Welcome to the Movement for a Democratic Society

Movement for a Democratic Society is a network of community organisers, political thinkers, and friends, who are exploring alternative visions for society and strategies for bringing them into being.

What’s the problem?

We are living in a time of multiple crises which all stem from the capitalist system. This is the highest form of domination seen in human history so far, and has spread its destruction everywhere: it plunders the world through imperialist wars for oil and money, and exploits the natural world for its infinite growth, leading to global ecological crisis. Here in the UK, the capitalist system divides us socially, exploits us with meaningless jobs and controls us with high rents. It has destroyed community and people’s sense of belonging, breaking down social solidarity and setting the stage for fascism. Furthermore, the political system itself is broken; politicians serve the interests of the rich and the capitalist economy. They aren’t coming to save us. 

What’s the alternative ?

Movement for a Democratic Society believes that only by liberating society from capitalism and social hierarchies can we save ourselves from the crises we face. We believe that liberation is found in a democratic society and that democratic confederalism provides a model for getting there. This is a political idea that nurtures a society based on direct democracy, freedom for all, and ecological values, built from the bottom-up by ordinary people. The aim is both to solve people’s problems now through new forms of social organisation, and to create new social institutions – forming a ‘dual power’ to protect us from and eventually displace the capitalist system.

What does a democratic society look like?

In a democratic society all people are free and equal, living in communities based on common ownership that guarantee housing, food, and a place to belong. Instead of a central state, communities are directly democratic, and ordinary people can deliberate on the decisions to be made; from land use and food production, to education and water supply, society is run by our common values and ecological limits. Eventually, democratic towns, cities, and regions can join together to form a whole democratic society, and here, we can regain our humanity – finding meaning and friendship with each other, and harmony with the natural world.

Are these radical liberatory ideas possible?

Yes! There is a long historical precedent of such societies around the world – including in England where many peoples have defended their freedom against the capitalist system, its land enclosure, political tyranny, empire and colonies, foreign wars, state racism, sexism, and transphobia. Today, there are many examples in the UK to learn from – with people organising their daily lives along cooperative, communal, and democratic lines, showing a glimpse of what the future could be for all society. We seek to answer the question: what could liberation mean for us in England and the UK, and how can this be achieved jointly with people around the world?

As daunting as this task seems, another world is possible!

We can achieve this by working together. Together we discuss our values and our issues to learn what kind of society we want to live in. Together we study places where democratic confederalism has been successfully implemented to understand how to get there. Together we build and strengthen connections locally in our communities to solve our problems ourselves, and to grow systems that give us power as ordinary people.

A democratic society starts from the local level; small pockets of a new society already exist and more groups are moving in this direction! We can work collectively to grow the vision of a democratic society, bringing communities back together, and supporting organisers already tackling local issues like housing rights, poverty, and defense against fascism! In this way we can transform social relations and begin growing a democratic society now!

In a democratic society there’s a place for everyone, and there’s a place for everyone in the movement to get there.

Together we can build a free, ecological, and democratic society.