Socialist Party on Principles & Values

	Socialist Party on Principles & Values Socialist Party Platform

Make the essentials of life into constitutional rights

The U.S. has more than enough so that all the essentials of life--food, housing, water, education, health care and a job or basic income can be guaranteed rights--rather than distributed only for profit. Create a completely free and public healthcare system. Make education free--cancel all student debt. Fully fund rebuilding of the infrastructure in transport, water and utility systems. Stop all foreclosures and evictions. End all discrimination based on ability/disability. Source: PSL's 2020 Ten Point Program (2020 Socialist Convention) , Aug 15, 2020

Art is an integral part of daily life, not a commodity

The Socialist Party believes that art is an integral part of daily life and should not be treated as a commodity produced by the activity of an elite group. We support guaranteed incomes and grants for artists and performers. We call for full funding of community and school arts programs for people of all ages. We call for full funding to keep libraries, museums, cultural centers, and historic sites open and accessible to all. Source: Socialist Party Platform at 2020-2021 PSL Convention , Aug 3, 2020

Abolish every form of domination and exploitation

The Socialist Party stands for the abolition of every form of domination and exploitation, whether based on social class, gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, sexual orientation, or other characteristics.

We are committed to the transformation of capitalism through the creation of a democratic socialist society based on compassion, empathy, and respect as well as the development of new social structures. Socialism will establish a new social and economic order in which workers and community members will take responsibility for and control of their interpersonal relationships, their neighborhoods, their local government, and the production and distribution of all goods and services.

For these reasons we call for social ownership and democratic control of productive resources, for a guarantee to all of the right to participate in societal production, and to a fair share of society's product, in accordance with individual needs.

Source: Socialist Party USA: 2013-2015 National Platform , Nov 4, 2014

Abolition all forms of domination and exploitation

We believe in the abolition of every form of domination and exploitation. We are committed to the creation of a democratic society based on compassion, empathy and respect and an egalitarian approach based on cooperation, not competition nor greed. We are committed to achieve this through establishing new social structures and a new social and economic order in which workers and community members take responsibility for and control of their relationships, neighborhoods, local government and the production and distribution of all goods and services. Social ownership and democratic control will be the foundation of our society and we will participate to a fair share of society's product, in accordance with individual needs. Our socialistic transformation will make radical demands on the existing system which will challenge the basic assumptions of a capitalist market economy. Source: Interview of Socialist nominee Brian Moore with OnTheIssues , Apr 3, 2008

1990: First Socialist elected to Congress in 62 years

Our campaign slogan was, "Making History in VT." That's what we were about to do--and everyone knew it. Our support was amazingly strong all over the state, and we carried 13 of VT's 14 counties.

We had come such a long way, against such incredible odds. 20 years before, I had run for statewide office and had received 2% of the vote. As I climbed onto the platform for my victory statement, I was now the congressman-elect from the state of VT, the first Independent elected to Congress in 40 years. It was almost incomprehensible.

There were radio, TV, and newspaper interviews to do all across the country. I was a true novelty: the only Independent in Congress AND a socialist.

Source: Outsider in the House, by Bernie Sanders, p. 88 , Jun 17, 1997

Revolution will not start at "progressive bastion" Harvard

In the fall of 1989, I taught at the Institute for Policy Studies at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. They offer a sensible program which brings real-life politicians (not infrequently folks who have lost their last election) to the campus to give students a sense of real-life politics. I taught a course on third-party politics which was well attended. Jane took some courses at the Kennedy School and 2 of our children, Carina and David, attended the local public schools. I went to more football games that fall than I had in 20 years, and became addicted to the cinnamon raisin buns at Au Bon Pain at Harvard Square. I know that conservatives worry a great deal about Harvard. They see it as a bastion of progressive thought, the brain trust for the revolution. Trust me. They can stop worrying. Harvard has many wonderful attributes, but the revolution will not start at Harvard University. Source: Outsider in the House, "The Long March Forward," p. 83 , Jun 17, 1997

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Page last updated: May 05, 2021