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Abstract

The World Social Forum is only one in the worldwide process of social fora, which mark a new phase in the era of globalisation. This critical form of globalisation from below challenges neoliberal hegemony and sets up a space to develop alternatives symbolised by the Forum’s motto, “Another World is Possible.” Collectively, the fora make up a part of the forces of global resistance, but in a more concrete way, opinions on resulting strategies and aims diverge concerning the foras’ character and function. At the same time, criticism is formulated inside the fora, leading to heavy debates. Among these critiques are feminist and women’s organisations arguing that the fora are strongly dominated by male activists and intellectuals while groups marginalised by hegemonic society and neoliberal rule are confronted with similar structures within the fora. Patriarchy, racism and North-South inequalities are reproduced in the social fora, weakening the prospects of another world right from the beginning. In this article, the concept of a laboratory will be suggested. This allows for the idea of a Social Forum Process and for integrating the dynamic of resistance that stems from our own entanglement in structures of domination to be sustained.

Author Biography

Magdalena Freudenschuss is a PhD student at Humboldt University Berlin, Germany. She holds a degree in Political Science and Gender Studies from the University of Innsbruck. In her thesis she worked on resistance models present within the social fora. Her research interests lie in issues of resistance and the organisation of consent. Her PhD project focuses on work and ideological constructions of gender and global differences. She is strongly engaged in civil society and political education.

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