Orangemike (talk | contribs) "not needed"? that's absurd |
Trust Is All You Need (talk | contribs) No other socialist party here on wikipedia has this on its page! |
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==History== |
==History== |
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{{Socialism sidebar |expanded=Organizations}} |
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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. |
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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Revision as of 18:42, 4 February 2010
Socialist Party USA | |
---|---|
Chairman | Andrea Pason William Wharton |
Founded | 1973 |
Headquarters | 339 Lafayette St. Suite #303 New York, NY 10012 |
Ideology | Democratic socialism, Revolutionary socialism, Socialist feminism, Eco-socialism, Youth rights/Youth empowerment |
Political position | left-wing |
Colors | Red |
Website | |
http://socialistparty-usa.org/ |
The Socialist Party USA, (also known as the Socialist Party of the United States of America [1]) 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.[2]
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, argued both for militant opposition to Soviet-style Communism 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.
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 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 Shachtmanites who remained in the Socialist Party re-named their organization Social Democrats USA. Numerous local and state branches of the old Socialist Party, including the Wisconsin, California, Illinois, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. Party branches, participated in the reconstitution of the Socialist Party USA.[3]
The Socialist Party experienced substantial growth in the early years of the 21st century, expanding from only around 600 dues-paying members to around 1,700. 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.
Strategy
The SP focuses on grassroots activism in addition to electoral politics.[4] 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 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,[5] Faith and Socialism Commission,[6] Queer Commission, People of Color Commission, Environmental Commission, and others.[7]
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.[8] The most recent Organizing Conference was held in Ann Arbor, Michigan on July 11–13, 2008.[9]
As a multi-tendency party, the party rejects those models of organization referred to as cadre groups, as well as the practices commonly called "democratic centralist," meaning that SP members are often free to disagree publicly with party policy.[10] 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.[1] 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.
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.[11] 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.[11] Many party members consider contemporary labour struggles to be of particular importance, and work in the party's Labor Commission.[5]
The party is strongly committed to socialist feminism and strives to carry out its internal practices in accordance with feminist process.[11][12] 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.[13] It has an active Women's Commission which publishes the magazine Socialist Women.[14]
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[15] (on the ballot in eight states, official write-in status in another fifteen)
See also
- 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
- ^ a b Socialist Party Constitution
- ^ "", See p. 7 of the 1962 SP Convention Proceedings, as well as the minutes of all subsequent Conventions.
- ^ "A Century of Struggle: Socialist Party USA: 1901-2001"
- ^ "Tactics and Organizing", Socialist Party Handbook.
- ^ a b Labor Commission.
- ^ Faith and Socialism Commission.
- ^ Directory of Commissions.
- ^ http://socialistparty-usa.org/nc.html.
- ^ 2008 National Organizing Conference.
- ^ "Defining Democratic Socialism", Socialist Party Handbook.
- ^ a b c Socialism as Radical Democracy: Statement of Principles of the Socialist Party USA
- ^ Feminist Process Guide
- ^ National Platform of the Socialist Party USA
- ^ Socialist Women.
- ^ "2004 Election Results" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. November, 2004. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
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