The Passions of Max Eastman
One of the “hottest radicals” of the early twentieth century, Max Eastman is now largely left out of the pantheon of the left. Can we still learn from this idiosyncratic editor today?
Winter 2026
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The Anxious Pilgrim
A New Left veteran who navigated the streets of 1968 and Henry Kissinger’s Harvard alike, Norman Birnbaum remains a uniquely searching voice of the democratic left.
Is a Left Zionism Possible?
The spirit of left Zionism, which was strong enough to build a country, has receded to the margins of Israeli politics. Can it be revived?
With a counter-argument by Joshua Leifer.
No Cheers For Anarchism
Anarchists are better dreamers than doers. A successful movement requires compromise, organization, and leadership to actually get things done.
The Anarchist Spirit
Many popular movements around the world today oppose hierarchy and embrace direct democracy. This is a spirit that we should applaud and help to flourish.
Breaking the Racial Contract
The crisis that deepened the chasm between the one percent and the rest also offers an opportunity to build a new, transracial coalition of the disadvantaged.
In Praise of Amateur Politics
Leftists will never entirely be released from the obligation to engage with the Democratic Party, but the left’s strength, and its power, will always lie outside formal politics.
With a counter-argument from Michael Kazin.
Why Leftists Should Also Be Democrats
Political parties are essential to a healthy democracy. And right now, for Americans on the left, the Democrats are the only party we have.
With a counter-argument from David Marcus.
Back to Class
It is time to think about class. The insurgencies we most need today are the insurgencies of large numbers.
Has the Left Won? An Exchange Between Tim Barker and James Livingston
The following is an exchange between Tim Barker, assistant editor at Dissent, and James Livingston, professor of history at Rutgers University and author, most recently, of Against Thrift: Why Consumer Culture is Good for the Economy, the Environment, and Your …
