LIBRARY

Resource Author:
National Democratic Institute (NDI)

Resource Description:
The party internationals are large groups of like-minded political parties from around the world united by common ideologies and mission statements. These organizations serve as networks for political parties to learn from one another as well as promote their ideology at the global level. They provide members with frameworks for the exchange of ideas and collective action, and offer practical aid to political parties most often in the form of technical assistance. The party internationals also promote and help shape nascent political parties in emerging democracies.

There are four main party internationals:

Centrist Democrat International (CDI) www.idc-cdi.org

CDI promotes the principles of fundamental human rights and basic equality for all, justice, solidarity and subsidiary. CDI also supports the establishment of a free and socially responsible market economy. Additionally, CDI believes that poverty is a form of injustice and advocates its elimination through cooperation between developed and developing countries. Other CDI principles include the improvement of educational systems and support for the nuclear family as the “cornerstone of society.”

CDI has two main member organizations offering regional expertise, one of which focuses on Latin America: the Christian Democrat Organization of America (ODCA). ODCA brings together Latin American political parties, groups and associations that “share Christian humanist principles and that work in coordination for freedom, democracy, human rights, world peace, development with equity, and respect for the environment.”

Liberal International (LI) www.liberal-international.org

Although the priorities of the member parties vary, all LI member parties believe in certain fundamental principles. Human rights, democracy, social justice, tolerance, equality, market economy, free trade and international solidarity form the foundation of Liberal International. As stated in the constitution, LI’s goal is “to win general acceptance of Liberal principles which are international in their nature throughout the world, and to foster the growth of a free society based on personal liberty, personal responsibility and social justice, and to provide the means of co-operation and interchange of information between the member organizations, and between men and women of all countries who accept these principles.”

LI's international thematic groups Radical Youth (IFLRY) and The International Network of Liberal Women (INLW) bring together and advocate for two important demographic groups.

Socialist International (SI) www.socialistinternational.org

According to the Declaration of Principles, member parties are united by their common pursuit of freedom, social justice and solidarity. Respect for human rights and democratic institutions, the promotion of peaceful solutions to conflict and environmental protection are also of importance to SI member parties.

In addition to the political parties that are members of SI, fraternal organizations that make up SI include Socialist International Women and the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY). In addition, SI has a Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (SICLAC).

International Democrat Union (IDU) www.idu.org

The Conservative, Christian Democrat and other like-minded parties that make up IDU’s membership share a common belief in liberal democracy, freedom of the individual and the role of individual initiative and free, competitive economies in economic growth.

Members of the IDU may also join “Regional Unions” or other organizations including the Union of Latin American Parties(UPLA), the International Women’s Democrat Union (IWDU) and the the International Young Democrat Union (IYDU).