We continue our treatment of the excellent and stimulating PhD thesis from Jose Ramos, on the history and prefigurative future of the alterglobalization movement:
* Dissertation: Alternative Futures of Globalisation. A Socio-Ecological Study of the World Social Forum Process. José María Ramos. Queensland University of Technology Division of Research and Commercialisation. May 2010
* Excerpt 1 from the Introduction: The Emergence of a Planetary Self
Full treatment here.
“In this thesis I examine two simultaneous formations, interlinked, which constitute a grassroots yet global response to planetary crisis: the World Social Forum Process (WSF(P)) and the development of an Alternative Globalisation Movement (AGM). Together they constitute both a ‘discourse of discourses’, from the academy and many other sources of knowledge, as well as a grassroots to institutional ‘movement of movements’ response.
The methodology I have chosen is action research, in which I have been actively engaged with and between actors, in their multiplicity (individuals, organisations, networks, etc), in the process and struggle to enact change. (I discuss my methodological journey in Chapter Three of this report). This has provided a window into a variety of projects and processes within both the overlapping constellations of the WSF(P) and AGM, and into what it means for ordinary people to respond to global challenges. Within this, I document my own journey, the journey of groups and organisations I have worked with, and larger processes and events beyond my immediate relations. “
* Excerpt 2 on History: The History of the World Social Forum and the Alterglobalization Movement
Full treatment here.
“This section gives a historical overview of the emergence of the World Social Forum (Process) and alter-globalization movement. This chapter (of which this section is an extract), offers a larger historical narrative that gives context to the tens of thousands of projects and struggles that form part of the alter-globalization project. Importantly, the old left ‘verticalism’ (command and control logic, eventually gave way to a new left horizontalism). The significance of this in regards to P2P is that today, in the alter-globalization movement, both the cultural logic and technological structures are highly related to and overlap with P2P commons based strategies. The cultural logic, ‘horizontalism’ is the de facto modus operandi within the movement, promoting openness, egalitarian exchange, sharing and solidarity systems. The technical logic is built on ICT network structures, tools and strategies. In this sense alter-globalization and P2P are fraternally prefigurative, signifying a concurrent and contemporary transformation of global social relations. “
* Excerpt 3 from the Conclusion: The Future of the Alterglobalization Movement
Full treatment here.
“This section is an extract from the last chapter, which provides a summation of the finding of the thesis. As a study into alternative futures, it was important to challenge the status quo of the WSF(P), and offer alternative visions and pathways for the alter-globalization movement. After all, alter-globalization (and alter-localization) is the POINT of the WSF(P). The WSF(P) is the vehicle for the transformation of our world, not an end in itself. To do this I used a scenario building method that identified the ‘success formula’ of the organization(s), and examined what that ‘success formula’ disowns. Interestingly, while the exposition of scenarios challenges the de facto horizontalism of the WSF(P), it also opens the future up to a ‘WSF 2.0’ (see scenario 3). I drew on this web based metaphor to articulate my preferred future and next stage in the alter-globalization movement. But more specifically this refers to a P2P commons based strategy. Indeed, many of the ideas in this scenario are being built by people in the P2P movement. A final note to readers, the concluding chart may help readers to conceptualize the 4 scenarios a bit easier. Let me know what you think, and I’m happy to answer questions. “