Politics of the past: the use and abuse of history - Socialists ...

Renaissance of Socialism
Observations of a Former Dissident
In 1968 the socialist bloc rediscovered democracy in Czechoslovakia.
The process of destalinisation, which started in Central and
Eastern Europe in the late 1950s, implied more individual liberties,
the emergence of political groups, important publishers, interesting
newspapers, creative unrest in literature, film and artistic life. We
witnessed a liberalisation of politics, of the debate inside communist
parties and a return of academic freedom. Civic society appeared
in communist Europe and the Prague Spring was the crown
on that process.
Democratic socialism was first of all based on freedom of
discussion, liberty of creation and commitment of citizens. Many
different forms of direct democracy became manifest in those years:
Workers’ Councils in Polish factories in October 1956, new youth
organizations, autonomy of research, independence of universities,
unions of writers and artistic and intellectual circles. Freedom was
found in avant-garde theatre, in films and books, and in discussion
clubs. Jerzy Grotowski’s theatre or the Czech film school are examples
of artistic achievements which earned their place in world
culture.
The Prague Spring was suppressed by the military intervention of
Warsaw Pact forces – an experiment of democratic socialism failed.
However, that spiritual and intellectual turning point changed communist
parties in Western Europe and became the political basis of
dissident movements in the Soviet Union and in Central and Eastern
Europe. Reformers in communist parties turned to social
democracy. After the Prague Spring, democracy became the main
political task of the left all over Europe. The defeat of authoritarian
regimes in Portugal, Spain and Greece initiated a great wave of
227 Józef Pinior is a Member of the European Parliament.
Józef Pinior