De Leonism vs. Sorelianism

Attribute	De Leonism	Sorelianism
Founder	Daniel De Leon	Georges Sorel
Key Ideas	Socialism through industrial unionism	Revolutionary syndicalism
Role of the State	Abolition of the state	Emphasis on the role of the state in achieving socialism
Class Struggle	Central to achieving socialism	Emphasized as a means of achieving revolutionary change
Strategy	Political action through industrial unions	Direct action and general strike

Overview

De Leonism and Sorelianism are two distinct socialist ideologies that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While both ideologies share a commitment to workers' rights and the overthrow of capitalism, they differ in their approaches to achieving these goals. De Leonism, named after American socialist Daniel De Leon, emphasizes the importance of industrial unionism and the establishment of a socialist society through the political action of the working class. Sorelianism, on the other hand, named after French syndicalist Georges Sorel, focuses on the revolutionary potential of the general strike and the role of violence in bringing about social change.

Historical Context

De Leonism emerged in the United States in the late 19th century as a response to the failures of the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor to effectively organize and represent the interests of the working class. Daniel De Leon, a prominent figure in the Socialist Labor Party of America, advocated for industrial unionism as a means of uniting workers across industries and overthrowing capitalism. Sorelianism, on the other hand, developed in France in the early 20th century in the context of growing labor unrest and the rise of syndicalist movements. Georges Sorel, influenced by the ideas of Marxism and anarchism, promoted the general strike as a revolutionary tactic to challenge the power of the ruling class.

Key Principles

De Leonism is characterized by its emphasis on industrial unionism as a vehicle for achieving socialism. De Leonists believe that workers should organize themselves into industrial unions based on their respective industries, rather than craft or trade unions. These industrial unions would then coordinate their actions to bring about the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist society. In contrast, Sorelianism places a strong emphasis on the role of the general strike as a means of disrupting the capitalist system and forcing concessions from the ruling class. Sorelians believe that the general strike has the potential to bring about a revolutionary transformation of society by paralyzing the economy and demonstrating the power of the working class.

Approaches to Revolution

De Leonism advocates for a gradual and peaceful transition to socialism through the political action of the working class. De Leonists believe that workers should use their voting power to elect socialist representatives to government positions, who would then pass laws and implement policies that benefit the working class. This approach is known as industrial socialism, and it is based on the idea that socialism can be achieved through the existing political system. In contrast, Sorelianism rejects the idea of gradual reform and instead advocates for a revolutionary overthrow of the capitalist system. Sorelians believe that the general strike, combined with acts of violence and sabotage, is necessary to bring about the collapse of capitalism and the establishment of a new social order.

Views on Violence

De Leonism generally rejects the use of violence as a tactic for achieving socialism. Daniel De Leon believed that violence was counterproductive and could alienate potential supporters of the socialist cause. Instead, De Leonists advocate for peaceful and legal means of achieving social change, such as organizing strikes and participating in the political process. Sorelianism, on the other hand, embraces the use of violence as a legitimate tool for challenging the power of the ruling class. Georges Sorel argued that violence was necessary to break the hold of the capitalist system and inspire the working class to take action. Sorelians view violence as a means of self-defense against the violence of the state and the capitalist class.

Impact and Legacy

De Leonism had a significant impact on the labor movement in the United States, particularly through the influence of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The IWW, also known as the Wobblies, adopted many of the principles of De Leonism, such as industrial unionism and direct action, in their efforts to organize workers across industries. While the IWW ultimately faced repression and internal divisions, its legacy continues to inspire radical labor activists to this day. Sorelianism, on the other hand, had a lasting impact on revolutionary movements in Europe, particularly in France and Italy. The ideas of Georges Sorel influenced syndicalist and anarchist groups that sought to challenge the power of the state and the capitalist class through direct action and the general strike.