Jacobin Magazine and the Democratic Socialists of America
Jacobin’s Bhaskar Sunkara on Trump’s January 6 coup: “Nothing to see here!”
By Genevieve Leigh, 8 January 2021
In response to the unprecedented events in the nation's capital, leading members of Jacobin magazine responded by downplaying the seriousness of the attack and opposing those calling it a “coup.”
Jacobin glorifies Dolores Ibárruri, Stalinist executioner of the Spanish Revolution
Part two
By Barry Grey, 24 December 2020
The glorification of Ibárruri by Jacobin and the DSA is by no means an aberration. It is part of a calculated promotion of Stalinism and the American Communist Party as models for radicalizing workers and youth today.
Jacobin publishes whitewash of union sell-out bid at Australian warehouse
By Jack Turner and Peter Symonds, 24 December 2020
Kelly’s article makes no mention of the role of the UWU, or indeed of any trade union, let alone their decades of betrayals.
Jacobin glorifies Dolores Ibárruri, Stalinist executioner of the Spanish Revolution
Part one
By Barry Grey, 23 December 2020
The Stalinist suppression of the Barcelona working class and ensuing blood purge broke the back of the revolution and ensured the victory of Franco’s fascist forces. Ramon Mercader, the GPU operative who murdered Leon Trotsky in Mexico in August of 1940, cut his teeth as a Stalinist killer during the mass repression in Spain. None of this is even mentioned in the Jacobin article.
The DSA pays tribute to David Dinkins
By Fred Mazelis, 3 December 2020
The DSA’s extraordinary tribute to Dinkins shows exactly why this organization is the bitterest opponent of socialism.
The Democratic Socialists of America pleads with Biden not to appoint Rahm Emanuel
By Kristina Betinis, 26 November 2020
A petition opposing the appointment of Emanuel to President-elect Biden’s administration simultaneously exposes the right-wing record of the Democratic Party and the utter bankruptcy of its DSA faction.
Jacobin and Democratic Socialists of America promote illusions in a “progressive” Biden administration
By Gabriel Black, 25 November 2020
The central role of Jacobin is to prevent any political break with the Democratic Party as Biden constructs a reactionary administration based on Wall Street and the military.
Mexican president refuses to recognize Biden victory
By Andrea Lobo, 12 November 2020
To the extent that he is hedging his bets on Trump’s staying in power, AMLO’s stance should caution against any skepticism about the threat of a coup to overturn the US election.
Jacobin distorts Morales interview to cover for MAS’s turn to right in Bolivia
By Andrea Lobo, 3 November 2020
Jacobin has sought to present the MAS electoral victory as a sign of a “progressive” tide that renders unnecessary any independent political mobilization of workers.
Jacobin hails New Zealand Labour government’s re-election
By Tom Peters, 26 October 2020
Jacobin magazine, a pseudo-left publication that supports the US Democratic Party, has joined in the international media chorus falsely portraying Jacinda Ardern’s anti-working class and pro-imperialist government as progressive.
Why does Jacobin Magazine downplay the danger of fascist violence?
By Eric London, 22 October 2020
A recent Jacobin article on the Michigan coup plot is aimed at reassuring its readers that there is “nothing to see here.”
As teachers fight deadly return to school, the DSA runs to the defense of the unions and Democrats
By Tom Hall, 21 October 2020
A recent article in Jacobin magazine makes it clear the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is trying to prevent educators from drawing the necessary conclusion that the fight against unsafe school openings must be organized independently of and in opposition to the unions and the Democratic Party.
Democratic Socialists of America goes all in for Biden
By Genevieve Leigh, 17 October 2020
The decision to campaign for Biden violates the decision at the DSA’s own convention to not campaign for any Democratic Party candidate other than Bernie Sanders.
Jacobin magazine pleads with Biden and the Democrats to fight Trump
By Genevieve Leigh, 29 September 2020
One could hardly have a more inane analysis of American politics than that offered by Jacobin, which explains the unwillingness of the Democrats to oppose Trump’s coup plotting as the product of “learned helplessness.”
Bernie Sanders offers left gloss to Biden’s right-wing campaign
By Jacob Crosse and Barry Grey, 15 September 2020
With polls tightening, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders urged the Biden campaign to do a better job of selling its right-wing program to workers and youth.
