Thread by @JonahDispatch

I wrote about the issue of the Democratic Socialists of America and communism twice this week, but I didn’t fully scratch the itch. So here’s a thread. 1/

thedispatch.com/newsletter/gfi…

thedispatch.com/article/democr…

We hear a lot about how democratic socialism isn't communism, has no similarities to communism, and people who suggest it does are ignorant, McCarthyite, or both. MSM pundits, academics, and Democratic politicians insist that the democratic socialism of the DSA has nothing to do with communism, or revolutionary or violent communist struggles. 2/

I have no problem conceding the definitions of democratic socialism and communism are very different and that sincere democratic socialists aren't communists. MLK Jr. and DSA founder Michael Harrington were dem socialists, not communists.
But it's worth noting that within the Democratic Socialist Party there are a network of affiliated "caucuses." Many of these caucuses are avowedly and openly communist. 3/

For instance, the Liberation Caucus is a self-described “Marxist-Leninist-Maoist caucus in Democratic Socialists of America.” It defended the murder of two Jews outside the Capital Jewish Museum in 2025. DSA was forced to condemn the shooting, but did not condemn the Liberation Caucus. 4/
jta.org/2025/05/29/pol…

x.com/dsaliberation/…

The Liberation Caucus has a dedicated “Common Misconceptions About Maoism” page. The Liberation Caucus recommended reading list does not include any titles promoting Swedish style social democracy. It's mostly a dog's breakfast of Marxist-Leninism, Black Nationalism, and -- of course -- Maoist doctrine.

5/liberationcaucus.org/readings/

The Marxist Unity Group is another DSA Faction. Among its “Seven Points of Unity” is “Fight the Constitution” in which they openly say, “We want socialists to fight to overthrow the Constitution.” 6/
marxistunity.com/#fight-the-con…

The Red Star Caucus explains that it is “a Marxist-Leninist caucus in DSA. Our primary goal, the goal which informs all of our organizing work, is to abolish capitalism and, ultimately, to achieve communism.” "Red Star conceives of itself as an ideological center in DSA." 7/redstarcaucus.org/points-of-unit…

Then there's the Communist Caucus, which rejects the notion that power can simply be taken via “the ballot box.” It rejects mere “reform” as incrementalism, not a solution. They insist that “The DSA has a great potential for promoting and unifying working class struggles.” 8/
communistcaucus.com/our-statement/

Springs of Revolution is an anti-Zionist faction. Their platform is “focused on transforming DSA into a mass revolutionary force that can rise to the moment by advancing anti-imperialist politics, with Palestine as our compass, and fighting state repression through abolitionist organizing and immigrant defense.”
They do not mention “democracy” or “democratic” processes in their platform. 9/
sordsa.org

In fairness, there are factions that openly embrace and defend some echo of Michael Harrington-style democratic socialism, even as they work within an umbrella organization with members who do not. North Star even pushes back on “authoritarians of the left.” 10/
dsanorthstar.org/principles.html

But if you're going to cite these factions as important, what criteria are you using to dismiss the significance of the Maoists and Stalinists? The DSA has an expressly no-enemies-to-the-left approach. Their website proclaims that “We believe there are many avenues that feed into the democratic road to socialism. Our vision pushes further than historic social democracy and leaves behind authoritarian visions of socialism in the dustbin of history.” Really? By rehabilitating Mao (and Maoist terrorist insurgencies abroad) and allying with open supporters of anti-Semitic murder here at home? 11/

I have looked in vain to find evidence that any major media outlet has asked DSA candidates to repudiate these caucuses by name or even meaningfully engage with the fact they are fully recognized caucuses and factions within their party. We hear a lot of "I'm proud to be a member of DSA" talk from Mamdani et al. Are they proud to be affiliated or associated with these groups?

12/

One can go too far with guilt-by-association arguments, but the simple fact is that they are literally associated with these groups. They may not be members of these groups, they may even privately oppose them or work to minimize their influence within the party. But they are still part of an organization that does not reject them. Maoists and Communists are in their tent.

If a Republican candidate was a member of some broad front that had openly Nazi and Fascist organizations committed to overthrowing the Constitution within it, I don't think we would hear a lot of "well, ackshully conservatism and fascism are very different things" the way we hear "well, ackshully, democratic socialism and communism have nothing to do with each other."

And, for the record, I am appalled by Republicans -- led by Trump and Vance-- who want racists and Nazi simps to have a place inside their "big tent." But I see no reason why liberals shouldn't be appalled by the DSA's similar attitude toward Stalinists, Maoists, and supporters of terrorism.

Okay I'm done.
13/13