The Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions for the Aid of Citizens (ATTAC) was founded in Paris, France in 1998. The seed idea for the Association was first planted in an article by Ignacio Ramonet in Le Monde diplomatique in 1997, which discussed the political problems of global financial markets. The editor of the paper, Bernard Cassen, developed Ramonet's ideas into an organization that has become one of the most important counter-voices to neo-liberal globalization.
The original name of ATTAC (the Association for a Tobin Tax for the Aid of Citizens) accurately conveys the organization's principle aim: to put into effect the proposal by James Tobin, Nobel Prize laureate in Economic Sciences, to impose a tax on all global, speculative financial transactions (the Tobin Tax). Beyond this goal, ATTAC has established three major objectives: (1) the re-assertion of democratic control over international financial markets and institutions through the promotion of the Tobin Tax and other forms of financial control; (2) ongoing engagement with other networks and groups in direct political action against neo-liberal globalization; and (3) the circulation of information and promotion of discussion on globalization.
ATTAC has over 20,000 members, who participate in national associations in thirty-three countries, including Canada (ATTAC Quebec). The organization has been widely involved in a wide range of actions and demonstrations against neo-liberal globalization since its founding, and was instrumental in helping to set up the World Social Forum.