Party for Socialism and Liberation

The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) is a Marxist-Leninist political party in the United States.^[2] 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 offices in Washington, D.C. and in San Francisco alongside 23 local branches across the country. In 2008, Gloria La Riva / Eugene Puryear ran for President/Vice President on the first PSL ticket. In November 2011, Peta Lindsay / Yari Osorio were announced as the PSL's presidential ticket in 2012.

Views

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 revolution 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 or bigotry and to prevent 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 Americans, 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.^[3]

International affairs

Historically, the PSL is generally positive on the former Soviet Union, describing the October Revolution as "the single biggest event that shaped global politics in the 20th century". The PSL 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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.

Antiwar movement

The PSL is a member of the steering committee of the A.N.S.W.E.R. 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.

Office locations

The national offices of the Party for Socialism and Liberation are based in San Francisco, California and Washington, D.C.

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.^[6]

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 Party 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 .^[7] Below is a selection of other races that the PSL have contested.

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

• List of political parties in the United States

Notes

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