The Dutch-German Left

The Dutch-German Left refers to a faction within the broader Council Communist movement, primarily active in the early 20th century. This group emphasized direct workers' councils as the foundation for a more democratic and egalitarian society, opposing the traditional Communist Party structures. Emerging in the Netherlands and Germany, they criticized both capitalism and the bureaucratic tendencies of Soviet-style communism. Advocating for self-managed workplaces and grassroots decision-making, they sought to empower workers directly, believing this was essential for a genuine socialist transformation. Their ideas contributed to ongoing debates about the role of democracy within leftist movements.