Rather than attempting to define Bernie Sanders and his lifelong commitment to what he calls, “Democratic Socialism,” I would rather he speak for himself.

This speech was streamed live from George Washington University. Here Sen. Bernie Sanders delivers a major address in which he puts democratic socialism in its historic context as part of the American progressive tradition.

Sanders is a transformational socialist. As a candidate for President, he sincerely believes in a massive uprising of the working class as a means to political change. Here Sanders addresses the Trump presidency and calls for a national grassroots movement, founded on the values of traditional progressivism.

His contention is that defeating Trump requires the assertion of progressive values as the sole means to confront oligarchy and authoritarianism.

I promised myself I would resist the temptation to critique Senator Sanders and allow him to present his case to you.

Here’s Bernie Sanders in his own words.