Jacobin Magazine on the selection of Kamala Harris: Stick with the Democrats!
By Genevieve Leigh, 15 August 2020
There is truly nothing too foul the Democratic Party could do that would lead Jacobin and the DSA to conclude that the party cannot be reformed.
YDSA develops ties with SYRIZA youth, Greek party of austerity and police repression
By Sam Wayne, 27 June 2020
Members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America have published a joint statement with the youth section of SYRIZA, the “Coalition of the Radical Left.”
Sanders tells supporters: It is “irresponsible” not to campaign for Biden
By Joseph Kishore—SEP candidate for US president, 17 April 2020
As in 2016, but now under much more explosive social and political conditions, Sanders is exchanging his “political revolution against the establishment” for the thin gruel of “lesser evil” politics.
Ocasio-Cortez offers her services to the Biden campaign
By Genevieve Leigh, 16 April 2020
In an interview with the New York Times, Ocasio-Cortez did not articulate a single demand as a condition for her support for the Biden campaign.
Ocasio-Cortez offers her services to the Biden campaign
By Genevieve Leigh, 15 April 2020
In an interview with the New York Times, Ocasio-Cortez did not articulate a single demand as a condition for her support for the Biden campaign.
The end of Sanders’ campaign deepens crisis in Democratic Socialists of America
By Eric London, 11 April 2020
The main purpose of a recent forum hosted by Jacobin magazine was to answer the question “Where to go next?” with a definitive: “Nowhere, stay in the Democratic Party.”
As COVID-19 pandemic exposes failure of capitalism, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shifts to the right
By Genevieve Leigh, 2 April 2020
Ocasio-Cortez is increasingly lining up behind the Democratic Party establishment at the very point that the coronavirus catastrophe is demonstrating the failure of the capitalist system and discrediting all of its political parties and representatives.
Bernie Sanders draws his campaign to an end: The political lessons
Joseph Kishore—Socialist Equality Party candidate for US president, 19 March 2020
For the second time in four years, Sanders has diverted popular hostility to the capitalist system back within the framework of the corporate-controlled two-party system.
Young Democratic Socialists of America’s winter conference props up the Democratic Party
By Genevieve Leigh, 21 February 2020
Those who attended were told to integrate themselves fully into the Democratic primary election campaign of Bernie Sanders. The fundamental aim of the event organizers was to disabuse young people of the notion that socialism entails an independent struggle for political power.
Letter to members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA)
the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US), 14 February 2020
Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Democratic Socialists of America say it is possible to fight for socialism from within the Democratic Party. Such a political program is not real socialism and can lead only to disaster.
As contract vote approaches, DSA defends sellout by Chicago Teachers Union
By Kristina Betinis and Jerry White, 12 November 2019
DSA is seeking to block political discussion and opposition to the Chicago Teachers Union contract that meets none of the teachers’ central demands.
Democratic Socialists of America “International Committee” denounces “reckless” withdrawal of US troops from Syria
By Genevieve Leigh, 9 November 2019
The response of the DSA to Trump’s announced troop withdrawals from Syria is indistinguishable from that of the Democratic Party and Trump’s critics within the military and intelligence apparatus.
Labor Notes, DSA line up with UAW bureaucrats against GM strikers
By Shannon Jones and Barry Grey, 23 September 2019
In the face of the UAW’s strategy of isolating and betraying the powerful strike by US General Motors workers, middle-class “left” groups like Labor Notes and the Democratic Socialists of America are working to keep strikers chained to the union apparatus.
Democratic Socialists of America launches nationwide campaign for Bernie Sanders
By Genevieve Leigh, 12 September 2019
The DSA is a faction of the Democratic Party, which is backing the Sanders campaign as it seeks to divert opposition among workers and youth into safe channels.
The Democratic Socialists of America Convention: A marketing gimmick for the Democratic Party
By Joseph Kishore, 30 August 2019
The main resolutions adopted at the convention centered on the DSA’s political support for the Democratic Party and its dedication to bolstering the anti-working-class trade unions.
DSA candidate concedes Queens District Attorney race
By Josh Varlin, 15 August 2019
Despite the rhetoric of Democratic Socialists of America member Tiffany Cabán, the Queens election was a conflict between two factions of the right-wing Democratic Party.
