The Socialist Workers Party (SWP) is a communist political party in the United States, established in January 1938. It originated from a split with the Socialist Party of America, following ideological disagreements that favored Leon Trotsky over Joseph Stalin.
The party's ideology has evolved over the years, initially rooted in Trotskyism until the 1980s, and later embracing Castroism since 1959. The SWP's historical affiliations include the Fourth International (1938-1953), the International Committee of the Fourth International (1953-1963), and the United Secretariat of the Fourth International (1963-1990).
Since 1990, the party has identified with the Pathfinder tendency.
The SWP has consistently published "The Militant," a weekly newspaper, since its inception. The party also operates Pathfinder Press, which publishes and distributes its literature.
The headquarters of the Socialist Workers Party is located at 306 W. 37th Street, 13th floor, New York City, New York 10018.
During the mid-20th century, the SWP was the largest Trotskyist organization in the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was among the top three socialist organizations, alongside the Communist Party USA and Students for a Democratic Society, partly due to the influence of its youth wing, the Young Socialist Alliance.
However, the party experienced numerous splits and a decline in membership over the years. Today, it is smaller compared to its offshoots, such as the Trotskyist Socialist Alternative and the Marxist-Leninist Party for Socialism and Liberation.
The SWP prioritizes "solidarity work" to support strikes and is a strong advocate for Cuba. In the 2020s, the party has notably defended "Israel's right to exist" and "right to defend itself," particularly during the Israel–Hamas conflict.
This stance is in contrast to other U.S. socialist organizations, which typically hold anti-Zionist positions and support Palestinian nationalism.