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{{Infobox American Political Party |
{{Infobox American Political Party |
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|party_name = Socialist Party USA |
|party_name = Socialist Party USA |
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|party_articletitle = Socialist Party USA |
|party_articletitle = Socialist Party USA |
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|party_logo = [[File:SPUSA logo.png| |
|party_logo = [[File:SPUSA logo.png|150px|Socialist Party logo]] |
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|chairman = Andrea Pason |
|chairman = Andrea Pason<br>Billy Wharton |
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|senateleader = None |
|senateleader = None |
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|houseleader = None |
|houseleader = None |
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|foundation = 1973 |
|foundation = 1973 |
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|ideology = [[Democratic socialism |
|ideology = [[Democratic socialism]] |
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|fiscalpolicy = [[ |
|fiscalpolicy = [[Left-wing]] |
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|socialpolicy = [[ |
|socialpolicy = [[Left-wing]] |
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|position = [[left-wing]] |
|position = [[left-wing]] |
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|international = |
|international = |
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|footnotes= |
|footnotes= |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Socialist Party USA (SP-USA)''' is an American [[left-wing]] [[democratic socialist]] [[multi-tendency]] [[politicial party]] and the successor of the leading party to the left of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. Since 1973, the party has nominated candidates for the office of [[President of the United States]]. The party currently has no representatives in either the [[United States Senate]] and the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. The party was founded in 1973 by a dissident faction of the [[Socialist Party of America]]. Both Andrea Pason and Billy Wharton currently are chairmans of the party. |
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The '''Socialist Party USA,''' (also known as the Socialist Party of the United States of America <ref name="constitution">[http://socialistparty-usa.org/constitution.html Socialist Party Constitution]</ref>) is a [[democratic socialist]] and [[multi-tendency]] [[political party]] in the [[United States]]. The party is the eponymous heir to the [[Socialist Party of America]] which had previously adopted the name Socialist Party USA in 1962.<ref>"[http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/serial?id=spsdfconf", See p. 7 of the 1962 SP Convention Proceedings, as well as the minutes of all subsequent Conventions.]</ref> |
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The party is officially committed to left-wing democratic socialist ideas. The Socialist Party USA, along with its predecessors, has met with varying support. The reasoning behind this is that it has to compete with the two much larger parties, being that the United States has a [[two-party system]]. The party's main principles are [[feminism]], [[eco-socialism]], [[education]] and the expansion of the American [[welfare state]], which according to them, would lead to [[Social equality|economic equality]]. |
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⚫ | In 1958, the [[Trotskyist]] [[Independent Socialist League]] led by [[Max Shachtman]] dissolved to join the Socialist Party of America. Shachtman, whose politics had begun to move sharply to the right since his days as a Trotskyist leader, argued both for militant opposition to Soviet-style Communism and that the Socialist Party should work within the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. By 1972 Shachtman's Unity Caucus had taken control of the Socialist Party and blocked a resolution opposing the Vietnam War. In the [[United States presidential election, 1972|1972 presidential election]], Shachtman's caucus initially backed hawkish [[Cold Warrior]] Senator [[Henry M. Jackson|Henry "Scoop" Jackson]], then adopted AFL-CIO President [[George Meany|George Meany's]] position of neutrality between the two candidates nominated by the major parties. |
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The party is opposed to both to "[[capitalism]]" and "[[stalinism]]" and wants to see the elimination of big businesses through public ownership. It has refused to endorse any of the Democratic and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politicians. According to the American media the party has a membership around 1,700 to 3-thousand. Its youth affiliate is the [[Young People's Socialist League]]. |
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⚫ | In response, two groups broke off: the Coalition Caucus led by [[Michael Harrington]] supported antiwar Democrat [[George McGovern]] and went on to form the [[Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee]] (later becoming the [[Democratic Socialists of America]]), while the left-wing Debs Caucus backed [[People's Party (United States, 1970s)|People's Party]] anti-war candidate [[Benjamin Spock]]. The Debs Caucus formed the Union for Democratic Socialism, which officially reconstituted the Socialist Party USA in 1973, when the [[Shachtmanism|Shachtmanites]] who remained in the Socialist Party re-named their organization [[Social Democrats USA]]. Numerous local and state branches of the old Socialist Party, |
