Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 61:1 2008

This paper assesses the contribution to the ideological and practical renewal of the left in contemporary France made by libertarian communism, notably the organization ’Alternative Libertaire’ (AL, created in 1991). It first examines the development of this tradition out of: (i) tendencies within the anarchist-communist movement; (ii) certain critical Marxist currents. It goes on to analyse the ideology and practice of AL and discerns a number of core characteristics which it is argued mark AL’s originality: an emphasis on the role of the social movement (trade unions and New Social Movements), its autonomy and reliance on direct action; a rejection of parliamentary politics and of the usefulness of party political representation of the movement; a commitment to debate and the pursuit of a broad ’social front’; a vision of a libertarian socialist society based on equality and self-management; a conception of revolution based on a reassessment of traditional anarchist and socialist strategies.</