Boris Guseletov: THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONALîÁÚÁÄ
Boris Guseletov: THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL
The last few years have seen dramatic changes both in the world of politics and the Socialist International itself. The Commission on Global Progress has, during the course of its work, looked at many of these changes and has provided the basis on which the SI can chart its future political direction.
But as well as looking at the political direction of the International it is vital that the organisation clearly defines what it sees as its main functions, objectives and tasks for the coming years.
Nobody can deny the success of the SI in building its membership, in promoting the cause of social democracy and democratic socialism and in ensuring that our shared values are being spread more widely across the world. Nor should we ignore the real impact that the organisation has had in helping to resolve apparently intractable political problems such as in the Middle East and South Africa.
But as we enter the 21st century we are faced with new challenges.
Below are a number of recommendations as to how the present structures of the International might be adapted so that we can function more effectively in the new modern political era. But simply to do what we currently do more effectively will not of itself be enough.
The International needs to take on new tasks to meet the new challenges:
First, the SI could function more effectively if it linked its activities to the real political agendas of major international institutions. This already operates well in the European Union through the activities of the Party of European Socialists. This example could be adapted to enable the SI to play a greater role in co-ordinating inputs of its member parties into the work of the United Nations and its various regional and sub committees; the OAU and OAS; Mercosur; SADC; ASEAN; NAFTA and so on and so on.
We therefore propose that the SI should look at the possibility of seting up "shadow committees to organise responses to the key issues on the agendas of the major international institutions and to influence the setting of those agendas.
Second, in the information environment in which we now exist, the socialist international needs to develop a comprehensive media and communications strategy capable of putting our ideas and values at the forefront of the political arena. We need to be able to communicate more effectively with our member parties, their individual members and supporters and with the wider electorate. We need to upgrade our press strategy. We need to develop a modern, up to date, and interactive web site. We should look at ways of developing our existing publications so that they become more accessible and capable of reaching a wider audience. By providing a unique and useful information service about the social democratic world we would not only make more people aware about our views and activities but also attract them into participation. We also need to develop improved mechanisms for internal discussion and dialogue as well as having the means to allow individual sympathetic non-members to become involved in our debates. We propose therefore that the SI should develop a comprehensive media and communications strategy to enable the organisation to play a more prominent role in the political arena and to better put across the message of social democracy.
Third, the SI needs to devote more effort and resources to helping the practical development of democratic institutions in countries emerging from totalitarian rule - and to give greater technical and political assistance to those parties that are new and developing and to those which have the potential to become future members of the International.
We propose therefore that the SI look at expanding and extending the work of the European Forum and to building similar institutions in other parts of the world.
Fourth, we need to examine ways in which we can give new purpose to our subject committees. Too often in the past they have concentrated in drafting resolutions. While a great deal of effort and enthusiasm has been invested in this work the outcome has too often resulted in little more than a fine document which few people, beyond the family, read. We proprose therefore that the main work of the SI´s committees be shifted on to a project base.
Much of what we do, and the way in which we do it, in the Socialist International would no longer be acceptable to us in our individual parties. We have all made dramatic moves organisationally in recent years. The time has come for the SI to catch up.
The SI plays a different political role for different member parties. But it is in everybody"s interest to develop and strengthen its organisational capacity so that the SI can continue to be at the forefront of the global political arena. We all want the SI to be an efficient, relevant and successful player that adds value to all our member parties and makes a difference in international politics.
The Potential for Development and Change
A discussion on the need and potential for development and renewal of the SI"s organisational structures and working methods, is an essential part of the work of the Global Progress Commission. The Global Progress Commission together with the Swedish Social Democratic Party and the Olof Palme Ínternational Center arranged a seminar at Bommersvik, Sweden on 18 - 20 February to discuss this theme. The following suggestions for development and modernisation or our organisations were discussed at this meeting.
Organisational development can sometimes be perceived as a challenge to the values of an organisation. But the opposite is the case with the Socialist International, where the development of the organisation must be used as means to strengthen our values.
In recent years, the Socialist International has grown rapidly. Between the Stockholm Congress in 1989 and the New York Congress in 1996, it doubled its membership. Today the SI comprises 130 political parties and organisations from every continent. But the organisation"s structures and working methods have not kept pace with this rapid enlargement, so that there is now an urgent need to review its operations so that the organisation is able to achieve its objectives.
