Building Up
Welcome to Groundwork’s newsletter, Building Up. Here we’ll share our perspective about National DSA internal politics and the NPC, as well as highlight efforts Groundwork members are doing across the country and ways that you can get involved in our campaigns!
Laying the Groundwork for a Class Alignment Labor Strategy (COMPLETE)
This is the complete text of an article arguing for DSA to take up the Class Alignment Strategy, an exciting new approach to labor work.
Laying the Groundwork for a Class Alignment Labor Strategy, part 4: What should be done
In this final part of our series on the Class Alignment Strategy, the authors propose four modifications to DSA’s labor institutions as well as a five-point plan for immediate action.
Laying the Groundwork for a Class Alignment Labor Strategy, part 3: Vectors and Through-Lines
In this third part of our series on the Class Alignment Strategy, the authors make an inventory of DSA’s vectors of influence in the labor movement as well as a description of the current political conjuncture.
Laying the Groundwork for a Class Alignment Labor Strategy, part 2: Tasks and Reflection
In this second part of our series on the Class Alignment Strategy, the authors describe the task facing DSA in the labor movement and review both the triumphs and the shortcomings of the DSA’s labor strategy thus far.
Laying the Groundwork for a Class Alignment Labor Strategy, part 1: Theory and Terrain
As an introduction the Class Alignment Strategy, the authors of this four-part series lay out a theoretical framework with which to understand labor unions and how they relate to DSA.
Democracy or Dominion: Why Socialists Must Marginalize the Authoritarian Right
Socialism depends on the full flowering of mass democracy — not just elections, but the ability of ordinary people to govern their workplaces, communities, and lives. The authoritarian Right’s project is the opposite: permanent minority rule maintained through fear, repression, and hierarchy. Before the Left can democratize the economy, we must expand the meaning of democracy.
Harness Street Power: Endorse No Kings!
This moment is more than an obligation; it is an opportunity. By joining the popular front against fascism, we can show the millions of outraged working people in this country that we need more than a return to the collapsing neoliberal order that Kamala Harris offered voters in 2024. We can show up on the streets and declare that to fight fascism, we must build socialism.
Zohran’s Victory Shows We Need to Run a Socialist for President
Zohran’s campaign is proof of concept that campaigns for executive offices present the best opportunity for the Left to spread our message to an audience of millions of working people. To recreate the effects of Zohran’s campaign at a national level, delegates at the 2025 DSA convention should vote for R33.
Build To Win, Win To Build: Public Renewables, & the GNDCC
“The feeling I had that day after four years of organizing culminated in a historic win is one every DSA member deserves to experience.”
MEMBERS ARE MEMBERS: 1 Member, 1 Vote For National Leadership
Daniel C. on the friendly-amended resolution at the center of DSA convention: 1 Member, 1 Vote for National Leadership.
All Power To The Members
Charlie H. reflects on 1 Member 1 Vote, Members Decide, and the radical and necessary work of redistributing power to DSA’s rank and file.
Toward a Left-Labor Coalition for 2028
Chris K and Frances G argue DSA should build a broad left-labor coalition to run a presidential candidate inside the 2028 Democratic primary—and to field a national slate of down-ballot candidates in 2026 and beyond.
Why LA’s MacArthur Park is a Key Battlefield between Fascism and Socialism
DSA-LA members David A. Gabriel O. Jenn M. and Shiu-Ming C. discuss how MacArthur Park, an immigrant cornerstone of Los Angeles, is the site of a struggle between fascism and socialism, and the crucial role DSA-LA must play in the fight.
Zohran victory news roundup
Ben D. from Metro DC assembles pieces by Groundwork members and supporters who wrote and talked about what powered the Zohran campaign and what makes DSA great following his win in the NYC mayoral democratic primary.
Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda: A Vision for a Nimble, Mass‑Oriented DSA
Chris K., former DSA communications director and DSA-LA delegate, reflects on the missed opportunities of national leadership to build DSA in the run up to the 2024 presidential election
Voting Brought Me Back To DSA. Every Member Deserves a Voice.
Aaron B., a Groundwork comrade from Metro Detroit DSA, shares how Metro Detroit DSA's “One Member, One Vote” reform made chapter life accessible again after post-leadership burnout.
A Strategy for Small Chapters
Richmond DSA has been on a fairly dramatic journey since its inception 8 years ago. After years of work, trial and error, we have come up with a model that helped us turn our chapter into an organization that is just beginning to throw its weight around and affect change in our community.
Groundwork vs. SMC: The view from New York
“What’s the difference between Groundwork and SMC?” Since Groundwork’s founding in 2023, caucus-curious DSA members and even some experienced caucus activists have frequently posed the question. If people are still asking this question in 2025, it’s on us as Groundwork to make sure there’s a clear answer.
More Members When?
How we mobilize our members at this moment is not just a practical question, it’s also political. Allegra R writes for Groundwork on why intentional recruitment work matters, and how to make it succeed.
The AOC Question
As people look to fight Trump, many turn to DSA—but even more look to AOC. We could channel that energy, but it will take disciplined organizing and a shift in how we navigate power.