So basically, we have two factions in the DSA. One a pragmatic DemSocy who are compromisers. One an idealist who are probably better ideologically (ie. have better red lines vis à vis Israel). But aren’t very successful in being strategic within electoralism?
Pragmatic Leftist Theory
The neolibs are too far right. The tankies are doing whatever that is. Where's the space for the people who want fully-automated-luxury-gay-space-communism, but realize that it's gonna take a while and there are lots of steps between now and then? Here. This is that space.
Here, people should endeavor to discuss and devise practical, actionable leftist action. Vote lesser evil while you build grassroots coalitions. Unionize your workplace. Participate in SRAs. Build cohesion your local community. Educate the proletariat.
This is a place for practical people to develop practical plans to implement stable, incremental improvement.
If you're dead-set on drumming up all 18,453 True Leftists® into spontaneous Revolution, go somewhere else. The grown ups are talking.
Rules:
-1. Don't be a dick. Racism, sexism, other assorted bigotries, you know the drill. At least try to default to mutually respectful discussion. We're all on the same side here, unless you aren't, in which case kindly leave.
-2. Don't be a tankie. Yes I'm sure you have an extensive knowledge of century-old theory. There's been a century of history since then. Things didn't shake out as expected, maybe consider the possibility that a different angle of attack might be more effective in light of new data.
-3. Be practical. No one on the left benefits from counterproductive actions. This is a space informed by, not enslaved to, ideology. Promoting actions that are fundamentally untenable in the system in question, because they fulfill a sense of ideological purity, is a bad look. Don't do that.
I don't really agree that they're all necessarily better. In terms of Palestine, sure (although I personally think it's extremely poor strategy to exile people like AOC who still largely agree with you on the big stuff over minor disagreements like iron dome funding). But I don't really understand why Marxist-Leninists who generally don't believe in democratic governance are participating in the party, unless their goal is simply to coopt it and turn it into something else. In which case they should not be permitted to participate. But maybe I'm missing something?
But politics in majoritarian systems is about building a winning coalition. If you want to pursue electoralism, then that's what needs to happen. You don't need to like liberals but you are going to need to work with them when they outnumber you 100 to 1.
One of the main tactics of MLs is institutional capture…
Forever ago, The Daily Show had Colbert interview a bunch of inconsequential parties. As I recall, the American Prohibition Party treated him to root beer - and a rousing song called "I'd rather be right, than President."
Some folks think the trolley problem is just a silly comic.
There are non paywall version?
Since it's the Atlantic, I'm sure it's bullshit instead of mentioning the real reasons (corporate democrats and media putting their thumbs on the scale whenever one gets in a position to potentially win).
Is this new?
Are you saying you're getting this message with the archive link? It works fine for me. I'm confused how that would be possible...
Might be something to do with the network my laptop is on.