Democracy itself, by Ethan Young – 15 April 2026

A recurring question in discussions in the fragmented global left is: what should our program focus on? Fighting fascism? Isolating Western imperialism? Life security? Propagandizing for socialism? Direct action to save the environment? Mutual aid? Protection of women and marginalized sectors from violence?

There are many social movements and political projects, and most concentrate on at least one of these focuses. But one concern actually underlies all of the above: democracy. Yet it rarely comes up as a strategic concept or a long term goal on the left.

The concept of democracy is trapped in a web of confusion. For some, democracy is something we have, but that is so compromised by capitalism that it’s easier to avoid trying to explain why defending it is necessary.

For others, liberal democracy is invalid or worse. This position is also a permanent part of any fascist, far right, or right populist program. On the left, the nihilist position boils politics down to class against class, just preparing for the day of reckoning between good vs evil. Or it is used to justify lack of democracy in avowedly anti-imperialist states.

From early childhood, we are taught that democracy is “majority rule.” But the term “majority” tricks us up. Only a minority of citizens actually vote. The actual majority, in class terms, comes down to people who sell their labor power to live. How many workers can truthfully say they rule?

Before World War II, democracy was the alternative to monarchy, with elected representative bodies replacing royally ordained officials. During the Cold War, for imperialists, it meant the right to exploit, while for Soviet era Communists it simply meant ‘not fascism’. Discussion of the content of democracy as a system, whether under capitalism or socialism, went by the wayside.

An informal but widespread notion on the left has it that ‘real’ democracy can only come with ‘real’ socialism, and since the latter is not expected to arrive in the short run, the agenda is limited to social agitation and socialist propaganda based on ‘to each according to their needs’ — after seizing the state, one way or another.

Or oligarchic, bureaucratic states are assigned the tag of a new type of democracy, regardless of actual internal power relations and access to democratic rights.

So what kind of democracy does the left need to talk about? Representative democracy, or direct democracy? One source describes direct democracy as “a form of government where each citizen has an equal vote on laws and policies, directly participating in decision-making through majority rule.” According to the European Union-connected Democracy International, “In addition to representative processes such as elections, direct democracy and participatory processes are the tools that give citizens the power to shape their societies. By taking ownership of the democratic process, the citizens build trust in themselves and one another, creating a sense of responsibility and connection to [sic] democratic institutions.” (Disclaimer: I have no connection to this group whatsoever.)

Direct democracy is extended liberal democracy, not intended to be inherently revolutionary. Yet, with the upswing of authoritarianism directly opposed to liberal democracy, direct democracy as implied here is both overtly antifascist and an inherent challenge to capitalist power. Scorning it as a Trojan horse for a capitalist mission is a big mistake. Like electoral politics, it is a means to securing more (if limited) power for the working class majority, especially through working people learning and practicing mass democratic political action. The real problem here is using democratic structures to enforce working class interests — and that’s how all the movement rights and concerns listed above can be realized, at least partially, in a period when the left is on the defensive.

Furthermore, those rights and concerns are rooted in the desire for direct democracy. This is true worldwide, as more and more activated social sectors are targeting corporate ruination, corruption, authoritarianism in various forms, patriarchy, and military power in place of people power. We see it happening on every continent.

Movements are constantly rediscovering that the direct involvement of disempowered, politicized civilians is what distinguishes democracy itself from all the wonderful wizards of Oz that are presented as the embodiment of popular power.

This recent analysis by James Goodwin of the NGO Center for Progressive Reform explores what forms this could take. It comes from academics rather than activists, but it serves as a challenge to social movements and the political left to take up a serious discussion of means and ends, so sorely needed by forward-looking political leftists inside and outside social movements.

All power to the people!

This was originally published by Portside, as part of the Global Left Midweek feature that Ethan Young edits there, which collects news for radicals from around the world. The week’s links are below.

Democracy itself, by Ethan Young – 15 April 2026

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