Syndicalist gradualism assumes economic gains can outlast capitalist state power

Evidence

These ideas were attacked particularly sharply by Bordiga, as a form of gradualism. “This, call it reformism or syndicalism, is defined by the erroneous view that the proletariat can emancipate itself by winning ground in economic relations, while capitalism still holds political power through its control of the State.” Bordiga was not wrong to point out syndicalist tendencies in Gramsci’s thought at this time. The ideas developed in the pages of Ordine Nuovo were deeply influenced both by Daniel de Leon, the theorist of the Wobblies, and by the British shop stewards’ movement. Moreover, Gramsci certainly underestimated the role of the State, and hence had not grasped the role of the revolutionary party in organising the seizure of power. — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 95

Categorization

• XREF: The Bordiga critique — that economic gains mean nothing while the state holds political power — is a foundational statement of the state/power-basis that later Islamophobia theory on state power and hegemony will assume. — connects to: State welfare cannot challenge market dependence without undermining capitalism itself — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 78; Gradualist worker cooperatives still depended on surviving inside capitalist markets — Clara E. Mattei, The Capital Order: How Economists…, 444
• DEFINE: Defines the Bordiga position distinguishing reformism/syndicalism from revolutionary seizure of state power.