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== Ideology == |
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=== Positions === |
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{|class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 90%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:27em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5" |
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|style="text-align: left;"|"It's based on fairness and equality. [...] And right now America under the capitalistic system is based on greed and getting ahead and you usually do it at the expense of your fellow man." |
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|style="text-align: left;"| — Brian Moore, the presidential candidate for the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 election]], talking about the unjust system of capitalism and the fairness of socialism.<ref>{{cite news| author= Zogbaum, Ferdinand |date=October 25, 2007 | title = Hernando County man earns presidential nomination | publisher = [[Bay News 9]] |url = http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/10/25/297917.html?title=Hernando+County+man+earns+presidential+nomination | accessdate = February 7, 2010}}</ref> |
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The party's platform is based on the [[social democracy|social democratic]] governments of [[Western Europe]] and not the former [[communist]] regimes of [[Eastern Europe]].<ref>{{cite news| author= Kocieniewski, David |date=September 17, 2000 | title = On Politics; $400 Million Man a Socialist? Don't Tell That to a Socialist | work = [[The New York Times]] |url = http://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/17/nyregion/on-politics-400-million-man-a-socialist-don-t-tell-that-to-a-socialist.html?scp=3&sq=Socialist+Party+USA&st=nyt | accessdate = February 7, 2010}}</ref> At the 1987 [[national convention]] held in [[Chicago]], the party's platform called for full-employment, low-cost housing, stronger [[welfare state]] and unilateral disarment.<ref>{{cite news| author= |date=June 9, 1987 | title = Writer and Teacher to Head Socialist's Ticket for 1988 | work = [[The New York Times]] |url = http://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/09/us/writer-and-teacher-to-head-socialist-s-ticket-for-1988.html?scp=4&sq=Socialist+Party+USA&st=nyt | accessdate = February 7, 2010}}</ref> The party has since its founding supported [[socialism]], [[democracy]], ending homelessness, abolishing vagrancy laws and providing decent affordable housing for all.<ref>{{cite news| author= [[Stewart Alexander (politician)|Alexander, Stewart A.]] |date=December 5, 2007| title = Fresno, CA - Veteran Needs Food and Shelter | work = [[California Chronicle]] |url = http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/view/44859 | accessdate = February 7, 2010}}</ref> |
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During his campaign, the [[Brian Moore presidential campaign, 2008|Socialist Party candidate]] for president, [[Brian Moore (politician)|Brian Moore]], was very vocal against the idea that Obama was a socialist of any kind.<ref name="CBSNews">{{cite news| author = Harrington, Elizabeth | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/01/politics/uwire/main4562678.shtml |title=Socialist Party Candidate Visits U. Tampa |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=October 29, 2008 |accessdate=February 7, 2010}}</ref> He further commented on the issue, saying it was "misleading of the Republicans" to spread that message.<ref>{{cite news| author = | url=http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/10/socialist-moore-obamas-not-a-socialist/ |title=Socialist Moore: Obama’s not a socialist |publisher=Independent Political Report |date=October 25, 2008 |accessdate=February 7, 2010}}</ref> In a later statement about Obama's policies, co-chairman of the Socialist Party, [[Billy Wharton]] called [[Barack Obama]]s [[2010 State of the Union Address|State of the Union Address]] a "public relations ploy". He concluded with; "The time for slick public relations campaigns has ended - the time for building our grassroots movements is more urgent than ever. The Socialist Party USA stands ready to join in such a political revitalization".<ref>{{cite news | title = Socialist Party response to Obama's state of the union speech | url = http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/01/socialist-party-response-to-ob.html | author = Altimari, Daniela | date = January 28, 2010 | work = [[Hartford Courant]] |accessdate=February 7, 2010| language = Norwegian }}</ref> |
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==Strategy== |
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==== International affairs ==== |
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The SP focuses on [[grassroots]] activism in addition to electoral politics.<ref>"[http://sp-usa.org/handbook/transition.html Tactics and Organizing]", Socialist Party Handbook.</ref> It has conducted "Socialist Summer" activist campaigns in recent years to address issues such as counter-recruitment and fighting to end the [[military-industrial complex]]; promoting [[socialized health care]]; supporting [[immigration|immigrant]] workers and battling persecution of immigrants following the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]; and promoting [[civil liberties]] and [[civil rights]]. To promote activism, the SP has set up a dual structure of "Commissions" in addition to geographical local and state affiliates, which allow members with common interests to network and conduct campaigns. Active commissions include the Women's Commission, Labor Commission,<ref name="labor">[http://socialistsusa.org/labor/ Labor Commission].</ref> Faith and Socialism Commission,<ref>[http://faithandsocialism.org Faith and Socialism Commission].</ref> Queer Commission, People of Color Commission, Environmental Commission, and others.<ref>[http://socialistparty-usa.org/commissions/index.html Directory of Commissions].</ref> |
