8.3.3 Democratic Action
Completion requirements
8.3.3 Democratic Action
How should I respond to globalization?
| First they came... |
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When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent; I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out. |
| by Martin Niemöller 1946 |
Protesters in Israel
Courtesy of Shachar Abiry
Courtesy of Shachar Abiry
What happens when people remain silent as injustices occur?
Some people believe in minding their own business and letting people
take care of their own issues and problems. The poem above was written
by a Lutheran pastor as he watched the German
people fail to respond to Nazi atrocities. Obviously, he believed
that each person has a role in supporting one another. In our global
world, injustices happen to millions of people.
Do we remain silent — or do we act?
Activism occurs when people intentionally try to bring about political or social change by their activities. When people protest, write letters to their political leaders or other people in power, stage rallies, sign petitions, strike, picket, or boycott, they are using activism to initiate changes on some issues about which they feel strongly. Usually, activism occurs when people feel that legitimate means of dissent are not working or when they want to see action on an issue about which they feel powerless. Sometimes, they use activism to draw public attention to an issue that is being ignored.
In 2003, thousands of people around the world protested the American invasion of Iraq. By doing so, they were telling their own governments that they did not approve of this war. Anti-globalization protesters use activism to bring attention to some of the negative effects of globalization by staging large demonstrations, especially during WTO or other trade talks. Sometimes, activists participate in illegal or dangerous activities to make their point. Sometimes, peaceful protests become violent.
Do we remain silent — or do we act?
Activism occurs when people intentionally try to bring about political or social change by their activities. When people protest, write letters to their political leaders or other people in power, stage rallies, sign petitions, strike, picket, or boycott, they are using activism to initiate changes on some issues about which they feel strongly. Usually, activism occurs when people feel that legitimate means of dissent are not working or when they want to see action on an issue about which they feel powerless. Sometimes, they use activism to draw public attention to an issue that is being ignored.
In 2003, thousands of people around the world protested the American invasion of Iraq. By doing so, they were telling their own governments that they did not approve of this war. Anti-globalization protesters use activism to bring attention to some of the negative effects of globalization by staging large demonstrations, especially during WTO or other trade talks. Sometimes, activists participate in illegal or dangerous activities to make their point. Sometimes, peaceful protests become violent.
American protestors protest against the oilsands.
© Thinkstock
© Thinkstock
Does activism bring change? Definitely, activism can bring change in certain circumstances. Generally, activism is more effective when it targets specific corporations or governments. Consumer action that targets a specific company is a powerful
tool for change. The Nestlé boycott you read about in Unit 7 is one example. Protests about sweatshop labour by transnationals such as the GAP and letter-writing campaigns to protest poor living conditions of coffee farmers have led to better labour
practices in much of the developing world. Large-scale marches and protests tend to be less effective, partly because they are directed at huge organizations not directly accountable to the people. However, if enough people protest loudly enough,
their voices can be heard. Activism by people all around the world has led to the signing of international agreements such as the Land Mines Treaty.
When is activism appropriate? Activists feel very strongly about issues. They are prepared to do many things to make their points. In our globalizing world, sometimes activism is a powerful way to draw attention to injustice. Sometimes, it is the only way to show the world how people feel about certain subjects. Is writing slogans on public property appropriate activism or defacing graffiti?
The anti-globalization or Global Justice Movement: Protests highlighting the negative effects of globalization have occurred around the world, especially when international conferences of industrialized nations are held. In the news, you may have seen thousands or even hundreds of thousands of young people marching, carrying placards, or even vandalizing places such as Starbucks.
Anti-globalization protesters believe that the actions of international institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the global presence of huge multinational corporations interfere with local decision-making and are harmful to the cultural and economic life of the people, especially in the developing world. Because these are global organizations, protesters believe no one channel is available to voice their concerns in the same way they can with their own national governments. This leads them to protest loudly and publicly.
Members of this movement believe in some form of socialism and environmentalism as well as self-determination for people in developing countries. Often, they believe that the presence of international financial institutions and powerful corporations is neocolonialism in which those with money and power in wealthy nations seek to exploit and control workers and resources in the developing world. Many in the global justice movement are affiliated with non-governmental organizations that work to support their causes, which include one or all of the following:
Problems with the Global Justice Movement: Often, protests involve people with specific issues such as an end to clear-cut logging, fair wages for coffee growers, or labour laws for sweatshops. They do not have one set of beliefs or concerns, clearly defined objectives, or distinct strategies to achieving their goals. This has led to criticism of the movement because some people believe it is unclear and unrealistic in its hopes and dreams for the planet.
The pro-globalization movement is not a movement in the same way that the anti-globalization movement is. It rarely organizes rallies or protests. Pro-globalization supporters are those who believe that globalization as it works right now is the best way ahead for everyone on this planet. From that perspective, sweatshops might be a positive force because they provide employment that was not available before. Outsourcing provides economic opportunities for both those who work at call centres and the companies that benefit from their work. The pro-globalization movement represents the status quo, or mainstream thinking. It consists of big business and international financial institutions such as the World Bank.
