• Why Youth for International Socialism?
• Who we are and what we do
• What we fight for
• New Youth Magazine and Website
• Join Us

Why Youth for International Socialism?

• Are you sick of war, inequality, racism, unemployment, sexism, homophobia, ignorance, hunger and oppression?

• Are you sick of the corporate dominated media?

• Are you sick of the hypocrisy, injustice, and cruelty of the capitalist system?

• Are you sick of the steady decline in real wages, education and health spending?

• Are you sick of the way the environment is being destroyed in the name of profit?

• Are you sick of feeling like there is nothing you can do to change all of this?

• Well you're not alone!  And there is something you can do! You can make a difference! Get involved in the struggle for a better world with Youth for International Socialism!

Back to top

Who we are and what we do

Youth for International Socialism is a group of workers and youth that fight for the end of capitalism, and for democratic socialism, as explained by the ideas of genuine Marxism. We have links worldwide, and are in political solidarity with the ideas presented at the In Defence of Marxism website at www.marxist.com. We are Marxists in the tradition of Marx and Engels, and as continued by Lenin and Trotsky. Although we fight against capitalism shoulder to shoulder with other groups with similar goals, we maintain the specific ideas and principles of Marxism in our activities.

By getting involved in the local, national, and international youth, labor, and communist movements, Y.F.I.S. takes an active part in the day to day struggles of workers and youth around the world. With news and analysis, solidarity campaigns, educational material, discussion groups and much more, we work to spread the ideas of genuine Marxism to as many people as possible. We educate others and ourselves, and defend the interests of the workers and youth at all times. Join us in the fight for a better world!

Back to top

What we fight for

This is just an example of some of the demands we put forth in the United States which of course vary from country to country. Of course, only an end to capitalism and the implementation of democratic socialism worldwide can truly resolve the contradictions inherent under capitalism. As Leon Trotsky explained in his Transitional Program:

"It is necessary to help the masses in the process of the daily struggle to find the bridge between present demands and the socialist program of the revolution. This bridge should include a system of transitional demands, stemming from today's conditions and from today's consciousness of wide layers of the working class and unalterably leading to one final conclusion: the conquest of power by the proletariat."

• For a mass party of labor to power with class-independent and socialist policies
  The labor movement must break with the Democrats! Gain genuine support by adopting socialist policies that can really answer the needs and aspirations of workers and youth.

• The right to strike, the right to union representation and the right to collective bargaining
  Repeal all anti-union laws such as Taft-Hartley. End compulsory arbitration and the victimization of trade unionists and those forming new unions.

• Outlaw all forms of discrimination
  Equal pay for equal work. For equality of the sexes. Invest in quality childcare, housing and domestic facilities for all. For full reproductive rights including abortion. End all racist immigration and asylum controls. Full rights and amnesty to immigrant workers and their families. Place police under public control and end racist law enforcement. No to police racism and brutality! End the phony war on drugs in the US and internationally. Abolish the death penalty and release all political prisoners.

• Free, quality health care for all
  For a national single-payer, socialized healthcare system. Abolish private health care and HMOs. Free science from the dead hand of corporate greed. Nationalize the pharmaceuticals giants that squeeze their profits out of the health of working people.

• Socialist Internationalism
  Pull out of WTO, NAFTA, MAI and other bankers’ deals that are the tools of imperialist exploitation. Cut the military budget and strike back against imperialism and militarism. Nationalize the industrial giants and unite with Canadian and Mexican workers. For a Socialist Federation of the Americas as part of a World Socialist Federation.

• Full employment
  For a 30 hour work-week with no loss of pay.  Abolish temporary employment agencies. The right to a secure full-time job, full benefits, or a place in education. For voluntary retirement at age 55 with full retirement benefits for all.  No lay-offs!  No to privatization!

• Free, Quality Education for all
  Fund our schools and colleges. End corporate encroachment into the classroom. End tuition fees and loans, for living grants and life-long learning for all.

• A living wage for all
  A national minimum wage of at least two-thirds of the average wage. No exceptions. For a sliding scale of wages tied to inflation.

• Action to protect the environment
  Only public ownership of the land, major industries, oil, mining and logging companies, energy and transport, can form the basis of a genuine socialist approach to the environment. Socialist planning would ensure the democratic control of production, using all available information and technology. Environmental plans would be measured in generations, not fiscal quarters.

• A socialized plan of production for agriculture and natural resources
  Protect the environment and jobs. End the anarchy of the market in the resource industry. Nationalize the supermarkets and agro-chemical companies that destroy farmers’ livelihoods. Initiate a voluntary socialized plan of production for farming that would protect farmers’ jobs and security.

• Nationalization of the commanding heights of the economy: the top 150 banks and corporations
  Break with the anarchy of the capitalist free market. No compensation to the millionaires, only those in genuine need. All nationalized enterprises to be run by workers' control and management and integrated through a democratic socialist plan of production.

Back to top

New Youth Magazine and Website

New Youth is the magazine and website of Youth for International Socialism. They provide news, information, and analysis from a youth, labor, and Marxist perspective. The corporate media is owned and controlled by the rich and powerful – they only let you see what they want you to see! New Youth provides an alternative to the mainstream mass media. Drawing on the knowledge and experiences of Marxist youth and workers around the world, New Youth is your source for a class-based analysis of the events that shape our world.

It is currently published quarterly and is available both online and in printed form. Each issue is packed with news and analysis from around the world, theoretical and educational material, and more - written by Y.F.I.S. members themselves. For subscriprion information click here.   We are always looking for news, articles, solidarity campaigns, etc., so get your submissions to info@newyouth.com.

The New Youth website at www.newyouth.com has a wealth of Marxist information, analysis, and educational material. Bookmark it and check back regularly!

Back to top

Join Us!

Being a YFIS member will give you an opportunity to join an organization of like-minded youth and workers fighting for socialism all over the world. Capitalism long ago ceased being progressive for the vast majority of humanity. YFISers take concrete action in spreading the ideas of Marxism and defending the interests of the working class. We don't just discuss socialism - we fight for it!

Once you have looked over the website carefully, in particular the Recommended Reading, About Us and Marxism FAQ (see in particular: Cuba, Guerrilaism, Terrorism, Stalinism) sections, and are in general agreement with our ideas, principles, and goals, you should consider becoming a member! Being a member means more than just talking about the ideas of Marxism. It is very important that all comrades spend time reading the classic works of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Trotsky and keep up on current events (there is always up to date analysis from a Marxist perspective on the website!). In addition to that, joining or forming a local discussion/action group, educating others, recruiting new YFISers, and getting actively involved in local, national and international labor and solidarity issues should be a given!

Remember, the two most important things you can do are educate yourself and others, and get involved in the local labor and youth movement! We are also always looking for new articles for New Youth and ideas on how to make this website better. So please let us know what you think! Y.F.I.S. can only be as good as its supporters and contributors!

Only an internationalist approach to the problems of the 21st Century, based on the youth and working class, and the ideas of genuine Marxism can lead humanity to a Socialist Federation of the World and a society based on peace, freedom, and plenty, in harmony with the environment!

Join YFIS in saying NO to war, poverty, ignorance, injustice, racism, division, oppression, hate, and all the evils inherent in capitalism! And a resounding YES for solidarity, education, healthcare, jobs, democratic socialism, and a future for all of humanity!

Also, we are always looking for ideas on how we can improve this site and our activities.   Make your voice heard and let us know what you think!  We also take article submissions, letters to the editor, and solidarity campaign information, etc.  Please contact us at info@newyouth.com

Back to top