For Marx, 'pure' economic theory, that is economic theory which abstracts from a specific social structure, is impossible.
Ernest MandelWorkers do not strike every day, they cannot do that the way they function in the capitalist economy. The way they have to live by selling their labor power makes that impossible.
Ernest MandelOnly under conditions of revolutionary crises do you have the highest level of self-organization; this is the Soviet type of organization, which is to say, workers' councils, people's councils, call them what you want, popular committees.
Ernest MandelAnd you cannot have a socialist revolution commandeered from the top, ordered around by some omniscient leader or group of leaders
Ernest Mandel