Start with some 'socialist' fundamentals.
The huge leftwing parties in the first half of the 20th century; the Communists led by Stalin's role in the Soviet bureaucracy; and the Social Democrats, who were constantly scared of revolution, leading instead towards efforts to link with capitalism, have both failed. In the second half of the 20th Century and the first quarter of the 21st, the mass working classes in the European west felt a deep suspicion of all these decaying parties despite even the various minor Trotskyite alternatives. The communist parties declined before the1980s and finally collapsed after the fall of the East German wall. Meanwhile the constant failures of social democracy became the desperate 'turn to middle ways', openly trying to support from mainly middle class political bases. Macron and Blair are still banging the hollow bell. Finally the remaining worker's movements had broken in the turn of the century, created by deliberate government decision in the case of the UK, leading to a rapid decline of large-scale industry in the West. The most significant working class industries were re-created by the development of nations that were defeated by the imperialist West, most significantly by China.
The weakness of the socialist left was also undermined by the promise of Western democracy between 1914 and 1950. But the 'precious gem' of Western democracy and the parties that organised their votes, rapidly passed their peak after the full franchises were finally forced for the vote by women and trade unions. At the end of the second world war the franchise became mainly ruling class systems that were narrowed into what was 'the vote'. Instead 'democracy' was used by huge wealth to maintain the upper classes status quo avoiding all major aspects of the social system. Gradually, through world wars and a hundred years or so of the vote, the mechanisms of the West's 'democracy' is now also increasingly becoming unacceptable as a genuine advance among the majority of the new working classes in the West. The features of this are spreading and patently obvious as Berlusconi twirled his cheery stage in Italy, followed today with another clown in the UK, desperate for power and money. Fake democratic and fake political 'offers' are now presented to the new working classes. Even where the ruling class were stubbed by Brexit for example, there was no change at all of the 'ownership' of the UK and not the slightest concessions to the working class.
The old versions of socialism have broken down. But so have the means of Western democracy. Another working class is rising. In the West we are having to work out a new socialism.
The beginnings of the new socialism in the west.
Significant risings from workers are growing in France and the UK. Several UK unions are organising for equal pay for the 10% price hike. Large and continued strikes are, de facto, assembling united actions. Serious pressure is being developed by governments against workers and vice versa, despite previous elections. Government promises were dumped after their elections in both the UK and France. 'Ensemble', the latest French parliament left combination, despite Macron's disappearing 'centre', is beginning to lead French society and challenging the right.
Meanwhile, an enormous number of self-organised groups, attached from schools, from churches, from the streets and the local areas are directly managing the growing problem of food and heat, totally outside of government.
The UK government and both the main parties in Parliament are facing the break-up of Britain. There is the increasing role of the self style Welsh Labour leadership, the Scottish leadership that have decided to set up a new Scottish independence referendum and the UK Northern Irish Sinn Fein Party, elected by the NI voters, which is unable to carry on through supporting the people because the UK government is dropping its own treaties.
Some immediate steps.
The new socialism has to first centre itself as a part of the actions of the new working class and its contexts. Those actions are the central necessities. For example, the gathering and combining of those who are supporting the unions and those working on providing food, heating, etc. There are those who seek the support for social and medical difficulties. The more that combines - the more people will step ahead. We can build examples by pinning buttons for everyone, green with black lettering stating 'support the unions and communities'; making noise outside Number 10 with demands on party food; demanding rations across the most poverty areas and the most rich. Most significant, starting from France's 'Ensemble', socialism needs to help blocks that will be bringing together all those that act together. From there comes the new movement learning for a new society.
Socialism cannot simply reconstruct the roads of the old parties took, added with a few set of different theories, however genius, and to expect this or that leader in history that will really deliver the answers that will no longer fail. Socialism has, like the growing populace, to learn in the now, using our histories to change in the practice of the difference of now. The theory and practice of socialism with different ideas and different activity has only just begun.
But don't be late!
The UK Secretary of State Truss has just explained why the UK should have got going earlier over the Ukraine war, and should now prepare a fight over the Chinese about Taiwan. This dangerous idiot (another minister who hasn't read, or has decided to dump the British - Chinese treaty) is the mad, half-baked leadership, declining at home and dangerous abroad, as the UK's bandit society is running itself down.
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