Meaning: This quote, attributed to Ernest Mandel, addresses the concept of trade union consciousness and its dominance in the day-to-day life of the working class. Mandel was a Marxist economist and a prominent figure in the post-World War II Trotskyist movement. His work focused on analyzing the dynamics of capitalism and the role of the working class in revolutionary change.

The quote suggests that in the actual historical context, the working class is primarily guided by what Lenin referred to as trade union consciousness. This term, as defined by Lenin, encompasses the immediate economic interests and struggles of workers within the framework of capitalism. Mandel extends this concept and proposes that what Lenin called trade union consciousness can be understood as the elementary class consciousness of the working class.

This assertion is significant within the realm of Marxist theory and class struggle. It highlights the idea that, in their day-to-day lives, the majority of the working class tends to be preoccupied with immediate economic concerns and the pursuit of better wages, working conditions, and benefits. This focus on economic issues within the existing capitalist system, according to Mandel, characterizes the elementary class consciousness of the working class.

Mandel's use of the term "elementary" implies that this form of class consciousness represents a fundamental level of awareness and organization among the working class. It suggests that the primary concerns of the working class, as reflected in their participation in trade unions and labor movements, revolve around immediate economic grievances and improvements within the constraints of the capitalist system. This elementary class consciousness, according to Mandel, largely guides the day-to-day actions and perceptions of the working class.

The implication of this quote is that while the working class may possess a level of consciousness regarding their class interests within the existing economic structure, this consciousness is limited to immediate economic issues and tends to be focused on reforming rather than fundamentally altering the capitalist system. Mandel's assertion aligns with the Marxist perspective that the dominant ideology within capitalist societies tends to limit the consciousness and potential revolutionary action of the working class.

Moreover, Mandel's framing of trade union consciousness as elementary class consciousness suggests that while workers may engage in collective action through trade unions and other labor organizations, their focus remains largely within the framework of capitalist relations of production. This perspective underscores the challenge of advancing revolutionary consciousness and organizing the working class around a transformative agenda that seeks to transcend capitalism altogether.

In conclusion, Ernest Mandel's quote serves as a critical reflection on the predominant consciousness and organizational dynamics of the working class within capitalist societies. It offers insight into the limitations and potential of trade union consciousness as a form of elementary class consciousness, shedding light on the complexities of class struggle and revolutionary transformation within the framework of capitalism.