AMASS was founded in 1976 as a magazine of progressive commentary on the social, political, economic and cultural changes peculiar to the mid-1970s, especially the institutional deadlock in the US and rise of new political formations on both left and right. Having witnessed and documented the many consequences of these changes over the past quarter of a century, it remains committed to keeping the lessons from this history alive in framing the key issues of our times. We are especially interested in the effects of neoliberal globalization and the ability of states to challenge them through the institutions of mass democracy. We are sympathetic with populist responses to crises on the national, global and local levels (particularly in Los Angeles) which draw attention to different institutional options for change. Above all, we are eager to document and endorse the ideas and attitudes that can direct us toward new dimensions of democratic participation.