The reality of reformist politics within the RGS-IBG seems pretty bleak to
me. Leaving a clearly reactionary organisation - nothwithstanding its (at
best) quasi-democratic internal structure - is hardly a 'cop out' as some
have suggested. This is just as much a democratic gesture as the decision
to stay in and fight for a better organisation. (Neither should the
decision to leave mean that one is 'morally bound' to withdraw from
participation in the journals, Area and TIBG - both pre-date the merger and
neither have ever relied upon contributions from IBG members alone.)
Of course, in the first instance, both actions - stay or go - are gestural
- the hard work of building/rebuilding a critically-honed geographical
organisation remains ahead. I support Neil Smith's idea of an
international critical geography forum that can carry forward the lessons
of internationalism that the shell debate has taught us in a variety of
ways and fora. This would be a powerful, if not decisive, force if it was
able to use the web as its principal mode of organisation and action. The
international forum could complement progressively-engaged membership of
national organisations, such as the RGS-IBG. I, for one, would be happy
for Neil's idea to be debated - in my absence - at Vancouver. I wonder how
others feel? I trust the instincts of the friends and comrades at
Vancouver and would be willing to join any inchoate international forum
that emerges from there.
Dr Brendan Gleeson Telephone: 61 6 249-4603
Research Fellow
Urban Research Program Fax: 61 6 249-0312
Research School of Social Sciences
The Australian National University
CANBERRA ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA
email: [log in to unmask]
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