Douglas Fitzgerald Dowd
Encyclopedia
Douglas Fitzgerald Dowd (born 1919) is an American political economist, economic historian and political activist.
Now in his eighties and semi-retired, he continues to publish and has for many years offered a free class in San Francisco, California where he used to live for half the year. Now he lives full-time in Bologna, Italy. He teaches at the nearby University of Modena.
Many of his writings and audio transcripts are available on his web site: http://www.dougdowd.org.
in the 1968 U.S. presidential election
. He agreed to be on the ticket in New York
in order to prevent the selection of Jerry Rubin
. The party's presidential candidate that year was Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver
, who finished a distant fifth in the election.
Academic career
From the late 1940s until the late 1990s he taught at Cornell University, UC Berkeley and other universities. He has authored books that criticize capitalism in general, and US capitalism in particular.Now in his eighties and semi-retired, he continues to publish and has for many years offered a free class in San Francisco, California where he used to live for half the year. Now he lives full-time in Bologna, Italy. He teaches at the nearby University of Modena.
Many of his writings and audio transcripts are available on his web site: http://www.dougdowd.org.
Family
He is the son of a Jewish mother and a Catholic father. The strong dislike for each side of the family for the other side lead him to embrace an anti-religious attitude during his youth. He claims to be "non-religious" but its not clear whether he is agnostic or atheistic in his belief. He was a young man during the US Depression years, and lived through and participated in most of the major social and political events over the decades. He was a pilot for the United States during WW II, for example. His teaching and writings are peppered with colorful anecdotes and language, adding a very personal touch to his teaching. (Plus, his comprehensive knowledge of history and historical events provides an excellent background to his "I was there" and "I did this" adventures.)Electoral candidate
Dowd was one of the nominees of the Peace and Freedom Party for Vice PresidentVice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
in the 1968 U.S. presidential election
United States presidential election, 1968
The United States presidential election of 1968 was the 46th quadrennial United States presidential election. Coming four years after Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson won in a historic landslide, it saw Johnson forced out of the race and Republican Richard Nixon elected...
. He agreed to be on the ticket in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in order to prevent the selection of Jerry Rubin
Jerry Rubin
Jerry Rubin was an American social activist during the 1960s and 1970s. During the 1980s, he became a successful businessman.-Early life:...
. The party's presidential candidate that year was Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver
Eldridge Cleaver
Leroy Eldridge Cleaver better known as Eldridge Cleaver, was a leading member of the Black Panther Party and a writer...
, who finished a distant fifth in the election.