The New Dark Age

9 November, 2010 — Peoples Assembly

When: Saturday 11th December 1-5pm

Where: Birkbeck College

In response to the economic crisis, government cuts and the pressures of globalisation, we are now witnessing the rise of social movements from across the political spectrum in Britain, Europe and beyond. But how can this popular discontent be transformed into an emancipatory political movement? It is the view of many activists that a very different form of mobilisation, and a new kind of politics aimed at changing the balance of power is now urgently required. Taking inspiration from last year’s Climate Justice Action (CJA) mobilisation in Copenhagen, and the many spontaneous calls made there – and elsewhere – for a new movement based on People’s Assemblies, the following planning meeting is now being convened.

Please note: this meeting will involve an open discussion about People’s Assemblies, and what they can do, but the main aim is to plan future action together.

Liberation: Beyond Resistance
Building a People’s Assemblies Movement
11th December 1-5pm
Room M417, Malet Street, Birkbeck College, WC1E 7HX

A draft agenda for the 11th will be developed, with those registered at

www.peoplesassemblies.org

Beyond resistance – building People’s Assemblies

http://www.aworldtowin.net/frontline/BuildPeoplesAssemblies.html

Communities whose services and living standards are under unprecedented assault by the Con-Lib coalition government should establish their independence from the state through building People’s Assemblies and move beyond resistance.

Delegates to the Assemblies will represent ordinary people’s interests, whether they are young or old, in work or unemployed, in the public or private sectors, trade unionists, women, students, minorities and community groups.

Assemblies will bring together anti-cuts campaigns and all organisations resisting the Coalition’s attack on jobs, services, pensions and standard of living.

A network of People’s Assemblies will have the capacity to facilitate a transition to a democratic society based on co-operation and self-determination instead of profit and corporate power.

They will challenge the lie that there is no alternative to the capitalist system, which has plunged into a global crisis and is the source of the Coalition’s attacks.

People’s Assemblies can:

• defend communities against closures, evictions, and job losses
• fight for democracy and rights
• campaign for action on climate change
• oppose war and the secret state
• struggle against racism and attacks on minority communities
• build links with movements internationally
• create a new democratic society through a transfer of economic and political power.

FAQs

Q: How will Assemblies come into being?

A: Through local initiatives of people and communities who want to resist cuts, job losses, repossessions and go beyond protest to build a real democracy.

Q. What is A World to Win’s role in setting up Assemblies?

A: AWTW is joining with others to take the idea forward. We advocate the policy of setting up People’s Assemblies wherever cuts, closures or strikes are happening, where young people gather, where people are at risk of benefit cuts, and home repossessions or evictions are threatened.

Q: What will Assemblies do to show they are the legitimate representatives of the people?

A: They will have a strong defensive role, as the government launches its attacks. They can learn lessons from others about how to defend communities and individuals. For example, from the movements in the US against evictions, where communities are getting together to stop people being thrown out when they can’t pay their mortgage.

The experiences of Transition Towns who have been encouraging communities to do things for themselves, exploring new ways of living, can provide a source of inspiration.

Assemblies can learn from history – from the Paris Commune, early Soviets or Workers Councils in Russia, from the Councils of Action; the movement that brought down the Berlin Wall to the struggles in Venezuela and Bolivia today.

Q: How will this be different from the old politics?

A: The Assemblies will involve and mobilise the whole community, including young people, people from minority ethnic communities, small businesses and self-employed people as well as workers from every sector.

They will show by their own actions that there is another way of living, and another way of “being political” that isn’t about money-grubbing and getting expenses. They will work for education, for culture and a decent life for all.

There will be opportunities for everyone to share their skills and talents, and for young people to work creatively and learn. A wide range of people will gravitate towards them. They will embrace different points of view, not only those on the left.

Q: What will AWTW’s role in the Assemblies be?

A: Our Manifesto says: “The Assemblies will also look beyond a failed economic system towards building a true democracy in place of the sham one we live under now.” That is the revolutionary policy we will campaign for in the Assemblies.

The Coalition government is taking the actions it is because the system it serves – the capitalist system – is terminally unstable. It must be replaced.

