EPN: the Electronic Policy Network

URL: http://www.epn.org
The Electronic Policy Network is an online consortium of a wide variety of organizations concerned with economic, social, and government policy, ranging from the American Association of Retired Persons to the Worldwatch Institute. Membership has a progressive or liberal emphasis, but many are politically neutral. Each member organization posts reports, studies, and press releases considered useful to anyone conducting research in the field of public policy, in addition to articles taken from print media. Subject matter ranges from long-standing issues such as death penalty reform to up-to-the-minute reports on proposed economic stimulus legislation and national ID cards. The user can choose from a subject list (e.g. "building democracy," "gender," "globalization and trade") either on the "What's New" page or "Idea Central," and each topic is represented by a solid list of links to other relevant websites. Member organizations also post job openings and events, and users can sign up to receive news releases by e-mail. While the website is a bit busy with flashing "ads" for member organizations and is not favorably inclined towards the Bush administration, the array of policy issues presented is impressive.

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

URL: http://www.lawyerscomm.org
The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is a non-profit organization, founded in 1963, dedicated to protecting the rights of the poor and racial minorities. Its website offers a variety of resources pertaining to voting rights, election reform, employment rights, education and housing, and hate crimes, more informative of the Center's activities than substantive. One section publicizes internship and pro bono opportunities at the Center, with an extensive Q. & A. Organization of the website is only fair; the user should employ the site map. Material begins with the year 2000, so some items are out of date, e.g. an urgent call to oppose the nomination of John Ashcroft as Attorney General.

Tax.Org

URL: http://www.tax.org
This website is the work of Tax Analysts, a non-profit organization publishing online and print materials for tax professionals. However, as an all-purpose resource for tax news and IRS developments it is of interest to many people in fields such as public policy, economics, and business. Subscription services include online magazines covering US, UK, Canadian, and EU tax developments, a federal tax research library, and the text of IRS chief counsel advice letters; free resources include articles on US and world tax policy from the publications Tax Notes and Tax Notes International (most from 1998 on but some earlier). Also available are e-forums, a tax history section, and the text of the Basic World Tax code, developed at Harvard for developing countries and new market economies, offered in English, Spanish, and Eastern European language versions. The essays and articles are not technical or strictly law-oriented but deal with theoretical and socio-political implications of taxation policy, and are thoughtful and even humorous. Tax.org is recommended to all social scientists and policy makers.

Terrorism Research Center

URL: http://www.terrorism.com
The Terrorism Research Center, an independent institute founded in 1996, offers "next-generation terrorism analysis," drawing from "international warfare experts" in the field from the United States and abroad. As expected, most of the current content deals with the events of September 11. The website contains essays, links to documents and research, articles, profiles of American and foreign terrorist and insurgent groups, some news stories culled from MSNBC and Newsweek, and links to related organizations.