Workers' Councils

Contemporaries across the spectrum of Left thought, from Antonio Negri to Noam Chomsky, are falling over each other to claim the mantle of Left Communism. Left Communism is the theory and practice of worker control and self-organization whose adherents provided the main opposition to the Bolsheviks. Rarely printed, often cited, Pannekoek’s Workers’ Councils is the Das Kapital of Left Communism. This updated edition includes a substantial introduction from Noam Chomsky, illuminating the continuing relevance of this classic text. "An urgent message to the future— are we listening?—from the most brilliant theoretician of libertarian com-munism."—Mike Davis, author of City of Quartz Anton Pannekoek was a Dutch worker, Socialist, and astronomer. He wrote Workers’ Councils amidst Nazi occupation of Holland. Contemporaries Across The Spectrum Of Left Thought, From Antonio Negri To Noam Chomsky, Are Falling Over Each Other To Claim The Mantle Of Left Communism. Left Communism Is The Theory And Practice Of Worker Control And Self-organisation Whose Adherents Provided The Main Opposition To The Bolsheviks. Rarely Printed, Often Cited, Pannekoek’s Workers’ Councils Is The Das Kapital Of Left Communism. This Updated Edition Includes A Substantial Introduction From Noam Chomsky, Illuminating The Continuing Relevance Of This Classic Text. Anton Pannekoek Was A Dutch Worker, Socialist, And Astronomer. He Wrote Workers’ Councils Amidst Nazi Occupation Of Holland.--publisher Description. The Task -- The Fight -- The Foe -- The War (1944) -- The Peace (1947). Anton Pannekoek. Introduction By Noam Chomsky. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 209-219). What the working class strives for in its struggle, liberty and security, to be master of its own life, is only possible through control of the means of production. State socialism is not control of the means of production by the workers, but control by the organs of the state. If it is democratic at the same time, this means that workers themselves may select their masters. By contrast direct control of production by workers means that the employees direct the enterprises and construct the higher and central organizations from below. This is what is called the system of workers councils. -- Pannekoek, 1952. In this timeless text. Anton Pannekoek provides his analysis of how we can create and sustain this practical model for social equality.