Democratic centralism

Democratic centralism is the organizational structure adopted by communist parties which enables, as Vladimir Lenin described, "freedom of discussion, unity of action". Party members under democratic centralism are allow to air out all of their concerns, proposals, and opinions, then after discussion, the party will adopt a binding unified line amongst all its members. This decision can be revisited at a later date if necessary.

Practice

According to the Bay Area Socialist Organizing Committee, there are a number of things necessary to make democratic centralism work:

• Political Unity. Only overall political unity can stimulate individuals to make the commitment necessary to participate in a communist organization, or motivate a minority to subordinate itself to carry out the proposals of the majority. The degree of unity required for communist organization depends on the development of the communists and the nature of their political tasks: there is no one “correct” level of unity. As we argue further in our paper on party building, attempts to enforce organizational consolidation in the absence of political unity on basic tasks can only lead to splits and the proliferation of sterile sects.

• Cadre Development. Democratic centralism requires that members have a firm, critical, and individual grasp of Marxist theory and practice. If too many members lack these abilities, the party will lack that dialogue between members and leaders, base and center, party and masses, that is essential to democratic centralist decision making, practice, and evaluation.

• Political Leadership. Communist leadership has the responsibility of guiding the organization’s work through the process of theory-plan-practice-summation. Important at all times, the role of leadership takes on particular importance in periods of revolutionary crisis or repression. Its work therefore requires a high degree of theoretical and practical experience and mature political judgment. It requires further an ability to lead, not simply command, the organization, and through it, the masses. Also important is the educational role of leadership in helping to develop new leaders from among the members, and increasing the theoretical and practical capabilities of the membership in general.

• Criticism and Self-Criticism. Changing conditions, incorrect political line, and mistakes in implementing line or in style of work are all inevitable and require regular summation and reevaluation of work. Mistakes will be more or less serious, more or less harmful to the movement–but the failure to examine and correct errors is even more serious and harmful. To make democratic centralism work, criticism and self-criticism must be practiced throughout the organization. Leaders and members must learn to assess honestly the strengths and weaknesses of both individuals and the organization as a whole. Equally important, this dialogue of criticism and self-criticism must be practiced not only within the organization, but between the organization and the masses. Attempts to place the party above the criticism of the masses have taken several forms. Some have claimed that “the party is always right because Marxism-Leninism is a science.” Others have tried to deny that their organization has changed its line, or have refused to explain its reasons for doing so. Such attempts to mystify communist work deceive no one, and have no place in serious Marxist practice. The party and the working class can only win by transforming themselves in the process of transforming society. Neither aspect of the revolution can succeed without the practice of serious criticism and self-criticism.