The Socialist Manifesto: The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequality

An essential introduction to democratic socialism, and a galvanizing argument for its power to drive positive change in America and beyond.

“Bhaskar Sunkara has delivered a razor-sharp guide to socialism’s history, transformative promise, and path to power.” —Naomi Klein, #1 bestselling author of Doppelganger

Every day, more Americans are embracing democratic socialism, as shown by the stunning popularity of Zohran Mamdani, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Bernie Sanders. But what, exactly, is socialism? And what would an American socialist system look like?

In The Socialist Manifesto, Jacobin founder Bhaskar Sunkara explores socialism’s history and presents a vision for its future. He shows democratic socialism not as a foreign import, but as a tradition with deep roots in American political life—one that has repeatedly succeeded in expanding freedom and security for ordinary people. From labor rights to social insurance, socialist ideas have helped humanize markets, and Sunkara argues they remain essential to building a more equal and democratic world beyond capitalism.

Now updated with new material on renewed interest in socialism in the age of Trump, The Socialist Manifesto is essential reading for anyone seeking a solution to the vast inequities of our age.