GLOBAL UPRISINGS: A JOURNAL OF IDEAS + ACTION is of, by and for—what has
alternatively been referred to as the anti-capitalist, alter-globalization
or global justice—‘movement of movements.’ Despite common assumptions
about the invincibility and totality of capital, there are many
alternatives and strategies already being practiced. It is often simply
that many ways of looking at the world render most alternatives invisible.
This publication intends to make them and other possibilities visible.
Global Uprisings is a critical political tool to help us clarify the
history, trajectories and possibilities of our movements, in order to
better resist the systems and conditions we oppose. In light of the
dramatic crises and changes of capitalism (as well as changing
understandings of power relations more broadly), and learning from the
past, we are creating an open (but not neutral) space where the difficult
questions that confront us in our quest for fundamental social change can
be articulated, elaborated and debated. Most importantly we hope that this
strengthens our movements of resistance and alternatives.
This publication provides a forum in which to think through, debate and
articulate the political, social, economic and cultural theories of our
movements, as well as the networks of practices and alternatives that
surround them. We see the need for a space that bridges the apparent gap
between ideas and action, activists and intellectuals, thought and deed.
We aspire to co-create and develop a tension-laden and dynamic form of
theory that is deeply informed by action. We do this not as an isolated
academic or intellectual analysis of what ‘social movements’ and groups do
or ‘ought to do’, but rather because we believe that theory, thinking and
analysis are critical and inseparable parts of our action. For how we
think about and narrate the world has everything to do with how we live
it.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Excited about embarking on this project, Global
Uprisings is looking for contributions that fit with this mission. We are
open to most proposals and projects. In fact because we are interested in
people’s or groups particular stories, opinions and perspectives, we have
few specifications or rules. However we do have some guiding “principles”
that we ask potential authors to follow if they would like their piece to
be considered.
1) Pieces should—for the most part—not exceed 5000 words (including
endnotes and bibliography). (If you have a case for a longer piece we will
work with you!)
2) This journal is excited about explorations of complex theoretical
concepts. However it is NOT an academic journal. This means that while we
encourage pieces that define themselves as theoretical, the criteria for
acceptance will be relevance/salience, intelligibility and concreteness.
By relevance we mean that pieces must obviously be aimed at contributing
to political debates, problems, visions and imaginaries—that people are
dealing with on the ground. Forays into lengthy theoretical discussions
that stay within philosophical texts, referring to bodies of written work
that many might never have seen is not acceptable.
Similarly, we expect pieces to be intelligible—which we distinguish from
simple—understandable by a reader who puts a good-faith effort into
reading us. They should not have to have huge amounts of academic training
to be able to discern the usefulness or importance of the authors claims,
but again that does not mean that contributors should refrain from
subtleties and complexities—rather they should rise to the challenge of
demonstrating the need for such concepts.
A good way of dealing with this is using concrete examples and experiences.
3) While each issue will differ and be organized according to
contributions we get and of course the political events and exigencies of
the moment, our editorial collective has envisioned a few possible ways to
think about orienting specific sections, it might be useful to keep these
in mind—as possibilities!
“Interview”—interviews are useful ways for sharing stories, experiences,
and clarifying concepts.
“In Translation”—you can either translate a piece from another language,
write about a political concept useful in another language, culture, etc.
or make more clear/applicable a “high theory” concept that seems useful
for activist/political practices.
“Tool Box’—share a tactic, strategy, practice, or concept that has been
effective to help diffuse it.
“Book Review’—we only want positive book reviews giving people an idea of
worthwhile books out there!
We are also always looking for images!
REVIEW PROCESS All submissions will be read by several members of the
working gang of the journal, as well as appropriate outside readers. We
will attempt to make constructive and sympathetic comments on all
submissions, even if they are not published.
CONTACT Submissions to Global Uprising should be sent electronically to:
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Submissions should be in by MAY 1, 2005—at the latest!
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