Building Power from Below and Taking Power, Talk given at Left Forum, New York City, May 30, 2014

I argue in this paper that prefigurative politics are an essential part of economic and social transformation. However, on their own, they cannot gain sufficient importance and scale to undermine the dominant capitalist structures. It is necessary to also win the state in order to transform it and end its repressive power. Developing this position is the focus of this paper.  Although the examples from this paper are drawn primarily from Latin America and the strategy put forward is most applicable there, it is also relevant for the United States and other societies. What is presented is quite general. The specifics depend on the political economic context within the nation and globally, the political consciousness and organization of oppressed classes and groups, and the nature of ruling class power.  …