Responding to the swelling socialist movement, Tarnoff builds on the work of Nicos Poulantzas and “Eurocommunism” to illustrate how growing a socialist movement requires both competing within the institutions of the state (for example through elections) and developing an autonomous layer of “people power” to act on the state. His essay blends an analysis of tactics and strategy for the socialist movement with a vision of the ultimate goal of a democratic socialism that will have both a transformed state and transformed civil society.

In this episode members of DSA’s National Political Committee (NPC) discuss Ben Tarnoff’s essay.

José La Luz is a lifelong labor organizer and campaigner with roots in the New Left in the late 60’s and early 70’s. He was a founding member of DSA after joining DSOC prior to the merger with NAM in the mid 80’s. He is the most senior member of the NPC (in age) adding a multigenerational presence to the national leadership.

Sofia Cutler is a member of North New Jersey DSA, and has been a member of the DSA National Political Committee since 2021 as part of the Bread and Roses Slate. She is a rank-and-file member of Unite Here Local 33.

Justin Charles is a member of North Brooklyn DSA, and has been a member of the DSA National Political Committee since July 2020.

DSA NPEC Curriculum

https://dsa-education.pubpub.org/modules

DSA’s Leadership and Structure

https://www.dsausa.org/about-us/structure/

Ben Tarnoff’s “Building Socialism from Below: Popular Power and the State”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1731oHoNsQJLzoXU6yO_ZXjAT9MT4BQnr/view

Credits:
Producer: Elton LK
Logo by Michaela Brangan
Sound Engineer & Opening Music by Casey Stikker
Additional Assistance, including content by Palmer Conrad

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