what’s the end goal here Zohran. ‘Socialism’ (actually social democracy) but with a roving gang of armed and organized fascists that we just ignore? are we just going to kick the issue of systemic racism down the road because it’s “woke 1” to even talk about, until it becomes a powder keg again? this is the actual internal DSA white chauvinism contradiction that MSM are clawing to find but they won’t use it as a real wedge because it’d increase the salience of Defund again
Really appreciate yout contribution to the discussion! The article is very interesting (redsails is almost like the xkcd for the left haha)
I am not an insider, but based on my understanding the DSA encompasses both typical social liberals, but has been moving in the direction of reformist, especially at the higher levels of leadership. The org is not sufficiently centralized (it is not even a party, for instance), so it has a ton of flaws and contradictions that make it less effective, but in my view, it is largely moving in the direction of reformism.
I like that the author of the article highlights how reformism “gets the masses in motion” so they can actually develop their understanding of things like reform v. revolution and similar topics, just like you pointed out.
The article also highlights the political stagnation that is offered by social liberalism. I think it is important for the masses to be politically activated to defend the gains of the working class (whether from reform or revolution). I know this is something the DPRK takes seriously, for instance. USians aren’t ready for all that, and sort of need “baby steps” until reformism has its own momentum. In my view, either “reformism works and we voted our way to communism for the first time ever” or it will force people toward a more revolutionary stance when it fails.
This does not resolve the contradiction of “what if your reformism delays back to social liberalism and nothing happens”. I still wrestle with that often. I dont think “just discard reformism and only take the revolutionary angle” is the answer, but maybe im just wrong about that and im fucking it up for everybody idk.
I would say my impression is similar about DSA having an internal struggle between reformists and social liberals. I do not have a ton of hope about the reformists winning with how much momentum DSA right is getting from these electoral wins.
and I’m glad you found the article/speech interesting