If in Doubt, Write About Democracy

By Luke Pickrell

Recently, Nick W. asked about Marxist Unity Group’s approach to writing. Nick distinguished “two sides in the debate.” On one side, “those who believe MUG should write in a way that's accessible to a broader audience but at its extreme risks diluting the political content.” On the other side, “those who defend the classic MUG style of writing as important intellectual and political integrity of MUG and see a streamlining of the style to be underestimating their audience’s intelligence.”

I don’t know if a “classic MUG style of writing” exists, but I’ll put that point aside. Nick identifies two types of writing that should be avoided: accessible to a broad audience but devoid of content and rich in content but difficult to digest. Does a balance exist? Putting writing style aside (persuasive, narrative, expository, or descriptive), is there a topic that’s both politically rich (i.e., essential) and accessible to a broad audience? Yes.

The demand for a democratic constitution based on universal and equal rights is accessible. Everyone should have an equal say in how society is run, and it’s unjust and wrong if that’s not the case. It’s that simple. The language of democracy is also substantially rich and in no way dilutes the radicality of our politics. The demand for a democratic constitution is a revolutionary demand because we don’t have a democracy, and the existing rules (Article V) don’t allow us to make changes based on equal representation. Democracy is unconstitutional under the existing Constitution. Our politics is radical, not despite the desire for democracy but because we want democracy.

MUG members have written persuasive and accessible resolutions centering on the demand for a democratic constitution, including but not limited to the preamble to DSA’s 2021 Platform, YDSA’s “Winning the Battle for Democracy” resolution, MUG’s own “Winning Battle for Democracy” resolution, Cleveland and San Diego DSA’s copycat resolutions, and the preamble to the 2024 Program. These works are excellent examples of substantially rich (i.e., politically essential) and accessible writing.

My advice: If in doubt, write (or talk, or sing, or draw, or say anything) about the necessity of democracy. More often than not, people will understand what you’re talking about.