"The Dig" Live: Internationalism After Third Worldism
Sep 26, 2024
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Aslı Bâli, a scholar on left internationalism and neocolonialism, joins Aziz Rana, who examines global solidarity movements. They discuss the historical context of Third Worldism and its impact on contemporary movements, particularly concerning Palestine. The conversation highlights the importance of forming alliances against imperialism, explores the legacies of decolonization, and critiques the limitations of nation-states. They emphasize the need for transformative political action to confront ongoing neocolonial structures and foster genuine equity.
The legacy of Third Worldism highlights the challenges of achieving true sovereignty amid continued neocolonial economic relationships.
Black internationalism connects historical struggles against domestic racism with global anti-colonial movements, emphasizing shared aspirations for liberation.
Activism focusing on international law seeks to hold powerful states accountable while reviving discussions around reparative justice for marginalized communities.
Deep dives
The Legacy of Third Worldism
Third Worldism emerged during the Cold War, representing a coalition of formerly colonized nations seeking solidarity against imperialism and neocolonialism. This movement was rooted in anti-imperialism, emphasizing common struggles faced by nations that had experienced colonial oppression. Despite its initial momentum, Third Worldism was ultimately undermined by strategic pressures that led to the failure of cooperative global economic programs. The defeat of this movement significantly reshaped international relations, establishing neoliberal ideologies that facilitated the extraction of resources from the Global South.
Decolonization and Global Orders
The process of decolonization was complicated by the imposition of Western political structures on newly independent states, which often mirrored the European nation-state model. This situation led to the establishment of institutions that did not adequately address the historical exploitation endured by these nations. Consequently, newly independent countries became bound to economically exploitative relationships with their former colonizers, often entering cycles of debt. Political leaders realized that mere formal independence did not equate to true sovereignty, ultimately fostering movements that demanded an overhaul of the international economic order.
The Role of Cold War Politics
The Cold War created a polarized global environment that significantly influenced Third World politics, forcing countries to navigate between the competing ideologies of the US and the USSR. This complex dynamic complicated national liberation efforts, often resulting in authoritarian regimes that further stifled revolutionary aspirations. The ideological struggle also manifested in civil rights movements within the US, which drew parallels between domestic oppression and global anti-imperialist struggles. Activists were often forced to grapple with the contradictions of supporting liberation while being tied to power structures benefitting from imperialism.
Black Internationalism and Global Solidarity
Black internationalism emerged as a response to both domestic racial oppression and global colonialism, connecting struggles across the African diaspora. Leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois articulated the shared fate of Black Americans and other colonized populations, recognizing their plight as a form of internal colonialism. This interconnectedness became evident during the anti-colonial movements of the 20th century, where racial justice was framed as an integral component of global liberation struggles. Today, this legacy continues, as contemporary movements invoke historical connections to advocate for global racial justice and solidarity against oppression.
Legal Frameworks in Political Struggles
International law has historically been both a tool for imperial powers and a framework through which oppressed nations can seek justice and accountability. Recent cases, such as the one brought by South Africa against Israel for alleged genocide, illustrate the complexities of using international legal avenues to address colonial and neo-colonial injustices. By placing the plight of Palestinians within this legal context, activists seek to challenge the established norms that often protect imperial interests. Such efforts revive historical debates around reparative justice and hold powerful states accountable for their actions against marginalized populations.
Emerging Internationalist Moments
The current surge in internationalist sentiments, particularly regarding Palestine, reflects a broader resurgence in leftist activism reminiscent of earlier movements against colonial rule. This moment is characterized by a reawakening of solidarity actions that connect disparate struggles for justice, especially in response to genocidal acts in Gaza. Activists today draw inspiration from past struggles, utilizing platforms like Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) to create a framework for transnational solidarity. The ability to mobilize socially and politically marginalized communities globally suggests a revitalized potential for left internationalism in contemporary discourse.
In this live taping of Jacobin’spodcast The Dig—recorded at Jewish Currents’s recent daylong event and presented in partnership with On the Nose—host Daniel Denvir convened a conversation with scholars Aslı Bâli and Aziz Rana on the past and present of left internationalism. Placing the current eruption of solidarity with Palestine in the context of the rise and fall of Third Worldism, they discuss the history and legacy of that project, the lasting structures of neocolonialism, and the challenge of contesting empire from the heart of empire.
This episode was produced by Alex Lewis and Jackson Roach, with music by Jeffrey Brodsky. Thanks also to Jesse Brenneman for additional editing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).
