James Weinstein
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" Weinstein (July 17, 1926, New York City
– June 16, 2005, Chicago
) was an American
historian and journalist best known as the founder and publisher of In These Times
. Weinstein was a life-long socialist
and early 20th-century American socialism was often the focus of his writings.
As a young man, Weinstein was an active supporter of Henry Wallace's
1948 presidential bid on the Progressive Party ticket, a campaign strongly backed by the Communist Party. However, Weinstein later became critical of the "third party"
strategy and would encourage the American Left
to work within and influence the Democratic Party. Weinstein became a prominent figure among left-wing Democrats in his adopted home of Chicago, Illinois, where In These Times is headquartered.
Weinstein served in the U.S. Navy and received a degree in government
from Cornell University
in 1949. He later attended Columbia University
, obtaining an M.A.
in history
.
He was the author of numerous books, including The Decline of Socialism in America, The Corporate Ideal in the Liberal State and The Long Detour: The History and Future of the American Left. He also founded the journal Socialist Revolution (later renamed Socialist Review
) and was one of the founders of Modern Times Bookstore in San Francisco, California
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
– June 16, 2005, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
historian and journalist best known as the founder and publisher of In These Times
In These Times
In These Times is a politically progressive monthly magazine of news and opinion published by the Institute for Public Affairs in Chicago...
. Weinstein was a life-long socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
and early 20th-century American socialism was often the focus of his writings.
As a young man, Weinstein was an active supporter of Henry Wallace's
Henry A. Wallace
Henry Agard Wallace was the 33rd Vice President of the United States , the Secretary of Agriculture , and the Secretary of Commerce . In the 1948 presidential election, Wallace was the nominee of the Progressive Party.-Early life:Henry A...
1948 presidential bid on the Progressive Party ticket, a campaign strongly backed by the Communist Party. However, Weinstein later became critical of the "third party"
Third party (United States)
The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a...
strategy and would encourage the American Left
American Left
The American Left consists of individuals and groups, including socialists, communists and anarchists, that have sought fundamental change in the economic, political and cultural institutions of the United States. Although left-wing ideologies came to the United States in the 19th century, there...
to work within and influence the Democratic Party. Weinstein became a prominent figure among left-wing Democrats in his adopted home of Chicago, Illinois, where In These Times is headquartered.
Weinstein served in the U.S. Navy and received a degree in government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1949. He later attended Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, obtaining an M.A.
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
.
He was the author of numerous books, including The Decline of Socialism in America, The Corporate Ideal in the Liberal State and The Long Detour: The History and Future of the American Left. He also founded the journal Socialist Revolution (later renamed Socialist Review
Socialist Review (US)
Socialist Review is a left-wing political and cultural magazine published in the United States since 1970...
) and was one of the founders of Modern Times Bookstore in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
.