Altermundialism in the field of counter-hegemonic struggles: the tension around the social political project

Abstract

Throughout the second half of the 1990s, manifestations of opposition to neoliberal policies emerged in several host countries for meetings of multilateral organizations, such as the WTO, the IMF and the World Bank, resulting in the beginning of a new movement called itself alter-globalist. From the increasingly constant protests marches the project of the World Social Forum (2001) was born. Considered by its enthusiasts as the new protagonist of the left of the 21st century, this movement, despite proclaiming the need to build another world, claims to be different in its form of action, organization and project of transformation of the so-called traditional left. It is in this sense that alter-worldism is presented by literature as a plural and non-hierarchical movement in which different social groups would meet in the name of broad and universal issues that would transcend the limits placed by the interests of a class. The proof of this would be mainly in the diversity of its demands that would include, in addition to social justice, gender equality, freedom of sexual orientation, environmental preservation and world peace. This article aims to discuss the problem of social transformation brought about by alter-worldism from the World Social Forum.