The Left Debates the Democratic Party
Submitted by Ashley Smith on Mon, 12/20/2010 - 12:47pm
Panel Abstract:
Should the Left support the Democratic Party or build an alternative? Some answer yes, arguing that the Democrats are the only realistic alternative to the Republicans and can be transformed into a social democratic party. They therefore support an inside-outside strategy of trying to influence Democrats to further demands of workers and the oppressed. Others answer no, arguing that the Democrats are a capitalist party whose role is to co-opt and demobilize social movements and prevent the emergence of a genuine party for workers and the oppressed. They consequently propose for a break with the Democrats, the independence of social movements, and the formation of an electoral and activist party to further the interests of workers and the oppressed. The speakers on this panel come from these opposing positions and will debate the question of the Left’s relation to the Democratic Party.
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- Labor
- Political and Social Movements
- U.S. Politics
- O. Panel Session 7—Sunday 3:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
- Jason Schulman—Democratic Socialists of America
- Approved
- Carl Davidson—Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism,
- Erin Chun—Solidarity
- Lance Selfa—Author, The Democrats: A Critical History; columnist, Socialist Worker.org; International Socialist Organization
- Michael Hirsch—Democratic Socialists of America,
- New Politics and Socialist Worker
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Panel Abstract:
Should the Left support the Democratic Party or build an alternative? Some answer yes, arguing that the Democrats are the only realistic alternative to the Republicans and can be transformed into a social democratic party. They therefore support an inside-outside strategy of trying to influence Democrats to further demands of workers and the oppressed. Others answer no, arguing that the Democrats are a capitalist party whose role is to co-opt and demobilize social movements and prevent the emergence of a genuine party for workers and the oppressed. They consequently propose for a break with the Democrats, the independence of social movements, and the formation of an electoral and activist party to further the interests of workers and the oppressed. The speakers on this panel come from these opposing positions and will debate the question of the Left’s relation to the Democratic Party.
Go Back to Search for Panels by Topic
