To the citizens of the VSVR,
A PROPOSAL: THE RÄTEREPUBLIK
Fellow Anarchists, it is clear by now that we will not, by ourselves, form the government of this country. That this should be a problem may seem absurd to those familiar with our doctrine, and yet it has been a pressing issue for several decades now. I submit that it truly is an absurdity that we should wish to form, especially as a single faction, a government in the current state of affairs. Given our position in the current elections, I pose a proposal that, while perhaps not completely resolving the conflict between Anarchism and government, should be achievable and desirable to all, rather than merely to those convinced by our ideas. But before I present the proposal, there are some practicalities to get out of the way.
A COALITION
It is time that we formed a coalition. The Independents have the support they have because they would have a freer press. Our ideas in that regard may not be identical, but they are certainly compatible. In many other ways, it makes sense that we would not desire to lead a country alone. As Anarchists, we represent freedom, including the freedom to hold dissenting opinions and, this is important, to put them into action freely. Freedom, of course, implies that all concerned by such actions have participated into the planning and decision-making process so that consensus is reached, or failing that, the most acceptable compromise achieved. It should be common sense that, given the centralised party structure, we should not rule alone, enforcing dictates from above. The Independents have united around a number of issues, but represent a number of diverse viewpoints. This makes them prime candidates for an alliance representing both majorities and minorities. And, of course, they have so far the greatest support from Party members. This may not be a great gauge of popular support, but it certainly is significant, as we must cohabitate with a large array of opinions.
A NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT
My proposal, then, is in line with the values implicit in such a coalition: the Räterepublic. In reaction to the impossibility of ending the State in the immediate future, our best hope, and indeed the best hope of the working class, is the establishment of a new system of government, for a freer, radically democratic society. It may even, in a way, prepare the ground for the end of the nation-state. A government consisting solely of local, democratic councils, räte, federated into a coherent structure for cooperation, conciliation, concertation and defense. All representatives on various levels would be directly elected, with a clear mandate, and would be recalled if the people they represent judge that the mandate has not been fulfilled. This requires great decentralisation in most matters, though the principle of federalism allows concertation on any scale. It also require transparency and deference to the wishes of the people, executed as much as possible by the people themselves. What it does not require is censorship, harassment or dissolution of any political group, nor the end of the democratic and electoral process, though its form will be different. What it offers is obvious: a new society, freer for Anarchists as for everyone else, who may petition the people and who are held accountable for their actions on the political sphere by the people themselves and not petty politicking cliques. It may not be the end of the State, it may not be the end of the Army, it may not be the end of all central planning, but it's a cause we can all strive for. Through elections, we will never establish the ideal of anarchism. We may, however, establish something better than the status quo, without the coercion inherent in the system we now manoeuvre within.
OUR STRATEGY
It is not the policy of the Independents to establish the Ratërepublik, and therefore it is unlikely to simply be established in one single political action. What we ought to do is work with the Independents and with all factions we can, so that we may move closer to it. This means:
-Encouraging democracy on a local level
-Promoting transparency in every public office
-Gradually shift decision making from centralised institutions to local organisations
-Form committees and institutions independent from political control
-And, of course, supporting freedom of press and speech at every level, to facilitate the transmission of all information, as well as entertainment (such as cartoons of any kind)!
This is not the platform that will realise the anarchist ideal. But we are here putting forward a party platform: it is an absurdity. A party cannot realise the anarchist ideal. So comrades, let us prepare the ground for this ideal instead, and make a better world for all in the process!
- Comrade Ryke