The Tricontinental Institute for Social Research is a Marxist think tank created by Marxist historian, author, and journalist Vijay Prashad. The organization states that national liberation Marxism “anchors” its work, bases its research approach on the writings of Karl Marx, and notes it is “rooted” in the “traditions of Marxism.” ^{1 2}

Its focus of work is to “bridge the gaps” between left-of-center movements and institutions, and to “amplify the voices” of people who lead the movements. The organization states that it wants to “reclaim our histories of socialism and national liberation.” ³

Background

The Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, also known as Tricontinental, is a radical-left think tank created by Marxist historian, author, and journalist Vijay Prashad. It bases its research on the transformation of society through the pressure of radical-left advocacy and activism. ^{4 5}

Tricontinental states that the Tricontinental Conference held in Cuba in January 1966 and the Institute for Social Research are the inspirations for the organization. The organization claims the Tricontinental Conference in Cuba was inspiring due to the creation of national liberation Marxism, which Tricontinental states “anchors the work” of the organization. ⁶

The Tricontinental Institute for Social Research has separate offices in Argentina, Brazil, India, and South Africa, as well as an inter-regional office. The organization is a part of the International Union of Left Publishers, which was created to “advance left ideas.” ⁷

The organization notes that it bases its research approach on the writings of Karl Marx, specifically his “11th Thesis on Feuerbach,” which claims that “philosophers have hitherto only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it.” One of Tricontinental’s “key concepts” is derived from Marxist Antonio Gramsci’s concept of the “new intellectual,” which refers to people who have a “radical understanding of the world” due to their social background. ⁸

Tricontinental states that its focus of work is to “bridge the gaps” between left-of-center movements and institutions, and to “amplify the voices” of people who lead the movements. The organization admits that it wants to “reclaim our histories of socialism and national liberation.” ⁹

It also states that it mainly researches the developments of “contemporary capitalism,” producing the theory that the “wretchedness of contemporary capitalism” was created by “right-wing free-market conservatives and liberals and of social democracy.” Tricontinental also researches and keeps note of the “various forms of socialism that are being developed in our time.” ¹⁰

Financials

The Tricontinental Institute for Social Research received most of its income from contributions and grants from 2017 until 2020, when its revenue mostly came from investment income.

The organization had a total revenue of $40,100 in 2017 with a total expense amount of $18,581. Tricontinental’s revenue increased by a large amount in 2018 when it received $864,010 in revenue, and a total expense amount of $745,955. ¹¹

Tricontinental’s revenue dramatically increased in 2019 when the organization had a total revenue of just over $13.2 million, with a total expense amount of around $1 million. The organization appeared to use most of the revenue to buy assets. Tricontinental had $171,114 in total assets in 2018 but held just over $12.6 million in asset value in 2019. ¹²

The organization’s total revenue dropped dramatically in 2020 when it received $353,429 in total revenue, $285,676 of which came from investment income. Its total expenses amounted to just over $1.2 million. ¹³

Marxist Ideology

The Tricontinental Institute for Social Research states that national liberation Marxism “anchors” its work, and the organization states it bases its research approach on the writings of Karl Marx. The organization also notes that it is “rooted” in the “traditions of Marxism.” ^{14 15}

In its research agenda, the organization states that its work operates on “two axes;” the “battle of ideas” and the “epistemology of power.” Under the “battle of ideas” section Tricontinental states it is “engaged in the immediate fight over control of the narrative of world events,” adding that it aims to “counter the worldview of the bourgeoisie.” ¹⁶

One of Tricontinental’s research subjects is supposed fascism. The organization claims that “a quarter of the world’s population” that live in democratic countries voted “neo-fascists and fascistic blocs” into power. Tricontinental claims that Brazil, Hungary, India, Philippines, Turkey, and the United States have all recently voted “neo-fascists and fascistic blocs” into power. The organization also claims that the working class “actively or passively” support the “forces of neo-fascism.” ¹⁷

People

The Tricontinental Institute for Social Research’s executive director is Vijay Prashad, a Marxist historian, journalist, and author of thirty books. He is the chief editor of LeftWord Books, a Marxist publishing house based in India. Prashad is also a former professor at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. ¹⁸

1. “About.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/about/.
2. “Research Agenda.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/research-agenda/.
3. “About.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/about/.
4. “About.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/about/.
5. “Vijay Prashad.” Lannan Foundation. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://lannan.org/bios/vijay-prashad.
6. “About.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/about/.
7. “About.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/about/.
8. “About.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/about/.
9. ^[1] “About.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/about/.
10. “About.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/about/.
11. Schwencke, Ken. “Tricontinental Ltd – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed August 19, 2022. projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/822882135.
12. Schwencke, Ken. “Tricontinental Ltd – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed August 19, 2022. projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/822882135.
13. Schwencke, Ken. “Tricontinental Ltd – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed August 19, 2022. projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/822882135.
14. “About.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/about/.
15. “Research Agenda.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/research-agenda/.
16. “Research Agenda.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/research-agenda/.
17. “Research Agenda.” Tricontinental. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://thetricontinental.org/research-agenda/.
18. “Vijay Prashad.” Lannan Foundation. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://lannan.org/bios/vijay-prashad.