Re: [Marxism] Marta Harnecker: Ideas for the struggle #4 -- Should we reject bureaucratic centralism and simply use consensus?

[sabocat59@xxxxxxx]

By positing consensus as the only alternative to democratic centralism, it 
smells like Harnecker is using a straw man of ultra democracy to reinforce 
neo-stalinist tendencies.  

In the IWW, which I would call democratic decentralist, we do not use 
consensus.  We use Robert's Rules. But we still have a hierarchy with an 
elected central leadership. There is a certain dynamic tension between local 
membership bodies and the GHQ,  allowing for vigorous debate and much autonomy 
at the local level.  And any member can introduce ideas for reform which are 
debated locally and voted on at national assemblies.  
As such, the example of the Wobblies stands as a real non straw man democratic 
alternative, one which works without the consensus approach criticized by 
Harnecker. 

Greg McDonald
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