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Contents
- Ideology
- Why socialism?
- Is socialism like Communism?
- Were the Nazis socialists?
- Does the state own everything under socialism?
- Why isn't socialism talked about much?
- Is socialism atheistic?
- Technical
- How can I contact you?
- Where can I talk to others?
- What about an online membership form?
- Why socialism?
Socialism because competing forms of social organization, i.e. monopoly capitalism, communism, fascism, theocracy, and absolute monarchy, all deny the inherent right of human kind to govern its own destiny. Free will is what separates human beings from all other creatures. Anything which diminishes free will (as expressed within excepted bounds--J. S. Mill said, "Your freedom to swing your arm ends at the end of my nose.") diminishes human worth.
- Isn't socialism like Communism
(i.e. you're all a bunch of raving communists)?
Not now.
At one time, the words socialism, communism, and social democracy would have been rough equivalents. With the outbreak of the Bolshevik revolution, Communism came to mean a state-ordered form of capitalist production. The state attempted to act on behalf of the workers in controlling the means of production. In reality, it ended up brutally controlling the workers. As George Bernard Shaw quiped: under capitalism man oppresses man, whereas under Communism, things are completely reversed. Since 1917, social democrats have defined their goal as democratic socialism so as to clearly separate themselves from totalitarian communism. Even today, we are forced to use the term 'democratic socialism' to describe our ideals. That does not mean we believe that there is such a thing as undemocratic socialism.
- The Nazis claimed to be socialists. Were they socialists?
No.
National Socialism and fascism in general were perverse movements. They frequently used the language of social democracy but were in fact militantly pro-big-business. These movements were also inherently violent. Oppression and democide were the consequences of them gaining state power.
- Under socialism, doesn't the state own everything?
No.
Socialists strive to create a democratic economy in which workers and consumers have a strong voice in how the economy is run. In socialism, governments will frequently create government-owned enterprises to provide needed goods and services. Even in the pro-capitalist United States, enterprises like the Tennessee Valley Authority brought electricity to thousands of rural consumers who would not be serviced by a for-profit company. Socialists do not want to live in a giant monastery where people are denied ownership of their own clothing. Instead, we wish to create a society in which the citizens own the republic and are the beneficiaries of its industry.
- Why isn't socialism discussed much in the United States?
It is.
Frequently, however, the word 'socialism' is used to refer to democratic centralism--what we would commonly call 'Communist' organizations. Because American trade unions generally have fewer members than those of other nations, American unions adopted a 'business union' model. They seek to get better wages and benefits for their members and avoid independent political activity. Also, the American two party system, a fixture in US politics, has never allowed for the development of a large America labour party.
American socialists do have a voice and their writings are read. In fact, the constitution of the Socialist International, the largest political grouping on the planet, was written by Michael Harrington, an American.. International Labour Day and International Women's Day both began in the United States. The obfuscation of these aspects of our culture is due in large part to our school system, which has done a marvelous job of weeding out the bits it deems controversial.
- Is socialism atheistic?
No.
Socialists hold a broad range of views, including a large number of devoutly religious people, members of the clergy, etc.. The Rev. Doc. Martin Luther King, Jr. is perhaps America's most famous religious socialist.
- How can I get in touch with the YSD/YPSL?
A bunch of different ways.
For issues about the website, email us at webmaster@youngpeoplessocialistleague.org
General questions about the organization, membership, etc., should be directed to the acting youth secretary, Jaime Johnston, at jspjohnston@gmail.com
. . . and yes, at some future point we'll have an inline text box for sending us messages.
Our snail mail address is:
P.O. Box 5307
Johnstown, PA 15904
The office telephone number is (814) 410-2542. You are welcome to call at anytime, although the best chance of reaching someone is between the hours of 14 and 18 (two pm to six pm).
- Where can I talk to others?
Our primary means of discussion at this time is the Social Democrats USA mailing list. The subscription address is SocialDemocratsUSA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Simply send a blank message to that address to join the mailing list. Or go to the group's page to join.
The post address is SocialDemocratsUSA@yahoogroups.com
- Will you ever have an online membership form?
Maybe.
