Reevaluate Socialism on International Worker’s Day?

Updated on May 1, 2023

• Today is International Worker's Day, commemorating the worker's history and the struggles and gains of the labor movement. Today draws attention to the working classes and their invaluable contributions to culture and society.
• In 1889, an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions dedicated May 1, also called May Day, to celebrating workers and laborers. The day promotes the rights of working-class people, along with better working conditions, fair wages, shorter working hours, and protection from the pains of capitalism.
• International Worker's Day has been fundamental to socialist, communist, anarchist, and reformist interests for over a century. It has a rich history in the struggle for justice and the fight against economic oppression.
• In 1889, the Marxist International Socialist Congress met in Paris to adopt a resolution for a "great international demonstration" in support of working-class demands, particularly the call for an eight-hour workday.
•  The 1904 Sixth Conference of the Second International called on:

"[A]ll Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on the First of May for the legal establishment of the eight-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace."

What’s the story?

• The GOP introduced a resolution earlier this year to condemn socialism in the U.S. and former socialist leaders.
• The resolution, Denouncing the horrors of socialism, was approved by every House Republican and 109 House Democrats. It states:

“...socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has time and time again collapsed into Communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorship.”

• It goes on to state that socialism has “repeatedly led to famine and mass murders” and “many of the greatest crimes in history,” condemning authoritarian regimes of the 20th century. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) said:

“[the resolution] outlines the pain and hardship experienced by millions around the world who have suffered under a socialist regime…It speaks to people who have known all too well the atrocities of socialism and it gives voice to their pain.”

• Many argue that the atrocities that McHenry pointed to, and the crimes that the resolution highlights, would more accurately be defined as authoritarian communism, not socialism.  
• While many Democrats agreed with the resolution, others call it a “political stunt.” Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said: 

“The resolution before us today…is an intellectually bankrupt screed of political demagoguery.”

What is democratic socialism?

• Democratic socialism is a political ideology where socialism is achieved democratically — and it is what many leftist politicians stand for and is the only form of socialism that has bled into American politics. 
• Democratic socialists believe that the public should run the economy and society. The goal of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is to end capitalism, which profits very few people, and to restore true democracy across the nation.
• Capitalism allows a handful of bosses to become wealthier and more powerful as wages for the public stay stagnant and meets fewer people’s needs. The DSA hopes to replace the elite that calls shots in the economy and society and replace them with democracy. The DSA believes the “[s]ocial and economic decisions should be made by those whom they most affect.”

Policies democratic socialists support

• Nationalizing the entire healthcare industry through a single-payer system ("Medicare for All")
• Ending "the influence of money in politics."
• Strengthening unions.
• Abolishing ICE.
• Restoring Glass-Steagall protections.
• Making abortions free and legal. 
• Creating tuition-free college. 
• Establishing rent control because "housing is a human right."
• Protecting equal rights for all those who identify as LGBTQIA+, including rights to jobs, education, housing, and healthcare.
• Restructuring “gender and cultural relationships to be more equitable.”

Do you believe in "denouncing the horrors of socialism?" Tell your reps what you think about the resolution. 

-Jamie Epstein & Josh Herman

(Photo credit: Flickr/David Shankbone)