Progressive Research Institutes and Organizations

AFL-CIO: Research and resources on labor unions.

Binzagr Institute for Sustainable Prosperity:an independent public policy think-tank dedicated to the promotion of interdisciplinary research in the service of an improved quality of life for all members of society. The Binzagr Institute believes that providing decent employment opportunities for everyone ready, willing and able to work at a socially established living wage is an institutional prerequisite for social justice and sustainable prosperity. “Sustainable prosperity” is conceived here holistically, to encompass the physical, mental, environmental, financial, educational and civic wellbeing of all individuals, families, neighborhoods, and regions throughout the world.

Cambridge Social Ontology Group, or CSOG, pursues social ontology, the systematic study of the nature and basic structure of social reality. A motivating belief is that there is much to be gained not only from the determination of new social categories, where appropriate, but also from the systematic study and elaboration of such familiar categories as process, change, difference, space, time, law, internal-relationality, open and closed systems, value, money, markets, firms, regions, power, authority, trust, testimony, institutions, norms, rules, custom, convention, profit, output, income, wealth, identity, social evolution, development, human flourishing, probability, society and economy. The purpose is not only to increase understanding of the nature of social reality but also to be explicit about how results in social ontology are able to make a difference, especially to more substantive forms of social theorising.

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives offers an alternative to the message that we have no choice about the policies that affect our lives. Undertakes research on issues of social and economic justice. Produces research reports, books, opinion pieces, fact sheets and other publications, including The Monitor, a monthly digest of progressive research and opinion.

Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR): established to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people’s lives. In order for citizens to effectively exercise their voices in a democracy, it is necessary that they be informed about the problems and choices that they face. CEPR is committed to presenting issues in an accurate and understandable manner, so that the public is better prepared to choose among the various policy options.

Center for Full Employment and Price Stability: a non-partisan, non-profit policy institute at the University of Missouri – Kansas City dedicated to promoting research and public discussion of issues related to macroeconomic and monetary policy, especially employment and budgetary policy. In an effort to incorporate research into policy, the Center sponsors interdisciplinary, non-partisan research, collaborates with universities, organizes symposia, conferences, and lectures, and participates in community programs.

Citizens for Tax Justice: a public interest research and advocacy organization focusing on federal, state and local tax policies and their impact upon our nation. CTJ’s mission is to give ordinary people a greater voice in the development of tax laws. Against the armies of special interest lobbyists for corporations and the wealthy, CTJ fights for: Fair taxes for middle and low-income families
Requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share, closing corporate tax loopholes, adequately funding important government services, reducing the federal debt, and taxation that minimizes distortion of economic markets.

Economic Policy Institute: a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy. Publishes the State of Working America.

Global Development and Environment Institute: combines the research and curricular development activities of two Tufts programs: the Program for Sustainable Change and Development in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP): national, university-based center for research into the causes and consequences of poverty and social inequality in the United States.

Levy Economics Institute of Bard College: public policy research organization. The Institute is encourages diversity of opinion in the examination of economic policy issues while striving to transform ideological arguments into informed debate.

Media Education Foundation: educational organization devoted to media research and production of resources to aid educators and others in fostering analytical media literacy.

Public Citizen: national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded by Ralph Nader in 1971 to represent consumer interests in Congress, the executive branch and the courts.

Redefining Progress: measures the real state of our economy, our environment, and social justice with tools like the Genuine Progress Indicator and the Ecological Footprint. Designs policies—like environmental tax reform—to shift behavior in these three domains (economy, environment, and equity) towards sustainability.

The Century Foundation (TCF): formerly the 20th Century Foundation, The Century Foundation has sponsored and supervised research on economic, social, and political issues. As a nonpartisan, but not neutral, organization, our underlying philosophy regards government as an instrument, not an enemy, of the people, and therefore we strive, in the words of our bylaws, for the improvement of economic, industrial, civic, cultural, and educational conditions.

United for a Fair Economy: raises awareness that concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy, corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide, and tear communities apart. Supports and helps build social movements for greater equality.