This list is dedicated to the exchange of information and ideas within an on-line community defined by a broad democratic left politics. Our goal is to discuss and debate how we might make democratic left principles and programmatic initiatives into a real force in mainstream politics and a real presence in mass organizations such as those of the labor movement, the feminist movement, the civil rights and anti-racist movement, environmental movement, gay and lesbian movements, and global justice/human rights movements. We welcome participation from individuals who identify themselves as part of the democratic left -- as a left-liberal, a social democrat, a radical democrat, or a democratic socialist.

We would like this list to be a "public space" where members who are active in various political and social contexts can share their experiences and resources, put forward and examine analyses of the world in which we live and work, and engage each other in spirited but civil debate. Some contributions will simply pass along useful links and works; others will raise and grapple with contemporary issues of import. Larger questions of political strategy for the democratic left, of the meaning and direction of various developments, will be discussed here. Questions on the development of programmatic initiatives will also be addressed. Theoretical reflections will always be welcome, but our intent is to have discussions of theory grounded in political concerns.