Conclusion: Overcoming the Crisis of Democracy

Abstract

Overcoming the crisis of democracy requires that the dynamics of capitalism be directly challenged. This involves more than protest, reaction and critique. An alternative economic vision must be offered. We live in cities and towns produced by cooperative labour. Yet the vast majority of people are subject to gross exploitation, divided, forced to fight one another, to fear constantly what the future may bring, to eye one another with suspicion. None of this is inevitable—communism is possible. The resources and knowledge needed to realise a plentiful common life exist in the here and now. What is lacking, however, is strategic vision and the political will to carry it. A complete reconceptualization of what is possible in terms of political organisation and action is needed. Such is the conclusion reached at the close of the last chapter.