Jim Weinstein

James Weinstein "was the founder of the influential journal Socialist Review and the founding editor and publisher of the Chicago-based democratic socialist magazine In These Times."

Writing in a special supplement of In These Times that was dedicated to Weinstein, David Moberg notes: "Unlike much of the left, Weinstein thought that the majority of Americans were part of a greatly varied working class that shared a potential common interest in the liberation of human potential that a truly democratic socialism could bring. There was a tendency in the latter days of the New Left for many radicals to see America—sometimes spelled with three k’s—as the enemy, but Jim believed that the ideals of socialism could have wide appeal.

"And contrary to many on the left, Weinstein thought not only that electoral political work was essential—fighting to win elections and not just “educate” voters—but also that in most circumstances, socialists should fight their battle in Democratic primaries, not through third parties with dim prospects resulting from the structure of American political institutions. He was an enthusiastic supporter of politicians like Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, the late Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) and Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who, if not all openly socialist, were and are able to fight effectively for popular democracy, fairness and equality. In The Long Detour, he identifies socialism with expansive educational opportunities, universal health care, electoral reform and other programs that might have been at home in the old Socialist Party of Debs." Bio

Books

 * James Weinstein, The decline of socialism in America, 1912-1925 (Monthly Review Press, 1967).
 * James Weinstein, The corporate ideal in the liberal state, 1900-1918 (Beacon Press, [1968]).
 * James Weinstein, Ambiguous legacy: the left in American politics (New Viewpoints, 1975).
 * James Weinstein and David W. Eakins, For a new America: essays in history and politics from Studies on the left, 1959-1967 (Random House, 1970).
 * James Weinstein, The Long Detour: The History and Future of the American Left (Westview, 2004).