Abstract
This paper critically analyses the post-political thesis, highlighting its universalising and agency-grabbing tendencies. Drawing on my own family life, anarchist theory and long-standing traditions of 'properly' political placemaking by past and present grassroots actors, the paper unsettles two interrelated claims on which the post-political thesis sits. First, that the political (le politique) is in retreat. Second, that 'proper' politics constitutes a confrontational set of relations. Informed by empirical observations I present an existing form of rigorous political encounter enacted in anarchist-influenced social centres. The politics on offer here has a supportive pedagogical quality to it and, crucially, there are semblances of this pedagogical politics found in multiple sites. Focusing on the 'micro-physics of power' at work in social centres, I show how such organisational practices counter the predetermined finalities of the post-political condition by enacting what I call 'equality-as-tactic'. Community here is not an empty vessel that can be easily filled with 'empty signifiers'. On the contrary, post-political practices tend to crack under the scrutiny of a pedagogical politics aimed at equalising participation in the decisionmaking process.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Area |
| Early online date | 4 Oct 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 4 Oct 2016 |
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Keywords
- Anarchism
- Democracy
- Equality
- Placemaking
- Post-politics
- Social centre
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Re-appropriating the political through enacting a pedagogical politics of place. / Crossan, John.
In: Area, 04.10.2016.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Re-appropriating the political through enacting a pedagogical politics of place
AU - Crossan, John
PY - 2016/10/4
Y1 - 2016/10/4
N2 - This paper critically analyses the post-political thesis, highlighting its universalising and agency-grabbing tendencies. Drawing on my own family life, anarchist theory and long-standing traditions of 'properly' political placemaking by past and present grassroots actors, the paper unsettles two interrelated claims on which the post-political thesis sits. First, that the political (le politique) is in retreat. Second, that 'proper' politics constitutes a confrontational set of relations. Informed by empirical observations I present an existing form of rigorous political encounter enacted in anarchist-influenced social centres. The politics on offer here has a supportive pedagogical quality to it and, crucially, there are semblances of this pedagogical politics found in multiple sites. Focusing on the 'micro-physics of power' at work in social centres, I show how such organisational practices counter the predetermined finalities of the post-political condition by enacting what I call 'equality-as-tactic'. Community here is not an empty vessel that can be easily filled with 'empty signifiers'. On the contrary, post-political practices tend to crack under the scrutiny of a pedagogical politics aimed at equalising participation in the decisionmaking process.
AB - This paper critically analyses the post-political thesis, highlighting its universalising and agency-grabbing tendencies. Drawing on my own family life, anarchist theory and long-standing traditions of 'properly' political placemaking by past and present grassroots actors, the paper unsettles two interrelated claims on which the post-political thesis sits. First, that the political (le politique) is in retreat. Second, that 'proper' politics constitutes a confrontational set of relations. Informed by empirical observations I present an existing form of rigorous political encounter enacted in anarchist-influenced social centres. The politics on offer here has a supportive pedagogical quality to it and, crucially, there are semblances of this pedagogical politics found in multiple sites. Focusing on the 'micro-physics of power' at work in social centres, I show how such organisational practices counter the predetermined finalities of the post-political condition by enacting what I call 'equality-as-tactic'. Community here is not an empty vessel that can be easily filled with 'empty signifiers'. On the contrary, post-political practices tend to crack under the scrutiny of a pedagogical politics aimed at equalising participation in the decisionmaking process.
KW - Anarchism
KW - Democracy
KW - Equality
KW - Placemaking
KW - Post-politics
KW - Social centre
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84990185167&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/area.12301
DO - 10.1111/area.12301
M3 - Article
JO - Area
T2 - Area
JF - Area
SN - 0004-0894
ER -