Why do we need yet another scholarly association?

Some may think that the highly successful and deservedly prestigious existing academic associations concerned with the study of international and world affairs are perfectly adequate for our current needs.

However, a group of scholars currently working and networking across a number of universities and countries believe that there is a need for a new and additional association and for the following reasons:

• Globalization processes are inherently multidimensional Their study demands a central and unambiguous commitment to the importance of drawing upon materials and investigations from a number of disciplines along with an interest in a wide range of themes and concerns. This commitment needs to be experienced not as an occasional, expedient and troublesome chore but as a necessary source of stimulation and empowerment. Though few of us can achieve such broad goals solely through our own work, we can try to prioritise such goals while seeking to operate quite deliberately in close proximity to others from similar as well as different backgrounds but who share similar questions and concerns.


• Understanding globalization demands new insights Though existing associations have tried to accommodate people from other disciplines who address global themes, these have often been in the nature of "add-on" activities. Their members tend to remain fundamentally committed to the insights provided by particular disciplines while the historical evolution of their key intellectual concerns means that they retain core groups with long-established scholarly interests and leanings which pre-date globalization.


• Placing global theorising and issues first A new global studies association would be able to make a fresh beginning, unencumbered by dominant perspectives and existing academic loyalties. From the outset GSA members would focus first and foremost on the study of the embryonic but increasingly vibrant, deterritorialised, dangerous as well as challenging, problem-creating as well as problem-solving , transnational networks, communities, cultures, agents / interests and associations - each with its own needs and dynamics - but which are also coalescing rapidly to form an emergent global society, polity and economy.


• Thematic concerns can be just as valid as the basis for intellectual activity as a common discipline. In addition to those in the big social science disciplines, individuals with an interest in global issues include scholars in communication studies, ethics, art history, media studies, geography, environmental studies, among others. Their interests may not be easily accommodated within their own existing subject associations which were never designed to deal with international never mind global realities. Yet, providing such individuals share a common commitment to enhancing understanding of global life they might hope to find an intellectual home by working alongside the members of a GSA.

The aims of the GSA.

Without regard to nationality to advance the work of scholars, and other interested parties such as INGOs, who are interested in promoting the creation and dissemination of multi and interdisciplinary knowledge in the social and human sciences concerning global affairs, problems and changes;

To provide a forum for encouraging world-wide exchanges between people working in all fields of research and enquiry related to global studies by organising regular conferences, setting up thematic, national and regional study sub-groupings and by operating in close association with a new journal to be published from January 2001, Global Networks;

Ultimately to facilitate the emergence of world-wide federation of quasi-independent academic groupings yet held together by the GSA as an umbrella organization and by its shared concerns.

The advantages of GSA membership

(a) The opportunity to participate fully in all GSA networks and activities including conferences, the meetings held by various thematic sub-groups and other events;

(b) Receiving newsletters containing up-to-date information concerning the Global Studies Association and its members;

(c) Reduced fees for attendance at annual or other Association conferences and events;

(d) A reduced-rate subscription to four copies each year of Global Networks, Globalizations and the Journal of Global Ethics.

(e) From time to time, access to selected Blackwell books at special rates.