Jacobin Magazine: History and Growth of a Modern Leftist Publication
Launched in September 2010, Jacobin began as an online magazine before quickly expanding into a print journal later that same year. Founded by Bhaskar Sunkara, the publication was designed to serve as a cohesive intellectual hub for the contemporary left, mirroring the role that the National Review played for the post-war right. Sunkara's vision was to unite individuals around a specific set of ideas and engage those ideas with the mainstream of liberalism.
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Key Facts
- Founded: September 2010 as an online magazine.
- Founder: Bhaskar Sunkara.
- Growth Spike: Subscriptions tripled between 2015 and 2017.
- Academic Extension: Launched Catalyst: A Journal of Theory and Strategy in 2017.
- Global Reach: Operates via a franchise model with editions in multiple countries.
Rapid Growth and Political Influence
The popularity of Jacobin surged alongside the increased public interest in leftist ideologies, particularly during Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. This political climate led to a dramatic increase in readership; subscriptions grew from 10,000 in the summer of 2015 to 32,000 by the first issue of 2017. Notably, 16,000 of these new subscribers joined in the two months immediately following the election of Donald Trump.
This rapid ascent did not go unnoticed by media critics. In 2016, the Columbia Journalism Review described Jacobin as the most successful American ideological magazine to launch within the previous decade.
Academic Expansion and Global Reach
In the spring of 2017, the publication expanded its intellectual scope by launching Catalyst: A Journal of Theory and Strategy. Unlike the main magazine, Catalyst is a peer-reviewed journal—a publication where articles are scrutinized by other experts in the field before being accepted. Currently edited by New York University professor Vivek Chibber and a small editorial board, Catalyst reported a subscriber base of 7,500 as of 2022.
International Editions
Jacobin has also expanded beyond the United States using a "classic franchise model." This approach began in November 2018 with the launch of Jacobin Italia. Under this model, the parent publication provides editorial and publishing guidance and receives a small portion of the revenue, while the local edition maintains its own autonomy.
Following the success in Italy, other editions have been established in the following countries:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Germany
- Greece
- The Netherlands
Publication Overview
| Milestone/Entity | Date/Period | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Online Launch | September 2010 | Initial digital release |
| Subscription Growth | 2015 – 2017 | Increased from 10,000 to 32,000 |
| Catalyst Journal | Spring 2017 | Peer-reviewed theory and strategy journal |
| Jacobin Italia | November 2018 | First foreign-language franchise edition |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Jacobin and why?
Jacobin was founded by Bhaskar Sunkara. His goal was to create a publication that could cohere people around a set of leftist ideas and interact with mainstream liberalism, similar to how the National Review functioned for the right.
How did Bernie Sanders' campaign affect the magazine?
The attention on leftist ideas stimulated by Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign contributed to a surge in popularity, helping subscriptions triple between 2015 and 2017.
What is Catalyst: A Journal of Theory and Strategy?
Launched in 2017, Catalyst is a peer-reviewed academic journal edited by NYU professor Vivek Chibber and an editorial board, focusing on theory and strategy.
How does Jacobin handle its international editions?
Jacobin uses a franchise model. The parent publication provides editorial advice and takes a small slice of revenue, but the international editions, such as Jacobin Italia, remain autonomous.
In which countries is Jacobin published?
In addition to the United States, Jacobin has editions in Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands.