ABSTRACT
The ‘brave new world’ of neoliberalism has been battered by the crises of South
East Asia and other countries, and by the protests in Seattle, Genoa and else-
where, even in the public opinion of Western countries. Hardly a politician or
corporate executive can mount a public podium without speaking of the pro-
blems and dangers of capitalist globalization, although as a rule they append the
corollary that nevertheless ‘there is no alternative’. This much is clear, however:
while the critique of neoliberal globalization in general, and of certain actors in
particular, is enjoying increasing attention in the media, and networks like Attac
use it quite cleverly, there are few changes to the general structural transforma-
tions in train or in neoliberal power relations. It would, of course, be nonsensical
to lay this at the feet of a new, and still developing movement. It is nevertheless
necessary to register the dangers and dead-ends which may lie ahead.
