Jonah Patel
In a 2020 campaign speech, Bernie Sanders introduced his 21st Century Economic Bill of Rights, which defined six rights that the senator says all Americans are entitled to. These included the right to a decent job, quality healthcare, a complete education, affordable housing, a clean environment, and a secure retirement. Political commentators, including Mark Levin, have since pointed out similarities between Sanders' speech and Joseph Stalin's 1936 Soviet Constitution, with some accusing Sanders of plagiarizing Stalin's work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Bernie Sanders' speech | June 12, 2020 |
| Name of Bernie Sanders' speech | 21st Century Economic Bill of Rights |
| Number of "rights" defined by Bernie Sanders | 6 |
| Number of "rights" lifted from Stalin's Constitution | 5 |
| Name of the only "right" not lifted from the Stalin Constitution | Right to a clean environment |
| Date of the Stalin Constitution | 1936 |
| Article in the Stalin Constitution that guarantees the right to work | Article 118 |
| Article in the Stalin Constitution that guarantees the right to health protection | Article 42 |
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What You'll Learn
Bernie Sanders' '21st Century Bill of Rights'
In a campaign speech on June 12, 2020, Bernie Sanders introduced his "21st Century Economic Bill of Rights", which outlined six rights that he believed all Americans should be entitled to. These included:
- The right to a decent job that pays a living wage
- The right to quality healthcare
- The right to a complete education
- The right to affordable housing
- The right to a clean environment
- The right to a secure retirement
Radio and TV host Mark Levin noted that these rights were strikingly similar to those outlined in Joseph Stalin's 1936 Soviet Constitution, accusing Sanders of plagiarism. Indeed, Articles 118-122 of the 1936 Constitution do mirror Sanders' "Bill of Rights", with the exception of the right to a clean environment, as climate change was not an issue in 1936.
Sanders' "21st Century Economic Bill of Rights" formed part of his broader economic plan, which included progressive policies such as universal healthcare, higher taxes on the wealthy, and a drastic reduction of student and medical debts. Sanders, a self-proclaimed feminist and progressive independent senator from Vermont, has become synonymous with a leftist movement that has energised many progressive young people. His economic policies aimed to address ongoing issues and reduce economic inequality in the United States.
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The 1936 Soviet Constitution
The Constitution was a significant document, redesigning the government of the Soviet Union, expanding rights and freedoms, and outlining democratic procedures. It replaced the Congress of Soviets of the Soviet Union with the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, a bicameral body consisting of the Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities. The Supreme Soviet was empowered to elect commissars, who performed most of its work.
The 1936 Constitution also repealed restrictions on voting, providing for universal direct suffrage and the right to work. It recognised various social and economic rights, including the rights to rest, leisure, health protection, care in old age and sickness, housing, education, and cultural benefits. It also provided for the direct election of all government bodies and their reorganisation into a single, uniform system.
The Constitution specifically mentioned the role of the ruling All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), stating that it was the "vanguard of the working people in their struggle to strengthen and develop the socialist system". This provision was used to justify banning all other parties and legalising a one-party state.
In addition to these provisions, the 1936 Constitution also outlined the jurisdiction of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, including its authority in international relations, the observance of the Constitution, the formation of new territories, the organisation of defence, the approval of the state budget, and the administration of banks and industrial enterprises.
The 1936 Constitution was the longest-surviving constitution of the Soviet Union, only replaced in 1977 by the "Brezhnev Constitution". Its impact extended beyond the Soviet Union, as many Eastern Bloc countries later adopted constitutions closely modelled on it.
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The six rights
In a campaign speech on June 12, 2020, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders introduced his "21st Century Economic Bill of Rights", which outlined six "rights" that he believed all Americans were entitled to. These were:
- The right to a decent job that pays a living wage
- The right to quality health care
- The right to a complete education
- The right to affordable housing
- The right to a clean environment
- The right to a secure retirement
Radio and TV host Mark Levin, as well as RedState columnist Elizabeth Vaughn, noted that these "rights" were strikingly similar to those outlined in Joseph Stalin's 1936 Soviet Constitution. The only "right" that seemed to be unique to Sanders' proposal was the right to a clean environment, as climate change was not an issue in 1936.
