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Globalisation and the Politics of Resistance

Module description

In this module you will critically examine the state of the art in IR theory and the extent to which it speaks to and from contemporary forms of resistance politics such as trade union movements, women’s movements, ecological movements, youth movements, indigenous peoples movements, anti-capitalist activism, black power and anti-racist movements, religious fundamentalisms, human rights campaigns etc. More specifically, it asks the following questions: What purpose does IR theory serve? Whom does it represent? What do we mean by resistance politics? Second, it aims to empirically map these forms of activism, examine the conditions under which they emerged and explore their interconnections. What, if any, common ground do these movements share? What tensions separate them? What do we mean by progressive movements?

Module aims - intentions of the module

The main aim of this module is to critically explore the theory and practice of contemporary forms of ‘resistance’ politics - including trade union movements, women’s movements, ecological movements, youth movements, indigenous peoples’ movements, anti-capitalist activism, ‘black power’ and anti-racist movements, religious fundamentalisms, human rights campaigns etc - in light of three lines of inquiry. First, it turns to the theoretical/conceptual underpinning of the notion of resistance and seeks to address the following three questions: 1) Who is the subject of resistance?; 2) Under what conditions does resistance emerge?; 3) What kinds of practices are involved in resistance politics? How do we know resistance when we see it?

Second, it aims to empirically map three forms of concrete activism, examining the historically specific conditions under which it emerged, the different actors involved, their practices as well as their impact. The three case studies that we study are voted on and decided by the class and the reading list that accompanies each is put together co-operatively by all the students. When assessing each case we will reach for a comparative perspective asking what, if any, common ground these movements share and what tensions separate them.

Third, in the last part of the course, we identify and reflect on some of the political and theoretical dilemmas thrown up by studying and practising resistance politics. For example, what do we mean by ‘progressive’ movements? Indeed, what are our criteria for deciding who is ‘progressive’ (good) and who is ‘reactionary’ (bad)? Another, related question concerns what are the appropriate strategies for bringing about social change? What strategies are politically effective and which ones are counterproductive? Moreover, in terms of moral considerations which strategies are justifiable and, more particularly, is violence ever justified? If so, when? Finally, who speaks for whom in a movement? Is there an inherent tension between efforts to open up and democratise a movement, on the one hand, and gain political representation and leverage among ‘the powers that be’, on the other? While I have identified three possible dilemmas here, I am open to discussing others if there is an interest.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical field of resistance politics;
• 2. demonstrate an empirical knowledge of particular contemporary social movements in world politics;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. demonstrate an ability to find, use and analyse a range of materials including major historical studies, IR and politics journals and news sources;
• 4. demonstrate an ability to critically analyse both empirical and theoretical material and to deploy theoretical arguments and 'apply' them to empirical case studies;
• 5. demonstrate an ability to articulate their own ethical and political points of view and defend them with well structured and rigorous arguments;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively both formally in presentations and informally in class discussions;
• 7. demonstrate an ability to write clearly and coherently;
• 8. demonstrate an ability to work independently as well as in a team.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

Introduction - Overview of module aims and methods

Part I: Theorising The Politics of Resistance

• Who is the subject of resistance?
• Why does resistance emerge?
• What does it look and sound like?

Part II: Mapping Sites of Resistance

• Case studies to be determined by class. Past case studies include: the IRA, the Tamil Tigers, Hip Hop music, the global justice movement, art as resistance, gay rights, Hamas, the ANC, the Zapatistas, and the Iranian Revolution.

Part III: Dilemmas of the Politics of Resistance

• What is a progressive movement?
• Practising direct action, is violence ever justified?
• Another world is possible, but for whom?
• Unintended Consequences

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

If the group fail then they will have to redo the presentation as soon as possible after the presentation date. They will be capped at 40%. If they are deferred they will have to redo the presentation as soon as possible and will receive their full marks. If an individual fails to show up for the presentation and do not seek mitigation then they will get a 0%. If they do get mitigation then they will be deferred in the presentation and will have to submit a 1,000 word summary of their contribution to the team presentation.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Louise Amore (ed.) 2005. The Global Resistance Reader(London, Routledge) (I refer to this text a lot and it would be a useful buy. You can find it available at the bookstore)

Armstrong, Farrell, Maiguashca (eds) 2004. Special Issue entitled ‘Governance and Resistance in World Politics’ (Vol. 25, No. 3, 2003) or in book form Governance and Resistance in World Politics(Cambridge, Cambridge University Press) (You can get access to this journal on ebsco)

O’Brien, Goetz, Scholte and Williams. (eds) 2000. Contesting Global Governance(Cambridge, Cambridge University Press) (In library)

Catherine Eschle and Bice Maiguashca, (eds.) 2005. Critical Theories, International Relations and the ‘Anti-Globalisation Movement’(London: Routledge)

Key words search

Political, Economy, Globalisation, Resistance,