Council Communism
Council communism holds that workers should govern society directly through workplace councils rather than through a party or state. It emerged in Germany and the Netherlands after 1918 and rejected both parliamentary socialism and Bolshevik party rule.
How close are you? Take the test →Position on the 12 axes
Power rests in federated workplace and local councils rather than a central state.
Favours direct democracy through recallable council delegates.
Opposes party dictatorship and state repression, though it accepts working-class rule.
Strongly internationalist, rejecting national divisions among workers.
Opposes imperialist wars but does not rule out revolutionary self-defence.
Treats national culture as secondary to class, favouring open solidarity.
Seeks full collective ownership managed by the workers themselves.
Supports economic coordination through council federations, not a state planning body.
Has no distinct trade policy; envisions a global economy run by councils.
Materialist and secular in orientation.
Socially progressive, with focus on workers' self-emancipation.
Generally positive toward industrial technology under workers' control.