I'm a socialist in the Marxist tradition. My introduction to Marxism came through the writings of Daniel De Leon, whose politics are represented now by the Socialist Labor Party of America (which I was a member of in the early 1990s) and the New Union Party.

Political theorists who have influenced me include: James Connolly, Seamus Costello, Daniel De Leon, V. I. Lenin, Rosa Luxemburg, Karl Marx & Frederick Engels, and Anton Pannekoek.

A very basic definition of socialism would be a system where the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned and controlled democratically by the workers through their own institutions. Emphasis on democratically, as true socialism means the extension of democracy into all social spheres, not its reduction or elimination.

For those whose first argument is "but socialism failed in the USSR," read this. Even if you disagree with it, you will have a better understanding of my perspective.

Marxism's continuing value as a tool of analysis is in providing a way of seeing through and critically assessing the economic power relations our society takes for granted, and in encouraging speculation about alternatives.

The following websites are excellent resources for learning more about Marxism: Marxists Internet Archive Students Section and Marxism Made Simple. Also take a look at Storming Heaven, a page I created to explore these politics (although it's still under construction).