Global Crisis, Global Protest

It sometimes seems as if, as the British journalist Paul Mason puts it, 'it's all going off'. The uncertain aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rise - or return - of authoritarian great powers, the existential challenge presented by climate change, and depressingly frequent experiences of war, revolution and terrorism speak to high levels of global turbulence. This course examines a central element within this turbulent environment - movements around the world that seek to generate a different social order: national, international, global. These movements range from advocates of climate justice to militant Salafists. We examine their ideologies, tactics and goals, explore their similarities and differences, and assess their chances of success. Our overarching aim is to assess whether these movements are likely to intensify levels of global turbulence or whether they might help to generate a new world order.