Convention Discussion
This page is the headquarters of all the official Convention Discussion leading up to and during the 30th National Convention of the Communist Party USA, June 13-15, 2014 in Chicago.
As part of each Communist Party convention a special discussion is organized in order to examine party policy, politics and practices in an in-depth way, in order to help inform and guide the Convention itself, which is tasked with making major decisions for the organization going forward.
We consider the Convention Discussion as an essential part of the Convention itself, involving a much wider group of members, supporters, allies and the public than we can possibly include in the Convention itself. We welcome everyone to join us in looking at world today and helping determine the best way forward for the working class and the communists of the U.S. and world today.
The discussion will be conducted here at cpusa.org as well as on the website of Political Affairs Marxist magazine and on the Communist Party’s Facebook page and Twitter account. Communist Party members can also participate in an online forum that will be available soon.
Discussion Guidelines
Well-prepared contributions that meet the guidelines for discussion can be sent to discussion@cpusa.org. for consideration to be published.
This list, however, is not comprehensive. Much of the discussion is happening in community meetings, party clubs and districts, in online forums and on other websites that are official venues of the discussion. We have tried to link here to all the major contributions.
The Communist Party takes no responsibility for the opinions expressed during the Convention Discussion period. Those views do not necessarily reflect the views of the Communist Party, its leading bodies or staff members. The CPUSA Constitution, Program, and all its existing policies remain in effect during the Convention Discussion period and during the Convention.
Framework for the discussion
We have identified six broad categories to organize the discussion. Short “framing documents” in each topical area identify some of the pressing questions that could be addressed. These categories and framing documents are not meant to limit the discussion in any way but are meant to stimulate interest and make the organization of the discussion more manageable. Many issues are relevant in more than one area. Contributions will be placed in the topic are at the discretion of the Convention Discussion Committee.
Labor movement and the working class
The U.S. working class and working people, its composition, status, dynamics, and its organizations, particularly the labor movement, individual unions and experiences in the class struggle at all levels including tactics, strategies and campaigns.
The struggles for democracy and equality
All aspects of U.S. democratic and social struggles, particularly the conditions and developments in, as well as struggles for equality and freedom for women, youth, African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, American Indians, Jewish Americans, gays and lesbians, and more. Includes the fight against racism, sexism, homophobia and all aspects of bigotry and discrimination.
U.S. politics today and the right danger
The overall political life of the country including electoral and political struggles at all levels. Includes analysis of the political balance of forces at all levels, the status and role of the Democratic and Republican parties, third party experiences, opportunities for political independence, experience of particular campaigns, candidates and policies.
Capitalism in environmental and economic crisis
All aspects of the impact of the capitalist crisis on the U.S. and global economy and the environment, looking at the status and standing of Wall Street and the global 1%, the national and global trends. The struggle for jobs, sustainable development, financial regulation, infrastructure spending, taxing the rich, etc. and the environmental movement.
U.S. foreign policy and international issues
The world and the U.S. involvement with it, particularly issues of war and peace. Includes developments around the globe (regionally and nationally) and their implications, U.S. imperialism today, the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, arenas of struggle around U.S. foreign policy, militarism, and international solidarity.
The Communist Party and 21st Century Socialism
All issues related to our organization, its history, structure, identity, role and practices and the struggle for socialism in the U.S. Concrete experiences and proposals for growing and strengthening the Communist Party. Questions about socialist construction, and particular aspects of socialism USA. Includes questions related to Party Constitution and Program.
The views and opinions expressed in the Convention Discussion are those of the author alone. The Communist Party is publishing these views as a service to encourage discussion and debate. Those views do not necessarily reflect the views of the Communist Party, its leading bodies or staff members. The CPUSA Constitution, Program, and all its existing policies remain in effect during the Convention discussion period and during the Convention.