Anti-capitalism in Britain is stagnating.
The formation of Globalise Resistance and the involvement of the Italian Labour party in the European Social Forum has caused some people to warn that the movement that is based on creativity, direct action, and a healthy disregard for the law is being over taken over by old fashioned left wing politics, worse, they are also allowing this to be come a self-fulfiling prophecy.
The ESF and GR are actually both completely open groups that want to encourage as broad a range of people to be involved as possible, yet those critical of these groups refuse to get involved and help shape them. If GR really is a 'front' for the SWP then those behind it are surely delighted that the mere hint of their involvement keeps those with alternative views away - leaving them free to act in whatever way they please. The truth is that GR probably is, and the ESF certainly is genuine about wanting to be an independent anti-capitalist umbrella group, but that this is impossible while their image keeps people away.
GR has dismissed it's critics and not really tried to answer them, and the critics have not tried to engage properly with GR - It's a stalemate that leaves people who want make a better world frustrated.



ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE


To get over this problem we have started a campaign called AWIP. AWIP seeks to draw together all the groups and individuals who are thinking for themselves and making informed choices to influence all the big issues facing our world.

We have no political line and endorse no particular view on how the better world can be achieved, except that it won't happen until all those people that believe in it come together.

We want to make this organisation a totally simple and transparent campaign to get people to say that 'another world is possible'. and to contrast it with people who believe 'there is no alternative' . I believe that given the choice most people would choose the former.

This is an attempt to get above the GR / anti GR wrangle and is hopefully a campaign that supporters of both camps can get involved in

we have loads of ideas about how we could build this organisation and i'm sure you have as well, so we are setting up a public meeting to discuss how to go forward. - details are still not finalised
Tell everyone you know about this idea and send an email to  awip@a16.org.uk to be involved in further discussion


cheers


be cynical, be suspicious, be cautious but be involved



















what's wrong with Globalise Resistance and what's the alternative?
GR wants to be a non-political anti-capitalist umbrella organisation giving support to other organisations and campaigns and drawing more people into the anti-cap movement, this is a good thing. However people are suspicious that this is merely a front for the distinctly socialist leanings of the main people involved. in it. GR react by saying that membership and elections for it's steering committee are totally open, which is true. But those critical of the group's origins are unwilling to get involved at all - catch 22 - until those critical of GR are prepared to get involved in it, it will remain to be seen as a 'front'. it will also remain the easiest and most attractive anti-cap group for people to join, even for those that don't want to join something seen as an SWP front do so because there was no real alternative.
until now
AWIP is a truly non-political campaign aiming to unify all strands of anti-cap views under one simple slogan borrowed from the world social forum - ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE. we follow no political line and we are not a front for anyone, the best way to make sure is to get involved with us and make sure your voice is heard
We are currently planning a public meeting to discuss these issues (date and venue to be confirmed) please send an email to  awip@a16.org.uk to be
involved in further discussion


be cynical, be suspicious, be cautious but be involved