Party for Socialism and Liberation
Encyclopedia
The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) is a Marxist-Leninist
political party
in the United States
. It was originally created as the result of a split within the ranks of Workers World Party
(WWP), although their political line is nearly identical. The San Francisco branch as well as several other members left WWP in 2004. No reason has ever been officially given for the split by either party. The PSL has since established two national branches in Washington, D.C.
and in San Francisco alongside 23 local branches across the country.
pave the way towards socialism
. Under socialism a new government of working people would be formed. The PSL proposes many radical
changes to be implemented by this government. In the political sphere all elected representatives should be recallable, securing freedom of speech
for the working class (except in the case of xenophobia
, bigotry
and in prevention of the re-establishment of the capitalist system
) and the elimination of corporate influence
from politics.
Concerning economics the PSL would, among other measurements, prohibit "the exploitation of labor for private profit", implement a working week
of 30 hours and the eradication of poverty through the introduction of a basic income guarantee. The PSL would grant the right of self-determination to all oppressed nations of the US, such as "African American
s, Native
, Puerto Rican and other Latino national minorities, the Hawai’ian nation, Asian
, Pacific Islander
, Arab
and other oppressed peoples who have experienced oppression as a whole people under capitalism". The current US "colonies", which according to the PSL are "Puerto Rico
, Samoa
, Guam
, the Virgin Islands and the Mariana Islands
", will be granted independence. The PSL would end the occupation of Iraq
and Afghanistan
and close all foreign military bases of the US.
, describing the October Revolution
as "the single biggest event that shaped global politics in the 20th century". The PSL does mention the atrocities committed by Joseph Stalin
, and acknowledges that the New Economic Policy
of Lenin led "to a re-polarization of social classes, especially in the countryside". The PSL blames the reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev
for the fall of the Soviet Union.
The PSL supports the government of Cuba, and while critical of the current Chinese government, it views the Chinese Revolution favorably. The PSL also supports the Bolivarian Revolution
in Venezuela – a frequent topic in its magazine. It has endorsed activities that call for the release of the Cuban Five
– deemed political prisoners by supporters – and called for the extradition of Luis Posada Carriles
from the US.
The PSL supports the rights of nations to self determination. It has been outspoken in condemning the state of Israel and its role in the Middle East. The PSL also led demonstrations against the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in July 2006. The PSL supports the right of return
for Palestinian people.
Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism). The PSL’s role within A.N.S.W.E.R. is overt. As one of the most active members of the coalition, PSL has gained notice for successfully forging ties with Arab and Muslim American groups such as the Muslim American Society
, Al-Awda and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
.
The PSL also maintains branches and centers in Austin
, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Baltimore
, MD; Boston
, MA; Chicago
, IL; Columbus
, OH; San Diego, San Jose
, Santa Cruz
, Inland Empire
and Los Angeles
, CA; Miami, FL; New Haven, CT; New Paltz and New York City (Harlem)
, NY; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh , PA; Phoenix
, AZ; Seattle, WA; Sioux Falls, SD; and St. Louis, MO.
or the Peace and Freedom Party in the past. The party did manage to get on the ballot in 12 states for the 2008 presidential elections, with Gloria La Riva and Eugene Puryear
as respectively president and vice president. The PSL managed to gain 6,821 votes, finishing 10th, out of a field of 23 candidates . Below is a selection of other races that the PSL have contested.
Marxism-Leninism
Marxism–Leninism is a communist ideology, officially based upon the theories of Marxism and Vladimir Lenin, that promotes the development and creation of a international communist society through the leadership of a vanguard party over a revolutionary socialist state that represents a dictatorship...
political party
Communist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was originally created as the result of a split within the ranks of Workers World Party
Workers World Party
Workers World Party is a far-left political party in the United States, founded in 1959 by a group led by Sam Marcy. Marcy and his followers split from the Socialist Workers Party in 1958 over a series of long-standing differences, among them Marcy's group's support for Henry A...
(WWP), although their political line is nearly identical. The San Francisco branch as well as several other members left WWP in 2004. No reason has ever been officially given for the split by either party. The PSL has since established two national branches in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and in San Francisco alongside 23 local branches across the country.
