Alter-Globalization and the ‘New, New’ Social Movements

Abstract

The past two decades have witnessed the rise of a new global cycle of collective action organized through the Internet and made visible during mass protest events, but also locally shaped by diverse organizations, networks, platforms, and groups. Focusing on specific cases in two Iberian cities –Barcelona and Lisbon–, we argue that this protest cycle has given rise to new kinds of movements referred to here as ‘new, new social movements.’ We analyze particular aspects of each case, but also discuss their European and global dimensions. The paper will also highlight the role of youth, discussing the characteristics associated with the participation of young people in the ‘new, new’ movements. After a short introduction to the research on this topic, focusing on the emergence of the 'alter-globalization' or ‘anti-corporate globalization movement’ and related theoretical implications, we provide a description of four protest events in Barcelona and Lisbon. Next, we analyze the local contexts that anchor these events. Finally, we discuss the main characteristics of the ‘new, new social movements,’ examining the links between Barcelona and Lisbon and the wider international context that shapes them, paying particular attention to contemporary networking dynamics