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The [[National Action Committee of the Socialist Party USA|National Action Committee of the Socialist Party]] condemned the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict|Israeli offensive]] against the city of [[Gaza]] and its people. They party demands the [[United States government]] to stop all military funding to Israel. The party also seeks to end what they call the United States "special relationship" with Israel and the immediate withdrawal of American troops from [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite news | title = End the Massacre in Gaza – No Solution Through Violence | url = http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/01/01/18557660.php | author = | date = January 1, 2009 | publisher = Indybay.org |accessdate= February 7, 2010| language = Norwegian }}</ref> During the 2008 election, the Socialist Party promoted itself as an [[anti-war]] party, with Brian Moore, the presidential candidate, claiming the war was destroying small communities throughout the country. He also criticised what he called "pressure on the local governments" by the [[Bush administration]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Jackson | first = Tom | title = Likeable Guy Brandishes Loony Ideas | work = [[The Tampa Tribune]] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date = September 4, 2007 | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> |
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The party is also against what they see as "anti-Mexican policies" of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. With [[Stewart Alexander (politician)|Stewart A. Alexander]], former Vice Presidential candidate for the party in 2008, claiming that the Democratic Party was elected with an "anti-immigrant rhetoric" which could lead to an "anti-immigrant public phobia" across the country. The Socialist Party believes the solution to this problem would be to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news| author= [[Stewart Alexander (politician)|Alexander, Stewart A.]] |date=December 17, 2007| title = Socialists want Stronger Ties with Mexico | work = [[California Chronicle]] |url = http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/view/46293 | accessdate = February 7, 2010}}</ref> |
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The Socialist Party holds National Conventions in odd-numbered years and Organizing Conferences in even-numbered years. The most recent National Convention was held October 9-11th, 2009 in [[Newark, New Jersey]].<ref>[http://socialistparty-usa.org/nc.html http://socialistparty-usa.org/nc.html].</ref> The most recent Organizing Conference was held in [[Ann Arbor, Michigan|Ann Arbor]], [[Michigan]] on July 11–13, 2008.<ref>[http://www.socialistparty-usa.org/natconf2008/ 2008 National Organizing Conference].</ref> |
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==== Welfare state ==== |
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As a [[multi-tendency]] party, the party rejects those models of organization referred to as [[cadre|cadre groups]], as well as the practices commonly called "[[democratic centralist]]," meaning that SP members are often free to disagree publicly with party policy.<ref>"[http://sp-usa.org/handbook/demsocialism.html Defining Democratic Socialism]", Socialist Party Handbook.</ref> However, dues-paying members are required to confirm their agreement with the SP's Statement of Principles, "Socialism as Radical Democracy" and abide by its Constitution.<ref name="constitution"/> Since there are varying views within the membership on the means of achieving socialism based on the Statement of Principles, there is occasionally disagreement over what actions by members are appropriate and what merit [[censure]]. The party also strives to achieve a relative unity in action. |
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In his race for Governor of [[California]], party member Greg Pason promoted a stronger [[public sector]], [[socialized medicine]] and expanding the public education network of the state.<ref>{{cite news | title = Voter Guide / Other third-party candidates for governor | url = http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/01/socialist-party-response-to-ob.html | author = | date = November 1, 2009 | work = [[The Press of Atlantic City]] |accessdate=February 7, 2010| language = Norwegian }}</ref> In 1997, Pason called [[auto insurance]] "a regressive tax against working people".<ref>{{cite news | title = On Politics; Hearing From the Seven Who Are Seldom Heard | url = http://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/14/nyregion/on-politics-hearing-from-the-seven-who-are-seldom-heard.html?scp=8&sq=Socialist+Party+USA&st=nyt | author = Preston, Jennifer | date = September 14, 1997 | work = [[The Press of Atlantic City]] |accessdate= February 7, 2010| language = Norwegian }}</ref> Moore was also vocal of his support for public healthcare and socialized medicine.