Another World Is Possible If . . .

by Susan George

Participants in the worldwide citizens' movement for social change and global justice like to proclaim that 'Another World Is Possible.' But is it? To this popular slogan, Susan George adds a cautionary 'If' and suggests how we can indeed reach that other world.
Whether you are a seasoned campaigner and confirmed 'world-changer,' someone who wonders how you can join in the growing citizens' movement, or someone who simply wants to know what this movement is about, this book is for you. You will discover that we are not condemned to glaring North-South inequalities, obscene wealth gaps, environmental destruction or inordinate power remaining in the hands of a small minority, if...

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Economics, Sociology

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Susan George is a well-known political scientist and writer on global social justice, Third World poverty, underdevelopment and debt. She is a fellow and president of the board of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. She is a fierce critic of the present policies of the IMF, World Bank, and what she calls their "maldevelopment model". She similarly criticizes the structural reform policies of the Washington Consensus on Third World development. She is of U.S. birth but now resides in France, and has dual citizenship.

In January 2007 she received an honorary doctorate from Newcastle University in the UK and in early March the International Studies Association at its congress in Chicago presented her with its first award to an Outstanding Public Scholar.

Reviews

[وائل المنعم · Rating 3 out of 5]

سوسان جورج ناشطة في حركة العدالة العالمية وأضاف ذلك للكتاب بعد عملي لكيفية مواجهة العولمة النيوليبرالية.
الكتاب يركز بالأساس على الأبعاد الإقتصادية للعولمة ويحاول توضيح الإشكالية الأساسية للعولمة النيوليبرالية وكيف أنها بطبيعتها عدوة للبيئة والمساواة، مع تحديد للخصوم الواجب مواجهتم وإقتراح أشكال المقاومة والمواجهة. لغة الكتاب بسيطة ويمكن للقارى الغير متخصص بالإقتصاد إستيعاب كافة المعلومات والأفكار الواردة بالكتاب بيسر.
عدم تصور الكاتبة لحل خارج المنظور والثقافة الأوربية هو أضعف نقاط الكتاب وإن كان عرضها عقلاني وموضوعي لحد كبير، ومن أهم نقاط الكتاب توضيح الأثر السلبي للعنف على نجاح حركات المقاومة وتشرح المؤلفة كيف أن الحكومات وشرطتها تسعى لتحويل مظاهر المقاومة السلمية لمظاهر عنف سواء بالظغط على المشاركين أو بإستخدام مندسين.

تبقى في النهاية الإشارة إلى أن إصدارات سطور تميزت دائماً بالترجمات السيئة للغاية والأخطاء المطبعية الكثيرة إلا أن بهذا الكتاب قدر "معقول" من كليهما.

[S'hi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought-provoking journey inside the development of “the movement” of people into their own awareness of power to raise their voices across a range of issues in a range of ways from local actions to global interconnectedness.

While there are many things with which I do not agree, George sets out positions which make it possible to examine one’s own understanding and find some room for movement within, rather than simply being convinced by her own arguments. While there are broad brush strokes and assumptions, there are also finer details and considerations. And some of her ‘it will never happen’ positions I have to disagree with from my own connections and knowledge of individuals who are specifically designing their businesses to channel funds into causes in remote and struggling communities across health, education and liveability horizons.

While it is useful to see some things by considering their extremes in either direction, the tendency toward black and white thinking still creates a gap over which neither ‘side’ wants to jump to meet the other. Until we recognise our similarities despite our differences, we will not be able to find how we stand side by side, and therefore can achieve more together than against each other.

Found the use of statistics a little rubbery – which was disappointing. To get hold of research and then waste the opportunity to make some real sense of it in a way which motivates and fuels people, rather than making everything sound too big to deal with, seems counter-productive.

The explanation of ecology and economy was interesting. But rather than placing one above the other, I felt they are really twins in the same household. They need a ‘parent’ above them to guide how they can cooperate and value and respect each other as equals. Once again, this is something I am experiencing through friends who are pursuing social enterprises.
This shift from what has generally been seen as philanthropy of the wealthy in the past - after ‘making it’ they ‘give back’ – to considering who may benefit above and beyond the interior scope of one’s own immediate business, has seen some real creativity in recent years. It is a practice which aligns with the concept of Sharity which I am researching from its roots in the 80s at the moment. Designed so that every action includes room for these extras along the way, means that some businesses actually include this purpose behind why they do whatever else they do to earn their income.
It is a direct turn around on the ‘externalities’ model of accounting which George is still seeing so entrenched in the big corporates. But like her, these individuals are looking for the places where they can make a difference, and applying their strategies in smaller but more effective ways there. (smaller in global impact initially but greater in commitment from all the individuals touched by the experience, therefore exponentially greater involvement and evolvement over time)
Some great references and sharing of experiences. Interesting mix of reality checking and doses of hope – but not as inspiring as I thought it may have been from the title. Perhaps we all need slightly different motivators on the fear to hope scale – but well worth the read to find where your own capabilities and connections lie. Then write your own chapter… If I were to act, what new world is possible…

[Nishant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primarily written for the people involved in the grassroots organizing in the global North, this book is a simple, quick introduction to the contours of the 'global justice movement' that can be read by anyone living in any part of the planet. Susan G puts forth convincing arguments and shares her ideas and suggestions with the reader in most friendly and intimate manner. If you have been interested or involved in citizen movements anywhere, this book will talk to you and help you with greater clarity on trickiest issues of theoretical as well practical nature. Closely resembling a seIf-help guide in its approach, this book is a super-easy read while maintaining characteristics keenness in its substance.
Anyone interested in genuine politics, or even remotely interested in the alter-globalization, people's movements, should definitely read this.

[Ashraf Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب مهم جدا للتعرف على عولمة الشركات وأضرارها على العالم
وللتعريف أن هناك عمولة أخرى ممكنة ومفيدة وقد تؤدي إلى تغيير
الخريطة الاقتصادية للعالم بل قد تساعد على القضاء على الفقر
والجوع في العالم.. عولمة أخرى وعالم بديل فيه تكافل وعدالة إجتماعية
وشركات عبر قارية مسئولة إجتماعيا تفكر في الإنسان قبل الأرباح
لغة الكتاب سهلة وخالية تقريبا من رطانة اليسار المحب للمصطلحات
المتخصصة صعبة الفهم الكتاب يضع خطة عمل عمليةوطموحة لمواجهة
الرأسماليةالمسعورة والشركات العملاقة تتحدث ايضا عن دور المؤسسات
الدولية "البنك الدولي وصندوق النقد الدولي ومنظمة التجارة العالمية"
الكاتبة ترى أن أوروبا فقط تقريبا هي القادرة على مواجهة عولمة الشركات
ولا تنسب أي دور ولو صغير للجنوب أو دول العالم الثالث