Book Review: Red State Revolt – Part II
The Democratic Socialists of America shows its hostility to socialism
By Nancy Hanover, 10 August 2019
Part II of the review of a new book by Eric Blanc of the DSA. See Part I
The Democratic Party politics of the “Democratic Socialists of America”
By Joseph Kishore, 2 August 2019
Under conditions of a growing political radicalization of workers and youth, the DSA serves as a principal block to the development of a genuine socialist movement.
DSA-endorsed “progressive” wins Democratic primary for Queens District Attorney
By Isaac Finn, 29 June 2019
Cabán had the backing of Representative Ocasio-Cortez, presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and the New York Times, voice of the Democratic Party establishment.
Six months of AMLO: Jacobin defends the Mexican president
By Alex González, 8 June 2019
Jacobin claims that Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s “progressive agenda” is being restrained by opposition parties and finance capital.
Jacobin editor Bhaskar Sunkara makes a fool of himself
By Joseph Kishore, 31 May 2019
Anyone under the impression that Bhaskar Sunkara, Jacobin or the Democratic Socialists of America have anything to do with socialism should listen to an interview with Sunkara published by the New York Times on Thursday.
Why is the Democratic Socialists of America silent on the persecution of Julian Assange?
By Andre Damon, 29 May 2019
The DSA and its affiliated publication Jacobin have maintained a complicit silence on Assange’s indictment under the Espionage Act.
An assembly of political bankrupts: Historical Materialism and Jacobin host “Socialism in Our Time” conference
By Joseph Kishore, 16 April 2019
A more accurate title for the event would have been, “Democratic Party Politics in Our Time,” or, perhaps, “Socialism not now, not ever.”
At Detroit panel discussion
DSA Democrat Rashida Tlaib opposes fight against GM plant shutdowns
By Shannon Jones, 4 April 2019
Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib spoke at a panel discussion Saturday at Wayne State University in Detroit, touting the Green New Deal while rejecting any fight to defend the jobs of GM workers facing layoff.
Democratic Socialists of America endorses Bernie Sanders presidential bid
By Genevieve Leigh, 23 March 2019
The predictable decision by the DSA, a faction of the Democratic Party, to back Sanders in the 2020 election was made official at Thursday’s meeting of the National Political Committee.
Democratic Socialists of America and Jacobin cover for union sellout of Oakland teachers strike
By Norisa Diaz, 8 March 2019
The function of the DSA and other pseudo-left organizations is to provide a political cover for the unions, which are doing everything they can to isolate and suppress the rebellion of teachers.
ISO and DSA bar Socialist Equality Party panel on the fight against fascism from upcoming Historical Materialism conference
By Joseph Kishore, 15 February 2019
The conference organizers censored a presentation by Christoph Vandreier, deputy national secretary of the Sozialistiche Gleichheitspartei, who has played a leading role in the fight against the resurgence of neo-Nazism in Germany.
Oppose political censorship and fascist threats against the ISO and DSA in Portland!
the International Youth and Students for Social Equality at PSU, 31 January 2019
Two political meetings on college campuses in Portland were shut down by campus police after provocations from the far-right group Patriot Prayer.
The International Socialist Organization, Jacobin hail betrayal of Los Angeles teachers’ strike
By Adam Mclean, 28 January 2019
Before, during and after the six-day strike by 33,000 teachers, the ISO and the Democratic Socialists of America sought to subordinate educators to the unions and the Democratic Party.
Detroit auto show protest over GM plant closings
DSA and pseudo-left provide cover for the UAW, Democrats
By Shannon Jones, 22 January 2019
At no point in her brief remarks did Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib mention the GM plant closures, let alone call for opposition.
At meeting on GM plant closings, DSA covers for UAW and Democrats
By Jerry White, 20 December 2018
Congresswoman-elect Tlaib and the other speakers accepted GM's destruction of jobs as an accomplished fact.
Jacobin urges readers to “log off” social media
By Will Morrow, 8 December 2018
An article in Jacobin argues that Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms have become damaging to the health of the population, are “destructive for the left,” and should be done away with.
DSA-backed “progressive Democrats” drop phony opposition to Trump’s attacks on immigrants
By Will Morrow, 17 November 2018
The Democrats “progressive” caucus, including DSA member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is calling for a more “humane” and “effective” American immigration Gestapo.
