Everybody needs to read Psychological Warfare in the Strategy of Imperialism. It shows how this stuff evolved since WW2. One of the particularly interesting bits there was the discussion of the whole narrative we see today in the west that western media is unbiased, and it’s just presenting neutral facts. The whole book is absolutely incredible because it lays bare how this sort of propaganda works in practice.
I thought jacobin would have been the cherry on top
These are my favorite kinds of posts. OP praytell what is your opinion on what we should do in the US from the left?
Support our comrades abroad, rigorously investigate the sources of state department/bourgeois reporting claims, and organize the labor force for the purpose of opposing fascism? (Broadly)
Ok cool. But I mean strategically. It’s nice to say these things and I agree but how?
Because ostensibly DSA is the largest socialist org in the country doing exactly what you are describing…do you think shitting on DSA serves your interests broadly or hurts them?
Posts like this basically being like “this isn’t the REAL left” without any substantive critique AND counter proposal are silly to me. And like I’m part of the DSA and criticize them plenty and will continue to do so but from where I’m sitting they are our best bet as a vehicle for socialist development - warts and all.
You criticism is valid and I misunderstood your intent. There is merit to supporting the DSA and working within it but I strongly believe that this should be prefaced with the understanding that the DSA is primarily an opportunist party. They are not a strong opposition to the fascist current in america and as such our goals when we work with them should be to push its members further left into more principled organisations. Shitting on the DSA should be elaborated upon when addressing a general audience. Unfortunately I often live under the assumption that other people think like me and have the same base of information as me.
That’s fair criticism and I have issues with the rightist contingents within DSA but I think this framing is a bit disingenuous. We certainly have to deal with opportunism and will have to deal with it more (NYC just dealt with this very publicly with Chi Osse but even the more right wing caucuses ended up coming around to not supporting blatant opportunism).
I speak from a biased perspective here as one of the more left contingents within DSA. I am a member of the Marxist Unity Group caucus which is essentially an Orthodox Marxist faction within DSA that is pushing to move DSA in the direction of being a true independent party (this is actually one of the biggest ongoing national conversations at the moment its very exciting to see and be part of) largely following Leninist principles. The left within DSA is growing rapidly right now. We are winning the political arguments internally but it takes time for these tides to change completely. My chapter’s steering is literally 5/8 avowed communists with many more of us in the ranks supporting and agitating for our positions.
Is DSA today a strong opposition to fascism? No not really but I will say they are massive parts of local efforts therein. Their power is growing every day to become that.
If not DSA as an org then who? The billionaire funded PSL members? Some liberal NGOs? Some other new organization that has 7 members and no meaningful power?
Imo its really unfortunate that NYC DSA is one of the more incoherent and undemocratic chapters (also the largest tho) and is the face of “what DSA is” when the reality is far richer and diverse.
I would love to see the left DSA succeed but I worry it will go the way of the SPD during the Weimar Republic. It already appears this way to me which is why I prefer working with PSL. Even despite its major funding source being bourgeois they are highly principled. Bourgeois class traitors aren’t unheard of (Engels being a prime example) and my experiences with PSL have led me to believe it is our best shot. Know that you and your comrades in the DSA are always welcome should your party betray you. Wishing you the best of luck though.
