Forbes and The Economist praise the ideas of Karl Marx.  Francis Fukuyama, who proclaimed “the end of history” and the triumph of capitalism in 1992, now says that socialism “ought to come back.” A wave of labor militancy is rising and finding its political expression in the growing number of trade unionists running for, and winning, elected office. Leading candidates for the Democratic nomination embrace ideas like Medicare for All, a wealth tax, and student debt forgiveness. Clearly, the working class is stepping into its role as a leading force for social change.  At the same time, however, sections of our class still fall under the influence of the racist, sexist, and anti-immigrant propaganda that the most reactionary section of the capitalist class uses to divide and disorient us. The power of the corporate right has been shaken in the past two elections, but the Republican Party still maintains a commanding position, and corporate-backed forces within the Democratic Party remain hostile to the progressive program favored by young voters.

In November 2019 we invited readers to a discussion of the following questions:

What does working-class leadership look like in the struggle against the Trump regime and the neo-Confederate right more broadly? Based on your experience, how can CPUSA make the most effective contribution to the struggle for the political independence and leadership of the working class?

Contributions

How to win in 2020: “To the left, march.” (Rick Nagin)

The most effective force for moving the electorate to the left is the Sanders campaign, which we should become fully immersed in.

How to win in 2020: “Follow the working class line of march.” (Joe Sims)

Putting a working-class stamp on the fight to defeat Trump is the best and most effective way to win the battle for political power in the White House and Congress in 2020.

“The power of mobilizations of public workers” (Waters)

Mobilization of workers through effective leadership is the best way of protecting and promoting working-class interests. This is especially evident in the organization of public workers.

“Unions are more popular: How does this translate into action?” (Nandrea)

A lot of people like the idea of socialism. Even more like the idea of unions. We need to connect the rising interest in the idea of unions to actual union membership and material labor power.

“Trump’s impeachment: A radical move or bourgeois compromise?” (Pence)

To make its imprint on the present struggle for socialism, the people’s movement desperately needs the further theoretical elaboration of dialectical and historical materialism.

“Trump: More than a ‘centrist liberal'” (Hiley)

Why Trump is not a “centrist liberal.”

“Unity: Essential for Victory!” (Bostick)

In this time of special crisis, the question of unity is front and center for the people’s movement and our party.

“Why Workers Must Lead Intellectually” (Siddique)

Working-class consciousness is critical to leadership in movements.

“Against the Establishment in 2020” (Xie & Gracchus)

The true test of the independence of the American working-class movement is its ability to draw its power not from the institutions and their toadying servants but from the American people themselves.

“Liberalism Hinders Working-Class Leadership” (Denny)

The Party should openly resist the liberal agenda and press radical ones instead. This must be our mark. This is leadership.

“Workers, Not Bourgeois Politicians, Define the Struggle” (Lynch)

Let’s not let the establishment Democrats define the struggle for the masses of working Americans.

Political Independence and Working-Class Leadership (Siddique)

The working class must see itself as the leader representing the interests of the overwhelming majority.

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