New directions of communism

Abstract

This essay analyses the reasons for the failure of the attempted transition to communism in the revolutions of the XXth century, not shying away from a direct critique of Karl Marx, particularly to his influent scheme for the transition included in the Critique of the Gotha Programme. It will be argued that Marx was too optimistic in his evaluation of the advances in the socialization of labour operated by the great industry of his time. Partially as a result of that, the processes of transition to communism attempted over the past century have tried to suppress the functioning of the law of value, when the material conditions for such suppression were not available. It will be argued that, beyond the socialization of labour in a "weak" sense, operated by great industry, we will have to seek another type of socialization of labour, which will finally allow us to overcome the division of work that stands as the basis of the relations of private appropriation. This socialization of labour in a "strong" sense will be the product of the transitional process itself, under conditions of workers' rule.