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Center for Political Innovation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | CPI |
| Notable figures | Caleb Maupin |
| Dissolved | 21 August 2022 |
| Political orientation | Patriotic socialism Social conservatism USA nationalism[1] |
| Political position | Syncretic |
| Website | |
| https://cpiusa.org/ | |
The Center for Political Innovation (CPI) is a self-described think tank operating in the United States of America and founded by Caleb Maupin.[2]
In August 2022, The CPI was briefly dissolved by its leadership following members' accusations against founder Caleb Maupin of sexual abuse and inappropriate conduct.[3] After two months of silence, Maupin re-emerged by publishing a self-serving apology video[4] and shortly afterwards reopening the CPI, carrying on with it unchanged.
Ideological line[edit | edit source]
The CPI claims to be focused on the construction of "Socialism with American Characteristics" and is often associated with the phenomenon of patriotic socialism.
Chris Butters of the CPUSA has accused Caleb Maupin and Glenn Greenwald of "signaling left, [and] moving right".[5]
Conferences[edit | edit source]
The CPI has held various conferences throughout its existence, some with notable guests.
Chicago: Unite Against the Imperialists[edit | edit source]
On August 6 2022, CPI held a conference in a suburb of Chicago. Guests included Kalambayi Andenet of the Uhuru Movement, Tara Reade, Garland Nixon, Dust James, Stansfield Smith from the Free Alex Saab Committee, Chris Helali of the PCUSA, and Nick Brand of the Movement for a People's Party.[6]
Dissolution and reopening[edit | edit source]
On August 19, 2022, dissenters from within the think tank accused the leader Caleb Maupin of sexual abuse and coercion against women in the organization, along with other acts of cult-like behavior towards members, such as overworking CPI members for more than 12 hours a day on canvassing activities (fundraising), forcing them to share a single hotel room and pay for it between themselves, and trying to isolate them from their friends network and even from other CPI members once they had become sufficiently dependent on the Center.[3]
On August 21, 2022, Maupin was expelled from the organization by the CPI Executive Committee in response to his abuses outlined in an exposé letter.[7] Later that day, the remaining leadership unanimously voted to disband the organization entirely.[8] Additionally on the 21st, Caleb sent a message to his Patrons announcing his temporary withdrawal from social media.[9]
The dissolution would be short-lived however as the CPI is technically registered under Maupin's name as a private business, thus legally making him the owner[10] of what he preferred to call a think tank. The Executive Committee therefore had no power to remove Maupin from the CPI, as the business belongs to him alone.
Maupin first published a self-serving apology video on Youtube[4] to mark his comeback, before reopening the CPI a few days later. Since then, the CPI has continued to work like it did before as Maupin's property.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Center for Political Innovation (2014-02-28). "Laying the Foundations of American Socialism & "Patriotic Socialism"" Youtube.
- ↑ "Home". Center for Political Innovation. Retrieved 2022-8-21.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Caleb Maupin’s Former Comrades Speak Out, His Abuses Must Stop!" (2022-8-19). Medium. Retrieved 2022-8-21.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Caleb Maupin (2022-11-07). "Time To Finally Talk About What Happened...". YouTube.
- ↑ Chris Butters (2021-12-17). "Signaling left, turning right: The “radicals” rebranding populism" CPUSA.
- ↑ Elizabeth P. (2022-08-16). "CPI Conference in Chicago: Unite Against The Imperialists" Maintrend News.
- ↑ “Therefore, the CPI Executive Commitee has elected to unconditionally expel Maupin from the organization.”
Center for Political Innovation (2022-8-21). "An important update from the Center for Political Innovation" Twitter. Retrieved 2022-8-21. - ↑ “As of 3pm CST August 21, 2022, the executive committee of the Center for Political Innovation has unanimously voted to dissolve the organization in its entirety and all operating facets. All dues-paying memberships will be canceled in the next 24 hours as the operation winds down.”
Center for Political Innovation (2022-8-21). "Post" Twitter. Retrieved 2022-8-21. - ↑ "Patrons, CPI has shut down. I am going to be mostly silent for the coming weeks. I have closed down my twitter and facebook. I intend to resurface at some point, but right now we all must ride out the storm. It will be very bad for the next week or so, but then things will calm. We are facing an all out attack and smear campaign. I am making only this public statement: A lot of lies about me & what has gone on in CPI are being told, but I clearly have made some very big mistakes. I need time away from social media to get the help I need to ensure I never bring any aspect of my sex life into political spaces ever again. I also need time to straighten out my personal life, and deal with how this has affected my family. When I feel I’m ready, I will likely return to social media, but these things take time. I know I let a lot of people down and we all need time to process this. Feel free to circulate it if you want. If you want to stick around and continue offering support to help my family get through this rough spot, that is deeply appreciated. If you choose to leave because of the fact that I obviously made big mistakes, regardless of the outrageous lies they are being packaged in, I completely understand. This is not the last of me or the City Building Tendency. But right now we must make a strategic retreat. Best wishes to you all." - Caleb Maupin to his Patron supporters https://twitter.com/MaupinAFA/status/1561868377810927617?s=20&t=wsCzYxMzq3nAs7MdJ_V3Lg
- ↑ New York State Department of State. "New York State Corporation Entity Center for Political Innovation Inc." Open Gov NY.