Session 3: Elections and the State

Location: Online — RSVP for dial-in information

Speakers: Michael Kinnucan and Tascha Van Auken, NYC-DSA Electoral

Leftists are deeply critical of the state, knowing that it is bound up with capitalist domination. Yet the fight for democracy and participation in electoral politics stretches throughout the history of the socialist movement, differentiating it from anarchist perspectives.

This session reflects on fundamental questions of socialist strategy today: What is the role of the state in capitalist society, and are socialists trying to reform capitalism by gaining state power? What does a socialist electoral strategy look like? Can America ever have a real left-wing party? We will discuss how socialists engage in electoral politics in light of their theoretical perspective on the state - especially in the US context, where a mass socialist party is still far out of reach.

Readings

• NYC-DSA Electoral Strategy

• Seth Ackerman, “A Blueprint for a New Party"

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The North Brooklyn Night School aims to connect the history and theory of socialist struggle with the work of present day activists and organizers. It offers a rigorous but accessible curriculum for working adults to develop their political understanding and strategy. See our full syllabus here and videos from past sessions here.

Our Night School sessions are comprised of a presentation and overview of the topic at hand, often followed by smaller breakout sessions, to facilitate deeper conversation and understanding of the material, and to bring analysis to bear on present-day realities. Readings are strongly encouraged but not required, and people new to socialist politics are more than welcome! Contact us with questions or suggestions nbk.poli.ed@socialists.nyc.