The Socialist International was recreated in the 50"s in a context where the Cold War heavily influenced political arrangements. Structures were established and working methods implemented that responded to the situation at the time and created a certain political and organisational culture. Today we operate on a dramatically altered stage, which is characterised by globalisation and political communication by new information technology and media. This demands a new organisational culture and identity that is politically efficient and attractive to SI members, as well as to the outside world.
The SI faces something of a paradox. On the one hand more and more member parties are joining and more and more countries across the world become democratic At the same time there is a clear challenge to political parties since globalisation has altered the balance of power between political and market forces. Many member parties suffer from declining membership. But opinion polls show that people have never before been so engaged and involved in such a wide range of civic organisations. Political influence and impact is increasingly being exercised outside and not through political parties.
New parties within the SI have brought with them a wider and richer variety of political experiences and characters. Our member parties today, like never before in history, represent an enormous spectrum of different political contexts and levels of development. This is an asset to our movement whose potential we need to realise so that it is of benefit to all.
Supporting the growth and political and organisational development of social democratic parties throughout the world is one of the most important tasks for the SI in the coming years.
One such area for co-operation under the umbrella of the SI is to co-ordinate mechanisms for "best practices"- sharing in areas such as campaigning skills, political education and organisational development. The strength of the SI depends ultimately on the strength of each and every member party and of the potential members.
The development of information technology has opened a new world of communication, which has profoundly changed the conditions for interaction between people. For an organisation whose strength depends to a large extent on communication, this presents a tremendous opportunity and challenge, which we need to evaluate very carefully so as to be able to take full advantage for our movement and organisation.
The Socialist International - The Global organisation
The following specific suggestions for developing and modernizing the organization:
1. The Statutes
Member parties should fulfil minimum standards concerning the SI"s common values.
The SI should be characterised as a democratic and transparent organisation. We cannot afford not to be democratic. Political power and influence is constantly being undermined by outside forces. This process can only be reversed by deepening and strengthening our political organisation. More open and transparent elections for the different SI bodies and positions would begin to redress this situation.
2. Structures
The World Congress
This should always be the time when the organic life of the Socialist International comes under the spotlight, but it often passes without being noticed by world outside.
Proposal:
The Congress should be transformed into an event along the lines of a major international Convention.
Party leaders should be encouraged to use the event as a major platform to put across international messages and to promote more aggressively our shared ideas and values.
The Presidium
The SI Presidium has grown considerably and today consists of the President, Secretary - General and the 25 vice-presidents. The Presidium normally meets at a working dinner the night before the Council is held. It is rare for many of the actual members to attend. It is becoming increasingly clear that if the Presidium is to act as the Executive of the SI and be able to react, and make an impact, in the fast moving political environment in which we currently operate then changes are needed.
PROPOSAL:
Create a smaller Presidium that would be easier to bring together, and which could, therefore, act and react more swiftly to the situations that continually require the attention of the organisation.
From within the Presidium, a decision making body, consisting of the President, the Secretary General, the Chairs of the Regional Committees and the SIW and IUSY Presidents, should be established which would add to the effectiveness of the organisation.
An alternative proposal is to have a smaller Presidium, which is both highly representative and provided with an operational capacity. This would be balanced with the creation of a sort of World Socialist Senate that would act in the capacity of a consultative body, which would only meet on special occasions.
Council Meetings
Council meetings are often criticised for being boring and not very efficient.
The plenary format is outdated, providing little room for real political discussion that would give "added value" to the participants. At the moment Council Meetings are little more than an international political meeting place, which is a necessary, but not sufficient, purpose.
Our objective should be to broaden participation and make the meetings more inclusive. Alongside this we should also attempt to deepen the internal democracy of the organisation recognising that this is crucial at a time when democracy is fighting for its position as a tool for people to influence their lives. There is a very clear message from member parties that, due to the growth of the SI, council meetings have become ineffectual. We need to find a way back so that they can become a real forum for discussion, to be the forum that adds value to our political lives. This in turn poses a challenge to the leaders of the member parties to become more actively involved.
We propose, therefore, that;
There should be only one council meeting per year.
The plenary meeting should be complemented by other forms of activity such as round tables and working groups that give more opportunity for political input and debate and are more participatory.
The debates should be on specific and concrete topics that yield tangible results and proposals. Attention can be given to specific national problems and resolutions adopted on these problems.
A Resolution Committee should be set up with the task of receiving, co-ordinating and preparing resolutions. Wherever possible resolutions should be circulated in advance of the meeting and while "topical" or emergency resolutions could be accepted, they should be kept to a minimum.
