The Rise of the Global Left: The World Social Forum and Beyond [Paperback]

Leading sociologist Boaventura de Sousa Santos makes an impassioned case for the politicisation of the World Social Forum, arguing that its full potential as a force for social, economic and political change can be achieved only by taking a stand against neo-liberal globalization, war, famine and corruption. However, since its inception in Porto Alegre in 2001, the World Social Forum has refused to adopt political positions on world events, preferring instead to provide a platform that facilitates cooperation between diverse social movements. Through a detailed analysis of the WSF's history and organization, he demonstrates that it has always been an inherently political organization, and argues that if the WSF is able to realise its potential as an institution for a new form of politics, it will become a global power to be reckoned with in the 21st century.

Preface
Introduction - Forty Years of Solitude and the Novelty of the World Social Forum
1. The World Social Forum as Critical Utopia
2. The World Social Forum as Epistemology of the South
3. The World Social Forum as an Insurgent Cosmopolitan Politics
4. Organizing fragmented counter-hegemonic energies
5. Representing this World as it fights for Another Possible World
6. Making and Unmaking Cleavages: Strategy and Political Action
7. The Future of the World Social Forum: Self-democracy and the Work of Translation
8. The World Social Forum and Self-learning: The Popular University of the Social Movements
9. The left after the world social forum
Conclusion