Democratic Association

Democratic Association 

a labor organization formed in London in 1838 by the more revolutionary elements of the Chartist movement (G. Harney and others). It had approximately 3,000 members, most of whom were workers. The Democratic Association advocated a revolutionary struggle for the People’s Charter (up to and including armed revolt), supported the establishment of a republic in Great Britain, and propagandized the doctrines of Utopian communism in the spirit of G. Babeuf s teachings. The Democratic Association, which was active until the end of 1839, “greatly aided in strengthening the activity of the Chartist movement and the development of the communist elements it contained” (F. Engels, in K. Marx and F. Engels, Soch., 2nd ed., vol. 2, p. 591).