Todd Gitlin

Contributing Writer

Todd Gitlin is a professor of journalism and sociology at Columbia University and the author, most recently, of Letters to a Young Activist (Basic).

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Is the Press Too Big to Fail, or Has It Been Failing for Decades?

There was no Golden Age for the media, but the industry's failure on climate change is its worst offense yet.

Thu Apr. 25, 2013 11:27 AM PDT

Backing Away From Bush

The conservative pundits who once celebrated the president as the embodiment of Republican ideals now want you to believe that the administration has been hijacked by a band of false conservatives.

Mon Oct. 8, 2007 12:00 AM PDT

Big Tent. Big Plans?

Bush-bashing gave the Dems a majority. Now it's time to make something of it.

January/February 2007 Issue

Permission to Speak Freely

A new crusade aims to protect conservative students from left-wing professors. But the real victim is robust debate?on campus, and beyond.

March/April 2005 Issue

A Gathering Swarm

The mobilization to defeat George W. Bush was innovative, passionate ... and ultimately insufficient. But its fusion of movement and machine could yet transform the political landscape.

January/February 2005 Issue

The Great Media Breakdown

The press admits it fell for the administration's line on weapons of mass destruction. But the media's failure goes far beyond Iraq.

November/December 2004 Issue

Book Review: Hearing America

Studs Terkel's ode to activism provides a powerful lesson in how to listen.

November/December 2003 Issue

Goodbye, New World Order: Keep the Global Ideal Alive

Instead of shouting 'US Out,' those who opposed Washington's unilateral war must get serious about creating an international vision of their own.

Mon Jul. 14, 2003 12:00 AM PDT

America's Age of Empire: The Bush Doctrine

With barely a debate, the Bush doctrine has set out a radically new -- and dangerous -- role for the United States.

January/February 2003 Issue

An Open Letter to Nancy Pelosi

The bad news: Democrats spun into a ditch on election day, and now the party is divided on what went wrong, and how to recover. The good news: both sides are right.

Mon Nov. 18, 2002 1:00 AM PST

Who Will Lead?

An antiwar movement is finally, thankfully stirring. But the ideology-bound leaders of that movement are steering it away from the millions of Americans whose concerns and ambivalence might fuel it.

Mon Oct. 14, 2002 12:00 AM PDT

How to Squander Moral Capital

In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, the world expressed its sympathy and solidarity with America. One year later, the Bush administration's illogic and arrogance have pumped new life into anti-Americanism.

Mon Sep. 9, 2002 12:00 AM PDT

Making the Most of a Scandal

The ongoing corporate scandals represent a unique opportunity to pursue real reform -- an opportunity many on the left seem to be ignoring as they exult over President Bush's discomfort.

Mon Jul. 29, 2002 12:00 AM PDT

The Rough Beast Returns

Anti-Semitism is back, taking the place of intelligent criticism of Israel and its policies. And if that wasn't bad enough, students are spreading the gibberish.

Mon Jun. 17, 2002 12:00 AM PDT

The Politics of Victimhood

Victimhood has become a default position for Jews and Palestinians alike -- with bloody consequences for both peoples.

Wed May. 8, 2002 12:00 AM PDT

Blindness and Madness

Israeli and Palestinian leaders are teaching President Bush a painful lesson about the cost of neglect and obsession.

Mon Apr. 8, 2002 12:00 AM PDT

The Progressive Duck-and-Cover

As President Bush prepares to expand the war on terrorism worldwide, Capitol Hill progressives are keeping unconscionably quiet

Mon Mar. 4, 2002 1:00 AM PST

An Oily Quagmire

Washington is warning Americans that drug addicts help support terrorists. But what about the nation's other habit -- cheap oil?

Wed Feb. 6, 2002 1:00 AM PST

Blaming America First

Why are some on the left, who rightly demand sympathy for victims around the world, so quick to dismiss American suffering?

January/February 2002 Issue

The End of the Absolute No

The American left's reflexive opposition to U.S. military intervention broke down over Kosovo. A veteran activist says it's about time.

September/October 1999 Issue