There is no direct organizational link between the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the historical Communist International (Comintern), as the Comintern was dissolved in 1943—nearly four decades before the DSA was founded in 1982. However, the relationship between the two exists through historical lineage, ideological debates, and modern internal factions: [1]
1. Historical Separations
The historical roots of the DSA trace back to the anti-communist, social-democratic wing of the American left. When the Comintern was formed in 1919, it forced a sharp break from the broader Social Democratic movement by demanding strict adherence to its "21 Conditions," which required total alignment with Soviet leadership. The DSA's primary institutional ancestor, the Socialist Party of America (and later the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee founded by Michael Harrington), explicitly rejected the Comintern's centralized, authoritarian model of democratic centralism. [1, 2, 3]
2. Internal Factionalism (The "Communist Horizon")
While the national organization historically rejected the Comintern's legacy, modern internal growth has turned the DSA into a multi-tendency "big tent" organization that includes explicit Marxist-Leninist caucuses: [1, 2]
- The Red Star Caucus: A prominent internal caucus that adheres to Leninist organizational philosophies.
- The Communist Caucus: An internal group that references a "communist horizon" beyond mere social-democratic reforms.
- National Leadership: Internal developments have seen individuals who identify with communist or orthodox Marxist traditions winning seats on the DSA's governing National Political Committee (NPC). [1, 2, 3]
3. Contemporary International Alignments
Rather than historical Comintern networks, the DSA's modern international committee focuses on contemporary leftist coalitions. The DSA holds associate membership in the Latin American São Paulo Forum and is affiliated with the Progressive International. [1DSA International Committee
what is the progressive international and Sao Paulo furum?
The São Paulo Forum and the Progressive International are two major transnational coalitions that organize, unite, and coordinate left-wing and progressive political forces across different countries. While they share an opposition to neoliberalism, they have very different geographic scopes, historical origins, and ideological constraints:
📊 Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | 🌎 São Paulo Forum (FSP) | 🌐 Progressive International (PI) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1990 (by Fidel Castro and Lula da Silva) | 2020 (by DiEM25 and the Sanders Institute) |
| Geographic Scope | Latin America and the Caribbean | Global (All inhabited continents) |
| Key Objectives | Debate alternatives to neoliberalism; resist U.S. hegemony/imperialism. | Mobilize progressive forces against global right-wing populism. |
| Structure | A forum strictly for political parties and organizations. | A broader network of parties, labor unions, and individuals. |
1. 🌎 The São Paulo Forum (Foro de São Paulo)
The São Paulo Forum is a regional conference of left-wing political parties and organizations primarily focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. [1]
- Origin: It was launched in 1990 by the Brazilian Workers' Party (PT) under the initiative of historic figures Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (President of Brazil) and Fidel Castro (Cuba). It was originally convened to discuss the direction of the global left following the fall of the Berlin Wall. [1, 2]
- Political Nature: It functions as a strategic incubator for the Latin American left and was the foundational network underpinning the "Pink Tide" governments of the 2000s and 2020s. [1]
- Controversies: The Forum operates on a strict principle of "unity in diversity," meaning it welcomes democratic socialist parties (like Brazil's PT or Uruguay's Frente Amplio) alongside authoritarian ruling parties. Consequently, critics frequently point out that the Forum provides diplomatic cover and legitimization for autocracies in the region, such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. [1, 2, 3]
2. 🌐 The Progressive International
The Progressive International is a global network designed to unite, organize, and mobilize progressive movements worldwide. [1]
- Origin: Launched in May 2020, it was born out of an initiative by the Sanders Institute (founded by the family of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders) and DiEM25 (the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025, led by former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis). [1]
- Political Nature: It aims to counter the global rise of authoritarian right-wing populism. Its governance includes a global cabinet and council consisting of highly prominent progressive figures, intellectuals, and activists, such as Jeremy Corbyn (UK), Noam Chomsky (US), and philosopher Slavoj Žižek (Slovenia). [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Membership: Rather than just institutional political parties, its members include grassroots movements, prominent media outlets, trade unions, and individual activists. Examples include the UK's Momentum faction, the Homeless Workers' Movement (MTST) in Brazil, and National Students for Justice in Palestine. [1, 2, 3]
How They Intersect
While they are distinct organizations, they do not compete. Instead, they act as overlapping circles of the international left. Broad left-wing networks like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) frequently engage with both platforms—sending observers or participating in joint conferences where the São Paulo Forum, the Progressive International, and regional groups coordinate global narratives and policy goals.
