Party confusion

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Hi,more questions.

What's the offical socialist party of the united states? There's more then one "party" and I'm a bit confused as to why there's multiples.For instance there's Socialist Party USA,then there's others like the Party for Socialism and Liberation as well as a group called Solideraty.There's undoubtedly more but I'd like to know which is the offical party as well as the reasoning for these other parties (such as why are there others when there's a offical party?).

Thanks for reading.

[Shokaract]

Greetings, Wanderer.
There are many parties because they represent different political lines. SPUSA is 'democratic socialist'. PSL is 'Marxist–Leninist'.

There is no "official" socialist party of the United States. What makes a certain party the "official" party? For something to be official, it needs recognition. But what does government recognition mean when the party's ideology is opposed to the very existence of said government? Or do we mean recognition from the population? If we go by membership count, then the SPUSA would be the most "official" out of the choices you mentioned. But most of the members of this site probably feel that SPUSA does not have the strategic orientation or political line necessary to bring about socialism in the United States.

[mikelepore]

There are numerous parties using the name "socialist" because they have different beliefs about what a socialist party's goals and strategy should be.

[BLACKPLATES]

There are no "official" Socialist political parties in the US. The two oldest and probably largest are the SPUSA and the CPUSA.Both have been around since the early days of the 20th century World Labor Movements.Both are Internationalist organizations recognized by their counterparts in other nations around the world. SPUSA is not officialy exclusively Marxist (though over 50% of members probably are) The CPUSA is Marxist. It is the organization that was recognized by the government of the USSR as the representative organization of American Communism. Because both groups are relatively large ( compared to other Marxist parties in the US) they have a somewhat more moderate and less sectarian orientation than some of the groups you will meet on Rev Left.I would recommend starting off in SPUSA or CPUSA. Neither group is ideal;SPUSA is troubled by factionalism and CPUSA is chaired by Sam Web who is too freindly with capitalist party politics. But SPUSA has always been fractious, they have a long history of trying to be genuinely democratic, and CPUSA has had many leaders and will have many more.

[Q]

But most of the members of this site probably feel that SPUSA does not have the strategic orientation or political line necessary to bring about socialism in the United States.

On the contrary, in discussions about the SPUSA the party is generally positively discussed. Maybe you're confused with the CPUSA, which acts as a leftwing appendage to the Democrats...

As to the OP: Sadly there exists a huge amount of sectarianism among the far left. Often group goals are considered more important than trying to organise the class, given the attitude of most that the revolution is just around the corner... if only we recruited the "ones and twos" ad infinitum.

What is needed in my opinion is a party based on a multi-tendency culture, a political programme (as opposed to agreeing with any number of theories) and an open culture of disagreement, yet unity in action. In fact, the SPUSA has its limitations, but is pretty close to these charactistics, much more so then most other groups or parties.

[Shokaract]

On the contrary, in discussions about the SPUSA the party is generally positively discussed. Maybe you're confused with the CPUSA, which acts as a leftwing appendage to the Democrats...

I stand corrected. I must've been projecting my own views of both as reformist. I do like that SPUSA runs its own candidates though.

[Atlee]

Hi,more questions.

What's the offical socialist party of the united states? There's more then one "party" and I'm a bit confused as to why there's multiples.For instance there's Socialist Party USA,then there's others like the Party for Socialism and Liberation as well as a group called Solideraty.There's undoubtedly more but I'd like to know which is the offical party as well as the reasoning for these other parties (such as why are there others when there's a offical party?).

Thanks for reading.

You forgot America's Socialist Party (http://www.americansocialists.net/). ;)

There isn't a single party. Here in Florida we have three ballot legal socialist parties and a gazillion tendencies.

[JacobVardy]

You forgot America's Socialist Party (http://www.americansocialists.net/). ;)

There isn't a single party. Here in Florida we have three ballot legal socialist parties and a gazillion tendencies.

Are there a lot leftists in Florida? There seams to be, atleast for you Yanks.

[Atlee]

Are there a lot leftists in Florida? There seams to be, atleast for you Yanks.

Florida has lots :cool: of leftists, but no one group :blushing: is actually leading. This is a unique country without old world ties, or guilds, etc. to reflect back on. This is what made us different in 1776 and places like France turn around in 1791. Americans tend to be independent and hold diverse views with mule like stubbornness.

[BLACKPLATES]

I am a CPUSA member, and i can assure you that most of us (dues paying members) are fed up with the Web clique's tailing the Democratic party. One thing thats ironic ( and VERY satisfying to a lot of us) is that the number of disallusioned democrats seeking us out is growing faster than at any time since the early 70's and they are not happy hearing Web talk about how "including" ourselves in democratic party fundraising is such a great idea. The CPUSA is ( give or take) a very good organization with a proud history and we welcome, with open arms, anyone who has decided that capitalism needs to go.

[chegitz guevara]

Are there a lot leftists in Florida? There seams to be, atleast for you Yanks.


Florida has lots :cool: of leftists, but no one group is actually leading.

Just like in other countries, there are many socialist parties. In Florida, official ballot status is very easy to achieve. There are a number of joke parties, like the British Reformed Sectarian Party, the American Billionaire's Party, etc. Since there are close to fifty socialist organizations in the U.S., what is surprising is that there are only three of them registered.


I am a CPUSA member, and i can assure you that most of us (dues paying members) are fed up with the Web clique's tailing the Democratic party. One thing thats ironic ( and VERY satisfying to a lot of us) is that the number of disallusioned democrats seeking us out is growing faster than at any time since the early 70's and they are not happy hearing Web talk about how "including" ourselves in democratic party fundraising is such a great idea. The CPUSA is ( give or take) a very good organization with a proud history and we welcome, with open arms, anyone who has decided that capitalism needs to go.

The only thing Webb did was tear away the fig leaf. The CPUSA has supported every Democratic Presidential candidates since Roosevelt.

[MarxSchmarx]

Most "socialist" parties in America are actually quite communist.

If you are looking for parties that are analogous to the large "socialist" parties elsewhere, teh Democratic Socialists of America are the main group in the same international with for example the French Socialists, various social demcorats, and groups like the Chilean socialist party and the PRD in Mexico.

[The Hong Se Sun]

The answer youre looking for OP is there is no official party. And also as said before the different parties represent the differing ideas

[Atlee]

I am a CPUSA member, and i can assure you that most of us (dues paying members) are fed up with the Web clique's tailing the Democratic party. One thing thats ironic ( and VERY satisfying to a lot of us) is that the number of disallusioned democrats seeking us out is growing faster than at any time since the early 70's and they are not happy hearing Web talk about how "including" ourselves in democratic party fundraising is such a great idea. The CPUSA is ( give or take) a very good organization with a proud history and we welcome, with open arms, anyone who has decided that capitalism needs to go.

Before I joined SP-USA I was working locally with my CPUSA rep and passing out the PWW on all of our 11 college and university campuses. I am having 20/20 hindsight thinking I should have just gone CPUSA all the way.

[The Idler]

Who do you think would decide which is the "official" party?

[Q]

Who do you think would decide which is the "official" party?
I do, I'm still contemplating on it really.

Seriously though, which party is the "official" one is reflected by its support within the working class and right now none apply for the title.

[Proletarian Ultra]

The only thing Webb did was tear away the fig leaf. The CPUSA has supported every Democratic Presidential candidates since Roosevelt.

Except when they backed Henry Wallace over Harry Truman, but then they went into hairshirts and self-flagellation about what a 'historic left error' that was.