The Oxford Left Review

Abstract

Historically, the left has tended to be cautiously in favour of internationalism. Its desire to de- fend the most vulnerable has often led it to acknowledge that this includes those abroad. More- over, many have recognised that there is much to be gained from working with and learning from those fighting similar struggles in other countries. At the same time, there has long been a concern that transnational forces are to be feared as threats to hard-won domestic achieve- ments. Globalisation has consistently empowered corporations against people, and weakened the ability of democratic states to mitigate the depredations of international capital.