The Whole World Was Watching

Tags: globalization, social mvmts/social change/resistance, political economy, global justice movement, mobilization, neoliberalism, power elite, global trade, wto, 21 to 60 mins
Year: 2009
Length: 26:14
Access: pbs

Summary: This is a PBS special on the 1999 Seattle Protests against the WTO. Drawing on interviews from local police,trade representatives, protestors, the mayor, and journalists present during the protests, this video analyzes the political and economic context of the WTO meetings and the actual conflicts in the street that ultimately shut down the meetings. It is a great example of the struggle over shaping globalization, including neoliberal globalization and the alter-globalization movement, and state repression of protestors.  It offers a great way to discuss Kellner's concepts of globalization from above vs. globalization from below (discussed in "Theorizing Globalization"). Showing coalitions of labor groups, religious organizations, and social justice advocates, it is also a great illustration of social movement concepts, including moblization, framing, and opportunity structures.

Submitted By: Paul Dean

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