Socialist_international

Socialist International

Socialist International

Political international


The Socialist International (SI) is a political international or worldwide organisation of political parties which seek to establish democratic socialism,[1] though it consists mostly of social-democratic political parties and labour organisations.

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Although formed in 1951 as a successor to the Labour and Socialist International, it has antecedents in the late 19th century. The organisation currently includes 132 member parties[3] and organisations from over 100 countries. Its members have governed in many countries, including most of Europe. In 2013, a schism in the SI led to the establishment of the Progressive Alliance.[4]

The current secretary general of the SI is Benedicta Lasi of Ghana and the current president of the SI is the prime minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez,[5] both of whom were elected at the last SI Congress held in Madrid, Spain, in November 2022.

History

First and Second Internationals (1864–1916)

The International Workingmen's Association, also known as the First International, was the first international body to bring together organisations representing the working class.[6] It was formed in London on 28 September 1864 by socialist, communist and anarchist political groups and trade unions.[7] Tensions between moderates and revolutionaries led to its dissolution in 1876 in Philadelphia.[8]

The Second International was formed in Paris on 14 July 1889 as an association of the socialist parties.[9] Differences over World War I led to the Second International being dissolved in 1916.

Labour and Socialist International (1919–1940)

The International Socialist Commission (ISC), also known as the Berne International, was formed in February 1919 at a meeting in Bern by parties that wanted to resurrect the Second International.[10] In March 1919, Communist parties formed the Communist International ("Comintern"), the Third International, at a meeting in Moscow.[11]

Some parties did not want to be a part of the resurrected Second International (ISC) or Comintern. They formed the International Working Union of Socialist Parties (IWUSP, also known as Vienna International, Vienna Union, or Two-and-a-Half International) on 27 February 1921 at a conference in Vienna.[12] The ISC and the IWUSP joined to form the Labour and Socialist International (LSI) in May 1923 at a meeting in Hamburg.[13] The rise of Nazism and the start of World War II led to the dissolution of the LSI in 1940.

Socialist International (1951–present)

The Socialist International was formed in Frankfurt in July 1951 as a successor to the LSI.[14]

During the post-World War II period, the SI aided social democratic parties in re-establishing themselves when dictatorship gave way to democracy in Portugal (1974) and Spain (1975). Until its 1976 Geneva Congress, the SI had few members outside Europe and no formal involvement with Latin America.[15] In the 1980s, most SI parties gave their backing to the Nicaraguan Sandinistas (FSLN), whose democratically elected left-wing government was subject to a campaign to overthrow it backed by the United States, which culminated in the Iran–Contra affair after the Reagan administration covertly continued US support for the Contras after such support was banned by Congress.

Willy Brandt with outgoing secretary general Bernt Carlsson (left) and new secretary general Pentti Väänänen (right) at the Socialist International Congress in 1983

In the late 1970s and in the 1980s the SI had extensive contacts and discussion with the two leading powers of the Cold War period, the United States and the Soviet Union, on issues concerning East–West relations and arms control. The SI supported détente and disarmament agreements, such as SALT II, START and INF. They had several meetings and discussion in Washington, D.C., with President Jimmy Carter and Vice President George Bush and in Moscow with Secretaries General Leonid Brezhnev and Mikhail Gorbachev. The SI's delegations to these discussions were led by the Finnish Prime Minister Kalevi Sorsa.[16]

Since then, the SI has admitted as members an increasing number of parties and organisations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America (see below for current list).

Following the Tunisian Revolution, the Constitutional Democratic Rally was expelled from the SI in January 2011;[17] later that month the Egyptian National Democratic Party was also expelled;[18] and as a result of the 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis, the Ivorian Popular Front was expelled in March 2011,[19] in accordance with section 7.1 of the statutes of the Socialist International. These decisions were approved at the subsequent SI Congress in Cape Town in 2012 in line with section 5.1.3 of the statutes.[20] These were long term ruling parties of one-party states that were overthrown in the protests of the Arab Spring.

Progressive Alliance split (2013)

On 22 May 2013 the Social Democratic Party of Germany along with some other current and former member parties of the SI founded a rival international network of social-democratic parties known as the Progressive Alliance, citing the perceived undemocratic and outmoded nature of the SI,[21][22][23][24] as well as the Socialist International's admittance and continuing inclusion of undemocratic political movements into the organization. For example, the SPD objected to the continued presence of the Sandinista National Liberation Front and the delayed ouster of the Tunisian RCD and Egyptian NDP.[25][26]

After the 2012 Congress, the SI underwent major changes as many of the large European parties allowed their membership to lapse for example the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the Swedish Social Democratic Labour Party or downgraded their membership to observer status for example, the British Labour Party and the Norwegian Labour Party (DNA). These parties now concentrate their international links on the Progressive Alliance, with the SI's focus now increasingly being on the global south.

