Jim, responding to the flood of books nominated for "20th century classic of American liberal political thought that has held up best," writes:
The suggestions seem to me to bring to mind the question of where/how those being educated in the last 20 years learn the wisdom and experience of post-WWII liberal/progressive - much of which is highly relevent to the pickle/fuckup we find ourselves in today?Here's chance for a lefty organization to use the net to set out summaries of this good stuff for the current generation, including comments on where things were right and wrong: The wisdom of the progressive/liberal philosophy.I'd also include less than book length articles and speeches (like Kennen in Foreign Policy on realism), obviously some good stuff like MLK's letter from the Birmingham jail and 'I have a dream' speech on the DC mall.Secondary schools and colleges don't include most of the underpinnings of our political philosopy and practice except in some specialised grad. courses in a few institutions.I'm thinking here more than a Wiki entry, but multi-person contributions that grow over time, with some editors to give structure and coherency. Where's American's for Democratic Action (ADA) when we need them - or the American Prospect, CAP, The Nation, et. al. Let's call this the American Liberalism Project!