The existing parliamentary system is a façade that increasingly undermines and devalues the right to vote that was won in bitter struggle against the ruling classes. We have to extend and expand democracy to give expression to what the term actually means – the power and rule of the people.

We will work within the Assemblies to win people to the idea that they should not be talking shops, or just organise protests or social support, but start to see themselves as the legitimate representatives of the people, with the right to replace the existing undemocratic structures of both local and national government. This includes revolutionising the Welsh and Scottish assemblies, which in their present form have dashed the hopes raised by devolution.

Extending democracy

http://www.aworldtowin.net/frontline/ExtendingDemocracy.html

A Britain based on local and regional People’s Assemblies would aim to democratise society as a whole in new ways:

Co-ownership of resources. The key areas of the production and financial process, including land, would transfer from private shareholder ownership into forms of co-ownership. These resources would be held in trust by locally-elected bodies and placed under democratic control.

The workplace. All workers should have the right to democracy at work, whether in a factory, hospital call centre, in public transport, civil service, local government, offices, shops, schools, colleges or university. All major decisions would require the consent of the workforce. Self-management would be encouraged in place of hierarchies.

Education. School, college and university students and staff should get the right to take part in the running of their institutions.

The principles for a transitional democratic state could include:

1. self-organisation throughout society where possible
2. involving as many people as possible in governing and administration
3. an end to special privileges and incomes for state officials
4. total accountability and subordination of all officials to elected bodies
5. elections for all public offices
6. complete transparency and openness at all levels
7. new legal and justice systems based on community control and self-policing.

Democratic rights

Rights to liberty and freedom from arbitrary arrest will be reaffirmed in unconditional and positive terms in a Bill of Rights. There would be explicit rights to:

1. Habeas Corpus, requiring people arrested to be brought to court and charged or released immediately
2. free and equal legal representation
3. freedom from state surveillance and interception of communications
4. inspect freely all data held by the state and other bodies
5. organise, associate, demonstrate and strike independently of the state
6. free movement of people based on ‘no borders’ principles.

Economic and social rights

A new constitution would enshrine enforceable rights in a charter. They should include:

• decent housing at affordable cost for everyone
• free education for students at all ages; The right to free continuing education and training
• employment for those who can work and average pay for those who cannot
• the right to co-operative ownership and self-management
• the right to democracy in all areas/activities of the workplace
• equal pay and job opportunities for women; free child care for single parents
• free health care at all levels and types of treatment
• dignity in old age through pension provision at average income, and free care
• safe and nutritious food at affordable prices
• the right of minority communities to equality in all areas
• the right to live in an environment shaped by ecological care and basic human needs
• affordable access to cultural and personal development opportunities
• the right of all communities to continuity of culture, traditions and habitat.

A World to Win

http://www.aworldtowin.net/about.html

• a real political democracy in place of the authoritarian, corporate state
• a co-operatively owned and managed not-for-profit economy
• rights to affordable housing, free education and health care for all
• a sustainable society based on respect for nature and production for need.

A World to Win was formed in July 2005 at a launch conference in London. Our organisation runs on transparent, accountable lines and strives to involve all members in decision-making processes. We reject dogma and fixed assumptions about the world. Instead, we emphasise the need for a continuous development of our understanding of the contradictions that drive contemporary, capitalist society.

Our organisation is convinced that the grounds for a new society based on co-operation and mutuality, self-management and democratic ownership are present within globalised capitalist society. Alternative, democratic economic and political structures would:

• use the abundance of products to alleviate poverty and need world-wide
• allow humanity to protect the planet’s eco-systems
• release the potential of automation, reducing working hours substantially
• overcome alienation of people from their work and from society as a whole
• enable people to fulfil their potential and aspirations
• make health and well-being the single dominant social objective.

Mission

A World to Win aims to inspire and give leadership to the movement against the consequences of global capitalism: growing inequality, poverty and starvation, ecological meltdown, war and authoritarian rule.

A World to Win believes that the existing state is undemocratic, unrepresentative and dominated by corporate interests. Our aim, therefore, is to build support for a transfer of political and economic power to the working majority in society.

