We are in the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the 1930s. Yet our one supposed left-wing party has not taken the opportunity to raise questions about the nature of our economic system and how it could be more democratic. Let’s face it, the NDP is no longer even a social democratic party. It’s a liberal party slightly to the left (on most issues) of the Liberal Party. No one at the top of the party has a vision or commitment to alternative economics, building an activist cadre, or building an oppositional common sense that is deep, intelligent, and widespread.

A party like that would use this opportunity to raise big questions about the economic system we live in. A party like that would use the moment to engage in widespread education of its membership on economics, sponsoring debates and educational events at the riding level to increase the capacity of the membership. But the NDP doesn’t have much capacity to understand or grapple with the economic crisis at any level of the party, and doesn’t even have the self-knowledge to know that it lacks this capacity. It’s a bit of a lost cause.

Is the NDP in the way or on the way? The federal party has finally settled the debate with its ever-rightward drift, professionalization, and crass electoralism. The NDP is in the way. Which is all the worse for the rest of us.

 

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Corvin Russell

Corvin Russell is an activist, writer and translator living in Toronto.