We know all about the myriad issues of the really existing Left, but what would a good Left look like? One that could unite all those who are systematically oppressed by the system, reach into marginalized communities, and build a powerful mass movement for change? This is deeply important, because despite the failings of the existing Left, there is still a hunger for a true politics of liberation, and as the white progressives transition into Republican voters, disengaged “independents”, and idle hipsters, we must have a truly constructive politics ready in order to fill the gap. As such, I will strive to put forth a skeletal framework of what we should look for from our movement:

A prioritization of the marginalized in society — women, people of color, particularly Black people (especially women of color, particularly Black women of color), LGBTQ people (and the rights and lives of trans/non-binary people are the most vulnerable, and under particular attack in this historical moment), the disabled, and other economically and socially vulnerable people with a strong understanding of how all these groups experience access to resources, economic class relations, and power relations, an understanding that is expanded through the lived experiences and inclusive participation of all these groups.

Derived from above, a comprehensive network and infrastructure to support marginalized people, ideally supported by people in more privileged positions. This can include community support, mutual material aid, or just safe and inclusive spaces.

Finally, the commitment to the prioritization of the marginalized must entail listening to marginalized people when they disagree or take with an ideological stance, based on their lived experiences. If a given Leftist idea or platform seems incompatible with the lived experience of a Black or disabled person, for example, our first instinct would be a deep interrogation of why.

A strong, absolute commitment to anti-fascist, anti-authoritarian and anti-reactionary politics. Regardless of ideological leaning, fascists and reactionaries present the greatest danger to the lives and well-being of marginalized people, and a Leftist movement must place defending its members against fascist encroachment over all over ideological concerns and struggles. Solidarity entails that an attack on one is an attack on all. Furthermore, it must hold zero tolerance for reactionary views, even if they appear to be coming from someone with Leftist views. Class reductionism must be held to be unacceptable, as must both Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism.

As part of that anti-fascist commitment, a robust Left movement must be willing to collaborate with all democratic forces opposing fascism, regardless of their ideological leanings, reliability, or concordance with our worldview. While there are many areas where we can condemn some of those forces, or note how some elements of their ideas have helped fascism grow, what matters is stopping fascism from being actualized in the here and now — the ideological struggle can come later.

A robust focus on internationalism, with a priority on defending the oppressed and marginalized both at home and abroad, regardless of nationality, race or creed. This means defending popular struggles against repressive governments or factions, and advocating against anti-democratic and authoritarian practices, and this holds regardless of geopolitical considerations, or whether said state calls itself “Communist”, “anti-imperialist”, “Socialist” or the like.

A language and way of understanding that clearly communicates these priorities, as well as has safeguards against fascist and reactionary ways of thinking that may slip into leftist discourse due to dogmatic understandings of socialism, or poor and disengaged leftist theory. Examples of such ways of thinking include “economic anxiety”, “anti-establishment”, “anti-imperialist”, etc. A good leftist movement must call its members to ignore the buzzwords and look at the facts on the ground. We cannot afford to fail a test like the Syria Test again.

A strategic and pragmatic approach to taking power that holds the needs and conditions of the people its fighting for over dogmatic expressions of theory. While the movement absolutely should work outside electoral systems to build power, it is critical that the movement influence the shape of the mainstream liberal order as much as it can, while encouraging mainstream politicians to do as much as they can to support the marginalized, and commending them when they do so. In particular, anti-electoralism should be forbidden, and people who advocate for such should be expelled.

A deemphasis on a literal reading of the leftist “classics” in favor of a holistic, evolving strategic approach and theoretical understanding — many leftists read Marx and Lenin the same way as a fundamentalist Christian would read the Bible, which is not only counterproductive, but contrary to the way Marx and Lenin would have themselves be read. Talking idly about “the coming revolution” has little meaning to a Black or queer person struggling to survive in the here and now, and both Lenin and Marx wrote according to the material conditions of their day, and both material conditions and capitalism itself have changed since those times.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and I’m sure other thinkers and organizers can add more. However, I believe that this is a good starting point for either reforming the existing Left, or building a new one when the current one inevitably collapses.