Submitted by Rick Nagin, Cleveland, OH

According to repeated public surveys by every major polling organization, support for socialism has achieved massive proportions in the United States. This is a relatively new phenomenon brought about by the acute economic, political and environmental crisis and the vast chasm in income and wealth distribution that have greatly discredited capitalism. At the same time all the solutions that Americans want and need -whether it is raising wages, union rights, government jobs programs, universal health care, quality public education, election or tax reform – are defined by the ultra-right as “socialist.”

The problem is there is currently no party or organization with the authority, mass base, resources and organizational network capable of giving effective leadership to realize the enormous political potential of this sentiment.  The magnitude of the challenge was clearly shown by the Pew poll which found that a majority of major demographic groups including African Americans, youth 18-29 and liberal Democrats had a positive attitude toward socialism and a negative attitude toward capitalism,  Other groups, including Hispanics and lower income people were not far behind.  We are talking about tens of millions of Americans. Reaching and organizing them into a meaningful political force should be the top priority for all, including our Party, seeking to build a socialist movement and a solution to the deepening capitalist crisis.

I don’t believe we can do it alone, but I do think it can be achieved through a broad, creative, flexible and principled alliance with like-minded organizations and individuals.  There are  two fundamental principles that should be the basis for such an alliance.  First, that the building of a broad democratic movement to defeat right wing extremism is the urgent and immediate task And second, a commitment to the goal of building a modern 21st century socialist society based on the struggles, demands and democratic traditions of the American people.  These principles have, for some time, defined the outlook of our Party, but, I believe, based on relationships we have had, as well as the public polls, these principles are widely shared by other groups, leaders and active members of unions and key progressive mass organizations.  

Exploratory discussions with these groups and leaders should begin immediately after our national convention. I think the first stage would be to establish an alliance in which existing organizations and parties  keep their independence and provide time for developing trust and common programs of action including in the electoral arena.    The alliance should of course also choose a name that would reflect its two founding principles.  Here’s one suggestion: United Socialists of America – USA.

The alliance could develop closer organizational ties (e.g. common commissions and action coalitions).  Eventually there could be a founding conference or convention and possibly even merger.

I believe the proposal for such an alliance addresses the concerns of both those who have advocated changing our Party’s name as well as those who have felt that by itself this would not significantly alter our size and influence and, in fact, might have a negative or liquidationist  impact.

There are many important historical precedents in the working class and Communist movement for such an alliance.  These include the Chilean Popular Unity Coalition, the Israeli Hadash front, the ANC alliance in South Africa and the Socialist Unity Party in the German Democratic Republic.  Lenin’s initial government in Soviet Russia was a coalition of parties.  There are relevant positive and negative lessons that can be taken from all these experiences but clearly a 21st century socialist alliance in our country would have its own unique features.

The views and opinions expressed in the Convention Discussion are those of the author alone. The Communist Party is publishing these views as a service to encourage discussion and debate. Those views do not necessarily reflect the views of the Communist Party, its leading bodies or staff members. The CPUSA Constitution, Program, and all its existing policies remain in effect during the Convention discussion period and during the Convention.

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CONVENTION DISCUSSION 
30th National Convention, Communist Party USA
Chicago | June 13-15, 2014

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