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 of the International Marxist Tendency presented at the In Defence of Marxism website (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, YFIS 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!

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 the right to strike, union representation, and collective bargaining

Repeal all anti-union laws including Taft-Hartley. End compulsory arbitration and the victimization of trade unionists and those forming new unions. Unionize the unorganized!


For trade union democracy

All union officials to be regularly elected with the right  of immediate recall by the membership. All officials to receive the average wage of a skilled worker, plus vetted expenses.


For a mass party of labor based on the unions 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. For a fighting program against the attacks  of big business and the bosses' political parties!


Full employment and housing

For a 30 hour workweek with no loss of pay. The right to a secure full-time job, full benefits, or a place in education. For union control over hiring and firing. Abolish temporary employment agencies. Voluntary retirement at age 55 with full retirement benefits for all. No to the privatization of Social Security. No to lay-offs. Eradicate homelessness. For a massive  program of public works to rebuild our infrastructure and provide quality housing for all with rent fixed at not more than 10 percent of wages.


A living wage for all

For a national minimum wage of at least two-thirds of  the average wage with no exceptions. For a sliding scale  of wages tied to inflation.


Free, quality health care for all

For a nationally-funded single-payer socialized health care system. Abolish private health care and HMOs. Full access for all to the latest medical technology, treatments, and discoveries. Free science from the dead hand of corporate greed. Massively fund research and treatment for AIDS, cancer and other curable and preventable diseases. Nationalize the pharmaceuticals giants that squeeze their profits out of the health of working people.

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. No to vouchers and the privatization  of our public schools and universities.


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 up to and including abortion. End all racist immigration and asylum controls. Full rights and amnesty to immigrant workers and their families. No to racist and anti-worker police, courts, and laws. End the phony war on drugs in the U.S. and internationally. Abolish the death penalty and release all political prisoners. Defend our civil liberties. No to attacks on our civil rights in the name of the "war on terror". Mobilize the labor movement to combat racism: workers' unity is the way forward!


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 food distribution giants and agri-chemical companies that destroy farmers' livelihoods. For a voluntary socialized plan of production for farming that would protect farmers' jobs and security.


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 democratic control of production, using all available information and technology. Environmental plans would be measured in generations, not fiscal quarters.


Nationalization of the commanding heights of the economy: the top 100 banks and corporations

Break with the anarchy of the capitalist free market. No compensation to the millionaires, only to those in genuine need. For genuine freedom of expression and the democratization of the media. All nationalized enterprises to be run under democratic workers' control and management, and integrated in a socialist plan of production.


Socialist Internationalism

Pull out  of the WTO, NAFTA, MAI and other bankers' deals that are the tools of imperialist exploitation. No to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. No to the CAFTA and the FTAA. Cut the military budget: no to militarism and imperialism. No to the war on working people at home and abroad! End the embargo on Cuba. Hands Off Latin America! Nationalize the multinational industrial giants and unite with Canadian and Latin American workers. For a Socialist Federation of the Americas as part of a World Socialist Federation!