Simply the best and most compelling materials from a wide assortment of sources
Monthly review is without a doubt one of the most unique and perhaps noblest publishing ventures in modern times.Several of our editors received their "education" in leftwing politics through books and articles published by MR, as have thousands of activists here and abroad. For all of us, MR was and remains our real university. We are proud to include some of their materials on our site.
HISTORY — In May 1949 Monthly Review began publication in New York City, as cold war hysteria gathered force in the United States. The first issue featured the lead article Why Socialism? by Albert Einstein. From the first Monthly Review spoke for socialism and against U.S. imperialism, and is still doing so today. From the first Monthly Review was independent of any political organization, and is still so today. The McCarthy era inquisition targeted Monthly Review's original editors Paul Sweezy and Leo Huberman, who fought back successfully. In the subsequent global upsurge against capitalism, imperialism and the commodification of life (in shorthand “1968”) Monthly Review played a global role. A generation of activists received no small part of their education as subscribers to the magazine and readers of Monthly Review Press books. In the intervening years of counter-revolution, Monthly Review has kept a steady viewpoint. That point of view is the heartfelt attempt to frame the issues of the day with one set of interests foremost in mind: those of the great majority of humankind, the propertyless. [Read more...]
“Theory becomes a material force,” wrote Karl Marx, “once it seizes the masses.” The obverse is also true: if theory does not “seize the masses,” it becomes impotent and irrelevant. [Read further.in HTML format..] [Read this article in PDF format]
2. Why Socialism? By Albert Einstein. First published in may 1949, in MR's premier issue, this essay lays out in elegant and precise terms why humanity needs to choose socialism if it aspires to moral consistency and survival. It's worth noting that Einstein's lifelong allegiance to socialism was a well-kept secret and that the organs of mass communications did a splendid job of fooling the masses in this regard, too, up to this day.
