Is the Democratic Party a Socialist party?

[Kingpoleon]

Since Bernie Sanders is openly running on socialism and the BLM is all about killing cops.

[MisSkeptic]

No, the Democrats are more centrist to liberal conservatives. Calling Democrats socialist is an insult to real socialist.

Last week I read an interview transcript where Noam Chomsky commented "today's Democrats are what we call 'moderate Republicans'" which I found interesting.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/9/22/noam_chomsky_on_trump_we_should

[Bakersfield Uber Alles]

Obviously they're a black nationalist party led mostly by white apologists.

Why was that even an option?!!?

[Donald Trump 2016 !]

No, the Democrats are more centrist to liberal conservatives. Calling Democrats socialist is an insult to real socialist.

Last week I read an interview transcript where Noam Chomsky commented "today's Democrats are what we call 'moderate Republicans'" which I found interesting.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/9/22/noam_chomsky_on_trump_we_should

I'm pretty sure Bill Clinton was more conservative than Obama on every issue except for healthcare. Although Bill and Obama are usually considered the same generation according to many sources (both baby-boomers).

Nonetheless, Bill Clinton is the reason why the Democratic Party stayed competitive in spite of the Reagan Revolution. Portraying himself as a new third way centrist made the Democratic Party more appealing after their 1980-1988 slump.

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

Since Bernie Sanders is openly running on socialism and the BLM is all about killing cops.

you know, i saw a well-reasoned, thoughtful rebuttal to this the other day

[Fuzzy Says: "Abolish NPR!"]

The Democratic Party is not a socialist party, but it is likely the party whose primary democratic socialists vote in.

America gives great disincentives to people who wish to form and join third parties.  That each party has nut jobs voting in its primaries is not a reflection on the parties it's a reflection on the effect of a winner-take-all electoral system.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I mainly go by self-identification tbh. So the democrats, who don't label themselves socialists for the most part, for me are not socialists; but Partie Socialiste which does identify as socialist, is. (Even though in practice there is no real tangible difference between the two parties)

[MisSkeptic]

No, the Democrats are more centrist to liberal conservatives. Calling Democrats socialist is an insult to real socialist.

Last week I read an interview transcript where Noam Chomsky commented "today's Democrats are what we call 'moderate Republicans'" which I found interesting.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/9/22/noam_chomsky_on_trump_we_should

I'm pretty sure Bill Clinton was more conservative than Obama on every issue except for healthcare. Although Bill and Obama are usually considered the same generation according to many sources (both baby-boomers).

Nonetheless, Bill Clinton is the reason why the Democratic Party stayed competitive in spite of the Reagan Revolution. Portraying himself as a new third way centrist made the Democratic Party more appealing after their 1980-1988 slump.

Yes, I agree with you that Bill Clinton comes off more conservative than President Obama. Also, Bill Clinton ushered in NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) which sounds like a very conservative, free market move.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Free trade s one of those issues that don't really fit in a left-right dichotomy, fwiw

[MisSkeptic]

Free trade s one of those issues that don't really fit in a left-right dichotomy, fwiw

Are you sure? I would imagine it would be more of a "free market, pro capitalist" type of thing. If I'm not mistaken.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Free trade s one of those issues that don't really fit in a left-right dichotomy, fwiw

Are you sure? I would imagine it would be more of a "free market, pro capitalist" type of thing. If I'm not mistaken.

Well, the mArkets and capitalism aren't all that defines a right-winger. Right-wingers are often nationalists who dislike the idea of selling of to foreigners and they're often pro-(native) business, unlike left-wingers who often don't see much of a distinction between home-grown and foreign business. That's who historically conservatives in pretty much all Western countries were hyper protectionist, and abruptly stopped when it became less profitable to be protectionist. But the Trump agenda is part of that lingering American conservative Protectionist mentality. (And in some part a lot of populist rightists in Europe nowadays are also this way). There are a few other countries where this sort of mentality predominates - the conservative LDP in Japan being ardent protectionists for obvious reasons. Indeed quite a lot of East Asian conservatives are traditional enough to still embrace protectionism.


I consider being anti fre-trade a more conservative perspective myself, although left-wingers can easily reappropriate

[Donald Trump 2016 !]

Well, the mArkets and capitalism aren't all that defines a right-winger. Right-wingers are often nationalists who dislike the idea of selling of to foreigners and they're often pro-(native) business, unlike left-wingers who often don't see much of a distinction between home-grown and foreign business. That's who historically conservatives in pretty much all Western countries were hyper protectionist, and abruptly stopped when it became less profitable to be protectionist. But the Trump agenda is part of that lingering American conservative Protectionist mentality. (And in some part a lot of populist rightists in Europe nowadays are also this way). There are a few other countries where this sort of mentality predominates - the conservative LDP in Japan being ardent protectionists for obvious reasons. Indeed quite a lot of East Asian conservatives are traditional enough to still embrace protectionism.