DSA calls US midterm elections the “rebirth of the American socialist movement”
By Genevieve Leigh, 15 November 2018
As the Democratic Party continues its shift to the right, the DSA claims that the election of a handful of DSA-endorsed Democratic candidates has significantly altered the trajectory of American politics.
Socialist Alternative and Democratic Socialists of America hold election rally for Democrats in Chicago
By Kristina Betinis, 22 October 2018
The pseudo-lefts are collaborating to refurbish the image of the increasingly right-wing Democratic Party, which is running an unprecedented number of CIA agents in the midterms.
DSA covers for unions and Democrats in new book on walkout by West Virginia teachers
55 Strong, Inside the West Virginia Teachers’ Strike
By Nancy Hanover, 18 October 2018
A new book promoted by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is centered on the lie that the West Virginia teachers’ strike, which set off the series of strikes nationally last spring, was a “victory” in which the unions played a heroic role.
The New York Times promotes the Democratic Socialists of America
By Genevieve Leigh, 25 September 2018
On Saturday the New York Times featured an article in their online edition headlined with the question: “Are You a Democratic Socialist?”
Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic Socialists of America candidate, covers for CIA Democrats
By Isaac Finn, 24 September 2018
When asked whether she would support CIA Democrats, Ocasio-Cortez avoided a direct answer, saying that she would have to look at their “life experience.”
The strange case of Julia Salazar, Democratic Socialists of America candidate for New York Senate
By Josh Varlin, 20 September 2018
In the run-up to her victory in the Democratic Party primaries last week, media reports exposed Salazar’s systematic fabrication and/or misrepresentation of her personal and political history.
Ocasio-Cortez, DSA seek to give “left” cover to right-wing Democratic Party
By Niles Niemuth, 28 July 2018
Supporters of Niles Niemuth, the Socialist Equality Party candidate for the US Congress from Michigan’s 12th District, are distributing this statement at appearances by DSA member and Democratic candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The Democratic Socialists of America: Providing a “left” cover for a right-wing Democratic Party
By Patrick Martin, 21 July 2018
DSA candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are seeking to disguise the drastic shift of the Democratic Party to the right on domestic, and especially, foreign policy.
DSA member Ocasio-Cortez beats incumbent Congressman in New York Democratic Party primary
By Isaac Finn, 27 June 2018
In a major political upset, Democratic Socialists of America member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won the Democratic Party primary for New York’s 14th Congressional District against incumbent Congressman Joe Crowley.
How the DSA bolsters the Democratic Party establishment: The case of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
By Isaac Finn, 23 June 2018
The DSA congressional candidate in a New York City district is sowing illusions that the Democratic Party establishment can be pushed to the left.
How Jacobin and the ISO assisted in the betrayal of the Arizona teachers’ strike
By Will Morrow, 12 May 2018
Both organizations played a critical role in the sellout of the strike of tens of thousands of teachers by the Arizona Education Association and Arizona Educators United.
Jacobin, International Socialist Organization claim “victory” in West Virginia teachers sellout
By Eric London, 9 March 2018
Jacobin and the ISO’s role in the West Virginia teachers strike is an instructive example of how the pseudo-left stifles working-class opposition and directs it behind the trade unions and Democratic Party.
Young Democratic Socialists of America conference: Propping up the Democratic Party
By E.P. Milligan, 3 March 2018
The annual conference was aimed primarily at turning young people interested in socialism into foot-soldiers for the Democrats organizers for the anti-working class trade unions.
Jacobin, Socialist Alternative and the ISO hailed union deal rejected by West Virginia teachers
By Niles Niemuth, 2 March 2018
The upper-middle class organizations jumped at the opportunity to promote the unions’ efforts to end the struggle.
The anti-socialist politics of the Democratic Socialists of America
By Tom Hall, 3 August 2017
Despite the left-sounding rhetoric that will be on display this week at its national convention, the Democratic Socialists of America is a pro-capitalist organization steeped in a tradition of anti-communism and bitterly opposed to the political independence of the working class.
Lessons from the Pink Tide period
Jacobin defends bourgeois rule and US imperialism in Latin America
By Eric London, 27 July 2017
Jacobin magazine’s spring edition, titled By Taking Power, addresses “both the accomplishments and the shortcomings” of Latin America’s Pink Tide.
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