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World Social Forum -– WSF 4
An Interpretive Note
JULY 2004

INTRODUCTION:

Social movements have existed for a long time. Debate, discussion and actions, often combined as forum(s) have been there over the same period. More recently, since the 1970’s, a vast documentation has appeared regarding the nature of the nation-state, civil society and the role/function of non-governmental organizations. In such a context modernity/ modernization has been investigated in order to understand, engage with and influence the content/direction of societal change.

PHOTO SOURCE: Frontline

On one side are the agencies/programs of corporate globalization engaged in extending the ‘rule of capital’. On the other side, in opposition, is a wide array of alternative agencies and programs calling for ‘another world is possible’. Both streams of social forces are located within a systemic foundation of the relations of capital – private property and law. The terrain of contact is one of contention at times overtly intense and at others somewhat dormant. The contention between the social forces is about the core features of the contemporary dominance of capital as well as the institutional/organizational modes of resistance and adjustment.

Over the past four years World Social Forums have been held annually. In 2004 the anticipation was immense. Expectations were high. When the time finally arrived (January 16-21,’04) a substantive number of attendees came to Mumbai (India). Estimates suggest that over 100,000 attended the World Social Forum (WSF4) while 70,000 to 80,000 were actual registrants. These numbers match those that attended WSF (Porto Allegre, Brazil) during 2003.

There are two main phases in the organizing effort for the World Social Forum. First, between the late 1970’s and early 1990’s (the context being the petro-shocks of the 1970’s accompanied by widespread social conflict), there was an initial coming together of critics identified as ‘regulationists’ and ‘structuralists’; the former demanding policy reform while the latter calling for institutional change. Second, inspired by the socio-political challenges developing in Brazil (mainly from the workers and landless peasants), accompanied by the indigenous peasant uprising in Chiapas (Mexico) and at almost the same time the governance changes in South Africa. Throughout this 2nd phase the resistance of the Palestinians underscored the importance of petro-gas resources with an emergent demand for direct control of energy with political self –determination. These two social currents converge at the beginning of the new millennium expressing opposition to the World Economic Forum (annual gathering of corporate leaders and heads of state) and announcing alternatives in the form of a World Social Forum – pithily stated in the banner statement, ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE (AWIP). The banner statement underscoring an opposed objective to TINA (There Is No Alternative) the much publicized policies/programs of the Thatcher-Reagan period.

Organization/Venue:

WSF4, located in a northern suburb of Mumbai, brought together all the activities at one site, which logistically was an improvement, compared to widely separated events in Porto Allegre (Brazil, WSF1, 2&3) as well as the Asian Social Forum (Hyderabad, India – 2003). The single locational site enabled participants and registrants to have the possibility of meeting each other at one place.

Programs were divided among plenary-like sessions, workshops, display events and cultural activities (music, songs, dances, drama and films). Over five days several score of events were happening each day making it virtually impossible to attend preferred/chosen programs. The profusion was confounded by inadequate and erroneous publicity – events listed/scheduled at a place & time could not be found and accurate information was often not available at the Information booths. Several plenary sessions and many workshops were sparsely attended while most cultural presentations were crowded.

The energy level among the people attending remained high during the first 3 days and then dropped as a considerable number of the attendees left over the 4th and 5th days.

Diversity was clearly evident among the people who gathered at WSF4. People from all corners of the globe were visible in bursts of colors, shapes, sizes, ages and genders. Over the first 2-3 days exuberance expressed the mood among the participants. After the 3rd day and through the last day the effective harnessing of the energy of the social forces remained fractured and elusive. Many participants came away bewildered and disappointed by the gap between the expectations and their realization. Experiencing some of the contradictions over the 5 days led to feelings of alienation about the near chaos of organization.

Participants were mainly middle-to-low income people with a wide range of occupational backgrounds. ‘People of color’ were the majority. The leadership and organizers were mainly from the upper levels of the income categories with sharp, obvious disparities between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ country individuals/groups.

The gap between the leaders/organizers and the participants remains wide and over the past 4 years (2001-2004) appears to be growing larger. At WSF4 this aspect of disparity was most evident in the manner of some expressed attitudes towards Dalit (popularly described by the term ‘tribal’ but accurately to be understood as indigenous people) attendees.

The display booths for printed material, information documents, arts & crafts, audio-video material, food and drink were the most useful features of WSF4.

Alternatives/Directions:

Having observed and participated in the WSF process for the past several years I have, for the moment, arrived at the following understanding:
1. At the level of the core leadership the tendency indicated by the term ‘Regulationists’ has consolidated its position. Effectively this segment of the WSF participants are primarily concerned with reforming/restating the ‘rules of the game’ connecting the ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ worlds. Specifically the arenas of trade, technology, finance and infrastructure are targeted for adjustment towards delivering ‘development with a human face’. Perhaps the clearest example of such an outcome is the current poverty reduction policies of the World Bank. At the WSF4 certain aspects of such a viewpoint was expressed in the presentations of Joseph Stiglitz (former Chief Economic Advisor to the World Bank) and Emmanuel Wallerstein (Director – Braudel Center, SUNY, Binghamton, N.Y.).
2. At the level of the ‘radical’ leadership the tendency indicated by the term ‘Structuralists’ continued to state their position as requiring changes in the global corporate structure through a, not always clearly or systematically outlined, dismantling of the economic, political and social institutions. Perhaps the position was best suggested, of course with differences, in the presentations of Samir Amin (Third World Forum), Walden Bello (Global South) and Prabhat Patnaik (CPI-M).Since the WSF does not issue concluding resolutions, a sense of lack of direction alongside unease about ‘where to go’ and ‘what to do’ continues to remain a strong feeling among participants as they left Mumbai after January 21,’04.