We campaign for alternative democratic structures to the existing state. These will enable society to reorganise the economy along co-operative, not-for-profit, self-management lines.

We build AWTW along the lines that parallel the kind of society we advocate, making democratic use of the technologies developed under capitalism. We base ourselves on a group structure, reflecting priorities and interests decided by all members.

We strive to create a networked, non-hierarchical, interactive organisation. AWTW emphasises the importance of theoretical training and education as a guide to action.

Membership

We welcome membership from anyone who supports our mission statement. To apply for membership, please fill in the form or write to us at:

AWTW, PO Box 942, London SW1V 2AR. We will then contact you to take your membership application further.

Rights

Members will:

• be part of a challenging group-based organisation that is truly democratic, working with like-minded people aiming to change the world
• have the chance to learn leadership skills and techniques of creative thinking as a guide to action
• get the opportunity to participate actively in the decision-making process
• have the means to put forward views for discussion throughout the organisation
• get to vote on proposals, policies and leadership positions

Responsibilities

Members will:

• help campaign for, recruit and integrate new members
• keep in regular communication
• commit to carrying out decisions taken by a majority
• pay an agreed regular subscription to help fund the organisation’s work and campaigns
• work within the constitution

Constitution

Our aims

We aim to build A World to Win into an effective membership organisation that can inspire and give leadership to the rising movement against the consequences of global capitalism: growing inequality, poverty and starvation, ecological meltdown, war and authoritarian rule. Our priority is to win support for the strategic aim of a transfer of political and economic power away from the ruling elites and classes into the hands of the majority.

The state remains the lynchpin of the social system of capitalism. It provides the essential ideological, political, social, legal, educational and military frameworks without which society in general and capitalism in particular cannot function. Therefore, the state – who controls it, the way it is organised and in whose interests it operates – is our main political focus.

A World to Win does not believe that it is possible to reform or regulate global capitalism, a system that has brought humanity to crisis point. While we support all protest actions, we reject strategies that base themselves on changing the minds of those in power. Neither do we think that the existing political structures can be modified and moulded to fit the needs and will of the majority.

At present the state is capitalist in its nature and functions. Without new, democratic forms of political power, it is inconceivable that we could reorganise the economy along collective, self-management lines, put an end to war and tackle the ecological crisis. Without a comprehensive regime change we cannot breathe new life into past democratic achievements and make the right to vote mean something again. Our aim, therefore, is to bring out the nature of the state at every opportunity and to build support for a transformation of political and economic power by the working majority in society.

The organisation

We build A World to Win along the lines that parallels the kind of society we advocate, making democratic use of the technologies developed under capitalism. We base ourselves on a group structure (see below for guidelines) reflecting priorities and interests decided by all members. A World to Win will attempt to prevent bureaucratic inertia and tendencies by creating a networked, non-hierarchical, interactive organisation making use of ICT to facilitate and encourage discussion and decisions. AWTW emphasises the importance of theoretical training and education as a guide to action.

Members join one or more groups and these, along with the co-ordinating group, will operate under the principles of:

• Responsibility and shared commitment
• Openness, with the right of each member to express a point of view
• Transparency, with all discussions and decisions available to all
• Devolved power, with groups using their own initiative
• Participation on equal terms, with minority viewpoints guaranteed a hearing
• Inclusivity, with groups involving all members and other groups
• Accountability, both to group members and the co-ordinating group
• Flexibility, working with other organisations and experts
• Access, giving all members equal rights and opportunities in decision making
• Development, in both policy and campaigns as well as training and education
• Objectivity, combating subjectivism and egoism
• Internationalism, acknowledging in practice our struggle is world-wide in its scope.

Our vision

We are convinced that the grounds for a new society based on co-operation and mutuality, self-management and democratic ownership are present within globalised capitalist society. They are the positive achievements of humanity to date and represent the potential gateway, the transition to another future. These social, economic, technological and political conditions are outlined in the book A World to Win, which provides the foundations for our principles and theories.

