Anti-globalization

Anti-globalization is a term most commonly used to describe the political stance of the grouping of social movements which are prominent in protests against global trade agreements and the negative consequences for the poor, for the environment and for peace which they claim follow from them. Participants in these movements often reject the term "anti-globalization", preferring to describe themselves as the Global Justice Movement, the Movement of Movements, the alter-globalization movement or the Anti-corporate Movement.

Is "anti-globalization" a misnomer?

Many participants consider the term "anti-globalization" to be a misnomer, and one which has been used to make inaccurate and simplistic criticisms of the movement, for example that it is purely negative, or that it simply argues for protectionism or even nationalism. In fact, the movement is self-consciously internationalist, organising globally and seeing itself as in solidarity with oppressed people around the world (see for example the organisation Peoples Global Action). One element that makes up the movement is the No Border network, which argues for unrestricted migration and the abolition of all national borders.

Related Topics:
Misnomer - Protectionism - Nationalism - Oppressed - Peoples Global Action - No Border network

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The term "anti-globalization" arose from the movement's opposition to free-trade agreements which have often been considered part of something called "globalization." To emphasise that it is this aspect of globalization to which they are opposed, parts of the movement describe themselves as "anti-capitalist," "anti-plutocracy," or "anti-corporate," and have adopted slogans which refer to an idea of globalization which they consider positive, such as "globalize justice" or "globalize liberation."

Related Topics:
Free-trade - Globalization - Anti-capitalist - Anti-plutocracy - Corporate

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Another concern some activists have about the term "anti-globalization" is that it does not distinguish their position from nationalist opposition to globalization. Many nationalist movements, such as the French National Front, are also opposed to globalization, but argue that the alternative to globalization is a protection of the nation-state, sometimes in explicitly racist or fascist terms. Some fascist groups influenced by the Third Position have attempted to tailor their message to appeal to the anti-globalization movement. However, the far-right is overwhelmingly rejected by the anti-globalization movement, with the Peoples Global Action hallmarks explicitly rejecting racism, and many within the movement also active in anti-fascist groups such as ANTIFA.

Related Topics:
Nationalist - French - National Front - Racist - Fascist - Third Position - Peoples Global Action - ANTIFA

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