Democratic Socialists of America

Democratic Socialists of America. It is the largest socialist organization in the United States, formed in 1982 through the merger of the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee and the New American Movement. The organization works within the Democratic Party and in broader social movements to advance a platform of economic democracy and social justice. Its growth surged in the 2010s following the 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders and the election of prominent members like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

History

The organization emerged from the merger of two key leftist groups: Michael Harrington's Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee, which had split from the Social Democrats, USA, and the New American Movement, which had roots in the New Left. Early influential figures included Barbara Ehrenreich and Cornel West. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, it focused on labor movement solidarity, opposing Reaganomics and U.S. policy in Central America, such as in Nicaragua. A significant internal debate culminated in the 2017 decision to disaffiliate from the Socialist International, which many members viewed as having moved too far toward neoliberalism. The Great Recession and the subsequent Occupy Wall Street movement helped lay the groundwork for its dramatic membership increase in the following decade.

Organization and structure

The organization is governed by a National Political Committee elected at biennial national conventions, with day-to-day operations managed by a paid staff and the National Director. Local chapters, such as those in New York City, Chicago, and the San Francisco Bay Area, operate with significant autonomy, organizing around local issues and electoral campaigns. Key internal caucuses include the Marxist Unity Group and the Libertarian Socialist Caucus, which debate strategic direction. Major affiliated entities include the Democratic Socialists of America Fund and the publication Democratic Left. Its youth section, Young Democratic Socialists of America, organizes on college campuses across the country.

Political positions

The organization advocates for the democratic socialization of major industries, supporting policies like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and the abolition of ICE. It calls for a radical expansion of the welfare state, including a federal jobs guarantee, tuition-free public college, and robust tenant rights legislation. On foreign policy, it promotes anti-imperialism, solidarity with Palestine, and opposition to what it terms "American empire," criticizing military interventions and alliances like NATO. Its platform also emphasizes strong support for trade union organizing, police abolition, and reproductive rights.

Electoral activity

The organization engages in electoral politics primarily by endorsing and campaigning for candidates within the Democratic Party, though some members have run as independents. Its most nationally prominent victories include the elections of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to the U.S. House from New York's 14th congressional district and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan's 13th congressional district. Other notable elected members include Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush. At the municipal level, it has seen success in cities like Chicago, electing alderpersons such as Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, and in the Virginia General Assembly. The organization's electoral arm provides training and resources through its Democratic Socialists of America Fund.

Criticism and controversy

The organization has faced criticism from both the Republican Party and centrist factions of the Democratic Party, who label its policies as extreme or unrealistic. It has been embroiled in internal debates over issues such as the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, leading to accusations of antisemitism from groups like the Anti-Defamation League, which it strongly denies. Some left-wing critics, including from Marxist–Leninist and anarchist traditions, argue its strategy of working within the Democratic Party is ineffective or counter-revolutionary. Controversies have also arisen within chapters over free speech and the boundaries of political discourse regarding international conflicts.