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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 ideologies or conditions that must be created, but from natural processes that have been present and have been developing from the very beginning. Work-democratic 'politics' is distinguished by the fact that it rejects all politics and demagogism. Masses of working men and women will not be relieved of their social responsibility. They will be burdened with it. Work-democrats have no ambition to be political fuhrers, nor will they ever be permitted to develop such an ambition...

Wilhelm Reich#26

PoliticsSocietyResponsibilityDemocracyWork

About this quote

What does it mean?
Work democracy proposes a future based on natural processes rather than ideologies, rejecting politics and demagoguery, and places responsibility on workers.
In plain terms
Work democracy bases society on natural processes, rejects politics, and gives workers responsibility.
What can you take from it?
Empower workers with responsibility grounded in natural social dynamics.

Where it applies

  • labor organization
  • community governance

Putting it to work

  • design worker-led decision structures
  • eliminate demagogic rhetoric

Questions to consider

  • What challenges arise when workers assume full responsibility?
  • How to balance natural processes with modern complexities?

Another view

Implementation may clash with existing political institutions.

More from Wilhelm Reich

  1. 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 fo…

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. Work-democracy adds a decisive piece of knowledge to the scope of ideas related to freedom. The masses of people who work and bear the burden of social existen…

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. 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

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