DSA’S ABOLISH CAPITALISM OR WORK WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

Abolish capitalism?

The American Left must persuade the rest of us that capitalism can truly be replaced. Has it been considered that capitalism’s collapse may not be imminent? This “collapse” cannot rest on wishful thinking. How, exactly, would capitalism disappear? Should we discard the entire system and replace it with one that no one in DSA can clearly articulate or fully explain? The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” So what is their vision?

Conservatives have asked me, “How far are you willing to take your politics?” The implication is that the endpoint is communism. My answer is: as far as democracy takes us, reflecting the will of the people. I doubt that “real existing socialism” in the Soviet model is a real choice for democratic-minded people. Its failure was evident by 1991 and even way before then. 

In my view, Social democracy is the clearest message. It expresses the need for reform and offers a practical path forward. Its’ vision is clear, and its reform needs to continue and never just be an end in itself.  The two words go hand in hand - social change that convinces people democracy can serve them, and democracy itself as the means of achieving that change.

 As German Social Democrat Eduard Bernstein said, “The movement is everything.” But “we, the people” must strengthen, not weaken, the integrity of our democracy. Whether we already have “real democracy” as some have told me we don’t have, is beside the point; the real question is our path forward. Can we imagine democracy clearly enough to make it real within civil society?   The answer to this question is YES, we can.  

The years from 2016 to 2026 may be remembered as DSA’s “marginal” moment, as John Nichols and others write the history and as non-socialists lead the push for necessary reforms in 2028. This has happened before under FDR. Could we have gone further than FDR’s programs? Yes, absolutely. And if we choose to work within the Democratic Party, we can show what going beyond limited reforms might look like.

Work within the Democratic Party ?

The other issue is whether to work within the Democratic Party. Not because the party is especially good—it is not great —but because it is currently the default vehicle for defeating MAGA in 2026 and 2028. Not the Greens, not the Libertarians, and not the Forward Party. Democratic Party candidates will be on the ballot, and voters will likely choose them. We all know this. Can the party become a reform vehicle for the working and middle classes? That depends on our collective efforts, though this view currently appears to be a minority position within the American Left.

What we really see are two different DSA’s: a Mayor Zohran Mamdani-aligned faction that seeks to run candidates on the Democratic Party ballot line, and Marxist cadres organized through their own caucuses seeking eventually a “new working-class party.”  This conflict is not nationwide; it varies by locality. The former practices social democracy, while the latter often falls into sectarianism that fails to unite people or produce constructive action toward meaningful goals.

We may have to rely on non-socialists to deliver the reforms we need in 2026 and 2028.  They may, like FDR, intend on saving capitalism from itself. If so, is that such a bad outcome, provided we continue working within the Democratic Party and press for more complete reforms?

Is there a serious reform agenda?  For example, Supreme Court expansion to 15 justices paired with term limits (14 to 18 years), overturning Citizens United (on big money in politics) and Dobbs (regarding the rights of women and abortion);  banking reform (backed by the federal government) for working-and middle-class people;  a Green New Deal centered on regenerative and alternative energy;  a sane foreign policy that addresses war and conflict, the roles of  NATO and the United Nations; a stronger economic safety net, relief from the high cost of living;  comprehensive health care reform that meets people’s needs regardless of age;  expanded civil rights for women and all people;  and the repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act as the law governing the right to organize in the workplace?   Non-socialists will have their work cut out for them. The blueprint for this work must originate locally as trust must be earned.   The “sewer socialists” of the 1930’s started this trend.  While it carried itself out with huge success, the movement lost steam and abruptly ended. The idea was that smaller office victories could then advance to larger ones.  This model could also play itself out in the 21^st century. 

We need to radically shift our priorities away from the military and the billionaire class. It must be a “We the people” moment. And who will pay for these reforms? “We the people,” according to our means.

Ultimately, we hope to affirm the dignity and self-worth of every person in our nation, regardless of age, race, creed, gender identity, or economic class, through a more humane, enlightened, and egalitarian society. And hope depends on events. Who makes events happen? “We, the people.”

Kevin McGuire July 2026