What potentials exist for realizing a new internationalism consistent with the
visions of Samir Amin, Africa’s greatest political economist and one of the
leading Marxists of his generation? To answer requires tracing back several
decades, to interpret Amin’s own strategy for establishing first, continental
and then, global networks mixing radical scholars and activists. Many
missteps were taken, among which were gaps between top-down intellectual
formulations (and manifestos) and bottom-up strategic narratives (often
lacking a coherent ideology). Because of these limitations, even Amin’s most
opportune political networking faltered, proving unsustainable. On most such
occasions, it was Amin’s own auto-critique that assisted his allies in
developing more profound formulations. It is in these various initiatives to
which Amin generously gave his time, energy, resources and political
commitment that we can learn some of the most powerful lessons for future
internationalism.