Who We Are, and What We Believe ✪

What must be understood is that there are, in fact, no neat demarcations in the discussion of socialism. There are multiple definitions of the concept and numerous ways of actually conceptualizing it.

There's only one definition that'd complement our political ideology.

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❝Any of various systems of liberal social democracy which retain a commitment to social justice and social reform, or feature some degree of state intervention in the running of the economy.❞

— Source: OED Online | Publisher: Oxford University Press

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We are avowed Progressive Social Democrats; akin to the Rooseveltian New Deal Democrats (of the New Deal Coalition). We follow the Left-Hamiltonian tradition, as did Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson.

American Social Democrats believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to meet public needs.

American Social Democrats have traditionally sought to establish humane reforms within a capitalist system, not eradicate capitalism.

The New Deal was not intended to radically change the foundations of American capitalism. Rather, it revised that system in order to save it. Moreover, it did so not by abandoning government, but by strengthening it.

Under Franklin D. Roosevelt's leadership, New Deal measures dramatically expanded the scope of the federal government's responsibilities in American life.

Where Washington had previously been only a distant regulator of economic and social affairs, it was now the government's responsibility to maintain economic prosperity, mitigate the worst effects of unfettered capitalism, spread industrial and agricultural development to impoverished regions of the nation, guarantee workers' right to choose their unions, protect the bargaining rights of those unions, and conserve and develop the nation's vast natural and artistic resources.

American Progressive Social Democrats have not abandoned the principles that fostered broader economic prosperity during America's "Golden Age" of economic expansion, and vitalized Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal.

These were the principles of the New Deal American system of political-economy. Undergirded by a cyclical network sustained by the free-flowing vibrance of the following economic-truths:

✫ When we support a strong middle-class, wages increase, workers buy more, companies hire more, tax revenues increase, government invests more (in schools and infrastructure and research), workers are better educated, economy expands, productivity grows, wages increase, etc.

These verities are strengthened by the theory, system, or principles of social democracy—

◘ SOCIAL DEMOCRATISM -

Socialization of capital and profits, without inconvenience of individual private initiative, social justice (economic justice), individual sovereignty, popular sovereignty, and meritocratic initiative. Which together generate a higher socio-economic mechanism.

The effects will be:

■ Socialized distribution of capital and profits
■ Economic stability - individual and collective
■ Boosting the development of small businesses;
■ Utilization of the productive resources of large businesses
■ Humanization of labor relations and reducing massive unemployment;
■ Full employment
■ Eliminating poverty
■ Real participatory democracy
■ Social peace, national and supranational
■ Diminishing the role of the political class
■ Promoting meritocracy;
■ Protecting the environment;
■ Supreme virtues of humanity (right to life, to work, to knowledge, health, happiness)

Justification for this strengthening of the people's government, and the insurance of an economic Virtuous Cycle; can be found in the words of FDR himself.

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❝[f]or too many of us the political equality we once had won was meaningless in the face of economic inequality. A small group had concentrated into their own hands an almost complete control over other people's property, other people's money, other people's labor -- other people's lives. Against economic tyranny such as this, the American citizen could appeal only to the organized power of government.❞

― Franklin D. Roosevelt, A Rendezvous With Destiny | June 27, 1936

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Our proposals, if pursued, would effectively amount to a reinvigorated social democracy. Such a model would retain many of the features of current capitalism, especially concerning ownership of productive wealth, but envisions a far more active role for the state in the economy, including ― interalia ― strengthened regulation, the institution of a guaranteed jobs program of some kind to ensure a full employment economy, and elements of industrial policy and national economic planning. To address ecological problems, Bernie has linked job guarantees to a "Green New Deal" and a restorative economics approach that would seek to rebuild natural capital and ecosystems while also increasing employment.

American Social Democrats (like Bernie Sanders) seek to safeguard popular sovereignty by managing Capitalism and protecting society from the more destructive effects of private sector abuse.

For us to accomplish these goals, four fundamental tenets must be understood.

➊ The American government must create a proper legal environment for the economy and maintain a healthy level of competition. Without the state fostering competition, firms with monopoly (or oligopoly) power will emerge, which will not only subvert the advantages offered by the market economy, but also possibly undermine good government, since strong economic power can be transformed into political power.

➋ The American economy must aim to combine free initiative and social progress on the basis of a competitive economy.This type of economy is opposed to laissez-faire policies and to socialist economic systems and combines private enterprise with regulation and state intervention to establish fair competition, maintaining a balance between a high rate of economic growth, low inflation, low levels of unemployment, good working conditions, social welfare, and public services.

➌ In America we must shift decision-making power from corporate managers and corporate shareholders to a larger group of public stakeholders that includes workers, customers, suppliers, neighbors and the broader public. As a means to securing full economic rights, it opens a path to full political rights.

➍ All Americans must place a priority on the well-being and sustainability of the entire community, not just the lucky few. The community could be a metropolitan area, region, or an entire country.

Once our civic-responsibilities, as Americans, are understood; and the role of government is understood.

We can work towards the restoration and re-strengthening of America's New Social Contract.

✍ Note: Referencing the etymological roots of the word 'socialism'. The Italian 'socialismo' meant, 1785 in sense, 'belief in the social contract'.

We've had a strong New Social Contract in America's past.

The belief that if you:

❝Work hard and you’ll make a living. Invest in yourself and take entrepreneurial risk, and you have a shot at historically epic prosperity.❞

What we describe as 'socialistic', is something that is irrefutably American.

A promise to all Americans that investment in research & development will facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship. Reliably safe roads and robust well-designed infrastructure will be there to ensure the deliveries of products and services. Public schools and universities will ensure that you have access to high-quality education, high-quality workers to hire, and cutting edge science to commercialize. And if you fail, there will be a net to catch you. Pay taxes and the government will make sure the New Social Contract is fulfilled and will step in where the market fails.