I don't know if it's justified, but I have a visceral reaction against the World Federalists since it turns out some of their early leaders were CIA folks (who wanted US-dominated World Federalism). But Barber seems better than that. JD
Ian writes: There's quite a bit of work being done on the issue of globalizing Federalism. There's a group Noam Chomsky's involved with -whether in a symbolic sense or something greater I don't know- that's got a website I can't remember, although I posted it to Doug's list a while back. Another lefty who's big on the idea is James Yunkers. Barber is working with the group below. These are interesting loci for radicalizing and stimulating debate... Barber's "Strong Democracy" is actually a quite interesting text. "...the corporate society and the corporate mentality themselves stand in the way of active citizenship that is indispensable to strong democracy. That dilemma, too, will have to be confronted if democracy is to survive. And though through worker's participation, the democratization of workplaces, and other schemes the corporate monopoly can be loosened, the ultimate battle - if it is to be winnable - will have to be political. It will pit not only democratic society against monopolistic corporatism but autonomous politics against economic reductionism in both theory and practice. As the editors of the 'Clarion' of Great Britain said long ago, we must build up a nation of democrats before socialism is possible." [SD, page 257] The World Federalist Association USA < http://www.wfa.org/ > Join us on Capitol Hill as we take a close look at the future of sovereignty and national security and call on our elected representatives to take effective action in the post 9-11 world. Our keynote speaker this year will be Dr. Benjamin Barber, author of Jihad vs. McWorld. WORLD FEDERALIST ASSOCIATION 420 Seventh Street, SE � Washington, DC 20003 [EMAIL PROTECTED] � 1-800-WFA-0123 � 1-202-546-3950
