Social Alternatives
Criticism of the dominant social relations is a necessary precondition of all left-wing politics, but it is not sufficient. The left faces the fundamental task of formulating alternatives. On the basis of critical social analysis, it is important to develop transitional projects that focus on the here and now while simultaneously moving beyond that—helping to improve immediate living conditions, expand the possibilities of emancipatory struggles, and at the same time point in a direction that transports an overflowing moment of concrete utopias to overcome existing conditions. Left social alternatives require political strategies that answer questions like: what to do, who does it, and how?The Stiftung’s political education work combines socialist transformation research and praxis with alternative strategies relating to real existing movements and forces—such as strengthening the public sphere, appropriating the commons, and expanding social infrastructures. Approaches to socio-ecological transformation, especially an alternative economic and property order, are closely intertwined with the struggles of the ecological and climate movements, trade unions, renters’ initiatives, or feminist and care movements. For us, this occurs from the perspective of renewing democratic socialism.