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Globalization and Social Movements Jeremy Brecher * Time Costello * Brendan Smith. Mattia Lacagnina. Chris Doser. Globalization: the bad, the ugly… and THE GOOD. Some quotes from the text:
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Globalization and Social MovementsJeremy Brecher * Time Costello * Brendan Smith Mattia Lacagnina Chris Doser
Globalization: the bad, the ugly… and THE GOOD Some quotes from the text: “Globalization… caused a[n] historic break in the institutions, traditions, and movements that had opposed unfettered capitalism since its inception.” “Globalization from below is certainly a movement with contradictions. Its participants have many conflicting interests.” “The ultimate source of power is not the command of those at the top, but the acquiescence of those at the bottom…” “…by linking the nooks and crannies, developing a common vision and program, and withdrawing their consent from existing institutions, they can impose norms on states, classes, armies, and other power actors.”
Thematic examples Confronting the “bad” • Environmental factors • Third world rising • Sympathy of the big guys • Farmers Unite! • Women • Consumer issues – Nadar’s Public Citizen, overiding standards • Race relations
That sounds good, but how much power do we really have… say… • BIG box mart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKv6RcXa2UI
The BIG ideas As business globalizes, so does its opponent, the people and their methods of organizing (ex. Macro type of late 19th century reform) United under ONE common interest – to defeat globalization (think India, 1940s; why is this a good thing and a bad thing?) “Power… is embedded in the set of rules and practices that are mutually accepted.” “Unless you accede to operating within these norms, you will face threats (from us and from others) that will block your objectives and undermine your power.” Small things lead to large things. It’s like a crack in a dam. The only problem is that it can be fixed quickly. *Movements do fail (Schism, Repression, Fading out, Leadership domination, Isolation, Cooptation, Leadership sell-out, and Sectarian Disruption
If you need them, some question starters… • Is it good that we unite globally to fight the “globalization”? Should we stop globalization, or should we seek to continue it and regulate it? • How is it dangerous that we unite to fight globalization? • Lets talk India… or even the US in the 19th century regarding big business • Who has more power - the good side or the bad side? Based on what you know from this article, is globalization more good or more bad? Think in terms of politics, economics, society, and military (maybe even religion) • Based on the question before - how do we fix this threat of “bad” globalization? Through what force do we fight it? Think in terms of the reasons that we fail to unite in a social movement.
Works Cited • Excerpts from: Leaders: So much gained, so much to lose;. (2009, November). The Economist, 393(8656), 11-12. Retrieved December 10, 2009, from Platinum Periodicals. (Document ID: 1894795281).