The following are some published comments:

"With its rather loose and uncoordinated structure, the WSF asks participant organizations no questions about funding sources. The agencies that were kept out at the apex could well have been present through any number of participant organizations". (FRONTLINE. Feb.13,’04).

"Many of the centrally organized conferences and panel discussions in Mumbai --- were rather sparsely attended. The featured speakers had been heard at earlier gatherings and the themes addressed seemed to offer little by way of novelty". (FRONTLINE. Feb.13,’04).

"There was prior to and during the Mumbai gathering considerable criticism of the opaque forms of governance". (FROTLINE. Feb.13,’04).

"Differences between the two (Mumbai Resistance & WSF) also showed up in the profile of the participants. The majority of the Mumbai Resistance participants were peasant farmers and field based activists. ------ (In contrast) the recently released ‘Profile of Participants’ shows that WSF participants tend to be young, university educated, anti-imperialist and independent of political parties". (FRONTLINE. Feb.13,’04).

"If ‘Another World is Possible’ the theme of this year’s WSF meeting, we need to know what kind of other world". (FRONTLINE. Feb.13,’04).

"The gathering is huge and it is not possible to participate in all the discussions & events of the WSF 2004. However, many people – urban, rural and from every level of society – are here from Pakistan to take part in the seminar". (Masood Kiyani, Pakistan – SAHARA TIMES. Jan. 31,’04).

"We are of the opinion that the movement needs clear-cut orientation against globalization and WSF lacks that orientation. Moreover, the NGO’s form the main structure of the WSF. But what are these NGO’s doing? They are trying to divert and diffuse the sharpness of the people’s movement ----". (Darshan Pal, Mumbai Resistance 2004 – SAHARA TIMES. Jan.31,’04).

The World Social Forum encourages the emergence of possibilities as:

"A world of peace, equality and security". (Ghizaal Haress, Afghanistan – SUNDAY MID DAY. Jan 18, ’04).

"A World with equity, and prosperity with a dignity for workers". (Umesh Upadhyaya, Nepal – SUNDAY MID DAY. Jan 18,’04).

"A World where people have autonomy and are able to live without outside interference". (Emedie Gunduza, Zimbabwe. SUNDAY MID DAY. Jan. 19,’04).

"A World where normal people have access to decision making processes". (Sarah Peracca & Toni Estrada, USA – SUNDAY MID DAY. Jan 19,’04).

"A World of peace and prosperity. We have to change the attitudes of those whose buckets are full and are still overflowing". (Ayesha Aftab, Pakistan – SUNDAY MID DAY. Jan.19,’04).

And finally:
"It were the unknown individuals who represented the true spirit of the WSF". (Kalpana Sharma. THE HINDU. Feb.1,’04).


Certainly much work remains to be done particularly in North America. One aspect of such an understanding is to mobilize more people. Here it is encouraging to note the emergence of citywide Social Forums in both USA and Canada. In July’04 a Boston Social Forum is being held (see: www.bostonsocialforum.org). In the Fall of 2004 several organizations in the Tri-city (Albany/Schenectady/Troy) area of N.Y. State are exploring the possibility of holding a Social Forum around the theme of ‘Civil Society, Militarization & Social Justice’.

MOBILIZE TO REALIZE POSSIBILITIES
TOWARDS SUSTAINED ALTERNATIVES

Suggested Readings:
1. Baierle, Sergio. "The Porto Allegre Thermidor?" in Panitch, Leo & Colin Leys (eds.). SOCIALIST REGISTER, 2003. New York, MR Press.
2. Ehrenberg, John. CIVIL SOCIETY. 1999. New York, NYU Press.
3. HISTORICAL MATERIALISM. No.11/3. 2004.
4. Holmstrom,Nancy (ed.) THE SOCIALIST FEMINIST PROJECT. 2002. N.Y., MR Press.
5. Mertes, Tom (ed.) THE MOVEMENT OF MOVEMENTS. 2004. N.Y. Verso.
6. Pepper, David. ECO-SOCIALISM. 1993. London. Routledge.
7. Panitch, Leo & Colin Leys (eds.) SOCIALIST REGISTER 2004. N.Y., MR Press.
8. ________________________.SOCIALIST REGISTER 2005. (Forthcoming).
9. RUPE. THE ECONOMICS & POLITICS OF THE WSF. Mumbai, 2003.
10. Shah, S.A. (ed.). DEMOCRACY, ECONOMICS & POLITICS. 1996. Hyderabad, Azad Reading Room.
11. Vanaik, Achin. "Rendezvous at Mumbai". NEW LEFT REVIEW. March-April, 2004.

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