Social Democrats USA

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The Social Democrats, USA (SD/USA) has its political roots in the Socialist Party. Its philosophical forefather was the intellectual Trotskyite, Max Shachtman. Shactman, initially a Communist, became increasinging disenchanted with the actions of the Soviet Union under Stalin and developed a new genre of antiStalinist leftists. This group joined the Socialist party of Eugene Debs and Norman Thomas in the 1960s. It was in this period that the SD/USA made its commitment to, and its first inroads into the organized labor movement. In 1972, the Socialist Party split into two factions; the left led by Michael Harrington and the right or conservative wing led by Tom Kahn, Rachelle Horowitz, and Carl Gershman. The latter became the SD/USA.
In the 1970s, under the leadership of Carl Gershman, SD/USA became a supporter of Sen. Henry Jackson and his contingent of conservative, hawkish "defenders of democracy." As such, they gained a great deal of political experience and savvy, but little political power. It was not until the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, that the SD/USA achieved positions of power and influence in both the labor movement and the government.[1]

The Social Democrats USA appear to have become largely defunct since the death of Penn Kemble in 2005.

People

Prominent Members

Officers 2005

National Committee 2005

National Advisory Council 2005

Members of Advisory Committee are not necessarily members of SD, USA.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Profile: Social Democrats USA, RightWeb, accessed 17 May 208.
  2. ↑ Social Democrats USA, Officers and National Committee Members, accessed 17 May 2008.
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