Liberate Diversity by RSP/CNDSF | 21 Dec 2005 This is the background document to "European Seminar on Seeds" held on 25-26 November 2005 in Poitiers, France, organised by Réseau Semences Paysannes (RSP) and Coordination Nationale pour la Défense des Semences Fermières (CNDSF) This is the background document to "European Seminar on Seeds" held on 25-26 November 2005 in Poitiers, France, organised by Réseau Semences Paysannes (RSP) and Coordination Nationale pour la Défense des Semences Fermières (CNDSF)
Copyright Copyleft by Alternative Law Forum | 20 Dec 2005 an illustrated parody of a comic book brought out by the World Intellectual Property Office an illustrated parody of a comic book brought out by the World Intellectual Property Office
The Temporary Autonomous Zone by Hakim Bey | 20 Dec 2005 The Temporary Autonomous Zone is Hakim Bey's most famous work. It describes the political tactic of creating temporary space that eludes formal structures of control. This essay expounds on the importance of 'dealing with the present' as any attempt at permanence deteriorates to a structured system that inevitably stifles individual creativity. "It is this chance at creativity that is real empowerment." The Temporary Autonomous Zone is Hakim Bey's most famous work. It describes the political tactic of creating temporary space that eludes formal structures of control. This essay expounds on the importance of 'dealing with the present' as any attempt at permanence deteriorates to a structured system that inevitably stifles individual creativity. "It is this chance at creativity that is real empowerment."
Contesting Corporate Globalism by James Goodman | 20 Dec 2005 Debates about the politics of globalisation centre on conflicting interpretations of the dominant sources of power in globalising late-modern society - over whether the key power-sources are institutional, cultural or material. These contrasting conceptions of globalised power generate diverging predictions about the likely sources of contestation and democratisation. The three predictions are characterised here as «globalist adaptation», «localist confrontation» and «transnational resistance». Each leads to a particular set of protest strategies, and are being actively exploited by social movements, but each has its inadequacies. Each are discussed and a concluding section debates the possibilities for conflict or concertation between them. Debates about the politics of globalisation centre on conflicting interpretations of the dominant sources of power in globalising late-modern society - over whether the key power-sources are institutional, cultural or material. These contrasting conceptions of globalised power generate diverging predictions about the likely sources of contestation and democratisation. The three predictions are characterised here as «globalist adaptation», «localist confrontation» and «transnational resistance». Each leads to a particular set of protest strategies, and are being actively exploited by social movements, but each has its inadequacies. Each are discussed and a concluding section debates the possibilities for conflict or concertation between them.
Nationalism and Globalism: Social Movement Responses by James Goodman | 20 Dec 2005 This essay talks about relational complexities that cut accross social movements, and the corresponding shift or melting of the 'national' and 'international' dichotomy, in the fight against globalisation. The new forms of political community paradoxically reach out beyond national-state borders into transnational communities of conscience. They express combinations of nationalism and cosmopolitanism, deeply contradictory and oxy-moronic, but no less potent. It seems Nairn's Modern Janus remains with us - exploring new realms of cosmopolitan solidarity while retaining roots in past reservoirs of national solidarity. This essay talks about relational complexities that cut accross social movements, and the corresponding shift or melting of the 'national' and 'international' dichotomy, in the fight against globalisation. The new forms of political community paradoxically reach out beyond national-state borders into transnational communities of conscience. They express combinations of nationalism and cosmopolitanism, deeply contradictory and oxy-moronic, but no less potent. It seems Nairn's Modern Janus remains with us - exploring new realms of cosmopolitan solidarity while retaining roots in past reservoirs of national solidarity.
Freedom Farmers Rediscover Food Security by Bangkok Post | 20 Dec 2005 In an effort to address the growing injustices of global rice trade, Thai farmers in Surin are going back to the roots of farming. "I don't farm for the money. I farm for food security," Phakphum said. "It's not only about food; it's our livelihood, our culture and our beliefs." In an effort to address the growing injustices of global rice trade, Thai farmers in Surin are going back to the roots of farming. "I don't farm for the money. I farm for food security," Phakphum said. "It's not only about food; it's our livelihood, our culture and our beliefs."
Free Seeds by Rafael Evangelista ([email protected]) | 20 Dec 2005 The Free Software Forum has demonstrated, through an innovative action, that fighting against code monopoly is also fighting against the appropriation of life by private enterprises. The Free Software Forum has demonstrated, through an innovative action, that fighting against code monopoly is also fighting against the appropriation of life by private enterprises.
Local and Global Elites Join Hands: Development and Diffusion of Bt Cotton Technology in Gujarat by Esha Shah, Economic and Political Weekly | 13 Dec 2005 In this paper, Shah explores how Bt cotton, advanaced as a solution to the problems generated by the green revolution technological paradigm in India, sustains and reinforces the hegemony of global and local elites. Page can also be found In this paper, Shah explores how Bt cotton, advanaced as a solution to the problems generated by the green revolution technological paradigm in India, sustains and reinforces the hegemony of global and local elites. Page can also be found
BIO letter opposing amendments to the TRIPS Agreement by Biotechnology Industry Organization | 6 Dec 2005
The relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the protection of traditional Knowledge: technical observations on the United States submission IP/C/W449 by Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, India and Pakistan | 18 Nov 2005