GLOBALPHOBICS: WORLD CHARACTERISTICS AND GROUPS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

Globaliphobic is a term applied to the group of people who actively oppose the worldwide phenomenon of globalization. This concept encompasses a series of interconnected ideas that share in common opposition to the unregulated political power of large multinationals and to the powers exercised through trade agreements.

In this sense, the adjective globalphobic was coined as a pejorative, derogatory term. The groups that applied this term for the first time tried to discredit the anti-globalization groups. Later, when this word became popular, they wanted to give it somehow a terrorist connotation.

These globalphobic movements formally began their activities within the protest against the WTO (World Trade Organization) in Seattle, between November 29 and December 3, 1999. This protest was the beginning of a new stage of the anti-globalization movement.

As of this date, there have been other massive protests at all WTO summits. Among them, we can mention the World Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil (2001-2003) and the summit in Mumbai, India (2004). Since then, these demonstrations are common, the one in Nairobi, Kenya (2007) being well remembered.

characteristics

Heterogeneity

The movement of the globaliphobics is heterogeneous. Despite sharing their opposition to globalization, they have a wide variety of interests, which means that they do not have a strong enough common denominator to identify them as a movement.

Consequently, the group is not only divided between those who define themselves as anti-capitalists or reformists, but there are also the violent and the peaceful.

There are also differences in the scope of the desired transformations. Some want the democratization of the WTO, and others want it to be completely abolished.

Anti-transculturation

One of the factors that has united the anti-globalization movement in recent years has been the unease in the face of a dominant world. From his point of view, transnational corporate brands have made differences and content disappear.

This means that the product does not matter; from a hamburger to a hotel room they look the same anywhere in the world. Countries' cultural peculiarities dissolve in favor of global consumption patterns.

In fact, the reaction against the process of transculturation is pointed out as the origin of the movement of globalphobics. They also classify it as a political movement rather than a cultural one.

On the other hand, it is so strong that it unifies from indigenous groups to political movements such as the Zapatistas, who see their existence threatened.

Anti-neoliberalism

Globaliphobics are characterized by their reasoned and explicit critique of neoliberalism. They oppose it as a political project that seeks to build a standardized world in order to have a global market. In his opinion, neoliberal politics deepens the division of the world into rich and poor countries.

Globalphobic groups in the world

Abahlali baseMjondolo movement

The Abahlali baseMjondolo movement had its origins in the port city of Durban, South Africa, in early 2005. It is considered the largest anti-poverty organization in post-apartheid South Africa.

Specifically, it began on March 19, 2005 with a road blockade organized from the Kennedy Road settlement. The action was a protest for the sale of a portion of municipal land to a local industrialist. This lot was initially destined for the construction of houses for the inhabitants of the area.

Although the original motto of this movement of globalphobics was "land and housing in the city", it has become politicized over the years.

Thus, it has successfully participated in campaigns to end forced deportations and to access education and water provision.

He has also organized large demonstrations to fight for electricity and better sanitary conditions in South Africa. Likewise, he has struggled for medical care and waste disposal.

In some poor settlements, the movement has successfully established projects such as nurseries, gardens, and sewing collectives. Similarly, they support people living with AIDS and are orphans.

In a previously little-known twist, they have organized local soccer leagues and multi-genre music competitions.

The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN)

The birth of this movement of globalphobics was on January 1, 1994. On that date, this Mexican indigenous insurgent organization made itself known demanding “work, land, housing, food, health, education, independence, freedom, democracy, justice and peace »for indigenous peoples.

The EZLN movement was a revealing event for both the Mexican government and the non-indigenous population about the alarming situation of indigenous peoples.

This conflict not only sparked an internal awareness of indigenous rights, recognition and self-determination, but also an international awakening on these issues.

The EZLN rebellion played an important role in the expansion of indigenous rights and their recognition. As a consequence of the insurgency, the Mexican government was forced to carry out constitutional reforms.

In them, indigenous peoples were granted local political autonomy and greater political participation at the national level.

Fanmi lavalas

Fanmi Lavalas (FL) is a Haitian left-wing political party founded by Jean-Bertrand Aristide (former President of the Republic) in 1991. It also has among its key leaders Luis Gérard-Gilles (presidential candidate in 2006) and Maryse Narcisse (presidential candidate in 2015).

According to the statutes of this party, FL supports the Haitian people in their struggle to achieve universal human rights. Likewise, it fights for access to a fair legal system, social justice and a society without violence.

On the other hand, the FL has a radio and television station (Radio et Télévision Timoun). Through these means, both educational activities and anti-globalization demonstrations are coordinated. And it has a university: UNIFA, University of the Aristide Foundation.

Among other activities, it organizes the “summer school” to discuss the socio-political and economic problems of the country. It also holds charity events.

Similarly, it runs programs to promote literacy, improve health care, and include the country's poor in national politics.

Homeless Workers Movement

Created in 1990, the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Teto (Homeless Workers Movement) in Brazil mobilizes urban workers in the peripheral neighborhoods of most Brazilian states. Its activities include training and organizing territorial camps.

Now, although the main objective of the movement is to defend urban reform, it has other flags. The main one is the right to a decent home for workers.

Additionally, they have incorporated quality education, medical care, access to public transportation and basic infrastructure into their struggles.

Movement for Justice in the Neighborhood

This movement was founded in 2005. It is made up mainly of Mexican migrants, mostly women, many of them indigenous, who took on transnational corporations.

According to statements by their official spokesmen, these corporations tried to expel them from their communities in El Barrio, East Harlem, New York.

This movement has grown since its founding. At the beginning there were fifteen families that got together and formed the organization. It currently has 900 members, 80% of them women, on 85 construction committees. By resisting displacement, they have fought successful battles and built a strong community of support.

Likewise, they built a culture of resistance and redefined the meaning of global solidarity. This movement already has representation in other US states and continues its work to oppose community displacement.

References

1. Corona Páez, SA (2014, February 07). The "globaliphobia". Taken from milenio.com.
2. Oswald Spring, U. (2009). International Security, Peace, Development and Environment. Oxford: EOLSS Publications.
3. Oldham, K. and Wilma, D. (2009, October 18). Large but mostly non-confrontational protests greet the WTO in Seattle on November 29, 1999. Taken from historylink.org.
4. Ehrke, M. (s / f). What do globalphobics want? Taken from library.fes.de.
5. Abahlali baseMjondolo. (October, 2006). A Short History of Abahlali base Mjondolo, the Durban Shack Dwellers' Movement. Taken from abahlali.org.
6. Reyes Godelmann, I. (2014, July 30). The Zapatista Movement: The Fight for Indigenous Rights in Mexico. Taken from internationalaffairs.org.au.
7. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. (2017, February 10). Haiti: The Fanmi Lavalas political party, including its leaders, political platform, geographic reach and activities; its relationship with the government; whether the party has ties to criminal gangs. Taken from refworld.org.
8. Brazil Foundation of Human Rights. (s / f). Homeless Workers Movement - State Collective of Ceará. Taken from fundodireitoshumanos.org.br.
9. Davies, J. (2015, March 03). Movement for Justice in El Barrio: Ten Years of Struggle for Another Possible World. Taken from upsidedownworld.org.