The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) claim to advocate for a government representing the working class, yet their membership largely consists of educated professionals. According to a 2021 internal survey, 80% of DSA members over 25 were college-educated, with 28% earning over $100,000 annually. Critics, including Thomas Edsall from the New York Times and libertarian commentator Robby Soave, argue that many DSA members do not fit the traditional definition of working class.
Some socialists argue that an organization does not need a uniformly working-class membership to advocate for working-class interests. However, others assert that the DSA's critics misunderstand the definition of working class, which they argue includes anyone who must sell their labor to meet their needs.
Historically, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels described society as divided into two classes: capitalists and workers. This binary view is increasingly seen as outdated, as modern capitalism has created a diverse labor force with significant distinctions in income and status. The article discusses the challenges of defining class in contemporary society, emphasizing that class should be viewed as a continuum rather than a binary division.
The DSA's expansive definition of working class may politically benefit its members by fostering solidarity with lower-income individuals, but it can also obscure the specific interests of more affluent professionals. The article concludes that for the DSA to effectively advocate for working-class interests, it must recognize the distinct economic circumstances and interests of different groups within the labor force.