Provides a Neo-Gramscian reading of the World Social Forum and 'Global Civil Society'

Critically evaluates the changing character of the relationship between the EU and civil society organizations

Considers social movements and the World Social Forum as sources of innovation for global institutions and as possible watchdogs of political and economic elites

Autorentext

Micha Fiedlschuster holds a PhD in Global Studies from Leipzig University, Germany. His research combines his interests in social movement research, European and Global studies and democratic theory.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: Democracy and Globalization.- 2. EU Democracy Assistance: Continuity and Conceptual Changes.- 3. EU Concepts of Democracy and Civil Society.- 4. The World Social Forum and Approaches to Global Civil Society.- 5. A Neo-Gramscian Reading of Global Civil Society and the World Social Forum.- 6. Meeting Democracy: Organizational Structures and Models of Democracy in the World Social Forum.- 7. Partial Organization and the Quest for Democracy: The International Council of the World Social Forum.- 8. Towards a Conclusion: Globalization Processes and the 'Crisis of Democracy'.