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From: geigsm@sussex.ac.uk ( Geigsm)
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 08:47:54 -0500
To: INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY <ipe@csf.colorado.edu>
Subject: Economic Institutions/ Social Movements
Research Project Announcement
Global Economic Institutions and Global Social
Movements
Patterns, Dynamics, Impacts, Principles in the IMF, World Bank and WTO
The 1st of February 1996 marks the beginning of a two year research
project examining the relationship between selected global economic
institutions and global social movements. The project is based at the
University of Sussex and is funded by the Economic and Social Research
Council of Great Britain.
Growing global economic institutions (GEIs) and growing global social
movements are two of the outstanding trends in governance at the end
of the 20th Century. What is the relationship between these forces,
and what consequences do those relations have for policy - and in turn
for poverty, equality, ecological sustainability, community and
democracy? These questions drive the Global Economic Institutions -
Global Social Movements project.
The broad aims of this research are: 1. On the empirical level the
task is to trace and describe the institutional links that have been
developing between the IMF, World Bank, WTO and global social
movements. 2. Theoretically, the task is to contribute to the debate
about GEIs, accountability and democracy in light of their
relationship with global social movements.
The project has three core objectives: 1. Explore the issue of
subsidiarity, constituency and legitimacy in the GEI-social movement
relationship. 2. Reach some conclusions and recommendations about the
institutional mechanisms that have been developed in the GEI-social
movement relationship. We will also stimulate and provoke discussion
about future modifications in GEIs. 3. Interact with members of the
policy community in GEIs and social movement organizations to increase
communication and further debate.
The research team is coordinated by Robert O'Brien who is also
exploring relations between labour movements and the World Trade
Organization. Anne Marie Goetz is focusing on relations between
international feminism and the World Bank. Jan Aart Scholte is
examining the interplay between transnational social movements and the
International Monetary Fund. Marc Williams is considering the impact
of environmentalist campaigns on this trinity of global economic
institutions. Through their joint efforts the research will assess
commonalties and contrasts in the patterns of engagement between
environmentalist, labour and women's movements on the one hand and the
IMF, World Bank and WTO on the other A report with policy suggestions
for social movements, governments and global governance agencies will
be issued in 1998.
People involved in similar research, officials of global economic
institutions or members of social movements engaged in similar issues
are encouraged to make contact with the project. The mailing address
is:
Dr. Robert O'Brien
Global Economic Institutions-Global Social Movements
School of European Studies
University of Sussex
Falmer, Brighton
BN1 9QN
Great Britain
Telephone:44 1273 606755
Fax: 44 1273 625972
E-mail: GEIGSM@sussex.ac.uk