ABSTRACT: Presentation of the transnational radical party and especially of its electronic bulletin board "Agorà", which can now be used, thanks to Internet, also to receive news on the radical activity as well as to join the party itself.

(1994 - IL QUOTIDIANO RADICALE, 12 November 1993)

Computer users the world over unite on-line. Karl Marx' vision of an international political party that pressed the leading classes beyond the national borders has never come true. But in those times he did not know how to use Internet. Initially financed by the U.S. government, the information superhighway is at the basis of the Transnational Radical Party, whose leaders will meet today in New York the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali. This year more than 40,000 people from 75 countries have joined the party, and each of them presses on the local politicians for the adoption of laws that help extend the U.N. peace force, for the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of the environment and the decriminalization of the use of drugs. Most have heard about the party through the traditional media such as mouth-to-ear, flysheets and newspapers articles. But in a message published in the U.S. papers, the party invited anyone wanting to have more information to send an E-mail message

on Internet, currently used by 20 million people. "Through Internet, we have received 150 information requests, only 100 arrived by mail", said Emma Bonino, political secretary of the Transnational Radical Party and Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. "This proves this is just the beginning of the use of Internet". Through the network, anyone with a computer and modem connected to the telephone line can read about the party's political guidelines in six languages. Users may also chat, exchange opinions or organized initiatives on the party's Bulletin Board, called "Agorà", the electronic "piazza" based in Rome. Internet can be used very little, however, in less developed countries, where few people have access to computers. "Connecting with Georgia, Moldavia or Macedonia is frankly rather difficult", said Bonino. "But in the United States it is certainly easier and more cost-effective to organize ourselves this way than to advertise on the New York Times".

Until recently the party was formed prevalently by Italians. This year it received members from Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa and the U.S.

The annual fee corresponds to 1% of the per capita Gross Domestic Product of the state of nationality. The fees for 1993 for a U.S. resident is $225. Marx would have considered it rather too much for a computer-equipped proletarian.

"It's expensive, I agree. But then, politics is expensive", Bonino said. "In Italy we saw that either you obtain money through corruption or you ask people for the money to bring about changes."

Translator's notes

(1) BONINO EMMA. (Bra 1948). President of the Radical Party, former member of the European Parliament, as of 1976 member of the Italian Parliament. Among the promoters of the CISA (Information Centre on Sterilization and Abortion) and active militant in the campaign against clandestine abortion. She was tried and acquitted in Florence. Participated in the conduction, on a national and international scale, of the campaign on World Hunger. Among the founding members of "Food and Disarmament International", promoted the circulation of the Manifesto of Nobel Laureates.