Developments in the world economy today, and the need for socialism

1. What are the major changes occurring today in the global economy? What is the role of U.S. corporations in those changes? How should US workers meet these challenges?

2. What common interests or common ground can US workers find today with workers in other countries, including those pursuing socialist development? How can these interests form a basis for united struggle?

3. What is causing the recent surges of mass migration in different parts of the world in recent years? How should the US people, especially US workers, respond to this challenge?

4. What role do racism and national chauvinism play in the strategy of the capitalist class? Why do some workers turn to right-wing parties and movements (rather than the left) in response to declining economic security? How can we reverse this development?

5. How have changes in capitalist production shifted the composition and organization of the workforce, and the working class as a whole?  What have trends like automation, uberization, and online collaboration meant for the participation and status of women in the workforce? Of youth?

6. What lessons can be drawn from the experiences of Cuba, China, Vietnam, and other countries who continue to define themselves as socialist after the fall of the Soviet Union and socialist states in Eastern Europe?

7. As the economic, political, and environmental crises of capitalism deepen, polls are showing an increased interest in socialism, especially among youth. Have we seen/experienced this in our daily interactions with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and in our political work? How do we make a case for socialism?

The struggles of the working class and the core forces for jobs, equality, democracy, justice and planet

1. How does our strategy of unity against the extreme right work out on the ground? How can we connect grassroots struggles to defeating Trump and the extreme right in 2020 and beyond?

2. What is the state of the broad anti-right alliance of forces in your area? What are the main barriers to building unity against the right wing and their agenda in your experience?

3. As left and progressive ideas become more mainstream, how can we work toward the political independence of the working class and its core forces ? What are the circumstances that make an electoral campaign by a CPUSA candidate viable?

4. How does racism hurt the entire working class, and why is it important to make the fight against racism a component of the coalitions we work with? What is the role of oppressed nationalities in movements for health care, education, and immigrant rights and climate?

5. How do sexism, misogyny, and the inequality of women hurt the entire working class, and why is it important to bring the fight against male supremacy as a component of the coalitions we work with? What is the role of the women’s movement in the struggle against the extreme right?

6. What forms of oppression and discrimination do LGBTQ people face? How does capitalism shape and perpetuate that oppression, and how can we advance the struggle for equality?

7. What is climate justice, and how does the fight for an ecologically sustainable society mesh with other democratic struggles? What special contributions can the CPUSA make in the struggle for climate justice and a Green New Deal?

8. What is the relationship between the struggle for justice and democracy at home and the struggle against imperialist war and militarism? How can the CPUSA work to persuade the broadest sections of the U.S. population that another kind of foreign policy is needed?

The role of the Communist Party USA

1. What is the role of the CPUSA, both in the struggle for socialism and in struggles around more immediate gains? What special contributions does the CPUSA make in those struggles today?

2. What do we have in common with our coalition partners in the broad movement, including elements in the Democratic Party, and what are our differences?

3. To what extent is anti-communism still an obstacle in our coalition and union work? What forms does it take, and what are the most effective ways of overcoming it?

4. How are we doing at building the party, recruiting new members, extending our coalition relationships, and increasing the public presence of the CPUSA?  What initiatives could make us more effective at bringing a new generation of communists into the party?

5. As we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our founding, how can we most effectively draw on and publicize our history? What can we learn from our past victories, as well as our mistakes?

6. How can we become more effective in our communication within and outside of the Party? How can we more effectively use social media, our webinars, club educationals, and printed materials to both recruit and retain members?

7. What is the role of Marxist education in building the party and advancing the struggle for socialism? What educationals, whether on the national or district level or club level, have you found helpful in increasing your knowledge of Marxism? Are there ways the Party could offer further help in this regard?

Remember, this list is neither exhaustive nor exclusive!  You are welcome to discuss other topics as well.