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From:   contested europes [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
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Sent:   04 April 2001 20:32
To:     [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject:        -ALLSORTS-restructuring and resistance-diverse voices of
struggle in western Europe


-------PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY-------
NEW BOOK:
Restructuring and Resistance
*       Diverse Voices of Struggle in Western Europe

        Summary of book:
        Restructuring and Resistance charts some of the rapid changes in
social, political and economic relations which have been occurring in
western European society, and the new conflicts which are emerging at the
heart of these changes. The particular focus is the last twenty years of the
European Unification process. The book is the voices of many different
people directly involved in diverse grassroots struggles and processes of
social change  from across (mainly)  western Europe. 77 chapters from 15
countries chart the breakdown in social consensus which has marked western
Europe in the post Second World War years, and the emergence of new
challenges to the current social order which this breakdown is giving rise
to. Analyses of restructuring processes and accounts of resistance are
intertwined with each other, showing that they are inseparable from each
other.  As well as having a wide diversity of stories, the book is also
illustrated, with a wide range of cartoons, photos, and propaganda
materials.
        Context of book:
        In the last twenty years, the processes of European integration and
globalisation have accelerated dramatically, creating a European landscape
which was completely unimaginable a short time ago. As well as the Single
Currency being well on its way and a large expansion to the East, there is
even a new military force being developed, the European Rapid Reaction
Force. We are well on the road to a superpower Europe.
        All these processes have provoked very major changes at all levels
of society, from farming, to transport, immigration, to electoral
politics...Despite the rosy image of international friendship and
cooperation, and inevitability that most main line media paints these
processes in, these processes are in fact deeply contested. Many new and
exciting forms of political resistance are emerging. These are increasingly
based in direct action, autonomy, and internationalism. The last few years
have shown an exciting convergence of different people in different
struggles and different places, coming together to reject the directions in
which European societies are currently moving. In addition to this, all the
major international financial institutions, such as the World Trade
Organisation, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, are facing
unprecedented protests, and a major crisis of legitimacy.  Capitalism
itself, as a social system, is being fundamentally called into question once
again. These changes are opening up exciting new possibilities for radical
change, both within the area of the European Union, and more generally at a
global level.
        Specific themes of book:
        The main themes discussed in the book are:
*       An overview of the historical development of the European Union, up
until its current phase involving the Single Currency and expansion to the
east. The focus is on changing social relations, rather than on
institutions, and on the European Union as the prime expression of
capitalist development in Europe.
*       In recent years the broad social consensus which western European
political systems have been based on is breaking down, and this is resulting
in two distinct strands of resistance-internationalist, emancipatory
strategies on the one hand, and on the other a resurgence of far right
politics, at all different levels, from racist street violence, to electoral
successes. This poses a stark challenge for people to take an active role in
collectively shaping their futures, rather than adopting a passive approach,
which is likely to lead to very authoritarian and ugly scenarios.
*       The contradiction between the idea of free movement of goods within
the EU, and the efforts to create suitable infrastructure for this
(transport networks, communication networks etc), and the heavily restricted
movement for people, in relation to immigration cotnrols and Fortress
Europe. Both these areas have provoked some very important and dynamic new
forms of struggle in recent years.
*       The destruction of the countryside and peasant based agriculture,
and the parallel rapid urbanisation processes, sparked by European
agricultural policy, which is taking place in a global context shaped by the
WTO.
*       Work and privatisation struggles-ranging from factory work, to
domestic work, to homework, educational work, and other areas of service
provision. Emphasis on autonomous workers's struggles, and the crisis of
trade unionism.
*       Case studies of periphery Europe-Spain and Ireland.
*       EU expansion to the east and the effects on border controls and
agriculture.
*       Ecological conflicts provoked by the current model of development
which is at the heart of European integration.
*       The changing role of nation states-from welfare to repression. By
exploring the changes affecting different aspects of state behaviour, this
section attacks the myth of many "antiglobalisation" activists that
globalisation is weakening nation states. Nation states are in effect
becoming a globally coordinated police force to protect the global economy
and those interests which benefit from it. Restructuring of the main
international military body, NATO, is increasingly laying the groundwork for
a global military police force.
*       Recent efforts at globalising resistance, and protesting major
international organisations, such as the World Bank, World Trade
Organisation and the World Economic Forum, which have thrown these
institutions into an unprecedented crisis of legitimacy, and opened up very
important new spaces from which to challenge the domination of capital over
people and the environment.
*       Possible convergence processes between different struggles,
exploring reasons why radical movements often reproduce power structures
they are criticising (particularly around gender and race), and exploring
the continued relevance of revolution and autonomy as processes for radical
social change in western Europe.  What prospects are the rapidly
intensifying processes of international communication and coordination,
which have been developing in recent resistance efforts, able to offer in
terms of creating emancipatory social alternatives which go beyond the
nation state?

Ordering copies:
The book costs £7 plus postage and packing costs. Bulk orders are at reduced
prices, and people can sell copies locally, and take a share of the money.
As this book is being self published and distributed, any help with
distribution in this way is greatly appreciated!
Please contact directly to arrange about buying, price
in different currencies, possible reductions etc to
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