Hot day in Adams Morgan, by local llustrator Christina Davies

Summer 2026

Cover image - Hot day in Adams Morgan, by local illustrator Christina Davies.

The Washington Socialist is a quarterly digital publication of the Metro DC DSA. It is produced by chapter members to share policy, strategy, opinion and ideas among the DC-area left. Content published does not necessarily reflect the views of Metro DC DSA or the national DSA.

Lead editor - Les P
Graphics by - Christina D, Gary zZz
Editorial Support - Les P, Gary zZz, Leah T, Yuval L, Sam D, Dan K, James T, Kurtis H,  Matthew B, and Peter S

‍

In this issue

Public Power advocates take hold in DC government

We Power DC members Cynthia, Evan, and Claudia
A public power bloc on the DC Council is emerging. The impacts could be revolutionary for the District.

Peace Not War, Migrant Justice Not Deportation: The Obligation to Resist

Kurt Stand
Interconnected histories remind us of the choices that need to be made to overcome intertwined evils of war and social injustice. 

There Is No DC City Council

Patrick Dalton
Calling DC's democratically elected legislature a “city council” is an explicit attempt to minimize its legitimacy at worst, an accidental reification of these attacks at best.

The Big 250: Lessons from Philadelphia’s Counter-Bicentennial

Iqra A
As DC drapes itself in celebrations of "America 250," a look back at distinct Bicentennial protest movements provides guidance for the struggle ahead.

Unclogging Capitalism’s Debris

Stephen Walkiewicz
A relaxing YouTube video quickly deteriorates into anxiety, summoning an age-old question: What does a better world look like?

Tax the Rich — But How?

William L. Driscoll
A review of The Second Estate, by Ray D. Madoff (and a guide for relieving the uber-rich of some of their ill-won gains)