Call to Convention 2007

The National Political Committee of Democratic Socialists of America calls on all members to participate in DSA’s 2007 Convention this November 9-11 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 2007 DSA convention takes place at a moment when great political change is possible if not likely. The right-wing’s 30 year domination of American politics is breaking down, held up only by the power of an imperial presidency in defiance of the will of the people. For three decades corporate domination has intensified at the expense of ordinary Americans. Living standards for most Americans declined while the wealth and power of those at the top expanded exponentially. Millions of well-paying manufacturing and industrial jobs were wiped out in pursuit of a global capitalist economy that benefited only corporate elites and their political operatives. Racial disparities have intensified and increasing inequality is no longer debated. Our social movements, particularly the labor movement, were weakened as government—in theory a key catalyst for progressive change—was so hollowed out that people now doubt even the capability of government to improve their lives. The election of 2006 was a setback for the right wing ideologues, yet the occupation of Iraq, and the imperial presidency that supports it, continues. The common wisdom of the pundits is that the election of 2008 is about “change,” but what kind of change is unclear. We are heartened by the emergence of new mass movements supporting fundamental social change and new formations such as the recently held United States Social Forum, which brought together a range of progressive groups around core principles of popular democracy and anti-corporate hegemony. And we are heartened by our own organization’s continued growth in membership: DSA grew some 28 percent since our 2005 convention two years ago and 40 percent since 2003. These are all good signs, and well worth applauding, even as we know that sustained grassroots pressure from below and social movements organized around a progressive agenda are the only reliable forces that can win the kind of far-reaching change that not just Americans but all humanity needs.

The questions that we posed to ourselves two years ago are still relevant: Can we revitalize a mass movement in favor of a truly universal publicly financed health care system in the United States? Can we help develop a robust wing of the Democratic Party on the national, state and local levels that can propose real solutions to growing inequality and economic insecurity and speak to the progressive values of equity, equality of opportunity, and fairness? Can we turn our membership growth into increased organizational activism, strategic interventions and public socialist education?

Our upcoming convention will explore ways to build on our grassroots work of the last two years in order to solidify and strengthen the progressive movements and develop support for an agenda for real change—a program and a perspective that advances a bold alternative not just to right-wing Republicans and centrist Democrats but also to the neo-liberal “free-market” ideology and policies that form the core of mainstream political discourse.

This call is issued in the spirit of optimism and solidarity. Favorable political winds are moving in, but the absence of a coherent ideological and political critique of market mania remains a severe constraint upon the possibility of constructing a more just America. Only vibrant social movements and a clear-headed democratic socialist organization and direction can mount such a political critique and demonstrate that there is indeed an alternative. Only a self-confident and self-aware socialist grouping can both initiate and follow through on campaigns that defend and expand democratic public programs at home and just trade and diplomatic policies abroad.

Please join us at a working convention where the membership will chart DSA’s future. We welcome all DSA members to attend as delegates or observers. We also welcome the attendance of our friends and allies throughout the progressive movement.

The world needs democratic socialism. DSA needs you.