Political Independence and the Democratic Republican Point of View
Luke Pickrell argues that there's only one viable way forward
This month’s Marxist Unity Group (MUG) bulletin included three articles discussing the need for political independence from the Democratic Party and one article acknowledging that need and offering a viable way forward.
Ari S. wrote:
The success of DSA candidates and ballot proposals measured against the collapse of the Democrat vote proves that socialism hasn’t gone down in defeat with Democratic Party liberalism. On the contrary, it proves we need to draw an even stronger line of demarcation between ourselves and the Democratic Party… We stand to gain only from a confrontational stance and independent messaging.
Sam G. added:
DSA has to assert political independence from the Democratic Party, and really stick by it! At this moment, there is mass disillusion with Democratic Party leadership, from immigrants, Muslims, radical students, LGBT people, and many sections of the working class who simply stayed home on election day.
Asserting our political independence, furthering member democracy and programmatic unity, and holding up a megaphone to advocate the working class point of view on the injustices that plague this country, will be major steps in the direction of socialism on this continent.
Ethan S. discussed the pros and cons of Seth Ackerman’s 2016 article, “A Blueprint for a New Party.” In it, Ackerman argues that the Left should seek to form its own independent political party, but this party should run its candidates on the Democratic Party ballot line.
Gil Schaeffer already argued for the democratic constitution strategy in response to Ackerman’s article. Still, his point is worth repeating: The demand for a democratic constitution differentiates us ideologically and strategically from the Democratic Party.
It’s an uphill battle to convince the Left (more of a reminder, really) that democratic republicanism should be our calling card, that our political agitation — including our banners, merchandise, literature, and education material — should center the demand for a unicameral legislature and universal and equal rights, including one person and one equal vote. Socialism won’t cut it. I agree with Schaeffer:
Socialism by itself is too narrow a foundation on which to build a political movement of the Left. The political theory of democratic republicanism beginning with the Levellers and running through the work of Tom Paine, the French Revolution, Chartism, the early Marx and Engels, the US Civil War and Reconstruction, the Marxism of the First and Second Internationals, and the US Civil Rights Movement is just as important as the economic theory of socialism for the formation of a Left party
While I think his trust in the Democratic Party is misplaced, I also agree with Thomas Geoghegan that “Before the young in this country ever stop racism, much less enact socialism, they better start by changing our form of government” and that “If we want another New Deal of any kind, Green or not, the young in this country will have to begin by insisting on a true republic, based on one person, one vote.” Forming a party dedicated to winning the battle for democracy is the prerequisite for any significant progressive change, including socialism.
Finally, in their contribution to the bulletin, Tzipora S. acknowledged the need for political independence and went a step further by specifying the content of our political agitation: “With a new republic, we can break the chains on democracy and empower the people to help save the planet and build a new future for everyone… With a fight for democracy as our goal, we can turn back to the little steps that can help us build towards a green, socialist, democratic future.”
Sam mentioned the “working class point of view on the injustices that plague this country.” As Lenin argued, the working class point of view is the fight for democracy. Only in a democratic republic based on a unicameral legislature and universal and equal rights will the working class be able to win our current struggle for justice. A democratic republic is the terrain upon which we can win the class struggle and build the new future described by Tzipora and desired by many people inside and outside DSA.