Literature
Why We Are Democratic Socialists
the Political Perspective of the Democratic Socialists of America
Socialism
Socialism and Environmentalism
by Rodger C. Field
Michael Harrington (mp3 audio)
Democratic Socialist Theory and Practice
by Joseph Schwartz and Jason Schulman
by David Schweickart
Max Shachtman and Norman Thomas (mp3 audio)
Michael Harrington (mp3 audio)
Toward a Socialist Theory of Racism
by Cornel West
Why
We Need Socialism in America
by
Michael Harrington
(PDF 8.57 Mbytes)
Issues
- DSA
Globalization Without Representation
- DSA
A Modest Proposal for Sweeney and Clinton: The Quick Vote
by Kurt Anderson
by Bill Dixon
by Deborah Meier
Dr. David Stark Murray audio
Bush and His Band of Thieves: Your Retirement Is Next!
by Bob Roman
Some Basic Facts About Chicago
DSA
Chicago DSA is affiliated with the national Democratic Socialists of America but is separately incorporated. Anyone paying national membership dues in the Chicago area is automatically a member of the Chicago DSA local. Chicago DSA is incorporated as an Illinois non-profit corporation and, like DSA nationally, has 501c4 status from the IRS. This means we are tax exempt but contributions are not tax deductible. It also means our electoral participation is limited in much the same way as participation by labor unions is limited.
Chicago DSA covers Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties: basically zip codes 600 through 609. Our experience has been that this is far too large a territory for members to effectively participate through chapter-wide general membership meetings; consequently, we encourage the formation of branches and commissions. If there are none in your geographic area or in your area of interest, consider taking the intitiative in forming one. The members of the Executive Committee would be glad to help. For more information, also refer to our by-laws.
Current Chicago DSA branches are the University of Chicago Young Democratic Socialists of America and Greater Oak Park Democratic Socialists of America.
General membership meetings are held four times a year, at least, including an annual Membership Convention in June. Any interested person may attend these meetings but only members in good standing may vote.
The Executive Committee usually meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM, usually at the Chicago DSA office but sometimes elsewhere. The Chicago DSA Executive Committee is made up of officers and duly elected representatives of any "branches" or "commissions". Every DSA member is welcome to attend (and speak at) Executive Committee meetings. Call the CDSA office for additional information: 773.384.0327.
Chicago DSA has an office irregularly staffed by volunteers, most reliably on Saturday afternoons from 1 PM until 3 PM. When no one is in the office, a telephone answering machine will take a message of modest length. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible.