Call for Submissions No. 1: “Pishro (Progressive) Thought”
Invitation to participate in developing progressive political thought, critiquing and deepening the White Paper of the Progressive Iranians Party, and discussing the future of Iran.
Iranian society faces fundamental questions about its political, social, and economic future. Historical experiences and contemporary developments show that achieving freedom, democracy, and social and political justice requires, in addition to public will and citizen activism, clear political thought, well-considered programs, and sustainable social organization. Desirable change can be realized and sustained when an effective and genuine link is established among society’s demands, collective knowledge and experience, and democratic institutions.
“Progressive Thought,” in connection with the project of founding a progressive party (referred to in the white paper as the “Progressive Iranians Party”), begins its work as a knowledge-based space with independence in intellectual and editorial judgment. This think tank provides a platform for producing, developing, critiquing, and exchanging ideas that can contribute to a more precise understanding of Iran’s issues, the expansion of progressive political practice, and the formation of responsive, transparent, society-oriented, and democratic strategies, programs, and institutions.
The theoretical orientation of Progressive Thought takes shape in dialogue with the broad spectrum of social democracy and other democratic and progressive currents, from liberal democracy to democratic socialism. Individual and collective freedoms, legal and social equality, economic justice, human rights, secularism, republicanism, pluralism, and opposition to authoritarianism are among the fundamental values of this approach. In this framework, being progressive means a commitment to critiquing the status quo, continuously rethinking ideas and institutions, reducing discriminatory relations, and opening new possibilities for the prospect of a free, equal, and just life.
Call Theme: Progressive Thought, Party Organization, and the Possibility of Social Change
The first call of Progressive Thought focuses on the relationship between political thought, party organization, and social organization (respectively: “idea-building, movement-building, and party-building”) in realizing desirable change in Iran. The central question is: How can democratic and justice-seeking principles and values be transformed from the level of ideals and public demands into political programs, executive policies, and sustainable institutions? What responsibilities does a modern and progressive party have in this process, and how can it connect social representation, citizen participation, the production of ideas, and coordinated political action?
Andisheh-ye Pishro invites writers and experts to contribute on the following themes in light of these questions:
- Foundations and horizons of progressive political thought: Reassessment and critique of the broad spectrum of social democracy and other democratic and progressive currents, from liberal democracy to democratic socialism; examining the relationship among freedom, equality, justice, social solidarity, and public responsibility in contemporary Iran.
- The necessity and possibility of modern political parties: Examining the role of parties in organizing political participation, representing social interests and demands, cultivating political actors, and holding power accountable; critiquing the historical experience of political parties in Iran and identifying appropriate models for the future.
- Democratic transition and political institution-building: Examining paths of transition to a republican, secular, and democratic order; the rule of law, separation and balance of powers, decentralization, transitional justice, and guarantees for fundamental rights and freedoms.
- Social justice, the economy, and sustainable development: Examining models for achieving economic justice, public welfare, equality of opportunity, labor rights, social security, sustainable development, and the relationship among the market, the state, and society within the framework of progressive policymaking.
- A plural society and equal citizenship: Examining ways to eliminate discrimination, achieve gender equality, safeguard cultural and linguistic diversity, promote intergenerational participation, and strengthen social solidarity on the basis of citizens’ equal rights.
- From thought to programs and public policy: Developing and critiquing executive and operational proposals in areas such as association-building, education, health, the economy, the environment, governance, culture, and other spheres of public life, with attention to feasibility, social consequences, and mechanisms for implementation.
- Progressive political culture and collective action: Examining the obstacles and capacities for building social trust, democratic dialogue, organized participation, cooperation among social forces, and links between civic movements and accountable political institutions.
These themes have been proposed to guide Andisheh-ye Pishro’s first public dialogue and do not limit the subjects of the call for contributions to them. The principal criterion is the meaningful relevance of submissions to the intellectual and political horizon of the white paper and their capacity to expand understanding, offer critique, or propose solutions to Iran’s issues.
White Paper of the Progressive Iranians Party; point of departure and subject of dialogue
The “White Paper of the Progressive Iranians Party” is the founding document of this political project and the principal basis for the beginning of Progressive Thought’s activities. This document and all documents related to it articulate a framework of principles, values, objectives, and theoretical and programmatic orientations for founding a progressive, modern, democratic, social-oriented, and justice-seeking party.
Progressive Thought welcomes contributions that can help develop, elucidate, deepen, critique, and update the ideas and proposals of the White Paper. Identifying shortcomings, examining theoretical assumptions, assessing the feasibility of implementing proposals, critiquing potential contradictions, presenting alternative solutions or formulations, and producing educational pamphlets or materials to deepen and expand public education on the White Paper are among the most important areas of participation in this dialogue.
Publish in "Pishro Thought"
Read the call and submit your piece to Pishro Thought editorial board.
In this process, the White Paper is a text open to examination and critical reconsideration. Criticism of it, including fundamental critiques, is welcome insofar as it contributes to advancing a reasoned dialogue on democratic and progressive foundations and objectives. Submitted works are expected to be directly or indirectly related to at least one of the issues, concepts, values, or objectives raised in the White Paper.
Plurality of Thought Within the Framework of Progressive Values
Progressive Thought welcomes contributions from writers with differing theoretical and political orientations. Membership in or affiliation with the future Progressive Iranians Party (at the time of this call, the party does not officially exist), adherence to a particular school of thought, or agreement with all the positions of the White Paper is not a condition for participation in the “Progressive Thought” platform.
Nevertheless, Progressive Thought has a clear intellectual identity and orientation. Commitment to human dignity, fundamental rights and freedoms, equality of citizens, democracy, and the rejection of discrimination and authoritarianism collectively creates a value framework for its activities. Therefore, this think tank will naturally and by definition not be a place for promoting racist, fascist, authoritarian, discriminatory views, or views that justify violations of fundamental human rights (war, execution, extremist ideas that violate human rights).
This boundary does not prevent the critical examination of political schools or currents. Historical and theoretical analysis of currents opposed to democracy, critique of the policies of various parties and institutions, and assessment of opposing views, provided that they are undertaken for the purpose of understanding and within the framework of research and argumentation, and to draw distinctions, provide clarification, and educate, will be part of the think tank’s serious intellectual activity.
Invitation to Writers and Thinkers
The first call from Progressive Thought is addressed to researchers, academics, specialists, writers, journalists, civil society activists, and all those interested in advancing progressive political and social thought.
The Progressive Thought Editorial Board welcomes research and analytical articles, theoretical critiques, argumentative notes, policy proposals, documented reports, and educational writings. Submitted works must have a clear issue and question, coherent argumentation, verifiable evidence, and precise, polished language and writing, and must observe the ethical principles of critique and the rights of creators.
Submitted works will be reviewed based on their alignment with the mission and declared orientation of Progressive Thought in its publication documents, the quality of their argumentation, the credibility of their evidence, and the professional and quality standards of publication. The Editorial Board may request revisions or additions to submissions, and submitting a work does not guarantee its publication on the platform. Authors are responsible for the views they express, and the publication of a work (even where its views overlap with the white paper) does not necessarily constitute confirmation of a relationship or affiliation with the Iranian Progressives Party in formation. There is no organizational or party affiliation between the authors and participants in the theoretical and intellectual dialogue on the Progressive Thought platform.
Invitation to Participate in the Formation of a Progressive Thought Movement
With this call, Progressive Thought takes its first step toward creating a lasting space for intellectual engagement, critique, and political and social dialogue. The aim is to examine Iran’s fundamental issues with greater precision and responsibility, develop the theoretical and programmatic foundations of progressive political practice, and strengthen the possibility of linking thought, democratic organization-building, and collective action.
We invite all those who envision a free, equal, just, and solidaristic future for Iran to participate in and support this collective endeavor with their knowledge, experience, critique, and proposals.
Works may be submitted by creating a user account on Progressive Thought. You can also read the complete and latest edition of the white paper here. Read Progressive Thought’s publication policy documents here.
Easy access to several important resources related to Progressive Thought and the white paper: