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The Other Davos: Globalization of Resistances and Struggles by Francois Houtart and Francois Polet Published by Christava Sahitya Samithi (CSS), Thiruvalla, Kerela, India, November 2000. This material was prepared for Religion Online by Ted & Winnie Brock.
Chapter 1: A Strategy for the New Times, by Christophe Aguiton We wish to
extend the reflections of the different analysts and associated networks
examined in the first section. In part we will continue this reflection. Each
contribution has re-examined or re-examining the recent development of the
capitalist regime from a particular angle. How do these same analysts propose a
solution to bring back more equity? What are the salient traits of a globally
organised resistance which should motivate and activate this planetary
commitment? The first article
is by Christophe Aguiton ,from ATTAC. He helps us understand why the current
epoch is favourable for a ‘counter-offensive’. The idea of an alternative Davos has an
intrinsic interest: it shows that there is opposition, it shows that other
voices exist, of which many represent effective resistance, than those talking
in the temple of liberalism. However, if it is not integrated into a more
global programme this objective would have evident limits. The ideological
climate is beginning to change and it is possible to make oneself heard through
other means and to claim the first victories as in the case of the MAT, a
victory which is yet to be confirmed. Let us now discuss the different aspects
of a more global programme of international action. 1. Our departure point is the structural,
economic and financial crisis, with all the practical and ideological
consequences which we can draw from it for our action programme. We must first
address the ideological changes. Over nearly 20 years, neo-liberalism has continued
to score points, but now the wind is changing, and it is our responsibility to
make this change as visible as possible and to make it the focal point of a
counter-offensive. The counter-offensive must be developed on practical and
concrete issues (MAT etc.), and also on the larger field of social alternatives
to the disaster of neo-conservative counter-reforms. 2. This medium- and long-term project is
twofold. First, to support and facilitate the development of concrete campaigns
with limited objectives. Starting from simple, focused and accessible starting
points is a guarantee for campaigns to have mass appeal, as was demonstrated
both by the campaign against the MAT and the launch of ATTAC. After MAT (a
campaign that will continue with the shift to the WTO where there is a project
to coöpt, in the framework of the American lobbying system, a part of the
opponents) concentration could be focussed on the tax on capital (Tobin tax
etc.), the struggle against the plans of the IMF, the struggle against Third
World debt. Next we must promote social alternatives
to neo-liberalism. This objective is much more difficult to realise; the
debates between the militants opposed to liberalism have only just begun.
During the first meetings of ATTAC, we saw the succession of clearly
anti-capitalist positions and those, whose priority is the regulation of
financial markets and of the world economic system. Agreement was eventually
met (but that will not settle everything!) on the necessity for ‘empowering the
citizen faced with the dictatorship of the market’. 3. A vast international convergence seems
possible on such objectives because social forces with a radical critique of
liberalism have developed (MST in Brazil, KCTU in Korea, European marches,
etc.) and because international and regional demonstrations (above all in
Europe, America and Asia) are growing in strength. To achieve such convergence, we have to
take into account the plurality of the preoccupations in the different
countries, the verification that the initiatives do not compete with each other
and the need for very large alliances, for numerous networks and movements
developing around related themes. All that calls for patient, methodical
unitary work so that the different initiatives being proposed in various
countries work towards the common goal and within the joint perspective. |