What is DSA?
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with over 80,000 members in chapters all across the country. We are a “big-tent” political organization, meaning we are open to anyone who shares the socialist vision of building a better world beyond capitalism.
DSA has its roots in the Socialist Party of America (SPA), whose most prominent leader was Eugene V. Debs. In 1973 DSA organizer Michael Harrington formed the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC). In 1982, that group merged with the New American Movement (NAM), to form DSA. Over the next 35 years, national DSA membership remained close to 7,000, but after the first election of Donald Trump, membership exploded and has kept growing ever since.
What does DSA do in the IE?
Inland Empire DSA strives for collective liberation and economic participation through shared control of the means and resources of production. We are focused on building a base of mass power through labor organizing, electoral activism, political education, direct action, and mutual aid. Our area of operations cover both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Members of our chapter organize across different issue areas using a variety of different tactics to develop working class power in the IE. We have led historic union drives against the greediest of corporations, organized businesses to divest from Israeli Apartheid, raised thousands of dollars for access to reproductive care, and more.
Whether we’re speaking at city council meetings, singing at picket lines, cleaning up local creeks, or sitting through long meetings to strategize, IE DSA is committed to the fight for a society and economy that is ran democratically to meet human needs, not private profit.
What Exactly is Socialism?
Socialism starts from the basic belief that every human life is important, and that we have a right to make decisions about the world that we create together. Socialists like you are building a future where human equality and prosperity are achieved through a society based on radical democracy, in which our lives are sustained by a cooperative economy under popular control. Despite what some opponents say, socialism isn’t just, “free stuff for everyone” or, “the government owning everything.” Socialism is a system to collectively manage and equitably distribute our shared resources. Socialism is a world built for the many, and not just the privileged few.
Socialists identify Capitalism as the source of society’s problems. Capitalism prioritizes private ownership and individual enrichment over the common good, meaning a tiny elite class enjoy massive wealth and luxury built on the work done by everyone else. While the traditional liberal vs. conservative political perspective blames social problems on things like individual choices and the size of government, socialism calls out the systemic exploitation and anti-democratic power of capitalism as the foundation for the rampant inequality and oppression plaguing our world. The rich 1% that control so much of our lives like to claim they have “earned” all of their wealth and power, while the reality is that it actually comes from exploiting the working-class majority. Capitalism is the problem, and socialism is the solution to it.
Poverty, militarism, climate change, racism, nationalism, sexism, and anti-LGBTQ bigotry are all empowered by Capitalism’s competition for unending profit. Since the ruling class has no interest in giving up its profits or its power, the only path to victory is an organized working-class movement big enough to take them on! IE DSA is dedicated to this goal of bottom up working-class power. As a volunteer-run and volunteer-funded organization, DSA depends on the commitment, ideas and vision of its members. Regardless of capacity, experience, or skill level, everyone has a part to play in this fight.
Introductory Videos and Readings
Here’s a useful and concise introductory article written by NYC-DSA member Neal Meyer: What is Democratic Socialism?
Here’s a handy summary of what socialism is from the editors of Jacobin magazine: The A-B-C’s of Socialism (PDF, 11MB)
Below is an hour-long lecture on socialism produced by our incredible comrades in Portland DSA; you can find more of Portland DSA’s “Red Talks” on their YouTube channel. Also of potential interest is the brief Angela Davis speech below, which touches on intersectionality in the struggle for democratic socialism and her outlook in 1994 (transcript).