Democratic Socialists of America: Their internal divisions, explained

Key Points:

• The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have gained significant political ground recently, with members like Zohran Mamdani elected to influential positions and membership reaching 120,000 dues-paying individuals.
• The DSA distinguishes itself from progressive Democrats by advocating for socialism, including worker control over workplaces and society, and critiquing capitalism itself rather than seeking to reform it.
• Internally, the DSA is divided between those favoring a democratic path to socialism and those supporting revolutionary socialism, with ongoing debates over electoral strategies and the extent to which members should work within or break from the Democratic Party.
• The New York City DSA chapter tends to be more pragmatic and focused on electoral success, often supporting figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), while the national leadership is more ideologically rigid and critical of compromises, especially regarding issues like Israel-Palestine.
• Looking ahead to the 2028 presidential race, AOC is seen as the likely candidate for DSA endorsement despite internal skepticism, with some members wanting to maintain organizational independence rather than fully merging with her campaign.