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kinane |first=Sean |authorlink= |url=http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/5714 |title=Brian Moore – Socialist Party USA Presidential Candidate |publisher=[[WMNF]] |date=June 13, 2008 |accessdate=October 30, 2009}}</ref> Moore believes that [[capitalism]] is a selfish system which focuses on the [[wealth]]y and the [[powerful]], and not the [[weak]] and the [[poor]]. He feels that redistributing the wealth between the rich and the poor would give the country a stronger [[public sector]], which-in-turn would focus on [[renewable energy]] and the needy. During his presidential campaign he claimed that the current economic system was falling apart because of capitalism own "greed".<ref name="CBSNews"/> |
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⚫ | |||
While some SP members favour a more gradual approach to socialism, most others envision a more sweeping or [[revolutionary]] transformation of society from capitalist to socialist through the decisive victory of the [[working class]] in the [[class struggle]].<ref name="SoP" /> Some SP members also advocate revolutionary [[nonviolence]] or [[pacifism]], while some consider armed struggle a possible necessity. The Party's Statement of Principles rejects equating socialism with a "[[welfare state]]" and calls for democratic social revolution from below.<ref name="SoP">[http://socialistparty-usa.org/principles.html Socialism as Radical Democracy: Statement of Principles of the Socialist Party USA]</ref> Many party members consider contemporary labour struggles to be of particular importance, and work in the party's Labor Commission.<ref name="labor"/> |
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{{seealso|Socialist movement in the United States|Socialist Party of America}} |
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⚫ | In 1958, the [[Trotskyist]] [[Independent Socialist League]] led by [[Max Shachtman]] dissolved to join the Socialist Party of America. Shachtman, whose politics had begun to move sharply to the right since his days as a Trotskyist leader,<ref>2008, pp. 63.</ref> argued both for militant opposition to [[Sovietization|Soviet-style communism]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Beichman, Arnold|url=http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/5714 |title=Communism to anti-communism in lives of two rival editors. |publisher=Goliath.ecnext.com |date=July 28, 2002 | work = [[The Washington Times]] |accessdate=February 7, 2010}}</ref> and that the Socialist Party should work within the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. By 1972 Shachtman's Unity Caucus had taken control of the Socialist Party and blocked a resolution opposing the Vietnam War. In the [[United States presidential election, 1972|1972 presidential election]], Shachtman's caucus initially backed hawkish [[Cold Warrior]] Senator [[Henry M. Jackson|Henry "Scoop" Jackson]], then adopted AFL-CIO President [[George Meany|George Meany's]] position of neutrality between the two candidates nominated by the major parties.<ref>{{cite web |author=Heilbrunn, Jacob|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/books/chap1/theyknewtheywereright.htm |title=They Knew They Were Right: The Rise of The Neocons |date=February 1, 2008 | work = [[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=February 7, 2010}}</ref> |
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⚫ | In response, two groups broke off: the Coalition Caucus led by [[Michael Harrington]] supported antiwar Democrat [[George McGovern]] and went on to form the [[Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee]] (later becoming the [[Democratic Socialists of America]]),<ref name="breakup"/> while the left-wing Debs Caucus backed [[People's Party (United States, 1970s)|People's Party]] anti-war candidate [[Benjamin Spock]]. The Debs Caucus formed the Union for Democratic Socialism, which officially reconstituted the Socialist Party USA in 1973,<ref>Busky 2000, pp. 165.</ref> when the [[Shachtmanism|Shachtmanites]] who remained in the Socialist Party re-named their organization [[Social Democrats USA]]. Numerous local and state branches of the old Socialist Party, among them included the Wisconsin and California Party branches, participated in the reconstitution of the Socialist Party USA.<ref name="breakup">Busky 2000, pp. 164.</ref> |
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The party is strongly committed to [[socialist feminism]] and strives to carry out its internal practices in accordance with feminist process.<ref name="SoP" /><ref name="feministprocess">[http://www.sp-usa.org/basp/feminist_process_guideSPUSA.pdf Feminist Process Guide]</ref> It requires gender parity among its elected National Convention delegates, National Committee members, and national Co-Chairs and Co-Vice Chairs of the Party, and organizes [[pro-choice]] activities. Its platform considers [[abortion]] a part of women's health care rights.<ref name="platform">[http://socialistparty-usa.org/platform/ National Platform of the Socialist Party USA]</ref> It has an active Women's Commission which publishes the magazine ''Socialist Women''.<ref>''[http://socialistparty-usa.org/socialistwomen/ Socialist Women]''.</ref> |
