Introduction

State of the Union is one of many projects that Institute for Policy Studies has been working on since its inception in 1963 to define and promote progressive change in both foreign and domestic policy. Progressives are committed to reducing the extremes of rich and poor within countries and between the developed nations of the North and the developing nations of the South and East. Progressives favor a Global New Deal, with enforceable international rules of fair play to ensure that no corporation or country can profit by abusing human rights, workers, or the environment. Washington began the year by embracing the self-proclaimed "New Democrat" from Arkansas with open arms. With a former governor in the Oval Office, Washington's twelve-year war against states and cities appears to be over. Deep down, President Clinton probably has some progressive beliefs. His much publicized opposition to the Vietnam War reflected a laudable aversion to military adventurism.