The rise of transnational corporations and trading institutions run from the 'advanced' industrial and technological centres, has meant that all these problems are now global in scope. Multinationals, including of course McDonald's and the whole food industry, have extended their greedy influence into all corners of the world, and into all aspects of our lives. They have carved up the world's resources between them, competing for profits yet co-operating amongst themselves to ensure that the system works smoothly to ensure their continued dominance. The world and its peoples are moulded, designated and zoned for particular economic purposes - mining and forestry here, manufacturing there, a consumer economy here, cash crops and hunger there. Such ruthlessness has lead, in recent decades, to the present and pressing ecological and social crises.
But awareness and opposition is growing, in our daily lives, within our communities and worldwide. People are demanding that resources be shared amongst those who need them, and that they be used responsibly. More and more people are concerned to protect the environment. They are seeking more control over their own lives. The modern system is relatively new and shaky, and it's inequalities blaringly obvious.
Labour and citizen's movements are organising themselves in every country to stand up for their rights and their needs. If dissent and protest becomes too strong, then those pulling the strings are forced to admit to certain problems (pollution, hunger, homelessness and so on) - but any 'solutions' they come up with are designed to re-inforce their control over the situation so that 'business-as-usual' can continue.There's no reason why any kind of oppression, exploitation or injustice should be accepted. We need to develop our own solutions, our own alternatives based on people's real needs, on sharing and co-operation, on community-based decision-making and respect for the natural world.
Multinational Monitor - an excellent site containing loads of information on multi-nationals and maintaining an essential database of corporate culprits.
The Mechanisms of inequality as outlined in the 'Enough' Anti-Consumerim Campaigns Leaflet 'A Critical look at Consumerism, Poverty and the Planet' [ http://www.envirolink.org/issues/enough/enough04.htm ]
