# American Socialism's Last Good Year > Socialism's 1912 surge echoes as modern Democratic Socialists win elections. - Title: American Socialism's Last Good Year · The New Yorker - Summary: Socialism's 1912 surge echoes as modern Democratic Socialists win elections. Democratic Socialists of America members won congressional seats and mayoral… - Keywords: democratic socialists, socialist party, elected office, congressional seats, mayoral races, 2026 election, socialist platform, democratic party, united states, political reform, The New Yorker - Source: The New Yorker — https://newyorker.com/magazine/2026/11/16/can-american-socialism-survive-its-success - Author: Jill Lepore - Published: 2026-11-09T11:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: democratic socialists, socialist party, elected office, congressional seats, mayoral races, 2026 election, socialist platform, democratic party, united states, political reform, politics, news ## Socialist Party's 1912 Peak In 1912, the Socialist Party of America had 120,000 members and 300 socialist publications including the Appeal to Reason with 300,000 subscribers. > socialism is not just a theory, it is a destiny ## Socialist Gains in 1910-1912 Victor Berger became first socialist U.S. congressman in 1910; Schenectady elected socialist mayor in 1911; Debs ran for president in 1912. > We know that we cannot abolish the capitalist system in Schenectady, but we can and will demonstrate to all the spirit of socialism ## 1912 Socialist Platform The platform called for collective ownership of railroads, telegraph lines, mines, banks, and currency; shortened workdays; minimum wage; old-age pensions; and abolition of child labor. > Under this system the working class is exposed to poisonous conditions, to frightful and needless perils to life and limb ## Modern Socialist Surge Democratic Socialists of America has 130,000 members including two U.S. representatives and hundreds of state/local officeholders. > We are workers fighting to transform society: to win the battle for democracy, draft a new constitution ## D.S.A. Platform The D.S.A. platform calls for abolition of the Senate, replacement of presidency with an executive chosen by Congress, and government ownership of large corporations. > Both are funded by the same criminal class of billionaires and war profiteers ## D.S.A. Debate Megan Romer confirmed D.S.A. supports abolishing borders, defunding the Pentagon, and abolishing prisons as part of long-term plans. > As a long-term plan. Yep ## 2026 Election Results Six D.S.A. members won congressional seats; D.S.A. candidates won mayoral races in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Ann Arbor, and Providence. > We have begun the work of transforming our party and making it belong to working people once again ## Historical Context Socialism was first heard in the U.S. after the Panic of 1893; Debs became a socialist in 1897 after McKinley's election. > Money constitutes no proper basis of civilization ## Socialist Party Decline The Socialist Party lost members to the I.W.W. after 1917; Debs ran for president from prison in 1920; the party dissolved by 1950. > American socialism as a political and social fact had become simply a notation in the archives of history ## Harrington's Influence Michael Harrington wrote 'The Other America' in 1962, leading to the War on Poverty under President Kennedy. > The federal government is the only purposeful force that can reduce the numbers of the poor and make their lives more bearable ## Modern Socialist Strategy Democratic Socialists aim to integrate socialism into the Democratic Party rather than form a separate party. > bear an old label: the Democratic Party ## 2026 Socialism Survey A Gallup survey found 43% public approval of socialism and two-thirds support for Medicare for All. > two-thirds of Americans support Medicare for All ## Socialism and Inequality Socialism has been strongest in the U.S. during eras of high inequality and weakest during shared prosperity. > The share of income going to the top one per cent began climbing in the nineteen-seventies ## AI and Socialism Elon Musk and Sam Altman propose a future where universal basic income replaces labor, echoing socialist visions. > You own part of the productivity ## Socialist Future Vision Socialists imagine a world without capitalism where people have time for hobbies, family, and nature. > Maybe in the morning, you walk your kids to school, run errands, or go to a doctor’s appointment ## The Unfinished Business American socialism's last good year was 1912; modern socialism faces new challenges from AI and political strategy. > We have begun the work of transforming our party and making it belong to working people once again ## Key takeaway Democratic Socialists of America members won congressional seats and mayoral races in 2026, reviving socialist influence after a century of decline.