For example, Article 42 of the 1936 Soviet Constitution, also known as the Stalin Constitution, states: "Citizens of the USSR have the right to health protection. This right is ensured by free, qualified medical care provided by state health institutions; by extension of the network of therapeutic and health-building institutions..."
Similarly, Article 118 of the same constitution guarantees the right to work, stating that citizens are "guaranteed the right to employment and payment for their work in accordance with its quantity and quality."
While Sanders has been accused of plagiarizing Stalin's Constitution, it is important to note that there are inherent differences between the political ideologies and contexts of the United States and the former Soviet Union.
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Accusations of plagiarism
In a campaign speech delivered on June 12, 2020, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders introduced his "21st Century Economic Bill of Rights", which outlined six "rights" that he believed all Americans were entitled to. These included the right to a decent job that pays a living wage, the right to quality healthcare, the right to a complete education, the right to affordable housing, the right to a clean environment, and the right to a secure retirement.
Soon after, accusations of plagiarism began to surface. Radio and TV host Mark Levin, political commentator and historian, and RedState columnist Elizabeth Vaughn claimed that Sanders's "Bill of Rights" was strikingly similar to Joseph Stalin's 1936 Soviet Constitution, also known as the Stalin Constitution. They pointed out that five out of the six "rights" outlined by Sanders were essentially identical to those found in Articles 118-122 and Article 42 of the Stalin Constitution. The only "right" that appeared to be original to Sanders was the right to a clean environment, which was understandable given that climate change was not an issue in 1936.
In his defence, Sanders clarified that his proposal was meant to address the growing income and wealth inequality in the United States, which, as he stated in his June 12 speech, was greater than at any time since the 1920s. However, the resemblance to Stalin's Constitution sparked concerns and criticism, especially given Sanders's self-proclaimed "socialist" leanings and his previous associations with Marxist organizations.
While the plagiarism accusations focused primarily on the "Bill of Rights", some commentators extended the comparison to include other aspects of Sanders's platform, such as expanded public schools and free healthcare. They argued that while these proposals might seem appealing, they would ultimately result in increased government control and a potential erosion of liberties.
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Similarities between Sanders' and Stalin's ideologies
In a campaign speech on June 12, 2020, Bernie Sanders introduced his "21st Century Economic Bill of Rights", which outlined six "rights" that all Americans are entitled to. These included the right to a decent job that pays a living wage, the right to quality healthcare, the right to a complete education, the right to affordable housing, the right to a clean environment, and the right to a secure retirement. Many, including radio and TV host Mark Levin, noted that these "rights" were strikingly similar to those outlined in Joseph Stalin's 1936 Soviet Constitution, also known as the Stalin Constitution.
While Sanders has never explicitly expressed praise for Stalin, the similarities between their ideologies are notable. Both individuals advocated for a form of socialism, albeit with different interpretations. Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, believes in a system that guarantees certain social and economic rights to all citizens. On the other hand, Stalin's brand of socialism, as implemented in the Soviet Union, involved a highly centralized government that controlled various aspects of society, including healthcare and education.
One of the most significant similarities between Sanders and Stalin's ideologies is their emphasis on economic rights. Article 118 of the 1936 Soviet Constitution states that citizens have "the right to work" and are guaranteed employment and payment for their labor. Similarly, Sanders' "21st Century Economic Bill of Rights" includes the right to a decent job with a living wage. Both individuals recognized the importance of economic security and the role of the government in ensuring that citizens have the opportunity to earn a decent living.
Another similarity can be found in their views on healthcare. Article 42 of the 1936 Soviet Constitution, as quoted by The Hill, states that citizens of the USSR have "the right to health protection" and that this is ensured by free, qualified medical care provided by state health institutions. Sanders, likewise, includes the right to quality healthcare in his "Bill of Rights," indicating a shared belief in the importance of accessible and equitable healthcare for all citizens.
However, it is essential to acknowledge the differences in context and implementation between the two. While Sanders' proposals aim to expand access and ensure equality within a democratic framework, Stalin's policies were often characterized by centralization, limited choices, and a lack of regard for individual liberties. Additionally, it is worth noting that the right to a clean environment, which Sanders includes, is a reflection of modern concerns that were not present in the same way during Stalin's time.
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