I consider being anti fre-trade a more conservative perspective myself, although left-wingers can easily reappropriate

In the United States, free trade is generally more supported by Republicans and conservatives.

NAFTA's voting for example shows that the majority of Republicans supported the bill whereas a majority of Democrats opposed it: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/103-1993/h575

You're also seeing more opposition from liberals and progressives against Obama's TPP agreement than from the Republicans.

The ironic thing is that Democratic Presidents seem to support these agreements (Clinton, Obama, probably Hillary too) yet Democratic Congressmen oppose them.

[MisSkeptic]

I see where you're coming from. Politico had an interesting article about Roger Milliken, which mentions his support for protectionism because of the cheap labor and merchandise from other countries.

I can see both conservatives supporting free trade, while also many conservatives support protectionism. It's just who you ask. Some might be more pro-business and see free trade as a way for a company to sell cheaper goods.

While some would be against out sourcing and support American business than purchasing foreign goods.  

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

In some countries like the Phillipines for example, support for protectionism is more crosspartisan. In fact, unions and nationalists alike took advantage of the post-Marcos era to slip some heavily restrictive protectionist stuff into the constitution. Alas, leftists who support protectionism are being played for mugs - all it does is merely embolden a national elite of cronies which tend to fester.

I know fre trade is supported by most Reoiblcians - especially the sort of republicans predominant in the Clintom era, but that could very easily change. There's nothing that particularly weds a conservative to free trade, and protectionism is a typical rightist tool that can easily be picked up again.

The important thing is some businesses are helped by free trade and some aren't. So it's worth looking at which business is funding a politician to understand their position.

[MisSkeptic]

In some countries like the Phillipines for example, support for protectionism is more crosspartisan. In fact, unions and nationalists alike took advantage of the post-Marcos era to slip some heavily restrictive protectionist stuff into the constitution. Alas, leftists who support protectionism are being played for mugs - all it does is merely embolden a national elite of cronies which tend to fester.

I know fre trade is supported by most Reoiblcians - especially the sort of republicans predominant in the Clintom era, but that could very easily change. There's nothing that particularly weds a conservative to free trade, and protectionism is a typical rightist tool that can easily be picked up again.

The important thing is some businesses are helped by free trade and some aren't. So it's worth looking at which business is funding a politician to understand their position.

Earlier I linked an article about Noam Chomsky. Chomsky is one of many leftist who are critical of globalization; which in turn is critical of economic policies like free trade. Maybe because I'm an American, free trade is seen as more supportive of pro-business, capitalism, and good ol' American dream, that it's hard for individuals who identify as conservative to be critical of ideas like free trade.

With many small business closing, multiple stores like Wal-Mart selling foreign goods, and what not. It's not seen as leftist to oppose free trade. Many conservatives are starting to feel that even though they favor capitalism, that "Made in America" is the best way to go in protecting American business.
 

[Torie]

No, and these label games are a total waste of time. Thanks.

[Bojack Horseman]

If the Democratic Party is a socialist party, then they sure suck at being socialists.

[Antonio the Sixth]

[TDAS04]

No.

[Kingpoleon]

Why was this moved but this wasn't:
https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=220271.0

[HaveANiceLife]

They're just another authoritarian party trying to push the power of the state. I wouldn't call them socialist, but they sure as hell aren't a party I'd vote for.

[Bigby]

No, but it's increasingly leftward.

[Murica!]

Does the Democratic party support the revolutionary takeover of enterprises by the workers? No. Maybe they support the abolishing private property(Not to be confused with personal possessions)? Nope. Do they at least seek to abolish unjustified forms of hierarchy? No.

In short the Democratic party is simply another part of the State apparatus which seeks to crush any form of socialism and increase the power of the bourgeois over the proletariat.

[TNF]

lmao

[Leinad]

In no way are they socialist. Just the slightly more left-of-center party of Duopoly of Crap that has little real ideology other than more power for themselves and the lobbyists.

Free trade s one of those issues that don't really fit in a left-right dichotomy, fwiw

Are you sure? I would imagine it would be more of a "free market, pro capitalist" type of thing. If I'm not mistaken.

As others have said, it can be either way. I'm pro free-trade (sane), and many Republicans are as well, but many Republicans also love populism (especially with an evil Muslim commie in the White House--I don't believe that, but a frightening amount of people do) and thus are fans of protectionism, as ineffective as it is.