Relationship with Latin America

For a long time, the Socialist International remained distant from Latin America, considering the region as a zone of influence of the United States. For example, it did not denounce the coup d'état against Socialist President Jacobo Árbenz in Guatemala in 1954 or the invasion of the Dominican Republic by the United States in 1965. It was not until the 1973 Chilean coup d'état that "a world we did not know" was discovered, explained Antoine Blanca, a diplomat for the French PS. According to him, solidarity with the Chilean left was "the first challenge worthy of the name, against Washington, of an International which, until then, had done everything to appear subject to American strategy and NATO". Subsequently, notably under the leadership of François Mitterrand, the SI supported the Sandinistas in Nicaragua and other movements in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in their struggle against US-supported dictatorships.[27]

In the 1990s, it was joined by non-socialist parties that took note of the economic power of the European countries governed or to be governed by their partners across the Atlantic and calculated the benefits they could derive from it.[citation needed] During this period, "the socialist international works in a clientist way; some parties come here to rub shoulders with Europeans as if they were in the upper class," says Porfirio Muñoz Ledo, one of the representatives of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (Mexico) at the SI. It is home to "the very centrist Argentinean Radical Civic Union (UCR); the Mexican Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which was not very democratically in power for seventy years; the Colombian Liberal Party—under whose governments the left-wing formation Patriotic Union (1986–1990) was exterminated—introduced the neoliberal model (1990–1994) and to which, until 2002, Álvaro Uribe will belong". In the following decade, many left-wing parties that came to power (in Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and El Salvador) preferred to keep their distance from the SI.[27]

The logo is the fist and rose, based on the 1977 design by José María Cruz Novillo for the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, itself a variant of the logo of the French Socialist Party. Variants of the emblem are or were used by several SI member parties.[28]

Presidents, honorary presidents and secretaries general

Presidents

  • As of 2023, there have been a total of 9 Socialist International presidents.
More information #, Name ...

Honorary presidents

Current and honorary presidents include:[29]

Secretaries general


Summits

Members

Full members

There are 92 full members:[30][31]

More information Country, Name ...

Consultative parties

There are 19 consultative parties:[30][31]

More information Country, Name ...

Observer parties

There are eight observer parties:[30][31]

More information Country, Name ...

Former members

More information Country, Name ...

Fraternal organisations

Associated organisations

See also

Left-wing Internationals

Chronologically by ideology:

United left wing
Anarchist
Socialist & labour
Communist
Trotskyist
Democratic socialism
  • Socialist International (est. 1951)
Reunification efforts
  • Fifth International, phrase referring to socialist and communist groups aspiring to create a new workers' international

