Dear Editor:

Recently a number of letter writers have referred to the Democratic Party as a socialist party. Since I am a Democrat, I thought it might be helpful to discuss the varieties of “socialism” and explain why the Democratic Party is not a socialist party.

“Socialism” has quite a few varieties. The oldest ones are usually labeled “utopian socialism.” Leaders were often religious reformers attempting to live in the manner of early Christians. Old Economy Village in western Pennsylvania and the Ephrata Cloisters are two experiments you may visit today.

The Karl Marx variety is usually called “communism.” Marx believed that economic systems determine politics. At some point the workers would revolt and usher in a system of economic equality. V.I. Lenin, a follower of Marx, believed the workers needed leadership, which he called the “vanguard.” Lenin thought elections were a sham and violence was a necessity.

Eduard Bernstein, a German follower of Marx, disagreed with Lenin. Bernstein believed that capitalism could be reformed without a revolution. He was the founder of “democratic socialism.” These socialists argued that the government could provide a more equal society with old age pensions, laws protecting workers, and health care by using the electoral system. Revolution wouldn’t be necessary.

The United States has never had a powerful “socialist” party. Today we have a few individual socialists in politics (Bernie Sanders is probably the best known example), but the Democratic Party in the United States has not called for public ownership of manufacturing facilities or a major redistribution of income. Perhaps it should.

I would urge people who think that the Democratic Party is a socialist party to do some research. And please don’t think that listening to what some crackpot podcaster or Fox News commentator says is research. Go to your local library and ask your librarian for help. Dive into Wikipedia. Learn some history. And before you label somebody, get your labels straight.

Roy Christman

Towamensing Township