Domestic social policy
The PSL is a Marxist-Leninist political party, who as its main goal sees the formation of a revolutionary workers' party, based upon the ideology of Marxism. This party would through a revolutionRevolution
A revolution is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.Aristotle described two types of political revolution:...
pave the way towards socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
. Under socialism a new government of working people would be formed. The PSL proposes many radical
Political radicalism
The term political radicalism denotes political principles focused on altering social structures through revolutionary means and changing value systems in fundamental ways...
changes to be implemented by this government. In the political sphere all elected representatives should be recallable, securing freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
for the working class (except in the case of xenophobia
Xenophobia
Xenophobia is defined as "an unreasonable fear of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange". It comes from the Greek words ξένος , meaning "stranger," "foreigner" and φόβος , meaning "fear."...
, bigotry
Bigotry
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs...
and in prevention of the re-establishment of the capitalist system
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
) and the elimination of corporate influence
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
from politics.
Concerning economics the PSL would, among other measurements, prohibit "the exploitation of labor for private profit", implement a working week
Working week
Working week may refer to*Working Week , a British jazz-dance band of the 1980s and 1990s.*Working time, the period of time that people spend in paid labour*Workweek, referred to as the Working Week in the UK....
of 30 hours and the eradication of poverty through the introduction of a basic income guarantee. The PSL would grant the right of self-determination to all oppressed nations of the US, such as "African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
s, Native
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, Puerto Rican and other Latino national minorities, the Hawai’ian nation, Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander , is a geographic term to describe the indigenous inhabitants of any of the three major sub-regions of Oceania: Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, these three regions, together with their islands consist of:Polynesia:...
, Arab
Arab American
An Arab American is a United States citizen or resident of Arab ethnic, cultural and linguistic heritage or identity, who identifies themselves as Arab. Arab Americans trace ancestry to any of the various waves of immigrants of the countries comprising the Arab World...
and other oppressed peoples who have experienced oppression as a whole people under capitalism". The current US "colonies", which according to the PSL are "Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
, Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, the Virgin Islands and the Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
", will be granted independence. The PSL would end the occupation of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and close all foreign military bases of the US.
International affairs
Historically, the PSL is generally positive on the former Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, describing the October Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
as "the single biggest event that shaped global politics in the 20th century". The PSL does mention the atrocities committed by Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
, and acknowledges that the New Economic Policy
New Economic Policy
The New Economic Policy was an economic policy proposed by Vladimir Lenin, who called it state capitalism. Allowing some private ventures, the NEP allowed small animal businesses or smoke shops, for instance, to reopen for private profit while the state continued to control banks, foreign trade,...
of Lenin led "to a re-polarization of social classes, especially in the countryside". The PSL blames the reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
for the fall of the Soviet Union.
The PSL supports the government of Cuba, and while critical of the current Chinese government, it views the Chinese Revolution favorably. The PSL also supports the Bolivarian Revolution
Bolivarian Revolution
The “Bolivarian Revolution” refers to a leftist social movement and political process in Venezuela led by Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, the founder of the Fifth Republic Movement...
in Venezuela – a frequent topic in its magazine. It has endorsed activities that call for the release of the Cuban Five
Cuban Five
The Cuban Five, also known as the Miami Five are five Cuban intelligence officers convicted in Miami of conspiracy to commit espionage, conspiracy to commit murder, and other illegal activities in the United States...
– deemed political prisoners by supporters – and called for the extradition of Luis Posada Carriles
Luis Posada Carriles
Luis Clemente Faustino Posada Carriles is a Cuban-born Venezuelan anti-communist and former Central Intelligence Agency agent....
from the US.
The PSL supports the rights of nations to self determination. It has been outspoken in condemning the state of Israel and its role in the Middle East. The PSL also led demonstrations against the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in July 2006. The PSL supports the right of return
Palestinian right of return
The Palestinian right of return is a political position or principle asserting that Palestinian refugees, both first-generation refugees and their descendants, have a right to return, and a right to the property they or their forebears left or which they were forced to leave in what is now Israel...
for Palestinian people.
