Resources
BOOKS
Social Democratic America, Lane Kenworthy: An excellent vision of what a truly social democratic U.S. might look like, and some cogent thoughts on how to get there from here by a U Cal San Diego sociologist.
American Political Economy in Global Perspective, Harold Wilensky: A classic. A trenchant analysis of the U.S. system as compared to other advanced economies, with convincing policy prescriptions, by an acknowledged leader in the field of social democracy theory and practice.
The Oxford Handbook of the Welfare State, ed. Castles, Leibfried, Lewis, Obinger, Pierson: Different sections cover every area of welfare state practice, from pensions to housing, across the many nations of the OECD.
The Oxford Handbook of U.S. Social Policy, ed. Beland, Howard, Morgan: A handbook treatment of the major programs that make up the U.S. safety net.
One Hundred Years of Socialism: The West European Left in the Twentieth Century, Daniel Sassoon: This in-depth history by a noted scholar traces the development of socialism and social democracy in Europe.
The Primacy of Politics: Social Democracy and the Making of Europe’s Twentieth Century, Sheri Berman: A slimmer volume than Sassoon’s tome, focusing more strictly on social democracy. An excellent introduction.
The Welfare State That Nobody Knows, Christopher Howard: This highly instructive volume by a College of William and Mary prof presents the American welfare state in all its jury-rigged, compromise-ridden and unwieldy complexity. A must-read for any American social democrat.
POLICY AND ADVOCACY WEBSITES
Economic Policy Institute (epi.org)
An excellent go-to for economic analysis from a social democratic perspective.
Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (cbpp.org)
Another key research and policy institute focused on social democracy programs.
Center for Economic Policy Research (cepr.net)
Like the Economic Policy Institute, a treasure trove of analysis, information and policy prescriptions.
Social Europe (socialeurope.eu)
An excellent site focusing on Europe's social democracy scene, with insights from academics and policy makers.
Governing the States and Localities (governing.com)
Issues facing state and local governments with a social democracy slant.
Working Families (workingfamilies.org)
Advocacy site for social democratic priorities
Equal Voice for Families (equalvoiceforfamilies.org)
A foundation-supported news organization dedicated to eradicating poverty in the U.S.
After School Alliance (afterschoolalliance.org)
An advocacy and information site for after-school programs.
Common Dreams (commondreams.org)
“Breaking News and Views for the Progressive Community”
The Campaign Legal Center (campaignlegalcenter.org)
A major advocate for campaign finance and redistricting reform
State Innovation Exchange (stateinnovation.org)
“Advancing Progressive Change in the States”
