Syndicalism: The Labor Exchange

When revolutionary syndicalism was first conceptualized in France, it was theorized that the revolutionary syndicates would negotiate and interact through a central institution known as the Labor Exchange (in French, Bourse du Travail). The Labor Exchange would serve as a way that syndicates would communicate and harmonize themselves. Not only would it facilitate trade and dialogue, but would serve as a method of synchronizing the revolutionary syndicates. I am not saying that I fully support the idea, it just interested me. What do you think?

The Fédération des Bourses du travail are an indispensable feature of any syndicalist economy. The Iteration Facilitation Boards theorized in Michael Albert and Robin Hahnel's model of participatory planning basically serve the same function, although the manner in which the institution would function is described in much more detail than anything out of the early French syndicalist tradition.

Celtiberian wrote:The Fédération des Bourses du travail are an indispensable feature of any syndicalist economy. The Iteration Facilitation Boards theorized in Michael Albert and Robin Hahnel's model of participatory planning basically serve the same function, although the manner in which the institution would function is described in much more detail than anything out of the early French syndicalist tradition.

I am not very familiar with Parecon, is it similar to syndicalism?

Iron Vanguard wrote:I am not very familiar with Parecon, is it similar to syndicalism?

Parecon is basically a fully elaborated model of syndicalist economic planning. The Confederación Nacional de Trabajadores (the renowned anarcho-syndicalist union from Spain), for example, is contemplating adopting the model for their program.

That's very interesting. Where'd you find that out?

RedSun wrote:That's very interesting. Where'd you find that out?

Robin Hahnel has been working with the CNT for several years now and I've read from various sources that the organization is considering adopting the model, if they haven't done so already.

Here is a lecture Hahnel gave on anarchist planning at a gathering held in Spain for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CNT, in 2010.

Impressive. It looked as though syndicalism died as the second world war ended, and the new and growing movement of Parecon is certainly promising!

Iron Vanguard wrote:Impressive. It looked as though syndicalism died as the second world war ended, and the new and growing movement of Parecon is certainly promising!

Much of the American Left has marginalized the importance of the work Albert and Hahnel have conducted, and for reasons which perplex me. For whatever reason, many radicals believe that Marx's aversion to describing how a post-capitalist economy will function remains a legitimate position to take. What they fail to realize, however, is that people are simply not going to participate in socialist organizations if they don't have a clear idea of what it is these groups promote. I believe that the scientific socialist hypothesis—that capitalism's internal contradictions will ultimately produce its own downfall—is essentially correct, but there's no guarantee that what eventually replaces capitalism will be desirable. To ensure a worthy system is developed in its place, we need a vision. Syndicalism is that vision, and parecon provides the technical details by which syndicalism can be realized.