Independence, Unity, Socialism!

What is Red Labor?

We are a Marxist faction of the DSA which advocates for the firm and permanent break from the capitalist Democratic Party and all other capitalist parties.

Why do American workers need their own party?

We are the working-class majority, while both major parties represent the capitalist minority. The history of our struggle against capitalist exploitation shows that a workers’ party is key to making significant gains in our working and living conditions, and to creating a government of, by, and for the working class.

Why is Red Labor a DSA faction and not a separate organization?

DSA is the largest organization in the US that attracts socialists into its ranks. Many in the left dismiss DSA as a dead-end because of the mainstream capitalist politics of its current leadership. However, DSA is a “big tent” organization with various types of socialists in it. Many current members disagree with DSA’s current orientation, and see the need for working class independence and bottom-up collective struggle against the capitalist class. We believe that this growing base of radical activists in DSA has tremendous potential. Marxists should organize with DSA comrades and win them over to a revolutionary socialist perspective through shared struggle and political education. Being in DSA enables revolutionary socialists to extend this shared organizing activity.

What about the other Marxist caucuses in DSA?

Although our program and organizing activities are not identical to the other Marxist caucuses, we do have a lot in common. We are non-sectarian socialists, which means we want to collaborate with other organizations and caucuses, and even unite when possible. If we succeed in building a workers’ party, it will likely be a result of various organizations coming together. Towards that end, unity can happen when there is not only agreement on political principles but also in real activity on the ground. Simply put: we are doing our best to reach out and organize with other caucuses with similar programs, seeking to eventually unite with those we have successfully organized with.

Sounds good, but what program?

Take a look at our program! Here is a shorter statement of principles with the main ideas of the program:

1. Working-class Solidarity: The working class in this country is extremely diverse and that fact must be understood. Bigotry and prejudice must be combated at all times so working people are united against their common enemy. Our common class position can and should unite us, but the struggle of sections of the working class for civil rights, security, and liberty must be supported by all working people in the name of unity and solidarity always. 

2. A Working-class Form of Government: We believe that the working class and capitalist class have interests that are fundamentally counterpoised to one another. We know that the working class is not sufficiently organized in this country and can not compete with the well-organized capitalist Democratic Party inside of such a party. Therefore, a fully class independent workers’ party is needed to lead the working class in the struggle for the abolition of capitalism through the establishment of a government by American working people—a Socialist Workers’ Republic in the United States. 

3. A Fighting Party: We believe we should work to regroup the existing left to build a party of militant, class conscious workers, bound by discipline and organized on the basis of democracy and efficient centralism, with full power in the hands of the Central Committee between conventions. While democracy should always be preserved and party members should always have the right to internally challenge the decisions of the Central Committee, we also believe the Central Committee of the party should have control over all political activities of public officials of the party and coordinate and direct the work of party members in the trade unions.

4. Real Membership: A member is someone who accepts the program, supports the group financially if able, and personally joins and continuously participates in the organization. A serious political organization expects all members to actively participate in the processes and activities that occur within the organization; those who do not participate, will not remain members.

5. Political Action: To participate in all political activities, including electoral campaigns, to utilize them to carry our message to American workers through an independent party. The elected representatives of a workers’ party will unmask this fraudulent and corrupt democracy and help mobilize working people for the struggle against their common enemy.

6. Internationalism: Our struggle in the United States is also a struggle for anti-imperialism abroad. We understand that socialism cannot be constructed upon national foundations, and we reject the idea that socialism can be built in a single country alone. We understand that working masses of the world have everything in common with each other and nothing in common with the elites in their own countries. While we oppose bureaucratic and undemocratic practices of any government, we support governments (especially if they are struggling towards socialism) in their defensive measures in response to imperialist aggression. We show our solidarity with working people everywhere in their struggle against imperialism by our participation in the fight against the same enemy here at home.  

7. Labor Unions: We believe in developing labor organizations into organs of militant struggle against capitalism which can expose the reactionary labor bureaucracy and bring working people to militant unionism.

8. The Importance of Press: Today no one can deny the importance of an online presence. Our message must be clear, straightforward, and made available to the great majority of people. The organization’s official press shall be owned by the group, and all its activities shall be under the control of the Central Committee.

If you find yourself in agreement, click Join!