1)We are democratic socialists committed to an evolutionary reconstruction of our present, capitalist society. We seek to place our social, economic, and political institutions (in America and abroad) under greater democratic control, while preserving civil liberties and human dignity. 2)By its very nature, violence is an act of authoritarian domination. Only when all avenues for free expression, free assembly, and peaceful reform have been exhausted- and a democratic, mass movement has been developed- can socialists advocate use of authoritarian methods to achieve working class liberation. 3)Socialism, at its heart, is an ideology which seeks not only to liberate the proletariat but the individual. We believe that it is imperative to recognize the diversity of individual behavior and the necessity for human freedom, while maintaining a Marxist analysis of class relationships. 4)We believe that participatory democracy is vital to the success of any socialist movement. Inclusivity and equal decision making power are elements of socialism that we wish to see achieved prefiguratively in this discussion group. 5)We are not capitalists. Our socialist political convictions are radical: we believe in transforming society from the bottom-up, from the radix to the apex, but we are practical. We recognize that capitalism will remain the dominant economic system for some time. But we also realize that even minor changes which hold capital accountable and bring power to working people are revolutionary in and of themselves. We stand by preferential options for the proletariat, even when these options are not ideal, even when they are not explicitly socialist. 6)We are also not left-extremists. We do not defend the actions of any authoritarian regime, however equitable its economic program may be. Communist states both past and present have had numerous faults- including a serious lack of democratic accountability, horrendous human rights abuses, and material stagnation. In regard to the “pink tide” that has swept South America, we are quite hopeful (and gladdened) to see democratic socialists taking office, but we realize that these leaders have had serious faults as well. These are some basic statements I came up with for the group. Feel free to criticize, edit, make comments, etc. Think this is way too long for a description :P
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 03:50:22 +0000
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