The Committees
Alongside globalization there has also been increased rationalization. Economically, politically and in people-to-people co-operation this can be seen all over the world. It is probably the most concrete form of internationalization that is taking place politically and this development should be strengthened and supported. [If we want to be a shadow actor this is a relevant level]. With the increase in the number of SI member parties it is necessary to work more at a regional level. In order to facilitate and support regional efforts, [which in the end will also contribute to the political globalization], it is necessary to decentralize some of the work of the SI.
The Socialist International currently has two types of Committees: regional and thematic.
From the perspective mentioned above, the conclusion is that the Regional Committees must be strengthened. SI regional structures should also be given an increased role. In practice this means the establishment of regional secretariats and elected regional executive bodies.
The Regional Committees should play a greater role in the overall work of the SI and be consulted about the decisions the Council or the Congress intend to take. They should be consulted about applications for membership from parties in their region. They must be open to all parties that are members of the SI and interested in their work. They must also have the capacity to hold meetings to deal with special situations when they arise, as well as having the capacity to organise meetings jointly with other Regional Committees.
A key function of the Committees would be to monitor existing regional co-operation mechanisms in their areas. They must also be a key player in implementing the proposals and decisions of the Socialist International.
Shadow committees
The Socialist International should establish "Shadow Committees", with a similar make up as the Regional Committees whose task it would be to monitor and influence the different international organizations that operate on a world-wide scale and to co-ordinate the SI input into these organizations.
The SI should see as one of its main objectives the aim of influencing decisions of the major international institutions.
The Thematic Committees should disappear in their present form.
The SI should set up "ad-hoc" committees as the Council believes appropriate, giving them a specific mandate for a specified time, after which they should submit their conclusions to the Council and then terminate their activities.
The SI Administration and Finance Committee
This is the most exclusive Committee within the SI, the only one with limited and elected membership. The working methods and rules of procedure should be adapted to meet the needs and realities of current situations and in order to make the work of the committee more efficient and transparent.
The way in which SIFAC is constituted is more a result of history than the current requirements of the SI. It is often the case that the way in which the committee works is inadequate to meet the needs of its important tasks -to make recommendations about the admission, promotion, suspension or expulsion of SI members, as well as to supervise the SI"s finances.
If the work of the International is to develop then so must its available resources. A key task for the future work of SIFAC should be the responsibility for obtaining additional sources of income and other means for running the organisation. A strong and thriving organisation requires strong and healthy finances.
The SI exists almost entirely on the income it receives from subscriptions from its member parties. There are no signs that the income from this source will increase to a great extent, because new members do not have the means to contribute with large sums and those who are already members would not be prepared to contribute more than they currently do. It is a well-known fact that too many member parties do not pay their subscriptions on time. This leads to a situation where the secretariat exists on a completely unacceptable "hand-to-mouth" basis. It is clear that in future we will not be able to rely on membership fees only - at least not if the SI is to develop and prosper
New forms and sources of finance are necessary. Even though membership fees will continue to constitute a major source of income, there has to be a change in attitude and discipline by member parties in paying their fees on time.
We propose, therefore, that in its first meeting after the next Congress, SIFAC should draw up internal regulations which clearly establish its working methods that will allow it to achieve the aims that the Congress has assigned to the Committee. Furthermore it should establish and implement clear criteria for changing the status, admission, suspension and expulsion of members of the Socialist International.
A total review of the financing of the SI should be carried, with outside expert support, with a view to vastly increasing the resources available to the organization in order to meet the other proposals for development outlined in this paper.
The Missions
Missions are organized occasionally to visit conflict areas, to observe or support elections or to report on special situations. Such activities have proved to be highly effective and politically beneficial for the Socialist International and for their hosts.
Depending on the nature of the circumstances, the Council, the Presidium or the President should appoint such Missions.
The Secretariat
An effective Secretariat is essential if the Socialist International is to fulfill its potential and operate on the global political arena. It is an indispensable tool that provided the essential support without which the SI could not have made the considerable headway that it has been able to make up to the present.
With a growing number of member parties and a continuously increasing range of tasks and activities, it is necessary to strengthen the Secretariat. Everybody must contribute to make this possible, because the collaboration of the member parties, and especially their international secretaries, is essential if this is to be achieved.
The need to provide the Secretary General with greater political responsibilities has been widely discussed. The person who occupies this post should act as the political co-ordinator of the International and be one of its main driving forces.
A new structure must therefore be created, with a character, and distribution of functions on an internal level, that is relevant to the internal and external challenges the SI has to meet.
The Socialist International - A Visible Global Player
To be an actor, to have impact and influence on policy-making, one has to be visible.
