About PRA
Mission, Values, and History
Incisive Research for Social Change
Mission Statement
Political Research Associates is a progressive think tank devoted to supporting movements that are building a more just and inclusive democratic society. We expose movements, institutions, and ideologies that undermine human rights.
Goal
Political Research Associates seeks to advance progressive thinking and action by providing research-based information, analysis, and referrals.
PRA’s Core Values
- We conduct research of the highest quality and methodological rigor, and are committed to making our research and analysis readily available and accessible.
- Our work is even-handed, fact based, reliable, and not over-dramatized. Our commitment to mutual respect means that in our work, we do not caricature or demonize the followers of right-wing organizations, and we recognize the abilities of the movement's leadership.
- Our integrity demands that we speak the truth as we perceive it without fear or favor, and remain independent of forces that would stifle this voice.
- PRA’s progressive analysis and critique derives from a deep desire to understand and eliminate the root causes of oppression; in this sense PRA prefers to work with social movements with a fundamental systemic analysis rather than organizations tied to partisan politics.
- PRA believes that in order to be a truly effective organization we “must become the change we seek.” To this end, PRA is committed to fostering mutual respect and exhibiting anti-oppressive behaviors in all aspects of what we do--internally among our staff, leadership, and Board, and externally with our allies and opponents.
- We believe that an open and democratic society depends on a rich tapestry of voices and perspectives. To ensure this, we see a need to amplify marginalized voices. These values are deeply grounded in PRA’s feminist roots.
- We remain open to change and growth, and to new ideas, content and approaches in the service of our mission.
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Why We Focus on the Right
While attacks on civil liberties can come from any direction, the political and Christian Right use skillful marketing that exploits the public’s desire for quick solutions and capitalizes on today’s hectic information flow. With clever slogans that oversimplify complex public policy issues, the Right routinely scapegoats others in pursuit of their agenda.
PRA responds with fair and accurate analysis, looking beneath the sound-bites and slogans of the Right, exposing the true goals and agendas of specific leaders, organizations and movements. We then present our analysis in ways that can help the media, advocates and educators understand and challenge the Right
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History
In 1981, Political Research Associates began exposing the broad spectrum of Rightwing violence through the in-depth analysis of founding director Jean Hardisty and Chip Berlet. Originally known as Midwest Research and based in Chicago, it quickly became known for its work on behalf of racial justice. In 1987, Citizens Alert recognized the think tank with its "Rev. Willie Baker Award” for “outstanding efforts” working for racial justice in Chicago by helping anti-racist activists understand how White supremacist and antisemitic groups mobilized support in neighborhoods.
By 1987, the organization had moved to Boston, changed its name to Political Research Associates, and expanded the range of the US Right that it analyzed. In 1991, PRA launched a collaboration with South End Press with the publication of two books by Russ Bellant: The Coors Connection: How Coors Family Philanthropy Undermines Democratic Pluralism, and Old Nazis, the New Right, and the Republican Party. The next year, it began publication of its magazine The Public Eye to present the latest research on the US Right for use by advocates and journalists, while continuing to issue special reports.
By 2006, PRA has provided incisive, readable research on Posse Comitatus, the militia movement, neo-Nazis, the Christian Right, conservative think tanks, anti-immigrant movements, and government repression.
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Programs
• The Public Eye: PRA publishes The Public Eye, our signature quarterly, presenting insightful reports by scholars and journalists on trends within the US Right. (link)
• Special Reports: PRA produces timely reports on specific right-wing movements or strategies. Past reports include Calculated Compassion, a detail of the Right’s attack on gays and lesbians through the "Ex-Gay" movement, Decades of Distortion, an account of the Right’s strategy to scapegoat welfare recipients, and The Pioneer Institute:Privatizing the Common Wealth, a profile of a state-level conservative think tank. (link)
Our Activist Resource Kits designed especially for advocates include Defending Public Education, Defending Reproductive Rights, Defending Immigrant Rights, Defending Justice, and Defending Democracy.
- Interviews and referrals: Advocates and media regularly consult PRA’s researchers with their questions about the Right.
- Library: PRA’s extensive library of primary and secondary materials on the US Right and government repression is open to the public through advanced reservation of the available seating for researchers.
- Online archives: a ready source of information about the US Right dating back to the early 1980s and beyond.
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