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.
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.
https://rosegardendsa.substack.com/p/psl-is-a-high-control-group-with