Eugene Debs.

[eric922]

I've been reading up a little bit on Debs's Socialist Party, but I have a couple of questions. What kind of socialists were Debs and his party? Were they Marxists,democratic socialists, social-democrats? Was Debs himself a communist? Also do you all know of any good books or web sites explaining his views and the goals of his party? The same questions apply to Norman Thomas if anyone has any answers or good resources on him as well.

[∞]

He was a socialist, not a social-democrat.

[Os Cangaceiros]

He said this, in the aftermath of the October Revolution:


From the crown of my head to the soles of my feet I am a Bolshevik, and proud of it.

So yes, I think he was a socialist/communist (along with all the other stuff he said/did). He was a cool guy, a very inspirational figure IMO.

[Ostrinski]

Walls & Bars is a book he wrote on the prison system. It was pretty good. This probably has nothing to do with your question.

[ZeroNowhere]

What kind of socialists were Debs and his party? Were they Marxists,democratic socialists, social-democrats?
Well, if you're referring to Debs' party before forming the SPA, primarily social democrats, as I believe that he was at the time. The SPA was a bit of a mixture of reformists and socialists, and not many Marxists. It was formed to some degree between Debs' prior party and a split from the SLP.


Was Debs himself a communist?
I haven't read his works in detail, and while I'm not sure if he was a communist in the strict sense, he was probably quite close. A revolutionary, certainly; of course, he wasn't a revolutionary from the beginning as such, but he did become one. His views were influenced by the various strands of thought in the socialist movement at the time, so that, for example, he participated in the IWW, and shared some views concerning unionism and the like with De Leon.

[eric922]

Walls & Bars is a book he wrote on the prison system. It was pretty good. This probably has nothing to do with your question.
Not really, but I do appreciate it. I have a huge issue with our prison system and I bet Debs did too. It's gotten a lot worse since his day though.

[Geiseric]

Debs was actually in prison several times. He wasn't a reformist, his running for political office was just a propaganda tool which got him i believe 15% of the vote.

[NewLeft]

Well, if you're referring to Debs' party before forming the SPA, primarily social democrats, as I believe that he was at the time. The SPA was a bit of a mixture of reformists and socialists, and not many Marxists. It was formed to some degree between Debs' prior party and a split from the SLP.

Actually, most were revolutionary at the time. Marxism did not come into play until later on, but most socialists of the party were in the tradition of the émigré.. Mostly syndicalists.