English

Fund to be raised from April 1 through July 15

$50,000 fund launched to support World Socialist Web Site

Total so far: $34,036.63

The Socialist Equality Party (US) has launched a $50,000 fund to be used for the development of the World Socialist Web Site. The fund runs from April 1 through July 15 and will be used to sustain and expand the WSWS.

We are only in the initial stages of developing the World Socialist Web Site, but we feel we can point with some pride to what we have achieved thus far. We have already begun to establish our site as an indispensable resource for those seeking a serious and critical analysis of contemporary world events.

The WSWS has posted in-depth articles on a wide range of political, social, cultural and historical topics. We have produced major statements on the financial crisis in Asia, the Clinton scandals and the US war threats against Iraq. We have posted substantial documents and exhibits dealing with basic questions of Marxist theory and analysis. Some of these postings include: the introduction and first chapter of 1937: Stalin’s Year of Terror, by the Russian Marxist historian Vadim Rogovin, as well as an exhibit on the work of Rogovin; lectures presented at last January’s international school in Australia on the topic: “Marxism and the Fundamental Problems of the Twentieth Century”; the extensive elaboration of political perspectives entitled “Globalization and the International Working Class,” a reply to the nationalist positions of the Spartacist League; and the pamphlet Lessons of the 1965 Indonesian Coup.

Since launching the site two months ago we have begun to attract a global audience. According to recent usage statistics, the site has been visited by readers in 63 countries. We have received correspondence from all parts of the world, including Africa, Asia and the former Soviet Union. Among those sending e-mail have been trade unionists, high school students, teachers, writers, filmmakers and other professional workers.

We have posted correspondence dealing with theoretical and historical issues, including the class nature of Cuba, the Anglo-Irish “peace” talks and a recent BBC documentary on Lenin. We have had lively exchanges with readers on such issues as the Jonesboro, Arkansas school shootings and the crisis in public education. The large volume of correspondence we have received in response to David Walsh’s review of the film Titanic indicates the potential of the World Socialist Web Site as an international forum for serious debate and discussion on social and cultural questions.

We have received many letters from long-term supporters and new readers congratulating us on the depth of our political analysis. The high quality of our website has been noted by professional web designers. In March the WSWS was listed by Netscape as one of its featured new sites.

In the coming months we plan to build on what we have achieved so far. We aim to expand our network of correspondents so our site can provide regular reports and analysis from Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, the Middle East, Japan and Latin America, and to increase our coverage of developments in North America, Europe, Australia and the Indian subcontinent. We aim as well to make our site a vital resource for the study of the history of the workers movement and the historical legacy of Marxism. In the coming months we plan to post exhibits on the life and writings of Leon Trotsky, and important documents from the history of the Left Opposition and the Fourth International.

Workers in every part of the globe will be able to communicate with one another through our site about the struggles in which they are engaged. We envision that the World Socialist Web Site will become the focal point for the development of a broad-based socialist culture and the forging of an international revolutionary party of the working class.

Needless to say, operating and developing the WSWS entails major financial outlays. In addition to the cost of maintaining an editorial staff, there are substantial expenses involved in the hardware, software and technical support associated with the site. As the site develops and becomes more complex, these costs will grow.

The World Socialist Web Site can only develop in line with the political requirements of the international working class if it receives generous financial support from workers, students and professional people. We appeal to all those sympathetic to the cause of socialism and the working class, all those concerned with the social and cultural decay of contemporary society, all those interested in historical truth, to give generously to support of our web site.

Contributions should be mailed to: SEP, PO Box 48377, Oak Park MI 48237. Checks should be made payable to the Socialist Equality Party.

Loading