Channels, Spring 2017

Channels • 2017 • Volume 1 • Number 2 Page 69 Debs thought that the only support which mattered was support from those who were willing to “work with us for the overthrow of capitalism.” 84 Despite his current support, any claim that all or even most of Bernie Sanders’ supporters are in favor of the total overthrow of capitalism is unfounded. Instead of signaling a revived groundswell of orthodox Socialism, his campaign may merely evidence a progressive disgust of some extent within the Democratic Party combined with a faction of young voters enticed by free college education. Ultimately, the different approaches taken by Bernie Sanders and Eugene Debs are founded on their different approaches to Socialism. Debs was converted to Socialism through the writings of some of its founding thinkers, most influentially Karl Kautsky and Karl Marx, especially the latter’s masterwork, Das Kapital. 85 Thus, he firmly believed in the progression of economic systems with an inevitable, necessary victory of Socialism over Capitalism leading to utopia. This created in Debs a faith that, if expounded with enough strength, passion, clarity, and patience, the American working class would simply vote Socialism. On the other hand, Bernie Sanders has had the historical perspective of the perseverance of capitalism and the bloodthirsty nature of Soviet Russia. This has led him to favor the Nordic brand of Social Democracy that maintains Western institutions to some extent, not overthrowing the current order for a utopian future. Instead of abolishing private property and instituting complete public management through the government, Sanders seeks to institute reforms and policies such as free college education, broad civil rights, and strict regulation of financial institutions. Therefore, a compromise with Democrats and even moderate Republicans that accomplishes these practical goals to relieve the burden of the lower classes is acceptable to Sanders but would not have been to Debs. While the former socialist sees the political sphere as a means to an end, the latter saw worker control through democratic political means as an end. If the Republicans and Democrats remain in power, then capitalist oppression of the lower classes will continue, preventing workers from expressing their naturally socialist inclinations through workplace tyranny. Thus, Debs and Sanders differ ideologically as well as methodologically, creating the broad differences between them which can be seen after a thorough historical examination of Debs’ political leadership and Sanders’ current actions and positions. Having compared and contrasted Eugene V. Debs and Bernie Sanders, a final summary of each political leaders’ strengths and weaknesses and the resulting picture of American Socialism in general and today particularly is required. Debs was a strong speaker, drawing massive crowds wherever he spoke, allowing him to disseminate Socialist ideology on a broad scale to the American people. His five presidential campaigns gave him funding and a platform that enabled him to travel across the United States and spread his unique message that society was fundamentally broken but could be fixed with a peaceful revolution at the 84 Eugene V. Debs, “Danger Ahead,” in Eugene V. Debs Speaks, ed. Jean Tussey (New York: Pathfinder Press, 1970), 181. 85 Eugene V. Debs, “How I Became a Socialist,” in Eugene V. Debs Speaks, ed. Jean Tussey (New York: Pathfinder Press, 1970), 49.