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⚫ | The party surprised the American media in some elections in recent decades. In 1992, Socialist [[Iowa City]] Councilwoman Karen Kubby won her re-election with the highest vote totals in the Iowa City Council's history, and was continually re-elected until retiring from the Council in 2000. In 2000 Socialist Wendell Harris received almost 20% of the vote for Mayor of [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]. In 2008, Socialist Jon Osbourne pulled in 22% of the vote for [[Rhode Island|Rhode Island's]] 34th District [[Rhode Island State Senate|State Senate]] seat, while listed on the ballot under the Socialist Party USA label. |
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=== Membership === |
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The Socialist Party experienced substantial growth during the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s, expanding from only around 600 dues-paying members to around 1,700.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/may2009/db20090522_329825_page_2.htm |title=Socialism? Hardly, Say Socialists |work=[[Business Week]] | author=Herbst, Moira |accessdate=February 7, 2010| date=May 22, 2009}}</ref> However, according to the [[WMNF]], in 2008 the party had an estimate of 3000 paying members.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kinane |first=Sean |authorlink= |url=http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/5714 |title=Brian Moore – Socialist Party USA Presidential Candidate |publisher=[[WMNF]] |date=June 13, 2008 |accessdate=February 7, 2010}}</ref> |
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==Presidential tickets== |
==Presidential tickets== |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Socialist Party of America]] |
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* [[Democratic Socialists of America]] |
* [[Democratic Socialists of America]] |
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* ''[[The Socialist (US newspaper)|The Socialist]]'' magazine |
* ''[[The Socialist (US newspaper)|The Socialist]]'' magazine |
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* [[Socialist Party of New Jersey]] |
* [[Socialist Party of New Jersey]] |
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==References== |
== References == |
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=== Notes === |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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=== Bibliography === |
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* {{cite book | author = Busky, Donald F. | title = Democratic Socialism: A Global Survey | location = | publisher = [[Greenwood Publishing Group]] | year = 2000 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=3joQKjDtn4wC&dq=Union+for+Democratic+Socialism+%22Union+for+Democratic+Socialism%22&lr=&as_brr=0&hl=no&source=gbs_navlinks_s | isbn = 0275968863 | page = 230 }} |
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* {{cite book | author = | title = Maxes: Webster's Quotations, Facts and Phrases | location = | publisher = [[ICON Group International]] | year = 2008 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=v3DlJVG8Ym4C&dq=Max+Shachtman+%22Socialist+Party+of+America%22&lr=&as_brr=0&hl=no&source=gbs_navlinks_s | isbn = 0546707858 | page = 176 }} |
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==External links== |
== External links == |
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* {{official|http://www.socialistparty-usa.org}} |
* {{official|http://www.socialistparty-usa.org}} |
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* [http://socialistwebzine.blogspot.com Publication] |
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* [http://www.vote-socialist.org Electoral affiliate] |
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* [http://www.ypsl.org Youth affiliate] |
* [http://www.ypsl.org Youth affiliate] |
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Revision as of 12:44, 7 February 2010
Socialist Party USA | |
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Chairman | Andrea Pason Billy Wharton |
Founded | 1973 |
Headquarters | 339 Lafayette St. Suite #303 New York, NY 10012 |
Ideology | Democratic socialism |
Political position | left-wing |
Colors | Red |
Website | |
http://socialistparty-usa.org/ |
Socialist Party USA (SP-USA) is an American left-wing democratic socialist multi-tendency politicial party and the successor of the leading party to the left of the Democratic Party. Since 1973, the party has nominated candidates for the office of President of the United States. The party currently has no representatives in either the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. The party was founded in 1973 by a dissident faction of the Socialist Party of America. Both Andrea Pason and Billy Wharton currently are chairmans of the party.
The party is officially committed to left-wing democratic socialist ideas. The Socialist Party USA, along with its predecessors, has met with varying support. The reasoning behind this is that it has to compete with the two much larger parties, being that the United States has a two-party system. The party's main principles are feminism, eco-socialism, education and the expansion of the American welfare state, which according to them, would lead to economic equality.
The party is opposed to both to "capitalism" and "stalinism" and wants to see the elimination of big businesses through public ownership. It has refused to endorse any of the Democratic and Republican politicians. According to the American media the party has a membership around 1,700 to 3-thousand. Its youth affiliate is the Young People's Socialist League.
