Marcus Raskin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marcus Raskin
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Born |
Marcus Goodman Raskin
April 30, 1934 |
| Died | December 24, 2017 (aged 83) Washington, D.C., U.S.
|
| Education | Juilliard School University of Chicago (BA, JD) |
| Occupation | Social critic, political activist, author, philosopher |
| Known for | Institute for Policy Studies co-founder |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara Bellman (divorced) Lynn Randels |
| Children | 4, including Jamie |
Marcus Goodman Raskin (born April 30, 1934 – died December 24, 2017) was an American thinker and activist. He was known for his ideas about society and politics. Marcus Raskin helped start a group called the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C. This group works to find new solutions for big problems. He also taught about public policy at George Washington University.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Marcus Raskin was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His parents were immigrants from Russia. They owned a plumbing store in Milwaukee.
When he was 16, Marcus left home to study piano at the Juilliard School in New York. Later, he decided to change his path. He went to the University of Chicago instead.
At the University of Chicago, he studied with important teachers. One was Rexford Guy Tugwell, an economist. Another was Quincy Wright, who taught about law. Marcus Raskin earned his first degree in 1954. He then got his law degree in 1957.
Career and Activism
Working in Government
In 1958, Marcus Raskin moved to Washington, D.C. He worked as a legal advisor for some members of Congress. These included Robert Kastenmeier and James Roosevelt.
He also became the secretary for a group called the Liberal Project. This group connected members of Congress with smart thinkers. They discussed new ideas for the country.
In 1961, Raskin joined the United States National Security Council. He helped with national security and disarmament. Disarmament means reducing weapons. He even went to a conference in Geneva about disarmament in 1962.
Starting the Institute for Policy Studies
In 1963, Marcus Raskin left his government job. He wanted to create a new organization. He teamed up with Richard Barnet. They started the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS).
IPS was an independent group. Its goal was to study and question government policies. They wanted to find better ways to solve problems.
Speaking Out for Peace
Much of Raskin's early work at IPS was about the Vietnam War. He wrote a book called Vietnam Reader in 1965. This book helped people understand the war better. It was used in special teaching events across the country.
In 1967, he wrote "A Call to Resist Illegitimate Authority." This paper encouraged people to oppose the draft. The draft was when young men were called to join the military. Many people signed this "Call to Resist."
Raskin and others even turned in draft cards to the Department of Justice. This was a way to show their strong opposition to the war. He became part of a group known as the "Boston Five." They were known for their activism.
After this, Raskin wrote more books. These books questioned the idea of a "national security state." This is a term he created. It describes how national security can sometimes become too powerful.
Ideas for a Better Society
In 1971, Raskin published Being & Doing. In this book, he talked about "social reconstruction." This idea means rebuilding society in a better way. He believed in peaceful changes. He wanted to replace old systems with new ones. These new systems would give more power to the people.
Marcus Raskin also played a role in the Pentagon Papers story. These were secret government documents. In 1971, he received these papers from Daniel Ellsberg. Raskin then connected Ellsberg with a reporter from New York Times.
In the 1980s, Raskin became a leader in the anti-nuclear movement. He worked to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. He also helped bring together labor unions and public interest groups. They worked to create new political ideas.
Later Work and Legacy
Marcus Raskin continued to work at the Institute for Policy Studies. He also taught at George Washington University. He advised a group of progressive members of Congress. He helped start the "Cities for Peace" project. This project encouraged cities to pass resolutions against the Iraq War.
His later work focused on how to achieve peace and justice. He wrote books about creating a new society. He wanted to inspire people to take action. He also wanted to help other thinkers find new ways to solve problems.
Personal Life
Marcus Raskin was married twice. He had three children with his first wife, Barbara Bellman. One of their children is Jamie Raskin, who is also involved in politics. Later, he married Lynn Randels Raskin. They had one child together. Marcus Raskin had nine grandchildren.
He loved classical music. In 2004, he released a piano recording. It was called Elegy for the End of the Cold War. Marcus Raskin passed away on December 24, 2017, at the age of 83. He died from a heart problem.
His uncle, Max Raskin, was also a politician in Milwaukee.
Books
- (1962) The Limits of Defense, with Arthur Waskow
- (1965) The Viet-Nam Reader: Articles and Documents on American Foreign Policy and the Viet-Nam Crisis, edited with Bernard B. Fall
- (1965) A Citizen's White Paper on American Policy in Vietnam and Southeast Asia
- (1965) After 20 Years: Alternatives to the Cold War in Europe, with by Richard J. Barnet
- (1971) Being and Doing: An Inquiry Into the Colonization, Decolonization and Reconstruction of American Society and Its State
- (1971) Washington Plans An Aggressive War, with Ralph L. Stavins and Richard J. Barnet
- (1971) An American Manifesto, with Richard Barnet
- (1974) Notes on the Old System: To Transform American Politics
- (1975) The American Political Deadlock: Colloquium on Latin America and the United States: Present and Future of their Economic and Political Relations
- (1976) Next Steps for a New Administration
- (1978) The Federal Budget and Social Reconstruction: The People and the State
- (1979) The Politics of National Security
- (1986) The Common Good: Its Politics, Policies, and Philosophy
- (1987) New Ways of Knowing: The Sciences, Society, and Reconstructive Knowledge, with Herbert J. Bernstein
- (1988) Winning America: Ideas and Leadership for the 1990s, with Chester Hartman
- (1991) Essays of a Citizen: From National Security State to Democracy
- (1992) Abolishing the War System: The Disarmament and International Law Project of the Institute for Policy Studies and the Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy
- (1995) Visions and Revisions: Reflections on Culture and Democracy at the End of the Century
- (1997) Presidential Disrespect: From Thomas Paine to Rush Limbaugh – How and Why We Insult, Scorn and Ridicule Our Chief Executives, with Sushila Nayak
- (2003) Liberalism: The Genius of American Ideals
- (2005) In Democracy's Shadow: The Secret World of National Security, with Carl LeVan
- (2007) The Four Freedoms Under Siege: The Clear and Present Danger from Our National Security State, with Robert Spero
Legacy
Marcus Raskin's personal and work papers are kept at George Washington University. This collection includes his letters, essays, and notes. It also has materials related to the Institute for Policy Studies. These documents cover the years from 1952 to 2013. They help us learn more about his important work.
See also
- List of peace activists
