What are the differences between councilism and left communism? I often get the sense that with councilists, they are much more "hands-off" when it comes to participating in strikes, etc. While left communists are more active, or "militant" in that they do participate.
Are there are more demarcations between the two tendencies? Or are they essentially one in the same, and only degrees of one another?
Left Communists include Daniel Deleon, Slyvia Pankhurst (she goes back and forth), Rosa Luxembourg etc. Basically Left Communists are against Reformism and a Revolutionary Party. They tried to distance themselves from Social Democracy and the degeneration of Russian revolution. They believe in participating in government, but understand the Emancipation of the working class is the act of the working class itself. Most left communists see Industrial Trade Unions as a tool of Class struggle.
Councilists include Anton Pannekoek, Herman Gorter, Paul Mattick, etc. They believe in spontaneity like Left Communists (hence why they are a current of Left Communism), but are against participating in Government and Trade Unions. Most Councilists still believe in a party though.
I've always seen Left Communists as early Councilists, who are unable to let go of old conventions of Class struggle. They are not necessary more Authoritarian or Right Wing, their tactics are just deeply rooted in the countries and times they lived in.