Ideology
Positions
"It's based on fairness and equality. [...] And right now America under the capitalistic system is based on greed and getting ahead and you usually do it at the expense of your fellow man." |
— Brian Moore, the presidential candidate for the 2008 election, talking about the unjust system of capitalism and the fairness of socialism.[1] |
The party's platform is based on the social democratic governments of Western Europe and not the former communist regimes of Eastern Europe.[2] At the 1987 national convention held in Chicago, the party's platform called for full-employment, low-cost housing, stronger welfare state and unilateral disarment.[3] The party has since its founding supported socialism, democracy, ending homelessness, abolishing vagrancy laws and providing decent affordable housing for all.[4]
During his campaign, the Socialist Party candidate for president, Brian Moore, was very vocal against the idea that Obama was a socialist of any kind.[5] He further commented on the issue, saying it was "misleading of the Republicans" to spread that message.[6] In a later statement about Obama's policies, co-chairman of the Socialist Party, Billy Wharton called Barack Obamas State of the Union Address a "public relations ploy". He concluded with; "The time for slick public relations campaigns has ended - the time for building our grassroots movements is more urgent than ever. The Socialist Party USA stands ready to join in such a political revitalization".[7]
International affairs
The National Action Committee of the Socialist Party condemned the Israeli offensive against the city of Gaza and its people. They party demands the United States government to stop all military funding to Israel. The party also seeks to end what they call the United States "special relationship" with Israel and the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.[8] During the 2008 election, the Socialist Party promoted itself as an anti-war party, with Brian Moore, the presidential candidate, claiming the war was destroying small communities throughout the country. He also criticised what he called "pressure on the local governments" by the Bush administration.[9]
The party is also against what they see as "anti-Mexican policies" of the Democratic and Republican Party. With Stewart A. Alexander, former Vice Presidential candidate for the party in 2008, claiming that the Democratic Party was elected with an "anti-immigrant rhetoric" which could lead to an "anti-immigrant public phobia" across the country. The Socialist Party believes the solution to this problem would be to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries.[10]
Welfare state
In his race for Governor of California, party member Greg Pason promoted a stronger public sector, socialized medicine and expanding the public education network of the state.[11] In 1997, Pason called auto insurance "a regressive tax against working people".[12] Moore was also vocal of his support for public healthcare and socialized medicine.[13] Moore believes that capitalism is a selfish system which focuses on the wealthy and the powerful, and not the weak and the poor. He feels that redistributing the wealth between the rich and the poor would give the country a stronger public sector, which-in-turn would focus on renewable energy and the needy. During his presidential campaign he claimed that the current economic system was falling apart because of capitalism own "greed".[5]
History
In 1958, the Trotskyist Independent Socialist League led by Max Shachtman dissolved to join the Socialist Party of America. Shachtman, whose politics had begun to move sharply to the right since his days as a Trotskyist leader,[14] argued both for militant opposition to Soviet-style communism[15] and that the Socialist Party should work within the Democratic Party. By 1972 Shachtman's Unity Caucus had taken control of the Socialist Party and blocked a resolution opposing the Vietnam War. In the 1972 presidential election, Shachtman's caucus initially backed hawkish Cold Warrior Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson, then adopted AFL-CIO President George Meany's position of neutrality between the two candidates nominated by the major parties.[16]
In response, two groups broke off: the Coalition Caucus led by Michael Harrington supported antiwar Democrat George McGovern and went on to form the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (later becoming the Democratic Socialists of America),[17] while the left-wing Debs Caucus backed People's Party anti-war candidate Benjamin Spock. The Debs Caucus formed the Union for Democratic Socialism, which officially reconstituted the Socialist Party USA in 1973,[18] when the Shachtmanites who remained in the Socialist Party re-named their organization Social Democrats USA. Numerous local and state branches of the old Socialist Party, among them included the Wisconsin and California Party branches, participated in the reconstitution of the Socialist Party USA.[17]
The party surprised the American media in some elections in recent decades. In 1992, Socialist Iowa City Councilwoman Karen Kubby won her re-election with the highest vote totals in the Iowa City Council's history, and was continually re-elected until retiring from the Council in 2000. In 2000 Socialist Wendell Harris received almost 20% of the vote for Mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 2008, Socialist Jon Osbourne pulled in 22% of the vote for Rhode Island's 34th District State Senate seat, while listed on the ballot under the Socialist Party USA label.
