THE concept of democracy was first articulated by the nascent Capitalism in Europe, invoking universal franchise as a demand and Liberty, Equality and Fraternity as the guiding principles, the living soul. Elements of democracy were however to be found not in the European countries alone but also beyond that in the Asian countries. The mature capitalist class, today projects parliamentary system as the most potential institution of democracy. But this form, i.e, parliamentary democracy has over time, been solely identified with a few electoral principles; Liberty, Equality & Fraternity are substituted by more sophisticated forms of subjugation, astounding disparities of wealth & racism, communalism and xenophobia.

The main reason for this ignominious outcome of several 'noble' projections is that, under Capitalism, democratic institutions and civil laws have been constricted and shaped according to the needs of perpetuating the rule of the Capitalist class and its exploitation of human labour power. This again exposes the skin deep character of this form of democracy.

For a Marxist, concept of democracy starts by undoing this hypocrisy. For her/him the real worth of democracy comes alive only by reincarnating the dilapidated soul, i.e., the lost principles of Liberty, Equality & Fraternity and actualising them in favour of the exploited. Religiously harping on and pursuing a particular state form is no substitute for that. The state form though is no less important. After the most basic facet of democracy i.e., access to the minimum requirements of life, is achieved what matters for a human being is her/his right to speak, to dissent, even to revolt. These things are important, but for sure not more than the very basics.

No direct electoral principle had ever been in practice in any of the socialist states, erstwhile or present and 'authoritarian' state form under socialism has earned lot of infamy to the Marxists. But this particular form is neither sacrosanct not a cul-de-sac. Necessities and possibilities of plurality under socialism had time and again figured in the writings of great Marxist thinkers. A few months after February revolution in Russia Lenin wrote in State and Revolution, “The transition from capitalism to communism is certainly bound to yield a tremendous abundance and variety of political forms (emphasis added), but the essence will inevitably be the same: the dictatorship of the proletariat.”

Marxist pluralism has its philosophical basis in 'Dialectics' which comprises not only a 'struggle' but the 'unity' of opposites too and recognises the basic fact of individual and social 'difference'. Its slogan has been to 'let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend'. Its concept of the cosmos also entails no fixed centre but many solar systems in the process of becoming or dying out. The life which emerges from this is thus diverse, creating many truths and levels of reality.