ‘’saving his own skin’’, self preservation, he decided to ‘’throw’’ his closest followers ‘’under the bus’’. These included the people whom had committed the burglary, as well as those whom had taken part in the subsequent ‘’cover up’’.
For such psychos, loyalty is a ‘’one way street’’!
The fact that Nixon did not hesitate to ‘’sacrifice’’ his most loyal, devoted followers, should serve as a warning to other servants of the capitalists! As far as the capitalists are concerned, ‘’sentiment’’ is a weakness! It has no monetary value!
Of course, Nixon decided to personally destroy all ‘’incriminating’’ tapes, to erase them. Except that he missed one. The one in which he directed John Dean to ‘’stonewall’’ the investigation, to ‘’bribe’’, to ‘’cover up’’. This is commonly referred to as a ‘’smoking gun’’!
But as I previously implied, not everyone was prepared to ‘’fall on their sword’’ for Nixon! John Dean was one of them! In an effort to secure a lenient sentence, he ‘’ratted out’’ his former boss, Richard Nixon. The audio tape which Nixon failed to erase, supported his testimony!
As a result of this, the police were forced to believe John Dean, as opposed to their president! Dean objected to being ‘’thrown under the bus’’! Not for Richard Nixon! As a result, Nixon was in turn, forced out of office!
I use this as an example of a very powerful man, in this case a president, being ‘’brought down’’, due to the Revolutionary Motion of the common people!
Bear in mind the words of Lenin, that during a time of Revolution, ‘’The limits of what is possible expand a thousand times’’! Further bear in mind that we are experiencing a full blown Revolution!
Now to return to the subject of the self declared Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.
Much as we admire the courage of the Revolutionaries, the Soviets, of the Zone, we also have to face the fact that our Soviets are, as yet, too weak to come out with an open challenge to the capitalists. For the moment, it is perhaps best to keep a ‘’low profile’’, to ‘’bide our time’’, to ‘’spread the word’’, to train, arm and equip those Soviets, in preparation for an insurrection.
Most working people, at least here in North America, have digital devices, and know how to use them. We would be fools not to take advantage of that fact. Further, just as Lenin focused on the Russian military, especially prisoners of war, we too should focus on all members of the military. Their military training will serve the Revolution well!
I should add that Lenin focused on the Russian prisoners of war, because he was able to write directly to them. There were no military censors in the prisoner of war camps!
By contrast, there was no shortage of censors in the military! That made it impossible for Lenin to communicate with them.
We do not have that problem. We can now use the internet, avoid the printed word, and get in touch with all members of the military, bypassing the censors.
Bear in mind that common people are avid readers. They follow the news closely. They are paying strict attention to the antics of Trump, as well as others. They are well aware that Trump is facing no less than thirty four felony charges. As well, other people, notably women, are alleging that he committed ‘’more serious crimes’’.
The District Attorney of Manhattan has dared to do the ‘’unthinkable’’, to press charges against Trump, thereby setting a precedent, ’’opening the floodgates’’, so to speak. It is very likely that other prosecutors will soon ‘’grow a set’’ and ‘’follow suit’’.
The results should be interesting, as so many people are paying strict attention!
Almost all common people are of the opinion that the ‘’super rich’’, the billionaires, are ‘’above the law’’. Their vast fortunes allow them to do anything they please! They know this from experience!
For the most part, this is true, in ‘’ordinary times’’! These are not ‘’ordinary times’’! These are Revolutionary times! Now it remains to be seen if a billionaire, a former president, no less, finds himself in prison! The strength of the Revolution is not to be underestimated!
The reason I have referred to Trump in this article, is because the mainstream press is referring to Trump, frequently and at great length! So that is what the common people are talking about! As well, they are discussing President Biden and his offspring!
It remains to be seen if the offspring, of both Trump and Biden, those who are also ‘’in the headlines’’, also facing allegations of ‘’criminal misconduct’’, are a true ‘’chip off the old block’’, concerned only with ‘’number one’’! It is entirely possible, if ‘’push comes to shove’’, that they may also ‘’throw their dear old Dad under the bus’’! It depends upon how well they have learned their lessons!
But now to return to the subject of Soviets. Without doubt, the most advanced workers have gravitated to these Soviets. That is not to say that they are class conscious. Now it is up to Marxist intellectuals, Communists, to raise their level of awareness.
With that in mind, be sure to use current events, in the interest of making a point. Stress the fact that Trump is not exceptional. On the contrary, Trump is merely a typical capitalist. He ran for president, on impulse, and the press reports that he was quite surprised, when he won. Now that he has tasted political power, it is safe to say that he wants far more.
By contrast, most members of his class of capitalists, billionaires, the bourgeoisie, are quite happy to ‘’keep a low profile’’. They prefer to let their flunkies run for political office, make speeches and lie to the people. That is the only difference.
Bear in mind that time is not on our side! All of the banks are over extended, and could fail at any time! America is expected to go broke in June, unless Congress raises the debt ceiling. The various factions within Congress are at each others throats! Each faction does not even know what it wants! Yet they are expected to come together and raise the debt ceiling! Even though they are facing financial disaster, they are focused on the next federal election!
We can expect a financial collapse, very soon. That will have the effect of dramatically increasing the level of suffering, among the common people. As their suffering is at horrendous proportions now, it may not take much to trigger a full scale Revolution.
There is clearly a desperate need for ‘’another government’’. That government can only be Socialist, because as Lenin said, ‘’there is no other social force in the political arena, nor can there be’’!
Soviets! Currently ‘’weak and incipient’’, no match for the ‘’magnificent organization’’ of the capitalists! Yet it is these Soviets which are destined to take political power! There is no alternative!
With that in mind, feel free to flood the social media outlets, facebook and such, with calls for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Make that expression a household term. Get in touch with the military enlisted personnel. Raise their level of awareness. Let them know that the government is about to collapse.
We can expect marches and demonstrations, as the financial crisis deepens, and working people are forced ever deeper into poverty. Allow the posters and placards to call for:
Scientific Socialism!
Workers of the World, Unite!
Dictatorship of the Proletariat!
Gerald McIsaac Science Project 