Socialist Party of America

## Factions

### **Republican-Syndicalist Caucus**

The Republican Syndicalists currently dominate the Chicago Congress as well as the presidency. They are an explicitly Marxist tendency that seeks to emulate the economic program outlined in the French Social Republic. Due to this affinity for France, they are sometimes derided as "Frogs" by the SDP. Such a label is dismissed by members of the caucus as a reactionary pejorative, as well as a bigoted dismissal of European comrades.

The Republican Syndicalists have been as of yet unable to enact their program due to the restrictive nature of the 1947 "Constitution". Since the document is technically the original United States constitution with several amendments. Were they able to amend the document to their liking, they would make sweeping changes. These changes are likely to include nationalization of many industries, the "Industrial Congress", and unitary government. This is considered to be "centralized syndicalism". This faction favors a gradual transition into socialism at the behest of the state.

Despite accusations of tyranny, the Republican Syndicalists notably support both Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly.

The Republican Syndicalists are unofficially led by William Z Foster. However, Foster is above such partisan struggles and will remain the nation's leader regardless of which faction prevails in the power struggle.

### **Industrial-Syndicalist Caucus**

The Industrial Syndicalists openly espouse Anarchist thought. They support a radical decentralization of the economy and an abolition of the state. This faction is heavily intertwined with the Industrial Workers of the World, the largest and most powerful Labour Union in the East. The Industrial Syndicalists are often accused of attempting to recreate the failures of the French Federation. In addition, it is often claimed that there ascension to power would spell certain doom for the East when the inevitable Western counterattack comes. Such claims are readily denied as defeatist at best and slanderous at worst.

The Industrial Syndicalists are equally crippled by the restrictive 1947 "Constitution". They envision a stateless federation of communes, whose disputes could be mediated in the same "Industrial Congress" wished for by the Republican Syndicalists. Due to their agreement on this point, both sides have seen it fit to remain in the same party together.

Yet being in the same party does not mean animosity is nonexistent between the Industrial and Republican Syndicalists. The Industrial-Syndicalists are uncompromising in their quest to see the "Libertarian Government" described by the late John Reed. The meaning of Reed's words are heavily disputed and up for debate. However, the anarchist leanings of this faction have led them to interpret it as a call towards radical freedom. When the right wing SPA is dealt with there can be no doubt that the Industrial-Syndicalists will begin their struggle against their current allies.

The Industrial Syndicalists are led by Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, who also leads the IWW. She has become friends with William Z. Foster in spite of their ideological differences.

### **Orthodox Caucus**

The Orthodox Caucus is the smallest caucus of the SPA. Despite this, its adherents are stalwart in their defense of Marxist Theory. They are often referred to as "hardliners", a nickname they are happy to embrace.

The Orthodox Faction seeks to implement a political program they call "Socialism with American Characteristics". This program is named so because it espouses a certain idea of American Exceptionalism. According to this idea, European socialism has been tainted by party politics, residual nationalism, and idealism. With an ocean between America and this taint, it is the perfect location for a true proletarian state. In addition, no other nation has undergone full Capitalist development as the United States has.

The Orthodox faction rejects both the Anarchist and Republican stance.in their entirety. Instead, they favor a withering away of the state and its replacement with a "democratically centralized government" accompanied by "local self rule."

If the Orthodox Faction is able to shape the constitutional convention to it's liking, all power will be delegated to workers councils. The dictatorship of the proletariat will be exercised in this way, with production in the hands of organic workplace formations. The state itself shall not be abolished, but instead led via the industrial congress. In this new society, there will be no political parties or recognizable central government. Instead, what will remain is an administration that exists to express the will of each industry and mediate their disputes.

The Hardliners also envision a society free of currency and religion. All in all, "Socialism with American Characteristics" is quite an inflammatory idea.