The debate about a socialist planned economy seems to have definitively returned. Here, we present a small, selective excerpt from the German debate in order to perhaps provide some readers with an easy introduction to the discussions. A few weeks ago, Die «Zeit» picked up on the planned economy debate and addressed it in its […]
Comeback of the Planned Economy Read More »
Abstract How can private reproductive labor be socialized under socialism? The text analyzes the political, cultural, and structural particularities of private reproductive labor and shows how labor-time calculation could serve as a tool to recognize it economically and, consequently, politically. Introduction to Labor-Time Calculation Labor-time calculation, as developed by the “Group of International Communists” (GIC)
The Opportunity of Labor-Time Calculation for the Problem of Private Reproductive Labor Read More »
We warmly invite you to a film screening followed by a discussion on January 29: Film: Ohne Chefs – Demokratie bei der Arbeit (2025) Some people cannot imagine a life without work. Even fewer can imagine work without a boss. Yet there are already projects today that function entirely without bosses. We embark on a
Film Screening and Discussion: “Ohne Chefs” Read More »
Untergrundblättle pays tribute with the article “Die vergessene Logik des Kommunismus” to the “Fundamental Principles” formulated by Jan Appel in prison in 1925 — the central theoretical text on labour-time accounting. The article by Herman Lueer is available in German and English and is highly recommended reading! We will bring the year to a dignified
The Forgotten Logic of Communism Read More »
We have written an article that was published in the December issue of Contraste: “The recovered enterprises in Argentina are in crisis. For this reason, a solidarity committee has been formed.” You can read it in German and Spanish. You can also find it in our list of publications.
Support for the damned collectivism Read More »
Robin Hahnel, the founder of the planned economic model Parecon, criticized labor-time calculation in his May 2025 article “Labor Time Accounting: A Postmortem”: “The point is that labor time is not the only real cost of making different goods and services. There are environmental costs, which along with labor costs, should clearly be accounted for
Decentralized Socialist Economic Planning Read More »
Hermann Lueer has subjected Jasper Bernes’ new book, The Future of Revolution, to a compelling critique. The idea that rationing could be a meaningful alternative to accounting based on working time is firmly rejected by Lueer. Read the full article here: Leftdis
Review of Jasper Bernes’ “The Future of Revolution” Read More »
In mid-October we’re heading to the Ruhr! In Dortmund and Mülheim we’ll be giving two talks promoting the concept of working-time accounting – and bringing together what belongs together: workplace self-management and democratic planned economy as an emancipatory alternative to capitalism! 16.10. AZ Mülheim (https://www.az-muelheim.de/kontaktweg/)17.10. Black Pigeon Dortmund (https://black-pigeon.org/kontakt/)Both at 7 p.m. – free entry
Talks in Mülheim and Dortmund Read More »
On the Post-Growth Blog, a plea for labor-time accounting has been published. In it, the Freiburg-based group La Banda Vaga explains why the “Fundamental Principles of Communist Production and Distribution” are more necessary than ever in times of multiple crises. The movements and uprisings of the past two decades, they argue, have fizzled out because
The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation offers training materials on “Living Utopias!” (in german). It’s great that labour time calculation – the ‘new kid on the block’ – is also included! Click on the yellow plus signs to learn more. Also highly recommended: the article on self-management and workplace occupations! (in english).
