ABSTRACT

The recent social turmoil in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, and China has symbolized for many the end of the socialist ideal. A highly centralized, disciplined force was essential to achieve socialism, particularly in an autocratic society without democratic traditions. Nikolai Lenin's emphasis on the importance of a tightly organized, highly motivated party contributed to an underestimation of the authoritarian dimensions of this approach to socialist transformation. Amilcar Cabrai and Walter Rodney, to cite only two examples, were revolutionary socialists who comprehended that socialism had to express a deep commitment to democratic decision-making procedures, and respect the elements of strength within the traditional, organic culture of the people. American socialists must establish a non-sectarian public identity to the left of traditional liberals which calls for fundamental structural change to address society's real problems. Freedom can be the right to advocate a new, democratic social and political reconstruction of the existing order.