This is true for any level of politics - local as well as global.
A quick, unscientific survey amongst some of the SI member parties gives clear indications that the SI, unfortunately, has a very low profile - even within the parties themselves. This is of course in part a responsibility for each and every party [and a good start in a process for marketing the SI].
The Socialist International must make an impact if it is to extend support for its political beliefs and positions.
To be visible one has to have an attractive image. We must develop an organizational image that reflects and corresponds to the politics we want to pursue. We are modern, we are interesting. The design and functioning of the SI"s website and the role and image of the magazine "Socialist International" are examples of two important outlets, which help to shape that image.
To be visible is to be in the media. The competition for media coverage is fierce. An organization has to create its own news, have expertise on timing, and run media campaigns.
To be visible also means opening up the "closed circuit" of our organization and co-operating with groups and peoples outside the family. That means working with high-profile people and organisations from civil society, such as trade unions and NGO´s, that work in the same interest as us, although they might not formally belong to our organisation.
To be visible is to create occasions, which are unique and interesting.
To be visible is to be present in our member parties. New technology, with inter and intranet presents a great opportunity to create networks between our parties. The co-operation and co-ordination of the member parties must rely on a perception and understanding that it is a commitment that gives added value for all.
Throughout the discussion it has been emphasized that the President of the SI, must have a high-profile role and be the "face" of socialists in the world.
RELEVANT
The SI needs to deal with more attractive and relevant political issues and to organize political action around these issues. Here again political timing, and flexibility in the organization is crucial.
We need to consider developing a campaign strategy as a method to work on specific subjects, learning from the success and political benefits achieved by other international organizations. Such campaigns would be useful for putting across our ideas and values. They can also serve as a tool for bringing the SI into closer contact with socialist activists and citizens all over the world and are an essential tool for increasing our visibility and relevance.
PROFESSIONAL
We believe that there are many opportunities for the organization but it is not possible for the responsible politicians to be experts in the different technical areas. It is therefore important to make a distinction as well as the links between professional organization and political responsibility.
We propose, therefore, that the SI secretariat should engage professional capacity in the following areas: Media, Financing and Research.
A media officer should be appointed and a media strategy working group consisting of member party media officers together with outside expertise should be established. One important task is to develop a strategy for improved communication with the public. Another is to develop a publications strategy, both in the traditional sense and taking account of the new technologies. Retaining "Socialist Affairs" in its present form - only in English and largely for internal consumption- must be challenged and discussed.
A Members" Intranet should be established for better exchange of information between parties.
The SI should develop its own research and information capacity. This could be an important source of independent information that could create a basis from which the SI could create its own news.
It is also important for the SI, in pursuing its global politics, to have an instrument that can develop more informed responses to the activities of the global economy.
Seminars should be organised to deal with relevant subjects and the training of political leaders, activists and experts. The experience gained in the seminars organised by the Global Progress Commission has demonstrated how useful such seminars are in progressing debates. In the future the SI could either organise these debates on its own or work with member parties and progressive Foundations. In this sense the need has been identified for a major event to be held at regular intervals, in which politicians, intellectuals, scientists, businessmen, etc, whose ideas fit into the progressive mould, come together with a view to exchanging opinions about the way the world should move. Some have suggested this event should be called a "Left Davos" or the "Global Progress World Forum".
Financing
A strong and thriving organization requires strong and healthy finances; otherwise it will always be in a precarious state or be constantly threatened with disappearing altogether.
The solution for the financial problem is a key part of the political strategy of the SI with a direct link between the political contribution of the member parties and their willingness to accept financial discipline.
There are a number of ways by which the SI could tap new sources of income. These include getting public or private bodies to sponsor SI activities and to finding additional sources of income.
The first option has already been applied to some extent because for most of the SI activities the organization acting as host provides a large amount of the resources needed for holding the meetings. In many cases, foundations, Trade Unions and sympathetic organizations, help to pay for the organizing expenses. The SI does not charge participants" fees, although such a measure would help considerably to bring down the operational cost of the organization. In spite of the fact that some parties have already successfully done so at their congresses and other activities, financing thorough private companies has not yet been tried out by the SI. Priority must be given in the near future to investigating the potential in this area. It is, however, recognized that some parties are reluctant to follow this route and are skeptical about the idea of the private financing of SI activities.
Additional income could also come from public or private organisations, which would endeavour to obtain some kind of publicity or other benefit in return. This brings about a substantial change in the philosophy of our International, but, at present, there are more and greater ways of collaborating between the world of politics and other activities.
