Jacobin, DSA Fund, and The Nation magazine joined forces to host the highly anticipated “How We Win: The Democratic Socialist Policy Agenda in Office” conference in Washington, DC, last weekend.
Attendees of the How We Win conference, held in Washington, DC, on June 16 and June 17, 2023.
Jacobin, DSA Fund, and The Nation magazine joined forces to host the highly anticipated “How We Win: The Democratic Socialist Policy Agenda in Office” conference in Washington, DC, last weekend.
Held from June 16 to June 17, 2023, the event brought together 80 elected democratic socialists and their staff from local, state, and federal government.
It was the largest gathering of American socialist elected leaders in decades. The conference aimed to develop effective strategies for advancing socialist public policy and governance. Attendees, comprised of elected officials and their staff, seized the opportunity to explore a diverse range of topics, including connecting with working-class constituencies through commonsense messaging, implementing successful policy measures, and sharing their invaluable experiences holding public office.
The inaugural day of the conference featured Congresswoman Cori Bush, who delivered an inspirational keynote speech, as well as a conversation between Senator Bernie Sanders and Nation contributor John Nichols.
Congresswoman Cori Bush delivered the keynote speech at the How We Win conference, held in Washington, DC, on June 16 and June 17, 2023.
“Just a few years ago, it would have been hard to imagine a gathering of dozens of US elected officials committed to democratic socialism,” said Bhaskar Sunkara, the founding editor of Jacobin and the current president of The Nation magazine. “I’m grateful to DSA Fund and to all those who made the trip to discuss the challenges and prospects for our movement and cause of working-class emancipation.”
On Saturday, the conference showcased a series of interactive panels, workshops, and networking sessions. From analyzing successful policy implementation to addressing difficulties faced by elected officials, the gathering provided a unique platform to navigate the intricacies of challenging the establishment while inside public office.
Senator Bernie Sanders had the following to say when he spoke to the gathering on Friday night: “When we talk about being democratic socialists, we have a vision. It’s a vision that says that every man, woman, and child can have a decent standard of living. That instead of pushing wars, we can use that money to improve life for our people and people all over the world. That human solidarity, bringing people together for common goals to improve life for all, is what we are about.”
The plenary session at the How We Win conference, held in Washington, DC, on June 16 and June 17, 2023.