People Power And Alternative Politics

Abstract In the developing world over the last few decades people power’ movements emerged to challenge the ‘authoritarian logic’ of undemocratic regimes as well as the dominant ‘development logic’ promoted by the Governments of developed countries international economic institutions, and multinational corporations. This article looks at people power movements that challenged political authoritarianism in the Philippines and Myanmar, and people power movements that challenge development policies in India. Thailand, and Brail. It explains how these social movements mobilise people and generate pressure for social change. ‘For pragmatic or principled reasons, people power movements incorporate methods of non-violent action in struggles against Governments, large landowners, and corporations. Drawing on environmentalist, sustainable development discourses, they promote democratization and alternative visions of development