Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee

Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee

The Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC) was founded in 1973 by Michael Harrington, who had led a minority caucus in the Socialist Party of America. Harrington's caucus supported George McGovern's call for a cease-fire and immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam. In contrast to the traditional emphasis on strengthening the working class by organizing labor unions, Harrington reduced the emphasis on labor of previous socialist organizations. Instead, while continuing to work with unionists, Harrington placed more emphasis on middle-class political activists, especially those drawn to activism through the McGovern campaign. Developing a "realignment" strategy common to Socialists since the 1960s, DSOC (pronounced "DEE-sock") tried to help to build a democratic-socialist ("democratic left") movement from the political movements participating in the Democratic Party.

In 1982 the DSOC merged with the New American Movement to form the Democratic Socialists of America.

Read more about Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee:  Publications, Ideology and Strategy, From DSOC To The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)

Famous quotes containing the words democratic, socialist, organizing and/or committee:

    In democratic ages men rarely sacrifice themselves for another, but they show a general compassion for all the human race. One never sees them inflict pointless suffering, and they are glad to relieve the sorrows of others when they can do so without much trouble to themselves. They are not disinterested, but they are gentle.
    Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859)

    I nearly always find, when I ask a vegetarian if he is a socialist, or a socialist if he is a vegetarian, that the answer is in the affirmative.
    Katharine Fullerton Gerould (1879–1944)

    This island is made mainly of coal and surrounded by fish. Only an organizing genius could produce a shortage of coal and fish at the same time.
    Aneurin Bevan (1897–1960)

    Any committee that is the slightest use is composed of people who are too busy to want to sit on it for a second longer than they have to.
    Katharine Whitehorn (b. 1926)