Germany -- History -- Revolution, 1918; Germany -- Politics and government -- 1918-1933
The Councils are as essential to Germany to-day as the Commons were to
us a century ago. Indeed, our insistence on the supremacy of the
Weimar Assembly as a guarantee for the maintenance of peace, can be
paralleled by our insistence a century ago on the maintenance of Upper
Houses in the constitutions of the States revolutionised from France.
The function of the territorially elected Parliament will, in Germany,
and probably everywhere, become more and more that of an Upper House;
while the industrially elected Congress will be the creative and
constructive institution. The whole difficulty lies in finding a
working compromise, or rather co-operation. Just as Feudalism imposed
its political system which survives in the House of Lords, just as
Liberalism imposed its system as represented in the House of Commons,
which now obviously requires supplementing, so Socialism must have its
political system in the Councils. This is not revolution but
evolution. The revolution comes from thwarting and threatening it.
FOOTNOTES:
[F] They have since been replaced by two anti-revolutionary bodies, a
sort of gendarmerie and a local middle class militia (Einwohnerwehr).
The Frei-corps have become the Reichswehr.
[G] The re-organisation and reconstruction of our political and economic
existence calls for the co-operation of the whole effective population.
The revolution has given us the means of such reconstruction in the
Council system. In order to give the Council system its full development
and a better foundation, fresh elections to the Workmen's Councils are
indispensable.
1. All hand and head workers over 10 years without distinction of sex
who earn their living by labour of public utility without exploiting the
labour of others are entitled to vote. Are also entitled those who
employ a limited number of helpers for their livelihood, as doctors,
druggists, writers, jurists, artists, etc.--as also small industrials
and craftsmen who do not employ others.
2. Are excluded from voting those owners of means of production who use
them to their own advantage and always through the labour of others.
Also those who rent a private-capitalist industry or institutions worked
by the labour of others. Also those who live from ground rents or
interest as also those like Directors, etc., paid in percentage fees.
3. Elections to Workmen's Councils are by proportional representation
and by professions or industries. Great industries form distinct
electoral bodies while medium and small industries will be associated.
Professions and professional groups that do not work with other employés
within a particular industry will form professional electoral bodies;
employés in domestic service, housewives, unemployed and invalids will
be provided for in special regulations.
Further instructions as to the electoral regulations and procedure will
be issued shortly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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