this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2026
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Yes and also no. Yes because that is clearly the role it plays in the US. But no in the sense that it is a name for a specific theory of action, the theory that you can achieve socialism through voting instead of through a coup (even a bloodless one) or a civil/revolutionary war.
True, but also as a tactic (IE voting in socialism) its a complete historical failure that should be relegated to the history books. There has not been a single case of a country acheiving socialism through the ballot box.
All the attempts in the late 1800s until now showed that capitalists will not give up state power without violence, and even explicitly socialist parties who acheived some electoral success, end up quickly capitulating to the demands of the capitalists who run the country's economy, and make a hard turn to the right. Look at the state of the European "socialist" or "labour" parties.
Not to mention all the coups the US carried out even on countries who attempted to tread a "non-violent" socialist path: like Chile in 1970. While the countries who took control of the military and went through a civil war to disempower and nationalize capital are still standing on their own two feet: Cuba, China, Vietnam, DPRK.
"Democratic socialism" is also sometimes used (incorrectly) to refer to capitalist-run states in the imperial core (like the nordic states) with some welfare band-aids, funded on the backs of the world's workers in the global south.
Respectfully: I think this take is dumb.
There's no practical utility in fighting against democratic socialists. They're not a problem that needs solved. It's a label used to organize people who are looking for an easy every point to leftist organizing. Most DSA "socialists" I know are actually radical dual power ML Communists already.
Complaining that DSA socialism is ineffective is like complaining that the first rung of a ladder is too close to the ground.
Just focus on building up the stuff you like better. Instead of explaining why voting is insufficient, point people towards what is.
They're not a problem that needs to be solved, but a dead-end.