Membership
The Socialist Party experienced substantial growth during the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s, expanding from only around 600 dues-paying members to around 1,700.[19] However, according to the WMNF, in 2008 the party had an estimate of 3000 paying members.[20]
Presidential tickets
- 1976– Frank P. Zeidler and J. Quinn Brisben 6,038 votes
- 1980– David McReynolds and Diane Drufenbrock 6,898 votes
- 1984– None; chose to endorse Citizens Party ticket of Sonia Johnson and Richard J. Walton
- 1988– Willa Kenoyer and Ron Ehrenreich 3,882 votes
- 1992– J. Quinn Brisben and Barbara Garson 3,057 votes
- 1996– Mary Cal Hollis and Eric Chester 4,764 votes (on the ballot in five states, official write-in status in another seven)
- 2000– David McReynolds and Mary Cal Hollis 5,602 votes (on the ballot in seven states, official write-in status in another seven)
- 2004– Walt Brown and Mary Alice Herbert 10,837 votes (on the ballot in eight states, official write-in status in another eleven)
- 2008– Brian Moore and Stewart Alexander 6,555 votes[21] (on the ballot in eight states, official write-in status in another fifteen)
See also
- Socialist Party of America
- Democratic Socialists of America
- The Socialist magazine
- Industrial Workers of the World
- Luxemburgism
- List of political parties in the United States
- List of democratic socialist parties and organizations
- Brian Moore presidential campaign, 2008
State affiliates:
- Socialist Party of Chicago
- Socialist Party of Florida
- Socialist Party of Massachusetts
- Socialist Party of Michigan
- Socialist Party of Minnesota
- Socialist Party of New Jersey
References
Notes
- ^ Zogbaum, Ferdinand (October 25, 2007). "Hernando County man earns presidential nomination". Bay News 9. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Kocieniewski, David (September 17, 2000). "On Politics; $400 Million Man a Socialist? Don't Tell That to a Socialist". The New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Writer and Teacher to Head Socialist's Ticket for 1988". The New York Times. June 9, 1987. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Alexander, Stewart A. (December 5, 2007). "Fresno, CA - Veteran Needs Food and Shelter". California Chronicle. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ a b Harrington, Elizabeth (October 29, 2008). "Socialist Party Candidate Visits U. Tampa". CBS News. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Socialist Moore: Obama's not a socialist". Independent Political Report. October 25, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Altimari, Daniela (January 28, 2010). "Socialist Party response to Obama's state of the union speech". Hartford Courant (in Norwegian). Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "End the Massacre in Gaza – No Solution Through Violence" (in Norwegian). Indybay.org. January 1, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Jackson, Tom (September 4, 2007). "Likeable Guy Brandishes Loony Ideas". The Tampa Tribune.
- ^ Alexander, Stewart A. (December 17, 2007). "Socialists want Stronger Ties with Mexico". California Chronicle. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Voter Guide / Other third-party candidates for governor". The Press of Atlantic City (in Norwegian). November 1, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Preston, Jennifer (September 14, 1997). "On Politics; Hearing From the Seven Who Are Seldom Heard". The Press of Atlantic City (in Norwegian). Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Kinane, Sean (June 13, 2008). "Brian Moore – Socialist Party USA Presidential Candidate". WMNF. Retrieved October 30, 2009.
- ^ 2008, pp. 63.
- ^ Beichman, Arnold (July 28, 2002). "Communism to anti-communism in lives of two rival editors". The Washington Times. Goliath.ecnext.com. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Heilbrunn, Jacob (February 1, 2008). "They Knew They Were Right: The Rise of The Neocons". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ a b Busky 2000, pp. 164.
- ^ Busky 2000, pp. 165.
- ^ Herbst, Moira (May 22, 2009). "Socialism? Hardly, Say Socialists". Business Week. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Kinane, Sean (June 13, 2008). "Brian Moore – Socialist Party USA Presidential Candidate". WMNF. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "2004 Election Results" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. November, 2004. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
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Bibliography
- Busky, Donald F. (2000). Democratic Socialism: A Global Survey. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 230. ISBN 0275968863.
- Maxes: Webster's Quotations, Facts and Phrases. ICON Group International. 2008. p. 176. ISBN 0546707858.