there are some useful summaries in here. i think for the last year or so there has been understanding amongst peace activists that the so-called 'soft' approach to war was only revamped PR.  what you're summarizing is that Sri Lanka and other totally disgusting assaults are part of the new 'soft' model.

also interesting are the reflections on the approaches eg. of China; buying-time-with-limited- opposition-but-still-keeping-Empire-going (so it can take over later).

and thanks for the summaries of impacts for real democracy, human rights, and the earth with Empires of any flavour.

what i wanted to add here is that while the WSF has been useful, i think many people at the grassroots, particularly young people, are trying to actually do the alternatives on the ground.  this is where their current greatest energy lies.  some reps from some groups in some countries can afford the flights to Social Forums, but movements have already gone deeper.

to some extent they integrate previous 'conservatives' in that now everyone is in survival mode. 

the challenge for current organizers and academics is to a) recognize and b) work with/ support, in a more intentional way, the fresh shoots. 

the Conservative Party and the Royal Bank of Canada have already appropriated the language of 'building communities' in their prep-for-Canada-Day marketing campaign.  Of course its hogwash, as Harper and the bankers continue to dismantle the country, give away our companies, oil and water, and take our money.

while the right is obsessed with lies and heinous abuse, the left is currently obsessed with the internet.  there's a place for the internet, but i know many young people- who participated in protests in past years- who find all the internet info overwhelming and depressing.  Rather, to  stay engaged with life they try growing some of their own food, or connecting with those who do, or they participate in actual alternative buiding and energy projects, make music and art locally, etc.

anyway, these are the roots of a 'restructured society' and the shoots. 

my personal opinion is that, as a start, for every 100 emails or blog posts sent, progressives need to take 100 minutes volunteering at their local garden or alt energy project.