Progressive International

Progressive International
Name	Progressive International
Formation	2018
Founders	Bhaskar Sunkara; Yanis Varoufakis; Naomi Klein; Kshama Sawant
Type	Transnational political organization
Headquarters	London
Region served	Global

Progressive International

Progressive International is a transnational coalition formed to coordinate, promote, and support left-wing, social-democratic, democratic socialist, and progressive movements across continents. It was launched in 2018 with the stated aim of unifying trade unions, political parties, activist networks, and intellectuals to resist austerity, climate change, authoritarianism, and neoliberalism. The organization brings together figures from across the political left including elected officials, grassroots organizers, scholars, and artists to pursue coordinated campaigns at national and international levels.

History

The initiative emerged from debates within the contemporary left following events such as the 2008 financial crisis, the rise of movements like Occupy Wall Street, and electoral developments including Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign and the resurgence of parties such as Podemos in Spain and Syriza in Greece. Founders included editors and activists associated with Jacobin (magazine), economists linked to DiEM25, and organizers from municipal leftist currents like Sanders movement allies and Seattle City Council members. The launch conference in 2018 featured speeches and endorsers drawn from trade unions like Service Employees International Union, labor federations such as KTUC, and civil society organizations including Amnesty International and Greenpeace-affiliated networks. Early activities centered on solidarity with movements opposing austerity in places such as Greece, supporting indigenous struggles in Ecuador and Bolivia, and mobilizing around climate justice at international forums like the UN Climate Change Conference.

Organization and Structure

Progressive International functions as a loose federation rather than a centralized party apparatus, combining member parties, unions, NGOs, and individual signatories. Its coordinating bodies have included steering committees composed of public figures from institutions like The New School, research centers such as the Institute for Public Policy Research, and think tanks akin to Roosevelt Institute. Operational hubs have been associated with offices in cities including London, New York City, and Athens. The network model enables collaboration between municipal formations such as Barcelona en Comú, national parties like Labour Party (UK), and continental groupings including European Green Party affiliates, while retaining formal autonomy for members.

Principles and Goals

The coalition articulates principles that resonate with traditions represented by figures such as Karl Marx, Rosa Luxemburg, and Antonio Gramsci, and with policy platforms advanced by leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jeremy Corbyn. Its stated goals include promoting universal social protections, public ownership or regulation of key sectors as argued by proponents in Nordic model debates, decommodification policies championed by Bolivarian-aligned movements, and ambitious climate action consistent with analyses by IPCC. The platform emphasizes international solidarity, anti-imperialism in the spirit of critiques leveled by Noam Chomsky, and intersectional approaches to race and gender advanced by scholars affiliated with Black Lives Matter and feminist networks like International Women's Strike.

Activities and Campaigns

Activities have ranged from coordinated statements and petitions to campaign support, electoral observing, and mobilizations at multilateral summits. Campaigns have included global petitions in solidarity with protests in Chile 2019 protests, organizing international days of action for climate justice coincident with strikes led by Greta Thunberg, and supporting labor disputes involving unions such as United Auto Workers and Unite the Union. The organization has hosted online conferences, curated platforms for policy exchange among municipal leaders from Medellín, Barcelona, and Seattle, and issued manifestos that draw on policy proposals advanced by think tanks like Demos and IPPR. It has also supported international solidarity efforts for political prisoners in contexts such as Turkey and Venezuela and coordinated messaging during contested elections in countries including Brazil and Peru.

Governance and Membership

Governance combines a public-facing council of prominent endorsers with working groups and campaign committees. The council has included elected politicians from parties such as Democratic Socialists of America, European leftist parties like Die Linke, and figures from Latin American formations including Movimiento al Socialismo (Bolivia). Membership categories distinguish between institutional affiliates (trade unions, parties, NGOs) and individual signatories (activists, academics, artists). Working groups focus on thematic areas—labor, climate, migration—sometimes partnering with specialized organizations such as Oxfam and Human Rights Watch for research and advocacy. Funding sources have comprised donations, foundation grants comparable to those used by organizations like Open Society Foundations (reported by critics and observers), and contributions from member organizations.

Reception and Criticism

Reception among left-wing and progressive actors has been mixed. Supporters—ranging from municipalist leaders associated with Barcelona en Comú to international intellectuals—praise its role in coordinating transnational solidarity and policy exchange. Critics from both the radical left and centrist left have raised concerns: some accuse it of insufficiently challenging institutions like IMF and World Bank or of prioritizing public relations over grassroots organizing, while others question links to establishments exemplified by ties to liberal NGOs such as Human Rights Watch or media outlets like The Guardian. Controversies have arisen around endorsements of particular governments and stances on conflicts, leading to public resignations and debates within member organizations similar to disputes seen in Labour Party (UK) internal conflicts. Scholars and commentators in outlets like The New York Times and The Economist have analyzed its potential efficacy in reshaping transnational politics, comparing it to historical internationals such as the First International and Second International.

Category:Transnational political organizations