Strategies and Perspectives of Radical Left
Politics in the Anti-Globalisation Movement

Much has happened since thousands of activists took their resistance against the WTO summit to the street in autumn 1999 and obstructed the meeting seriously. Worldwide since the so-called anti/alter-globalisation movement has left its marks throughout history of the past decade. The shooting in Gothenburg, the killing of Carlo Giuliani and the many injured persons and prisoners of this movement are as ever-present for us as the many moments of solidarity, shared political processes and collective resistance which were evoked. The history of the anti-globalisation movement has been from the beginning as well the history of radical left, autonomous and anarchist groups which organised themselves in it. Although within the context of summit mobilisations alliances and networks succeeded in creating focal points and gather various political currents and sections, often they disappeared again from the stage as quick as they came into being. Beyond the „event“ itself the summit protests could hardly be embedded in social movements and everyday struggles. Especially dealing with the global economy crisis and the highly conjured social riots the undogmatic radical left appears poorly prepared to create new spaces in this situation where an emancipatory alternative society seems possible. Instead it does business as usual and is stuck in old habits and defensive actions. Summit protests become more and more predictable rituals and welcome democratic side programmes of those same summits.
We think that the time has come to calmly take a look at the developments, forms of action and experiences of the last years and as well to reflect upon criticism of them in order to develop together new strategies and perspectives. We hope in doing so for an open and nonhierarchical process of discussion which involves as many activists as possible.

militant reflection…

…is the attempt to create a kind of „radical left consulta“. In different cities and countries decentral events will be organised where after a short introduction and presentation of previous discussion results and a collection of subjects the discussion can proceed, for example about subjects like:

turned up as name first 2005 during the preparation of the G8 summit counteractivities in Gleneagles as a tool to coordinate the radical resistance against the summit. Since then independant structures of dissent! came into being in different countries – some for a specific purpose and for a limited time like the G8 summit in Heiligendamm, some longer-dated and less specific. Dissent! networks have neither a central office, nor spokespersons, nor lists of members nor payed officials. They are an instrument of communication and coordination between local groups and working groups within the radical left and anarchist resistance. Dissent! networks are open for everybody willing to cooperate on the basis of the PGA – peoples global action – corners.

friends of dissent!

We are groups and individuals of the sphere of existing or former dissent! associations of several european countries. We have met in order to bring together friendships and temporary networks which have developed during the last years; to find a common structure; to share thoughts, tips, experiences; to develop perspectives and together become capable of acting. This is not about a „re-foundation“ of dissent! but an attempt to create a space or a form to come into a continuous process of discussion which is not determined by extraneous rhythms of summit schedules. For this purpose we want to start a series of events and discussions with the draft title „militant reflection“. We don´t have in mind a high-flown theoretical debate but an examination with a practical attitude where a fresh approach for future resistance and international networking can be gained and further developed out of good and bad experiences.