Socialism in America

"The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest socialist organization in the United States, and the principal U.S. affiliate of the Socialist International. DSA's members are building progressive movements for social change while establishing an openly socialist presence in American communities and politics.

"At the root of our socialism is a profound commitment to democracy, as means and end. We are activists committed not only to extending political democracy but to demanding democratic empowerment in the economy, in gender relations, and in culture. Democracy is not simply one of our political values but our means of restructuring society. Our vision is of a society in which people have a real voice in the choices and relationships that affect the entirety of our lives. We call this vision democratic socialism - a vision of a more free, democratic and humane society.

We are socialists because we reject an international economic order sustained by private profit, alienated labor, race and gender discrimination, environmental destruction, and brutality and violence in defense of the status quo.

We are socialists because we share a vision of a humane international social order based both on democratic planning and market mechanisms to achieve equitable distribution of resources, meaningful work, a healthy environment, sustainable growth, gender and racial equality, and non-oppressive relationships."

Here is what "Liberty" looks like to a socialist . . .

"A democratic commitment to a vibrant pluralist life assumes the need for a democratic, responsive, and representative government to regulate the market, protect the environment, and ensure a basic level of equality and equity for each citizen. In the 21st century, such regulation will increasingly occur through international, multilateral action. But while a democratic state can protect individuals from domination by inordinately powerful, undemocratic transnational corporations, people develop the social bonds that render life meaningful only through cooperative, voluntary relationships. Promoting such bonds is the responsibility of socialists and the government alike.

"The social welfare programs of government have been for the most part positive, if partial, responses to the genuine social needs of the great majority of Americans. The dismantling of such programs by conservative and corporate elites in the absence of any alternatives will be disastrous. Abandoning schools, health care, and housing, for example, to the control of an unregulated free market magnifies the existing harsh realities of inequality and injustice."

The action agenda posted on the socialists' web site very closely parallels Agenda 21, and the recommendations of the President's Council on Sustainable Development. The web site boasts the creation of the "Progressive Caucus" in Congress, as well as the coalition that is working to promote the socialist agenda in Congress.

Campaign for America's Future

Campaign for New Priorities

Center for the Advancement of Public Policy

Center of Concern

Coalition on Human Needs

Demilitarization for Democracy

Development GAP

50 Years is Enough Network

Friends of the Earth

Fund for New Priorities in America

Institute for Policy Studies

Institute for Women's Policy Research

International Labor Rights Fund

National Jobs for All Coalition

National Organization for Women

National Priorities Project

NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

Peace Action

Preamble Center for Public Policy

Public Citizen

Stakeholders Alliance

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

National Association of Public Hospitals

National Council of Senior Citizens

Long-Term Care Campaign

Consumer's Union

Center for Responsive Politics

Latin American Working Group

Public Campaign

United for a Fair Economy

Washington Chapter Alliance for Democracy

Working Assets

Women, Law and Development

National Council of La Raza

The Campaign for Health Security

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Center for Defense Information

Council for a Livable World

National Rainbow Coalition

Urban League

National Black Child Development Institute

U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

Americans for a Sustainable Economy

National Education Association

USA Network for Habitat II

Catholic Charities

National Council of Negro Women

Center for Law and Social Policy

Witness for Peace

Children's Defense Fund

Child Welfare League

Economic Policy Institute

Brookings Institute

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

Defenders of Wildlife

Veterans for Peace

AFL-CIO

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights 

United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America

The policy gains that have been made in recent years on both the international and domestic fronts are largely the result of the communications capability of these organizations. Freedom.org was conceived more than five years ago to provide similar communications capability to organizations that are not socialists. The Property Rights Congress will be pioneering that new capability. Non-socialist organizations are far behind, and have much catching-up to do.