Globalization, Knowledge and Labour

This book begins from the central premise that progressive social change requires collective struggle underpinned by a clear strategy, and that processes of neoliberal globalisation have altered the cartography upon which social struggle takes place. Drawing on insights from the knowledge production processes of labour movements around the world, this research seeks to highlight the central importance of knowledge production and processes of learning within social movements. Providing both a comprehensive theoretical and empirical introduction to the relationship between globalisation, knowledge and social movement strategy, the authors contend that the production and dissemination of alternative knowledge is central to a resurgence of working-class power. By presenting a wide range of case-studies, the book highlights the centrality of knowledge production and circulation processes to the potential expansion and revitalization of the role of civil society in the promotion of social democracy. The chapter contributors include activist-scholars, whose work represents a broad perspective on 'labour' including the unemployed, the self-employed at the margins of the labour market, the unorganized, and those who work in the informal economy. Delivering work which is at once theoretically rich and yet empirically informed, this work will be of interest to students and scholars from a range of disciplines including International Relations, Development Studies, Critical Labour and Social Movement Studies, and Education. It will also be of relevance to activists and practitioners engaged in strategy development and education in various social movements.

Mario Novelli, Anibel Ferus-Comelo

Introduction Mario Novelli and Anibel Ferus-Comelo 1. Globalisation, Neoliberalism and Labour Mario Novelli and Anibel Ferus-Comelo 2. Globalisation & Labour Movements: Transnational Solidarity & New Spaces Of Resistance Anibel Ferus-Comelo and Mario Novelli 3. Globalisation & Knowledge Production in Labour Movements Mario Novelli and Anibel Ferus-Comelo 4. Spaces of Engagement and Sintraemcali's Strategic Learning & Knowledge Production Mario Novelli 5. "Education Is Not For Sale": Teachers' Unions Pluri-Scalar Struggles against Liberalising the Education Sector Antoni Verger and Mario Novelli 6. Seeds Of Resistance: Popular Education and Community Unionism Among Women Workers Anibel Ferus-Comelo 7. Social Movement Unionism in the Philippines: Organising Displaced Workers from the Garments Industry Niels Beerepoot and Juan Hernandez-Agramonte 8. Contested Presence, Hopeful Future: Experiences of South Asian Immigrant Women Entrepreneurs in Canada Srabani Maitra 9. Learning Across Borders: A European Way? Andrew Mathers 10. New Strategies for Mobilising International Public Opinion against the Corporate Takeover of Latin America Andy Higginbottom 11. Queremos Vivir Sin Miedo [We Want To Live Without Fear] Raul Añorve and Idepsca Staff 12. Creating the Space for Optimism through Popular Education Anibel Ferus-Comelo and Mario Novelli