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Natural work democracy is politically neither 'left' nor 'right.' It embraces anyone who does vital work; for this reason, its orientation is only and alone forward. It has no inherent intention of being against ideologies, including political ideologies. On the other hand, if it is to function, it will be forced to take a firm stand, on a factual basis, against any ideology or political party which puts irrational obstacles in its path. Yet, basically, work democracy is not 'against,' as is the rule with politics, but 'for'; for the formulation and solution of concrete tasks.

Wilhelm Reich#25

PoliticsDemocracyWorkEconomicsIdeology

About this quote

What does it mean?
Natural work democracy is neither left nor right; it supports anyone doing vital work and opposes any ideology that blocks rational progress.
In plain terms
Work democracy is apolitical, supporting productive work and opposing irrational obstacles.
What can you take from it?
Focus on productive work rather than partisan labels.

Where it applies

  • organizational management
  • policy design

Putting it to work

  • evaluate policies by work impact
  • avoid ideological bias

Questions to consider

  • Can any system be truly apolitical?
  • How do we define 'vital work'?

Another view

Claiming neutrality may ignore inherent political implications of work structures.

More from Wilhelm Reich

  1. If the psychic energies of the average mass of people watching a football game or a musical comedy could be diverted into the rational channels of a freedom mo…

    Permalink to quote #24
  2. What is new in work democracy is: that for the first time in the history of sociology, a possible future regulation of human society is derived not from ideolo…

    Permalink to quote #26
  3. The suppression of natural sexual gratification leads to various kinds of substitute gratifications. Natural aggression, for example, becomes brutal sadism whi…

    Permalink to quote #23

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