This essay has three main goals. First, I explore the meaning of socialism as defined by DSA at its founding, with a focus on Michael Harrington’s ideas that shaped the group for 20 years. Second, I explore what DSA means by socialism today, noting the difference between its official documents—which have become more radical—and its actual practices, which have changed less. Third, I compare DSA’s current definition with a Marxist view of socialism, examining four key areas: the state, the agent, the content, and the movement form. My main argument is that while DSA’s official language has become more radical since 2016, this shift is mostly on paper. In practice, little has changed in these four areas. The gap between DSA's rhetoric and its actions is not merely a phase of growth; it is the breeding ground for careerism within the organization's electoral wing. By careerism, I mean a pattern in which individuals use their positions in the organization, especially elected offices, primarily to advance their own political careers rather than to further the collective goals of socialism. This lack of a clear definition allows careerism to thrive.
A Word in Search of Its Class What DSA Has Meant by Socialism.docx ( https://1drv.ms/w/c/c3598b38f68269be/IQDIkmtwJvT6Tam-fWUg5OwuAfGdTmCHnyYTnu5f2Ry2NnQ?e=sWsBUE ) -- Tony -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#42304): https://groups.io/g/marxmail/message/42304 Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/120118735/21656 -=-=- POSTING RULES & NOTES #1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. #2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived. #3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern. #4 Do not exceed five posts a day. -=-=- Group Owner: [email protected] Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/marxmail/leave/13617172/21656/1316126222/xyzzy [[email protected]] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
