The recent article “The Machiavellian State, Fascism, and the Tribune of the Proletariat” by Sam Thomas is an excellent analysis of democracy and socialism and how the creation of a new office hearkening back to the Roman “Tribune of the Plebs” could be a force for building worker power and democracy. The article is mainly theoretical and historical; I want to provide an example of how a modern, concrete campaign could use these ideas to advance the socialist cause.
In the state of Michigan in the United States of America, it is possible to petition to put changes to the State Constitution up to a direct vote at the next election. First, a group of people must collect the signatures of registered voters to get the proposed change onto the ballot (10% of the number of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election). This number usually ranges in the hundreds of thousands. If the number of signatures are collected and pass through any challenges to their validity, the amendments are put on the ballot. If the vote passes, the Constitution will be changed a period of time after the election.1 Of course, every step of this process can be subject to legal challenges in the courts.
It is important to note that this process is not an archaic matter with little past success; recently, the voters of Michigan created an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to counter gerrymandering, while activists are currently trying to get abortion access and other reproductive rights protections on the ballot in case Roe v. Wade is overturned.
So let us pretend a more forceful and organized Michigan Democratic Socialists of America begins the process of trying to enshrine a Tribune of the Workers into the State Constitution; only those who are paid by an employer and do not collect rent may vote for this office. Anyone running must meet similar requirements. The powers of this Tribune will be simple; the right to veto any law passed by the State Legislature. What benefits would this hypothetical campaign allow?
First, the campaign could organize the DSA chapters themselves. The DSA tends to work best when it has an issue to rally around. Second, this would be a prime opportunity for mass education of the voters. With sufficient organization, volunteers could be out in the streets and at public events, collecting signatures and educating anyone who will listen. If the signatures are collected and the amendment is brought to the ballot, this education campaign could continue as we try to succeed in the election. Third, any challenges to the campaign in court (and there surely would be) would offer prime opportunities to highlight the contradictions in the capitalist system, highlight the hypocritical nature of the American Republic, and generate class consciousness in workers. Finally, the election itself would act as an open measure of worker power. If the vote failed with 10% of the people supporting it, we would know we have a lot of work to do. If the vote passed with 70% support, however, workers and bosses would all see how many organized workers there really are in Michigan.
I am not naive. I know it is not likely the DSA chapters in Michigan (or any other state) are up to the task of running a campaign to create a new public office and challenge the US voting tradition. It is even less likely a Tribune of the Workers could be created anytime soon. Nonetheless, I think it may be valuable to think what a practical, on-the-ground campaign based around the theory provided in the aforementioned article could look like.
In solidarity,
Brandon Johnson
Greater Lansing DSA
Marxist Unity Group Member
