Discourse with Cira Pascual Marquina in Venezuela: The Commune Not Solely a Utopian Ideal
From Revolutionary Path to Communal Society: A Chat with Cira Pascual Marquina
Cira Pascual Marquina, a notable socialist writer and analyst hailing from Europe, has made Venezuela her home. Invoking the spirit of the Bolivarian Revolution, she identifies as a communard, militant researcher, popular educator, and more. In this candid interview, we delve into her inspirations, the tumultuous Venezuelan context, and the transformative role of communes in shaping their future.
What's the deal with this communal thing, and why is it so important?
Communes are about reimagining society, breaking free from capitalist structures, and forming a communal society characterized by direct democracy, cooperation, and decentralization. The communal project is the heart of Venezuela's socialist revolution. It embodies a new way of living, working, and governing—a means and an end to the entrenched injustices brought about by capitalism.
So, how did this all come to be in the midst of chaos and tension?
Venezuela has been besieged by U.S. imperialism for decades. The years leading up to 2010 saw a dramatic rise in popular unrest and social movements seeking a better future. It was during President Chávez's time that the idea of the commune emerged as a cornerstone of socialist transformation. Since then, communes have been crucial to the Bolivarian Revolution because they provide practical solutions to pressing problems while offering a vision of a post-capitalist society. Communes aren't just an idle concept; they are reality.
Amid political instability, was the communal space somewhat neglected in recent years?
Certainly, the imperialist blockade imposed on Venezuela has caused immense suffering. The government pursued some liberal measures to restore economic stability, which created tensions between the state and the commune movement. However, in the face of an exhausted status quo, the government has recognized the importance of the commune and has recently rekindled its support for this grassroots movement with renewed vigor.
For anti-capitalists worldwide, what can we learn from Venezuela's communal experience?
Venezuela's commune example offers crucial insights for the global communist movement. It demonstrates that communes can replace exploitative wage systems and allow for collective and cooperative decision-making, paving the way for a truly human society. Despite the ongoing struggles, functioning communes already exist in Venezuela, providing practical solutions to the problems confronting their communities. By learning from experiences like these, anti-capitalist movements can advance their vision of apost-capitalist future.
Cira Pascual Marquina's ideological leanings lie in her commitment to socialist principles and her advocacy for communities as the foundation for social change. Her work focuses on bridging grassroots efforts with international leftist discourse, ensuring the Bolivarian Revolution's revolutionary spirit continues to guide efforts toward a communal society.
The views expressed here are Cira's own perspectives and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication conducting the interview.
Originally published in Zapatista Weekly.
Source: Author's original work incorporating enrichment data.
- Cira Pascual Marquina, a communard and socialist writer, sees the Venezuelan commune experience as a crucial learning ground for anti-capitalists worldwide, as it showcases the potential of communes to replace wage systems with collective decision-making, leading towards a more human society.
- The participatory nature of the Venezuelan communal space has been significant in strengthening politics and general news narratives, offering realities that challenge capitalism's status quo, and serving as a beacon for socialist transformation.
- Despite the challenges and political instability, the communal project in Venezuela remains vital, as Cira Pascual Marquina, a militant researcher and popular educator, continues to advocate for it as the linchpin in building a communal society, breaking free from capitalist structures and fostering direct democracy, cooperation, and decentralization.
