Thanks, Bill, for this important and insightful article. The distinction between member-governed and funded mass organizations of the working class, e.g. trade unions, tenant organizations, women’s organizations, etc., and staff-governed and donor-funded NGOs like CIW, WRC, GLJ, etc. is an important one. While the former may have a broad constituency and broad principles of unity, and may seem less “progressive” than “movement NGOs”, in the long run the mass organizations of the working class are the most important base for a socialist workers’ movement and for the political organizations that will be the instrument(s) for the transformation of society.
Thanks, Bill, for this important and insightful article. The distinction between member-governed and funded mass organizations of the working class, e.g. trade unions, tenant organizations, women’s organizations, etc., and staff-governed and donor-funded NGOs like CIW, WRC, GLJ, etc. is an important one. While the former may have a broad constituency and broad principles of unity, and may seem less “progressive” than “movement NGOs”, in the long run the mass organizations of the working class are the most important base for a socialist workers’ movement and for the political organizations that will be the instrument(s) for the transformation of society.