Synopsis
Why did over 40,000 people demonstrate against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Scattle in late 1999? What do struggles against the WTO have to do with education? What is the significance of education for post-Seattle anti-capitalist struggles? These questions are at the heart of this booklet. Drawing on newspapers, business magazines, websites and Left journals, Glenn Rikowski gives an exciting account of the Battle in Scattle in late 1999. He sees the main significance of Seattle for the anti-capitalist movement as the substantial numbers of protesters supporting the abolition of capitalism, not just its taming. He summarises the main political debates flowing from Seattle, urging a 'socialist vision' in its aftermath. In his quest to establish the importance of Seattle for education, Rikowski maintains that education was a core element of the WTO agenda, and outlines the WTO strategy for opening education up to corporate capital.
Describing the significance of education for anti-capitalism, Rikowski draws on the ideas of Karl Marx, arguing that education and training in capitalism help constitute the social production of labour-power, the unique commodity upon which capitalism rests. The conclusion draws attention to alternatives to education and training constructed to reduce humanity to labour-power. A preface on Prague and a postscript on Nice illustrate and support the power of the arguments put forward here. The World Trade Organisation and the Battle in Seattle outlines the origins and constitution of the WTO. There is also a brief account of the 'Battlc in Seattle' of late November to early December 1999. This section provides background detail for those requiring key elements of the plot and sets the scene for people familiar with the main events. The Significance of Seattlc - The significance of Scattle for anti-capitalism is that substantial numbers of protestors argued for the abolition of capitalism (rather than just tarming its effects). This goal was no means shared by all the protestors but the concept of "anti-capitalism" was established once more as a viable option.
Even journalists reporting the events in Seattle were forced to admit "anti-capitalism" had a new resonance. Seattle, the WTO and Education) seeks to answer the question of the significance of Seattle for education. It demonstrates how education was a core clement of the WTO's Seattle agenda and outlines the WTO strategy for opening education up to corporate capital. The Significance of Education for Anti-capitalism) Based on some of the ideas of Karl Marx, it is argued that education and training in capitalism are clements within processes that constitute the social production of labour-power. As labour-power is the unique commodity upon which the whole capitalist system rests, the significance of education in uncovered. This section also examines relationships between the WTO's agenda for education and the drive to enhance labour-power quality through education as expressed by nation states. The Conclusion poses the question of alternatives to education and training as institutions involved in reducing humanity to labour-power. The roles of critical pedagogies and principles for educational and societal transformation are discussed.
A Preface written literally on 'The Morning after Prague' argues that post-Seattle anti-capitalist protests will continue to provoke thinking about the role of education in the movement towards socialist transformation. Finally, a Postscript - 'Post-Nice Postscript' - indicates new and intensified threats to education from the WTO's GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services). It also discusses key tasks for radical Left educators in the years ahead.
From the Publisher
Its significance for educationWhy did over 40,000 people demonstrate against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Seattle in late 1999? What do struggles against the WTO have to do with education? What is the significance of education for post-Seattle anti-capitalist struggles? These questions are at the heart of this booklet. Drawing on newspapers, business magazines, websites and Left journals, Glenn Rikowski gives an exciting account of the Battle in Seattle in late 1999. He sees the main significance of Seattle for the anti-capitalist movement as the substantial numbers of protestors supporting the abolition of capitalism, not just its taming. He summarises the main political debates flowing from Seattle, urging a ‘socialist vision’ in its aftermath. In his quest to establish the importance of Seattle for education, Rikowski maintains that education was a core element of the WTO agenda, and outlines the WTO strategy for opening education up to corporate capital. Describing the significance of education for anti-capitalism, Rikowski draws on the ideas of Karl Marx, arguing that education and training in capitalism help constitute the social production of labour-power, the unique commodity upon which capitalism rests. The conclusion draws attention to alternatives to education and training constructed to reduce humanity to labour-power. A preface on Prague and a postscript on Nice illustrate and support the power of the arguments put forward here.
