A political international is a transnational organization of political parties having similar ideology or political orientation (e.g. communism, socialism, or Islamism).[1] The international works together on points of agreement to co-ordinate activity.
Political internationals have increased in popularity and influence since their beginnings in the political left of 19th-century Europe, as political activists have paid more attention to developments for or against their ideological favor in other countries and continents. After World War II, other ideological movements formed their political internationals to communicate among aligned parliamentarians and legislative candidates as well as to communicate with intergovernmental and supranational organizations such as the United Nations and later the European Union. Internationals also form supranational and regional branches (e.g. a European branch or an African branch) and maintain fraternal or governing relationships with sector-specific wings (e.g. youth or women's wings).
Internationals usually do not have a significant role.[2] Internationals provide the parties an opportunity for sharing of experience.[2] The parties belonging to internationals have various organizational obligations and can be expelled for not meeting those obligations.[1] For example, during the 2011 Arab Spring the Socialist International expelled the governing parties of Tunisia and Egypt for performing actions incompatible with the values of this international.[1]