Notes

  1. "Statutes of the Socialist International". Socialist International.
  2. "Finances of the International". Socialist International.
  3. "About Us". Socialist International.
  4. Nathan Gilbert Quimpo (2020). "The Post-war Rise and Decline of the Left". In Toby Carroll; Shahar Hameiri; Lee Jones (eds.). The Political Economy of Southeast Asia: Politics and Uneven Development Under Hyperglobalisation. Springer Nature. p. 150. ISBN 978-3-03-028255-4.
  5. "Presidium". Socialist International.
  6. The Dictionary of Contemporary Politics of South America, Routledge, 1989
  7. Väänänen, Pentti (2012). Purppuraruusu ja samettinyrkki (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Kellastupa. pp. 192–194. ISBN 9789525787115.
  8. "SI decision on Tunisia". Socialist International. 17 January 2011.
  9. "Socialist International finally kicks out Mubarak". Foreign Policy. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  10. "SI Presidium addresses situation in Côte d'Ivoire". Socialist International. 19 March 2011.
  11. "Statutes". Socialist International. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  12. Bruderzwist unter Sozialisten - Politik - Süddeutsche.de. Sueddeutsche.de. Retrieved on 15 July 2013.
  13. Sigmar Gabriel (3 February 2011). "Gastbeitrag: Keine Kumpanei mit Despoten | Meinung – Frankfurter Rundschau" (in German). Fr-online.de. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  14. Les enfants cachés du Général Pinochet. Précis de Coups d'État Modernes et autres tentatives de déstabilisation. Éditions Don Quichotte. 2015. pp. 613–614.
  15. "Cruz Novillo JR: "Sería bueno que el PSOE entendiera el valor de preservar el patrimonio de su logo"". Gràffica (in Spanish). 7 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  16. "Member Parties". Socialist International.
  17. "Social Democratic Parties". Broad Left. 1 June 2005. Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  18. "Albania". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  19. "FFS (Socialist Forces Front)". European Institute for Research on Euro-Arab Co-operation. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  20. "Algeria". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 24 January 2014.
  21. "Benvinguts" (in Catalan). Social Democratic Party (Andorra). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  22. "In the Socialist International". Armenian Revolutionary Federation. 22 December 2009. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
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  24. "Bosnia Herzegovina". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 9 September 2015.
  25. "SI Member Parties in Government". www.socialistinternational.org. Socialist International. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  26. "SI Council Meeting in Mexico City". Socialist International.
  27. "Croatia". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  28. "L'internationale socialiste" (in French). Socialist Party (France). Archived from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  29. "Attack on President Condé an assault on democracy". Socialist International. 19 July 2011.
  30. "Meeting of the SI Council at the United Nations in Geneva". Socialist International. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  31. "A Magyar Szocialista Párt…" (in Hungarian). Hungarian Socialist Party. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  32. Gabriel Sheffer (1993). Innovative Leaders in International Politics. SUNY Press. p. 202. ISBN 978-0-7914-1520-7. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  33. "Israel". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015.
  34. "LSAP aujourd'hui" (in French). Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  35. "Moldova". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015.
  36. "Party History". Mongolian People's Party. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  37. "Montenegro". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 18 April 2005.
  38. "Relations internationales" (in French). Socialist Union of Popular Forces. Archived from the original on 15 November 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  39. "Morocco". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014.
  40. "Fatah becomes member of Socialist International". Ma'an News Agency. 2 July 2011. Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  41. "Palestinian Territories". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009.
  42. "Afiliere internationala" (in Romanian). Social Democratic Party (Romania). Archived from the original on 16 April 2013.
  43. "Le Parti en bref" (in French). Socialist Party of Senegal. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  44. "Tunisie : Une coalition politique annonce son boycott des prochaines législatives". Gnet news (in French). 19 September 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  45. "Turkey". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  46. "Nuevo Espacio" (in Spanish). New Space (Uruguay). Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  47. "Decisions of the Council" (PDF). socialistinternational.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  48. "Propuestas" (in Spanish). Democratic Action. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  49. "Geneva 2018". Socialist International. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  50. "Ukraine". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  51. "International Solidarity". Labour Party (Ireland). 5 May 2004. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  52. "Istanbul 2013". Socialist International. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  53. Black, Ann. (6 February 2013) Report from Labour’s January executive. Left Futures. Retrieved on 15 July 2013.
  54. Janusz Bugajski (2002). Political Parties of Eastern Europe: A Guide to Politics in the Post-Communist Era. M.E. Sharpe. pp. 790–. ISBN 978-1-56324-676-0. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  55. Laura Payton (14 April 2013). "NDP votes to take 'socialism' out of party constitution". CBC News. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  56. "Rudaw". www.rudaw.net. Retrieved 30 December 2023. [dead link]
  57. ОСМОНАЛИЕВА, Бактыгуль (27 May 2020). "Как похоронили СДПК. Эпитафия для партии Алмазбека Атамбаева -". 24.kg (in Russian). Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  58. "Letter to the General Secretary of the National Democratic Party, NDP Egypt" (PDF). Socialist International. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  59. Gültaşli, Selçuk (4 February 2011). "Socialist International cancels Mubarak's party membership". Today's Zaman. Archived from the original on 3 January 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  60. Weigel, David (4 February 2011). "Socialist International Kicks Out Mubarak". Slate.
  61. "History". Social Democratic Party (Estonia). Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  62. Peter Lamb; James C. Docherty (2006). Historical Dictionary of Socialism (Second ed.). The Scarecrow Press. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-8108-5560-1. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  63. "Socialist League", Iran Almanac and Book of Facts (5th ed.), Echo of Iran, 1966, p. 240
  64. James C. Docherty; Peter Lamb (2 October 2006). Historical Dictionary of Socialism. Scarecrow Press. pp. 187–. ISBN 978-0-8108-6477-1. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  65. "Kyrgyzstan". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  66. "International cooperation". Social Democratic Union of Macedonia. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  67. "FYR Macedonia". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  68. "Partners". Labour Party (Netherlands). Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  69. PvdA steunt oprichting Progressive Alliance | PvdA Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Pvda.nl (19 December 2012). Retrieved on 15 July 2013.
  70. "Party for a Country of Solidarity" (in Spanish). Party for a Country of Solidarity. Archived from the original on 3 July 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  71. "English". Democratic Left Alliance. Archived from the original on 22 May 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  72. "Russia". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012.
  73. "Just Russia – member of Socialist International". Sergey Mironov. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  74. "Serbia". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015.
  75. "Facts refute the allegations by Dutch and British". New Nation. 31 May 1976. Retrieved 13 May 2021 via NewspaperSG.
  76. "Why there are Govt men in Chinese papers". New Nation. 31 May 1976. Retrieved 13 May 2021 via NewspaperSG.
  77. "Löfven till styrelsen för ny organisation". vk.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  78. "Internationale socialiste" (in French). Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  79. Ferre, Juan Cruz (5 August 2017). "DSA Votes for BDS, Reparations, and Out of the Socialist International". Retrieved 7 August 2017.

References

Further reading


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