As DNC 2020 nears, a look back at Milwauk The Democratic National Convention is coming to a city once known for its prominent ties to socialism. Milwaukee was home of Rep. Victor Berger, who in 1910 became the first member of Congress elected on the Socialist Party ticket. The city had three Socialist Party mayors in the 20th century, starting with Emil Seidel, who served as mayor from 1910-1912 and was the first Socialist to govern a major American city. Daniel Hoan had a 24-year tenure as mayor ending in 1940, winning 10 straight citywide elections as a Socialist before joining the Democratic Party in 1941. The socialist influence in Milwaukee politics has disappeared, its sway eroding after the last of the Socialist Party mayors, Frank Zeidler, left office in 1960 after 12 years. But the arrival of the Democratic convention in July, along with the political philosophy of presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, presents a fresh opportunity to look back at the historical connections to socialism. There are some parallels between the ideas and thinking of Milwaukee socialists from the early to mid20th century with the democratic socialism that Sanders says he supports, said Joel Rast, an associate professor of political science at UWM and director of urban studies. Sewer socialism Socialism in Milwaukee drew the nickname “sewer socialism” because it focused on infrastructure projects. Rast described it as the idea that government’s role was to supply infrastructure that helped not just people, but also businesses, to be able to perform better.
10 • IN FOCUS • January, 2020
There are some parallels between the ideas of Milwaukee socialists from the mid-1900s and the democratic socialism that presidential candida science at UWM. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
“And so they put a big emphasis on building things like streets and bridges. The kinds of things that businesses need to do well,” Rast said. “These are things that most people are not going to have a big problem with – better infrastructure.”
care proposals as an example. “So why shouldn’t government step in? Maybe government can do that better.”
There was an emphasis on addressing market failures and recognizing government as a force to address shortcomings, Rast said.
For instance, Zeidler saw public housing as a big priority not just to help the poor but also working-class people. The view stemmed from a housing shortage after World War II similar to those that other cities experienced around the country.
“There has been a tendency, even among some Democrats (today) to minimize the role that government can play as a positive force in society, to talk about how we can streamline government,” Rast said. Sanders’ philosophy Conversely, Sanders has spoken out about government needing to play a stronger role in areas like health care. “The private sector is not supplying it in a way that’s efficient or cost effective,” Rast said in using Sanders’ health
Sewer socialists would say the same thing, Rast said.
“So what Zeidler thought was let’s build public housing, because the private market is not supplying enough housing,” Rast said. “So it’s this notion of government being this legitimate force in society to step in where the market fails and do the job in place of the private sector,” Rast said. “It’s very similar to what Bernie Sanders is arguing.” Influence fades