Antiwar movement
The PSL is a member of the steering committee of the A.N.S.W.E.R.A.N.S.W.E.R.
Act Now to Stop War and End Racism , also known as International A.N.S.W.E.R. and the ANSWER Coalition, is a United States-based protest umbrella group consisting of many antiwar and civil rights organizations...
Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism). The PSL’s role within A.N.S.W.E.R. is overt. As one of the most active members of the coalition, PSL has gained notice for successfully forging ties with Arab and Muslim American groups such as the Muslim American Society
Muslim American Society
The Muslim American Society is a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 that describes itself as an Islamic revival and reform movement....
, Al-Awda and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee states that it is the largest Arab American grassroots civil rights organization in the United States. According to its web page it is open to people of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities and has over 40 chapters in 24 states and members in all...
.
Office locations
The national offices of the Party for Socialism and Liberation are based in San Francisco, California and Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The PSL also maintains branches and centers in Austin
Austin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, MD; Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, MA; Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, IL; Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, OH; San Diego, San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
, Inland Empire
Inland Empire
Inland Empire may refer to:In geography:* Inland Empire , a geographic region in Southern California* Inland Empire , a geographic region encompassing Eastern Washington and North IdahoIn entertainment:...
and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, CA; Miami, FL; New Haven, CT; New Paltz and New York City (Harlem)
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
, NY; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh , PA; Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, AZ; Seattle, WA; Sioux Falls, SD; and St. Louis, MO.
Electoral participation
The PSL often fields candidates for public office. However, because of most states' difficult ballot access rules, the party sometimes uses the ballot line of a different party or is on the ballot as an independent. The PSL has used the ballot line of the Green PartyGreen Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
or the Peace and Freedom Party in the past. The party did manage to get on the ballot in 12 states for the 2008 presidential elections, with Gloria La Riva and Eugene Puryear
Eugene Puryear
Eugene Puryear is an American politician and the vice presidential candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation in the 2008 United States presidential election....
as respectively president and vice president. The PSL managed to gain 6,821 votes, finishing 10th, out of a field of 23 candidates . Below is a selection of other races that the PSL have contested.
| Year | Office | Candidate | On the ballot as | Votes | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is the five-member nonpartisan governing board of Los Angeles County, California. Members of the board of supervisors are elected by district. They were as of December 2, 2008:*District 1: Gloria Molina... , District 4 |
Marylou Cabral | Non-partisan | 23,703 (17.5%) | 2/3 |
| 2008 | California State Assembly California State Assembly The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000... , District 48 |
Lucilla Esguerra | Peace and Freedom Party | 11,173 (12,90%) | 2/2 |
| 2008 | Illinois House of Representatives Illinois House of Representatives The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from... , District 40 |
Heather Benno | Green Party | 2,276 (10,07%) | 3/3 |
| 2008 | Illinois House of Representatives Illinois House of Representatives The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from... , district 14 |
John Beacham | Green Party | 4,745 (14,5%) | 2/2 |
| 2008 | President of the United States President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... |
Gloria La Riva & Eugene Puryear | Party for Socialism and Liberation | 6,821 (0,00%) | 10/23 |
| 2009 | Mayor of Los Angeles | Carlos Alvarez | Non-partisan | 3,047 (1,11%) | 8/10 |
| 2009 | Mayor of New York City Mayor of New York City The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the... |
Francisca Villar | Party for Socialism and Liberation | 3,517 (0,3%) | 5/8 |
| 2010 | Governor of California Governor of California The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced... |
Carlos Alvarez | Peace and Freedom Party | 92,856 (0,9%) | 6/6 |
| 2010 | Mayor of Long Beach | Stevie Merino | Independent | 5,057 (16%) | 2/2 |
Publications
The party's main publication is the biweekly newspaper, Liberation, which replaced a quarterly magazine, Socialism and Liberation. PSL outlines its political perspective, including its assessment of the current international and domestic situation in the pamphlet "Who We Are, What We Stand For."See also
External links
- plsweb.org, party's official website (released July 2006)
- Socialism and Liberation Magazine
- AnswerCoalition.org official site
- VotePSL.org PSL 2008 electoral candidates' website