Discussion Guide: The Road to Socialism USA

The Road to Socialism USA, the Program adopted by the Communist Party USA’s 31st National Convention in June 2019, is among the most fundamental of Party documents. Our Constitution recognizes the Program as having a unifying and defining role. All who support it are welcome to membership in the Communist Party.

The purpose of a Party Program is:

• to reaffirm our vision for Socialism for the United States;
• to analyze the contemporary economic and political realities with respect to that vision;
• to propose in detail a path to reach our vision; that is, a Program that districts, clubs and individuals can implement over the short and long term.

The Party Program should guide our work in four main struggles: economic (e.g. for labor and employed and unemployed worker rights; $15 minimum wage), political (against voter suppression and intimidation, for candidates who will fight the extreme right), ideological (for concepts that clarify the current situation and the path forward; for working class science), and organizational (how we can build the collective structures and membership in the Party).

Discussions of the Party Program explore the analysis and strategy it presents. These discussions should aim to result in aiding us in developing action, including

• how to frame our vision of the struggle and transition to socialism in the USA,
• what are the newest developments in the shape and composition of class struggle in districts, clubs, workplaces, communities and constituencies,
• what groups are in the forefront of working class struggles and how best to work in these mass movements and help to unit them around a progressive and socialist program, and
• how to work nationally and on the district and club levels

in the labor movement;

in the struggle to expand democracy and democratic rights, develop independent electoral organizations, run progressive, socialist, and communist candidates and win elected office;

in the fight against racism, misogyny, nationalism and xenophobia of all varieties;
in the fight against imperialism and for international solidarity;
in the fight to protect the planet against the ravages of the global climate crisis;
raising union, working class, and socialist consciousness, developing our understanding of revolutionary theory through Marxist classes at all levels of the Party.

Before the newly revised Program was adopted, a series of discussions about the draft was organized in clubs, in districts, in other Party collectives, and in four webinars that include prepared presentations and questions and comments from participants. These four can be viewed today in any order, depending on the educational needs of a collective.

Part I – Webinar February 17 – Intro to the Party Program & Class and Democratic Struggle

What is our vision of a socialist America? How will socialism solve the problems of the working class? What should be included in the Socialist Bill of Rights? What is our vision for the path that can realistically lead us to socialism? How has the ultra-right tried to curtail democratic rights through voter suppression and other means? What is a Communist response to those efforts? What opportunities and pitfalls are offered in electoral politics? What role do electoral politics play in the contemporary class struggle? What is the role of electoral politics in the struggle for equality for women, nationally oppressed groups, and any other target of the ultra-right? (Read I. Introduction, II. Capitalism, Exploitation, and Oppression, and IV. The Democratic Struggle)

Panelist: Marc Brodine

https://www.gotostage.com/channel/7500016565338620934/recording/a75b2f6099d54511a0c78adf35 652c0a/watch?source=CHANNEL

Part II – Webinar, March 25 – Realities of the US Working Class & the Working Class Movement for Social Progress

What are the newest developments in the contemporary capitalist economy, here in the US and globally? What contradictions are being introduced or exacerbated that will sharpen the class struggle in the near future? How are the fights against racism and sexism a part of the class struggle? How does racism play a central role in maintaining the power of the extreme right? What dangers has capitalism inflicted on the planet and its people? What is the relationship between the organization of the economy and the politics of the ultra-right? How has the working class changed in the US in response to new developments in the capitalist economy, especially globalization, continued automation, the gig economy, etc.? What are its new problems? How is the working class organized and what are the impediments to its organization? (Read III. The Working Class, Class Struggle, and Forces for Progress)

Panelists: Carl Wood, Alvaro Rodriguez, Dee Miles

https://www.gotostage.com/channel/7500016565338620934/recording/25510badb668492ca3d929c86 a023aee/watch?source=CHANNEL

Part III – Webinar, April 14: Unity Against the Extreme Right in the Electoral Arena and Beyond

What is the composition of the movements and coalitions fighting the fascist danger? What is the role of organized labor in the coalition? How do we define the working class and who is included in that general term? What groups experience special exploitation in the US today? What are other groups, national, cultural, racial/ethnic, or religious, that are aligned with the struggles of the working class today? (Read VIII. International Capital versus International Solidarity, V. Unity against the Extreme Right, and VI. Building the Anti-Monopoly Coalition)

Panelists: Scott Hiley, Anita Waters, John Bachtell

https://www.gotostage.com/channel/7500016565338620934/recording/d4cbea2d8dcc4b5fa8e8f9080b 1e0245/watch?source=CHANNEL

Part IV – Webinar, May 19: The Role of the Party, the Battle of Ideas, & Our Vision of Socialism
How should Communists work effectively in movement organizations with more specific goals, such as increasing wages, protecting the environment, universal and free health care, obtaining free education, and stopping police violence? What is the role of individual Communists in their mass movements in pursuing the CPUSA program? How are we helping to build mass political movements? How do we convince workers to join and build the Communist Party? We must emphasize the absolute necessity of our Marxist education of the party. (Read VII. The Revolutionary Transition to Working Peoples Power, IX. Socialism in the USA, and X. The Communist Party)

Panelists: Maicol David, Joelle Fishman, Joe Sims

https://www.gotostage.com/channel/7500016565338620934/recording/3c5566577f994f458dc4255c3b 75e99a/watch?source=CHANNEL

Club Guide for Discussion

Clubs should prepare for discussion by organizing a schedule that encompasses both the webinars and club meeting discussions. Discussion leaders should be chosen for each session. They have the responsibility of bringing some discussion questions to the group, starting the discussion by summarizing some main points, and then chairing the discussion, ensuring that all participate. Every comrade should be encouraged to participate once as discussion leader.

The Webinars can be watched together in person or at the same time virtually. If the club can’t get together to watch the webinar, each member can bring to the next meeting reflections, discussion questions and points of contention or consensus. Differing points should be welcomed as ideas worthy of discussion.

1. How do we go about winning over the working-class base of the Democratic Party?

2. After defeating the extreme right, what is the next step in the process to achieving revolution in this country?

3. What does an “anti-monopoly coalition” look like and what is its purpose?

4. What is the role of the party according to the principles of Marxism-Leninism?

5. What is “Bill of Rights Socialism” and why would American workers prefer this terminology over “dictatorship of the proletariat”?

6. What does the popular front against the extreme right fascist danger look like? What kind of forces are involved?

7. How does the party express international solidarity with liberation movements and socialist countries around the world?

8. How is the struggle for democracy related to the struggle for socialism? How do we connect the class and democratic struggles and how are they different?

9. What are some of the “special questions” in the wider class and democratic struggles? (i.e. Black, Indigenous, Latino, immigrant, LGBT, Women, etc.)

10. Why do we prefer a peaceful path to socialism rather than a violent one and how is this achieved?