The Western Soviets

The Russian Revolution brought to power the most radical form of democracy ever seen, the rule of workers' councils, better known by their Russian name, soviets. But these bodies were not a uniquely Russian phenomenon. In this study, Gluckstein traces the development of various forms of working-class power in Britain, Germany, and Italy during and after World War I. In each case, radical institutions of workers' democracy emerged and began to challenge capitalist power over society.Suddenly, the question of which class should rule was posed. Tragically, reformists within the workers' movement successfully argued to wind down these experiments in working-class power, preferring to maintain the fake democracy of capitalist institutions. Gluckstein shows how these arguments let slip historic opportunities for social transformation. This book offers a history of some of the most exciting moments in the workers' movement, but also a guide for those of us hoping to abolish capitalism once and for all.