In this article I critically assess the globalist position which claimsthat the forces of globalization have fundamentally debilitatednation–states, and that the fate of progressive politics and socialmovements now depends on the degree and extent of internationalsolidarity and the shaping of a transnational civil society (forexample, Beck, 2000; Bronner, 1999; Brysk, 2000; Strange, 1996). Againstthis globalist, internationalist orcosmopolitanposition, I arguethat the nation–state continues to be a critical sphere for theimposition of ruling capitalist interests. Likewise, any substantialmodification in the economic, political and cultural conditions ofsubordinate groups, communities and classes will have to be fought andwon at this level. While international solidarity will always bewelcome, the internationalization of politics, by itself, will not havea substantial impact on the domestic balance of forces. In fact, themain locus of politics should remain local if significant changes in thelife chances of subordinate groups, communities and classes are thegoal. These subordinate groups will be able to affect domestic stateinterventions in their favour only to the extent that they constitutethemselves politically at the local level. In order to do so, their mainchallenge may be posited as follows: How can they extract concessionsfrom the state without at the same time being co–opted? Facing thischallenge successfully continues to require the construction ofdemocratic organizations for struggle, an accountable leadership andgrassroots participation in decision–making.