Is it ever a good idea to do something illegal to bring about a change?
Most people in democracies believe in obeying the law at all times and making changes to the system through democratic means. But what if injustice is occurring and those suffering have no way to be heard? For example, if you were a member of an oppressed group whose traditions, culture, and freedoms were being trampled by those in power, how far would you be willing to go in protest? If you had no elected representative or if you were a member of a minority with no real voice in government, how else could you get your point across? Illegal action to bring about change is called civil disobedience.
Some people believe that activism is never appropriate. We have democratic rights and the ability to elect representatives to act on our behalf. But when issues are global, no specific agency may be responsible. How can change come? For those who are oppressed, activism is sometimes their only means of making their voices heard. People in other lands may feel that they must protest on behalf of these voiceless people. From their perspective, there may be no other way.
If you are interested in doing more reading, try reading Cass Sunstein's Why Societies Need Dissent. Sunstein believes that free speech and debate are the essence of a healthy, democratic society.
An interesting and easy-to-read book that exposes some of the problems associated with globalization is Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins. Perkins tells his story of his work as an economist for an American corporation in the developing world.
When is activism appropriate? Activists feel very strongly about issues. They are prepared to do many things to make their points. In our globalizing world, sometimes activism is a powerful way to draw attention to injustice. Sometimes, it is the only way to show the world how people feel about certain subjects. Is writing slogans on public property appropriate activism or defacing graffiti?
Growth is Madness
courtesy Rama
courtesy Rama
The anti-globalization or Global Justice Movement: Protests highlighting the negative effects of globalization have occurred around the world, especially when international conferences of industrialized nations are held. In the news, you may have seen thousands or even hundreds of thousands of young people marching, carrying placards, or even vandalizing places such as Starbucks.
Anti-globalization protesters believe that the actions of international institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the global presence of huge multinational corporations interfere with local decision-making and are harmful to the cultural and economic life of the people, especially in the developing world. Because these are global organizations, protesters believe no one channel is available to voice their concerns in the same way they can with their own national governments. This leads them to protest loudly and publicly.
Members of this movement believe in some form of socialism and environmentalism as well as self-determination for people in developing countries. Often, they believe that the presence of international financial institutions and powerful corporations is neocolonialism in which those with money and power in wealthy nations seek to exploit and control workers and resources in the developing world. Many in the global justice movement are affiliated with non-governmental organizations that work to support their causes, which include one or all of the following:
-
labour rights
-
cultural diversity
-
biodiversity
-
fair trade
-
an end to poverty
-
cultural preservation and/or self-determinism for Indigenous people
-
environmental protection
-
an end to war
Problems with the Global Justice Movement: Often, protests involve people with specific issues such as an end to clear-cut logging, fair wages for coffee growers, or labour laws for sweatshops. They do not have one set of beliefs or concerns, clearly defined objectives, or distinct strategies to achieving their goals. This has led to criticism of the movement because some people believe it is unclear and unrealistic in its hopes and dreams for the planet.
The pro-globalization movement is not a movement in the same way that the anti-globalization movement is. It rarely organizes rallies or protests. Pro-globalization supporters are those who believe that globalization as it works right now is the best way ahead for everyone on this planet. From that perspective, sweatshops might be a positive force because they provide employment that was not available before. Outsourcing provides economic opportunities for both those who work at call centres and the companies that benefit from their work. The pro-globalization movement represents the status quo, or mainstream thinking. It consists of big business and international financial institutions such as the World Bank.
Reflect
Is it ever a good idea to do something illegal to bring about a change?
Most people in democracies believe in obeying the law at all times and making changes to the system through democratic means. But what if injustice is occurring and those suffering have no way to be heard? For example, if you were a member of an oppressed group whose traditions, culture, and freedoms were being trampled by those in power, how far would you be willing to go in protest? If you had no elected representative or if you were a member of a minority with no real voice in government, how else could you get your point across? Illegal action to bring about change is called civil disobedience.
Some people believe that activism is never appropriate. We have democratic rights and the ability to elect representatives to act on our behalf. But when issues are global, no specific agency may be responsible. How can change come? For those who are oppressed, activism is sometimes their only means of making their voices heard. People in other lands may feel that they must protest on behalf of these voiceless people. From their perspective, there may be no other way.
| In any non-violent campaign, there are four basic steps: 1) collection of the facts to determine whether injustices are alive, 2) negotiation, 3) self-purification, and 4) direct action. |
| Martin Luther King, Letter from Birmingham City Jail. |
Digging Deeper
If you are interested in doing more reading, try reading Cass Sunstein's Why Societies Need Dissent. Sunstein believes that free speech and debate are the essence of a healthy, democratic society.
An interesting and easy-to-read book that exposes some of the problems associated with globalization is Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins. Perkins tells his story of his work as an economist for an American corporation in the developing world.