Transnational activism and national affinities: Building cross-sectoral solidarity in global justice movements

Solidarity is a crucial foundation of cooperation among activists. Solidarity seems simple where activists are socially, culturally, and geographically close. This is why studies on transnational social movements have invested much energy into explaining how solidarity emerges across geographical distance and social and cultural differences. However, also in national contexts there are differences to be bridged. Drawing on the assumption that transnational social movements crucially depend on successful cooperation between different movement sectors within a country (e.g. Unions, NGOs, Churches, Social Centres), the paper focuses on cross-sectoral solidarity building in national contexts. More specifically, it examines the role of collective action in building cross-sectoral solidarity, transnational protests in particular. Based on interviews with activists of the Global Justice Movements in Italy, Germany, and Poland the analysis shows 1) how national solidarity frames are invigorated during transnational protests, both on the basis of the national delegation’s shared experiences as well as boundaries drawn to other delegations; and 2) how such reifications of difference interact with (and not necessarily block) transnational solidarity building. Considering the different dimensions of solidarity – internal processes & boundary drawing, national & transnational levels – provides interesting insights into processes of solidarity building as well as into national bases of transnational activism.