“Democratic Socialism is a political philosophy that advocates democracy alongside social ownership of the means of production, with an emphasis on self-management and democratic management of economic institutions within a market or some kind of decentralized planned socialist economy”, according to Wikipedia. In simpler terms, it is an economic system wherein the “ways of making a living belongs to society as a whole instead of a group of private owners”.
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest socialist organization in the U.S. “We believe that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. We are a political and activist organization, not a party, though we use a variety of tactics to fight for reforms that empower working people.”
The Socialist Labor Party (SLP) — original political party of socialism in America, established in 1876 (Workingmen’s Party), and the second oldest socialist party in the world, still in existence; the fast-growing party exploding from 6,000 members in 2016 to over 45, 000 today.
One of the best presidents ever, FDR, was accused of being a Socialist, but he governed more as a traditionally-moderate liberal. “He used regulatory agencies to control economic entities. He pulled the U.S. out of a Great Depression with his ‘New Deal’ plan, saving capitalism from it’s excesses”. President Hoover, who preceded FDR, felt the government should not directly assist Americans in economic difficulty, which left people to beg, steal or starve. FDR signed into law the Social Security Act in 1935.
“Pooling society’s resources to meet people’s basic needs is a tenet of social democracy, one advocated by much of the labor movement.” Elements of social democracy: public education, subsidized housing and healthcare, earning a living wage, was attacked in the 1970s, “with pro-capitalist Reagan policies, seeking to privatize everything they could. Few bosses became wealthier and more powerful, while wages stagnated and quality of life eroded for everyone else.”
Nearly all of the Democratic presidential candidates now running are capitalists, but most are calling for social democratic reforms — like Universal Healthcare. Bernie Sanders defines himself as a ‘Democratic Socialist’. Senator Warren says she “is NOT a socialist, but instead favors capitalism with serious rules; it’s time for a fundamental change”. She calls for breaking up Big Tech and other monopolies. Progressives advocate democratic government activism in national interests. Furthermore, most Democrats and many Republicans now back the “Green New Deal”.
Trish Forsyth Voss
Mar 17 2019
What’s a Democratic Socialist?
“Democratic Socialism is a political philosophy that advocates democracy alongside social ownership of the means of production, with an emphasis on self-management and democratic management of economic institutions within a market or some kind of decentralized planned socialist economy”, according to Wikipedia. In simpler terms, it is an economic system wherein the “ways of making a living belongs to society as a whole instead of a group of private owners”.
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest socialist organization in the U.S. “We believe that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. We are a political and activist organization, not a party, though we use a variety of tactics to fight for reforms that empower working people.”
The Socialist Labor Party (SLP) — original political party of socialism in America, established in 1876 (Workingmen’s Party), and the second oldest socialist party in the world, still in existence; the fast-growing party exploding from 6,000 members in 2016 to over 45, 000 today.
One of the best presidents ever, FDR, was accused of being a Socialist, but he governed more as a traditionally-moderate liberal. “He used regulatory agencies to control economic entities. He pulled the U.S. out of a Great Depression with his ‘New Deal’ plan, saving capitalism from it’s excesses”. President Hoover, who preceded FDR, felt the government should not directly assist Americans in economic difficulty, which left people to beg, steal or starve. FDR signed into law the Social Security Act in 1935.
“Pooling society’s resources to meet people’s basic needs is a tenet of social democracy, one advocated by much of the labor movement.” Elements of social democracy: public education, subsidized housing and healthcare, earning a living wage, was attacked in the 1970s, “with pro-capitalist Reagan policies, seeking to privatize everything they could. Few bosses became wealthier and more powerful, while wages stagnated and quality of life eroded for everyone else.”
Nearly all of the Democratic presidential candidates now running are capitalists, but most are calling for social democratic reforms — like Universal Healthcare. Bernie Sanders defines himself as a ‘Democratic Socialist’. Senator Warren says she “is NOT a socialist, but instead favors capitalism with serious rules; it’s time for a fundamental change”. She calls for breaking up Big Tech and other monopolies. Progressives advocate democratic government activism in national interests. Furthermore, most Democrats and many Republicans now back the “Green New Deal”.
Trish Forsyth Voss
By spiritspeak • Letter to the Editor 0