Book Review: The Death of the Left, Why We Must Begin from the Beginning Again
By
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March 1, 2023
The Death of the Left…
As a lifelong advocate for the socialist cause, I have had the pleasure of reading Simon Winlow and Steve Hall’s latest book, The Death of the Left: Why We Must Begin from the Beginning Again. And I must say, it is a thought-provoking and deeply insightful work.
The authors’ premise is simple but profound: the left, as we know it, is dead. The once-proud movement that fought for workers’ rights, equality, and social justice has been co-opted and corrupted by the very system it sought to overthrow. And it is time for us to acknowledge this reality and start anew.
Winlow and Hall argue that the left’s decline can be traced back to the 1970s, when the neoliberal ideology began its ascent to dominance. This ideology, which espouses the virtues of the free market, individualism, and competition, has seduced many on the left into accepting its premises and abandoning its core values.
Why We Must Begin from the Beginning Again.
The authors are unflinching in their critique of the left’s current state but also hopeful. They argue that it is not too late to start over and build a new movement that is grounded in the principles of solidarity, democracy, and equality. This will require a radical rethinking of our political and economic systems and a renewed commitment to grassroots activism.
As someone who has fought for the socialist cause, I can attest to the truth of Winlow and Hall’s arguments. The left has lost its way, and we must reclaim our identity and purpose if we are to have any hope of achieving our goals.
The Death of the Left is a timely and urgent call to action for all of us who believe in a better world. It challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths about our past failures and chart a new course forward. I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about the future of progressive politics.
An important aspect of the book comes in the revival of democratic representation by working-class individuals who are economically informed and understand the ability of sovereign currency. Political representation by working-class individuals who are able to articulate an economic vision that benefits the many and not just the few.
In the words of the great socialist leader Eugene V. Debs, “I am for socialism because I am for humanity.” Let us heed the call of Winlow and Hall and work together to build a better, more just world for all.
As Winlow and Hall argue, the left must begin from the beginning again. This means rethinking our approach to politics and economics, and building a new movement that is truly rooted in the needs and aspirations of ordinary people.
One of the key insights of the book is the need for the left to focus on what the authors call the “social question.” This means putting the needs of people and communities at the centre of our politics, and recognizing that economic growth and individual achievement are not ends in themselves.
Instead, we must work to create a society that is based on solidarity, mutual aid, and cooperation. This means rejecting the idea that success is only possible through competition and individualism, and embracing the notion that we are all in this together.
To achieve this, the authors argue, the left must engage in grassroots organizing and activism. We cannot rely on political elites or technocrats to deliver change from above. Instead, we must build popular movements that can challenge power and create new forms of political and economic organization.
The book is not without its criticisms, of course. Some may argue that the authors’ focus on grassroots activism overlooks the important role that institutional politics can play in achieving change. Others may find their critique of the left’s past failures to be too harsh.
But overall, The Death of the Left is a powerful and inspiring work that challenges us to think critically about the future of progressive politics. It reminds us that the struggle for social justice is an ongoing one, and that we must never become complacent or comfortable with the status quo.
As Tony Benn once said, “The most important thing anyone can do is challenge authority, and this is what we are doing.” The Death of the Left is a call to action for all of us who believe in the power of collective action and the potential for a better world. Let us rise to the challenge and begin anew.
The left is dead. Its ailments cannot be cured. The only way to resurrect what was once valuable in leftist politics is to declare the left dead and begin from the beginning again. Winlow and Hall identify the root causes of its maladies, describe how new cultural obsessions displaced core unifying principles and explore the yawning chasm that now separates the left from the working class. Drawing upon a wealth of historical evidence to structure their story of entryism, corruption, fragmentation and decline, they close the book by outlining how a new reincarnation of the left can win in the 21st century.
The Death of the Left: Why We Must Begin from the Beginning Again is available at all good book outlets including Amazon
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