Ben Davidson (1901–1991) was an American politician who co-founded the Liberal Party of New York State with fellow teacher unionist George Counts, David Dubinsky of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, Alex Rose of the Cloth Hat, Cap and Millinery Workers, and theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.
Communist members of Local 5 included Mandel, Davidson, Bertram Wolfe, Jacob Lind, Rae Ragozin, Jack Hardy, Sarah Golden, Clara Reibert, Abraham Zitron, and Isadore Begun.
[1] Other leaders have included: John L. Childs, Adolf A. Berle, Jr., Dr. Timothy W. Costello, Dr. Donald Szantho Harrington, and James S.
Both have held political power; yet, under both, large sections of our population have lacked the food, clothing, housing, medical care, and economic security people need and this country can provide.
The fundamental cleavages within the two old major parties prevent their effectuating positive programs for achieving full employment, high production levels, and improved living standards.
The spread of totalitarianism, the danger of a third and atomic war, the virus of religion and racial bigotry and persecution require a political instrument that will enable the people to meet these challenges… These times demand that liberals in all walks of life unite in a new, nation-wide third party that will challenge the unholy alliance of Reactionary Republicans and Southern Tory Democrats now dominating the Congress.
[1] For example, in 1947, when the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for barring United Nations personnel from Peter Copper Village due to their race and color.
Davidson called upon Governor Dewey and the New York legislature to oppose such actions as running counter to public policy.
"The Liberal Party will do everything within its power, through education and legislation, to make feasible for persons, no mater of what color, race, religion, or creed, to be eligible to live in any housing project with benefits from tax exemption.
"[6] He remained prominent as the Liberal Party's executive director,[4] as cited in newspapers in 1955[7][8] and 1957, when he was quoted as saying "Our own program thinks well" of the Wagner administration.