ATTAC

ATTAC
Jeanne Menjoulet · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	ATTAC
Formation	1998
Type	Non-governmental organization
Purpose	Promoting Tobin tax, Social justice, and Democracy
Headquarters	Paris, France
Region served	Worldwide
Affiliates	World Social Forum, European Social Forum

ATTAC is a French NGO that was founded in 1998 by Ignacio Ramonet, a Spanish journalist and former editor of Le Monde Diplomatique. The organization's name is an acronym for "Association pour la Taxation des Transactions financières et pour l'Action Citoyenne", which translates to "Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions and for Citizen Action". ATTAC is known for its advocacy of the Tobin tax, a proposal to tax international financial transactions, and its involvement in the Global justice movement. The organization has been influenced by the ideas of John Maynard Keynes, Joseph Stiglitz, and Amartya Sen, among others.

● Introduction to

ATTAC ATTAC was created in response to the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and the Russian financial crisis of 1998, which highlighted the need for greater regulation of international financial markets. The organization's founders, including Bernard Cassen and Susan George, were inspired by the work of James Tobin, an American economist who first proposed the idea of a tax on international financial transactions in 1972. ATTAC's mission is to promote Social justice, Democracy, and Human rights through the regulation of financial markets and the reduction of Income inequality. The organization has been supported by Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, and Arundhati Roy, among other prominent intellectuals and activists.

● History of

ATTAC The history of ATTAC is closely tied to the development of the Global justice movement, which emerged in the late 1990s in response to the Washington Consensus and the neoliberal economic policies promoted by institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. ATTAC was one of the founding members of the World Social Forum, which was launched in 2001 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The organization has also been involved in the European Social Forum and has worked closely with other NGOs, such as Oxfam, Greenpeace, and Amnesty International. ATTAC's activities have been influenced by the ideas of Karl Marx, Antonio Gramsci, and Pierre Bourdieu, among others.

● Objectives and Activities

The main objective of ATTAC is to promote the implementation of the Tobin tax, which the organization believes could help to reduce Speculation in financial markets and generate revenue for Development and Social welfare programs. ATTAC also advocates for greater transparency and regulation of financial markets, as well as the protection of Human rights and the environment. The organization's activities include Lobbying, Research, and Education, as well as the organization of Protests and Demonstrations. ATTAC has worked closely with Parliamentarians and Governments, including the European Parliament and the French Government, to promote its objectives. The organization has also been supported by Trade unions, such as the Confédération Générale du Travail and the European Trade Union Confederation.

● Organization and Structure

ATTAC is a decentralized organization with a presence in over 40 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The organization's international network is coordinated by a Committee of national representatives, who meet regularly to discuss strategy and policy. ATTAC also has a number of Working groups, which focus on specific issues such as Taxation, Finance, and Trade. The organization's activities are supported by a Secretariat based in Paris, which provides administrative and logistical support. ATTAC has also established partnerships with other NGOs and Social movements, including the World Social Forum and the European Social Forum.

● Impact and Criticisms

ATTAC's activities have had a significant impact on the development of the Global justice movement and the promotion of Social justice and Human rights. The organization's advocacy of the Tobin tax has helped to raise awareness of the need for greater regulation of financial markets and the reduction of Income inequality. However, ATTAC has also faced criticisms from some Economists and Politicians, who argue that the Tobin tax is impractical or ineffective. The organization has also been criticized for its Radicalism and its association with Anti-globalization movements. Despite these criticisms, ATTAC remains a prominent and influential voice in the Global justice movement, and its activities continue to be supported by Intellectuals and Activists such as Slavoj Žižek, Alain Badiou, and Judith Butler.

● International Presence

ATTAC has a significant international presence, with a network of national organizations and Local groups in over 40 countries. The organization's international activities are coordinated by a Committee of national representatives, who meet regularly to discuss strategy and policy. ATTAC has also established partnerships with other NGOs and Social movements, including the World Social Forum and the European Social Forum. The organization's international presence has helped to promote the Tobin tax and other Social justice initiatives, and has contributed to the development of a global movement for Human rights and Democracy. ATTAC's international activities have been supported by United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, as well as by Governments and Parliamentarians from around the world. Category:Non-governmental organizations