De Leonism

De Leonism, also known as Marxism–De Leonism, is a Marxist tendency developed by Curaçaoan-American trade union organizer and theoretician Daniel De Leon (1852–1914). De Leon was a leader of the Socialist Labor Party of America (SLP) from 1890 until his death, during which time he developed the theory of socialist industrial unionism as a revolutionary strategy.

De Leonist theory advocates dual organization – the simultaneous building of socialist industrial unions in workplaces and a socialist political party to achieve revolutionary change through both economic and political action. This approach distinguishes De Leonism from both Leninist vanguardism and pure syndicalism, proposing instead a "peaceful" revolution achieved through electoral victory combined with workplace organization. The theory envisions workers electing representatives to an "All-Industrial Congress" that would replace traditional government structures, with both the political party and the state ultimately withering away.

Despite De Leon's theoretical innovations and international influence—including on British socialist education through the Plebs' League and figures like Noah Ablett—De Leonist organizations have been widely criticized for sectarianism and dogmatism. This contributed to organizational splits, including the 1901 formation of the Socialist Party of America by dissident SLP members, and the eventual decline of De Leonist parties worldwide. The original Socialist Labor Party of America ceased operations in 2008, though De Leonism's emphasis on industrial unionism and dual organization contributed to the development of revolutionary labor theory and influenced later thinkers including Antonio Gramsci.

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