Emerging Spaces for Debating Africa & the Global South

In: Review of African political economy, Band 34, Heft 113, S. 497-520

Abstract

Examines spaces that challenge the dominant thinking & tend to be avoided by mainstream publications, such as the workshop on, "Trade Unions, Democracy & Working Class Struggles in Africa," that was hosted by London Metropolitan U's Department of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) on 25 April 2007. Although forums like this are welcome attempts to show how social forces in the global South are dealing with the challenges of neo-liberal globalization, democratization, & development, it is maintained that they should not be separated from previous historical, intellectual projects. Other issues discussed include the emergence of radical forums aimed at empowering local peoples; the repressive tendencies of neo-liberal dogma/policies; & forums that promote critical discussions about exploitative policies, such as transnational, virtual, & intellectual networks. The DASS event is described in detail. It is concluded that the emergence of spaces for engaging issues of democracy, inclusivity, & popular struggles offer hope for reversing the adverse effects of globalization & neo-liberalism on marginalized classes in Africa & the global South. Adapted from the source document.