New forms, longstanding issues, and some successes: feminist networks and organising in a globalising era

This article focuses on “new” transnational feminist networks and links discussion of these to that dealing with “older” feminist organisations and forms. It discusses the network form, the context in which transnational networks have arisen and links between “local” and global formations. The article revisits material on difficulties within feminist organisations and asks whether and to what extent transnational networks have been able to incorporate earlier critiques. How have developments such as coalitions and transversal politics been able to deal with differences of ethnic identity and political viewpoint? Are social class divisions still of importance within organisations and networks? And are longstanding issues such as debates over institutionalisation and autonomy, and of hierarchies within organisations/networks, still underlying factors? The article argues that transnational networks are indeed innovative forms but that they by no means provide instant “solutions” to enduring problems. Nevertheless, the proliferation of feminist transnational and regional networks does indicate a measure of feminist success, and feminism(s) remain important political forces.