the politics of protest [week 16]

The Politics of Protest [week 16]

The Anti-Globalisation Protests

What do we understand by the term ‘globalisation’?

1. The ‘global village’ (McLuhan)2. Increased economic interaction

3. An expansion of networks4. Communication

5. Decline in importance of geography6. The influence of non-state actors

Neo-colonialism

- The influence of Western financial institutions

-Financial control and the problem of debt

- Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs)

A new world order

-The World Trade Organisation (WTO)- NGOs and protest movements

-North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

- Chiapas protest (1 Jan 1994)- Seattle protest (30 Nov

1999)- The impact of trades unions

The World Economic Forum meets the World Social Forum

2001-3 Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul)2004 (Mumbai – India)

2006 (Bamako – Mali + Caracas – Venezuela)2007 (Nairobi – Kenia)

2008 (lots of decentralised actions on 26 January)2009 (Belém, Brazil)

2010 (lots of decentralised actions)2011 (Dakar, Senegal)

So, why are so many people united in their opposition to globalisation? Hmm?

1. The ever-increasing divide between rich and poor in all corners of the globe

2. It is visible almost everywhere in the world3. The obvious problems of neo-colonialism