Spirit of the Wombles

The anti-globalization movement captured world attention in the 1990s. But media coverage quickly shifted to terrorist attacks, wars, climate change and other problems, writes Libby Brooks for the Guardian. “Even if 9/11 hadn't happened, it's doubtful whether the anti-globalisation movement could have been sustained,” writes Brooks. “Its membership was too disparate, its aims too vague. It lacked structure, coherence and ideology.” She describes diversity as both the movement’s greatest strength and weakness, at times fracturing the purpose. Still, Brooks points to grass-roots and local activism of a younger generation, promoting sustainable lifestyles and insisting that corporations take responsible action. She concludes that commitment to improve the world remains strong, so much so that “ironically it went mainstream.” – YaleGlobal