The Challenge of Politics
Web Resources
The following links will help you explore the themes of Chapter 7 on the Web.
The Fabian Society was founded in 1884 as a socialist society committed to gradual, rather than revolutionary, social reform. Now, it is a leftist organization based in the United Kingdom. It is independently run but affiliated with the Labour Party. The Fabian Society’s searchable Web site features “Current Activities” and “Get Involved” sections. In addition, a “Freethinking” section is a forum for numerous articles and online debate.
This “Red Files” Web site is a companion to the popular four-part PBS television series by the same name. The series exposed the Soviet view of history with never-before-seen films and dossiers. The site includes still frames and audio from the series plus a wealth of additional information on Soviet history. The site provides maps and other reference materials, including a link to the Russian archives. This highly recommended site is both entertaining and informative.
This is an excellent Web site that provides a wide range of resources. The site acts both as an Internet archive and as an encyclopedia of Marxism. It has sections on art, philosophy, psychology, political economy, and history. Political writers categorized as socialists, anarchists, reformists, communists, Stalinists, Maoists, national liberationists, and black liberationists are covered in depth.
Great Britain’s Labour Party is a self-proclaimed democratic socialist party that values social justice, strong community, reward for hard work, decency, and rights matched by responsibilities. The Web site for this popular party offers political news and campaign information. The policy section of this site provides a good representation of the doctrines of a democratic socialist political party.
This Web site is dedicated to Marx, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao. Each leftist legend has his own Internet library composed of a rich supply of archival documents. The libraries are organized chronologically, but they are fully searchable. Highlights of the Mao section include Mao’s comments on Chiang Kai-shek, commerce and capitalism, the Communist Party, being revolutionary, and the role of the countryside.
Alternet.org is a leftist online magazine created by the Independent Media Institute. The site features several “content files,” including files relating to human rights and global affairs. Each file provides links to additional information and urges readers to take action. In addition to offering weekly news e-mails, the Web site hosts discussion forums on current issues.