BEYOND FASCISM, A NEW SOCIETY

A Democratic Alternative

A troubling trend is emerging in both the United States and Europe. As fascistic movements gain momentum, there is a growing temptation among many to focus on preserving the fragmented remnants of our democracy rather than addressing the underlying issues that have allowed such movements to thrive. This defensive approach, while understandable, risks overlooking a fundamental truth: it may have been the inherent weaknesses within non-socialist democracy that brought us to this precarious point.

The rise of authoritarian ideologies did not happen in a vacuum. It is the result of a long process of social and economic decay, one that has deepened the class divide, entrenched systemic racism, and eroded the notion of the public good. The capitalist model prioritizes profit over people and has led to a hollowed-out public sphere, where community welfare and social equity have been neglected in favor of individual gain and corporate dominance.

Yet, the revolution that might challenge this system still feels distant, more an idealistic aspiration than a practical reality. Even so, the current task is straightforward: we must address the class disparity, confront racism head-on, and restore the value of the public good. We cannot afford to merely survive under the status quo, patching together a fractured democratic framework while ignoring its inherent flaws.

The only genuine democratic alternative is pursuing an equal opportunity, worker-sponsored socialist society. Such a society would prioritize collective well-being over individual accumulation, placing decision-making power into workers' hands rather than concentrating it among the economic elite. It would be a democracy not just in name but in practice. Equality and fairness are the foundations of governance in this society, and the public good is once again a central tenet of our collective identity.

To confront the rising tide of authoritarianism, we must be bold in reimagining democracy. We must not settle for the mere preservation of democracy’s fragmented pieces but strive to rebuild it on more solid, equitable ground. In the face of this challenge, the choice becomes stark: will we resist by merely clinging to what remains, or will we dare to imagine and build a genuinely democratic future, one rooted in equality, justice, and collective empowerment?

William James Spriggs