A World to Win advocates an alternative economic system based on co-operation and co-ownership, in place of private, shareholder ownership, with the objective of satisfying need and not profit. Such a system of production will:

• ensure that the majority have access to the benefits currently only available to the few
• use the abundance of products to alleviate poverty and need world-wide
• allow humanity to protect the planet’s eco-systems
• release the potential of automation, reducing working hours substantially
• overcome alienation of people from their work and from
• society as a whole allow and enable people to fulfil their potential and aspirations
• make health and well-being the single dominant social objective.

We advocate an alternative, democratic political, legal and administrative system in place of the institutions of the present authoritarian, surveillance state. A new democratic state will be transitional, with a commitment to increasing self-organisation and control of day-to-day affairs by ordinary people. Meanwhile, a new democratic state will:

• make equality of all the basic foundation stone of society
• guarantee freedom of expression and organisation without fear of coercion or state interference
• allow people to live their own lives, while respecting the rights and needs of others
• recognise and respect the rights of minority communities
• guarantee the right to asylum on equal status to those already resident
• guarantee employment for those who can work and average pay for those who cannot
• provide for dignity in older age through pensions at average income and free care
• put an end to military conflicts and the export of arms
• provide unconditional technological and financial support for developing countries
• build foreign relations on internationalism, transparency and respect.

Rights and responsibilities of members

Rights

Membership of A World to Win ensures that every member will:

• be part of a challenging organisation that is truly democratic, working with like-minded people aiming to change the world
• have the chance to learn leadership skills and techniques of creative thinking as a guide to action
• get the opportunity to participate actively in the decision-making process
• be provided with training in, for example, skills such as organising, campaigning, writing, presenting, web design, publishing, public speaking, fundraising
• be able to contribute to the work of the groups on subjects they care about
• form and sustain active and useful external links to further the work of their groups
• have opportunities to comment on the work of other groups
• have the means to put forward minority views for discussion throughout the organisation
• get to vote on proposals, policies and leadership positions
• participate fully in deciding the direction of AWTW.

Responsibilities

In so far as they are able, all members will be expected to:

• participate fully and take a lead in developing the work of one or more groups
• help campaign for, recruit and integrate new members
• commit to learning/self development
• carry out agreed tasks to agreed timetables
• participate in regular group meetings, normally in person unless geographical distance makes this too difficult
• keep in regular communication using appropriately secure technologies
• commit to carrying out decisions taken by a majority
• take part in campaigns to expand the organisation and participate in raising funds
• pay an agreed regular subscription to help fund the organisation’s work and campaigns.

Membership will cease if a member, without good reason, fails to pay subscriptions for a period of more than 3 months, or is no longer taking part in regular group meetings.

Group Protocols

• A democratic, interactive organisational network of Groups shall be developed to research and analyse areas of interest, within the context of global capitalism, to develop policies and campaigns for the AWTW to follow
• Members shall belong to a Group of their choice. Groups can be set up in agreement with the Co-ordinating Group and shall comprise a minimum of 3 members. The role of the Co-ordinating Group in this respect is only to avoid duplication of work
• Groups should meet at least bi-monthly and those who cannot attend shall contribute by other means. Groups can form a geographical branch structure if its members are in agreement
• Each Group shall have a rotating Chair and a Convenor, who is responsible for convening the Group and co-ordinating its work. They will represent the Group on the Co-ordinating Group. Group members shall elect both posts for six-month periods, with a right of instant recall by Group members by a simple majority vote
• Each Group shall propose a programme of research/ analysis and policy/ campaign development, as agreed by its members, informing and liaising with the Co-ordinating Group on its proposals in order to avoid duplication of effort. Groups can be requested to look at specific issues by either the Co-ordinating Group or the AWTW Conference
• Groups shall submit policy/ campaign proposals through the Co-ordinating Group for wider debate with AWTW membership (by both electronic & traditional media). The acceptance of Group proposals by AWTW members (by agreed voting procedures) shall be co-ordinated by the Co-ordinating Group
• The Co-ordinating Group shall circulate any minority positions (on Group proposal) to all AWTW members if requested by Group members
• Group members shall undertake campaigns, make contact with outside organisations through co-ordination with the Co-ordinating Group
• Groups are accountable to the AWTW conference and the Co-ordinating Group for meeting agreed work programmes
• Core Groups include: Trade union Group; Climate Change/ Environmental Group; Arts & Culture Group; Education & Training Group; International Group, Communications Group and the Co-ordinating Group
• Members of the AWTW shall have the right to propose the formation of a new Group to the Co-ordinating Group.

