Globalisation

There are many groups which oppose economic globalisation.  Some of these groups are openly confrontational, while others are far more interested in providing assistance for the people they seem as the “victims” of globalisation.  With such a broad spectrum of groups involved, it is important that you don’t see all anti-globalisation protestors in the same way.  Even along this spectrum, we have those who are fighting for women’s rights, those who oppose the use of cheap labour in foreign countries at the expense of local jobs, people who are fighting to save the environment and others who are worried about the increasing power of multi-national firms.  While they all march in the same protest, they often chant very different slogans. 

There are literally hundreds of organisations that could be discussed under this heading.  To give you a broad idea of the variety, we will look at just two. 

The Global Justice Movement 

This is a broad name given to a loose collection of activists who aggressively oppose all forms of globalisation.  They take credit for the riots which occurred in Seattle in 1999 during the World Trade Organisation meetings, and also for the violent protests against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Germany in 1988. 

The Global Justice Movement is not really an organisation per se.  Rather, it is the banner under which many of the more volatile members of the anti-globalisation movement rally.  There are no leaders, and no regular meetings.  They do, however, have an underlying philosophy.  This can be broken down into the following list of principles: 

1. Global Justice for All: The members of this group believe that many have suffered as a result of globalisation.  They seek to restore this balance.  
2. Respect for the Earth: The Global Justice Movement is keen to ensure that any changes which occur in the world will not harm the delicate balance which exists in our environment.  
3. Abundance and Freedom are Possible: If we make the right choices, this organisation believes that everyone on Earth can maintain a high standard of living.  It does not need to be concentrated amongst the lucky few.  
4. Economic Democracy: The government has a responsibility to ensure that they manage the economy in a transparent manner, and that when they fail they must answer to the people.

So far no world leaders have officially recognised the Global Justice Movement.  It is also true that the organisation has not been able to secure any changes to international trade policy.  They have been able to disrupt some significant meetings, and in this way they have achieved their goal of spreading their message. 

Oxfam International 

Oxfam International takes a very different approach to making their voice heard in the globalisation debate.  Rather than trying to stop the countries and corporations that are driving globalisation, Oxfam tries to help the communities that they believe are suffering as a result of the process. 

For example, Oxfam has organised the Fair Trade campaign.  In Australia, this campaign is in its introductory stages; we can buy fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate from Oxfam shops, and some supermarkets are just starting to sell one or two of these options.  In the United Kingdom, however, Fair Trade is a powerful brand.  As a result, all supermarkets carry a wide range of their products.  This includes the items listed above, and also clothing and footwear. 

In essence, the Fair Trade campaign is simple.  On behalf of Oxfam, buyers go into areas that sell these products and offer them what they believe is a fair price for the work which is completed.  In this way, they hope that the majority of the profit will go to the people who complete the work, rather than the multi-national corporations that market and distribute the items. 

It should be pointed out that Oxfam’s approach to helping international farmers in this way is not without its critics.  In late 2006 a campaign by Oxfam against Starbucks was ultimately shown to be unfounded.  However, this came only after significant cost to Starbucks.  Similarly, in April 2007, two Melbourne based academics lodged a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in regards to the claims made by Oxfam in regards to the Fair Trade coffee that they sell.  Their research has led them to believe that there is no additional benefit to farmers as a result of the procedures employed by Oxfam.

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