Citizens Party (United States)
The Citizens Party was a left-wing political party in the United States that existed from 1979 to 1984. It was founded by Barry Commoner, a prominent environmental scientist, who ran as the party's presidential candidate in the 1980 election.
The party's platform centered on environmentalism, social justice, and economic democracy. Key policy proposals included:
- Environmental Protection: Stringent regulations to control pollution, promote renewable energy sources, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Economic Reform: Nationalization of key industries, worker ownership and control, and a guaranteed minimum income.
- Social Justice: Universal healthcare, affordable housing, and equal rights for all.
- Disarmament: Significant reductions in military spending and a commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.
In the 1980 presidential election, Commoner received approximately 234,000 votes, representing 0.27% of the popular vote. Despite the low vote total, the Citizens Party aimed to raise awareness of issues they felt were being ignored by the mainstream political parties.
The party also ran candidates for other offices at the state and local levels. Their 1980 Vice-Presidential candidate was La Donna Harris, a Native American activist.
The Citizens Party dissolved in 1984, after struggling to gain broader support and facing internal disagreements. While the party itself no longer exists, its ideals and policy proposals continue to resonate with some segments of the American left and contribute to ongoing debates about environmental sustainability and social justice.