Co-ordinating Group

The Co-ordinating Group is made up by the Chairs and Convenors of each group and the Secretariat and will meet at least monthly. All members of the AWTW have the right to attend meetings of the Co-ordinating Group. The agenda and any documents shall be made available in advance. The Co-ordinating Group is accountable to the AWTW membership.

The Co-ordinating Group will:

• formulate the strategy for the development of the organisation, including education & training
• co-ordinate research, proposals, campaign, policies and action across the Groups
• take forward the work of the Groups across the whole organisation
• deal with membership issues within the AWTW
• communicate the AWTW policies, campaigns, proposals externally
• ensure that all Groups are in agreement with the principles of the AWTW through their proposals, decisions, campaigns etc
• co-ordinate the involvement of membership across all Groups in campaigns
• disseminate documents, reports and proposals (including campaign proposals) of the Groups to the AWTW
• communicate approved policies to all Groups
• respond to new issues through consultation with Groups
• put forward proposals to Groups to work on
• assess the need for new Groups on a regular basis
• work closely with the secretariat on day-to-day communication issues.

Every three months the Group will circulate to the Groups a report of its activities and planned action. All the actions, decisions, input of the Group will be discussed and assessed at the annual conference.

The Secretariat

Elected by AWTW conference, the secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation. It is accountable to the Co-ordinating Group for its work. The secretariat is made up of: chair, secretary, treasurer, communications editor.

Campaigns

A World to Win believes that the existing political system fails to represent the interests and aspirations of the majority in society. The merger of corporate, financial and political systems has made a mockery of democracy and undermined our right to vote. Many of our civil and social rights have disappeared while others are under threat.

We have therefore launched a People’s Charter for Democracy for a truly democratic, republican Britain. Sign up to support our campaign and tell us what you think.

Support our Action plan to halt climate chaos.

A People’s Charter for Democracy

e the undersigned believe that the existing system of government fails to represent the interests of the vast majority of people and is democratic in name only. Instead, the state’s primary purpose is to promote business interests at the expense of ordinary working people.

Policies for the crisis:

· Housing

· Finance

· Price rises

Under these conditions, our hard-won right to vote is undermined and the mass of people are effectively disenfranchised. As the global financial and economic disaster deepens, we refuse to pay for the crisis of capitalism through mass unemployment, repossession of homes, loss of pensions, tax and price rises and cuts in spending on vital services.

We therefore support the campaign for a republican Britain based on a written constitution that would:

• end the rule of political elites and bureaucracies and instead create new local, regional and national Assemblies, representing diverse communities and workplaces
• extend democracy through co-operative forms of ownership and workplace control of major corporations, enterprises and services
• establish social rights to housing, education, health, transport, training, employment, pensions and care in older age
• guarantee basic human rights to organise, strike, speak and act free from state surveillance and interference
• safeguard the civil and religious rights of minority communities and adopt a “no borders” approach to refugees and asylum seekers
• eliminate speculation and profit as the basis for society, ensuring that both ecological care and basic human needs shape production, consumption and lifestyles.

We will initiate, encourage and support all actions such as campaigns to stop repossessions, occupations of threatened workplaces and the rejection of higher fuel and transport charges.

To this end, we will work to establish local and national Conventions for Democracy to build support for the transfer of political and economic power to the majority.

International

A World to Win is committed to developing a strategy for revolutionary change on an international scale. We cannot expect to build a non-capitalist future by operating within national borders. The transnational corporations and ruling elites operate across borders and we are obliged to do the same.

We therefore welcome contact and collaboration with organisations in other countries and continents.

AWTW actively supports campaigns and movements fighting against the impact of global capitalism as well as for self-determination.

Work like you don’t need money
Love like you’ve never been hurt
and dance like no-one’s watching