Abstract

FRIAS, Javier Ignacio. Tensions between politics and space in contemporary democracies. Exploring the street in (of) movement(s). Bitácora Urbano Territorial [online]. 2022, vol.32, n.3, pp.31-41.  Epub Dec 02, 2022. ISSN 0124-7913.  https://doi.org/10.15446/bitacora.v32n3.102151.

In this paper we revisit a series of approaches that, from political theory or urban theory, allow us to explore the territorial logics that underlie the formation of collective identities. The reading hypothesis we propose is that Ernesto Laclau's post-foundational approach and the relational conceptions of space can engage in a theoretical dialogue to rethink some theoretical problems related to the intersection between politics and space in contemporary democracies. Are there urban marks in the new political vitality of public space? What performative aspects intervene in the construction of a 'people'? How are the tensions between co-presence and political representation resolved in the repertoires of collective action? In the first section we review the changes in urban dynamics in order to look for clues to understand the reactivation of political mobilization. We then examine Laclau's category of 'people' through the prism of the street manifestation, and dedicate the following section to discuss the crossovers and decouplings between performativity and representation. Finally, we defend the relevance of a bidirectional reflection that simultaneously addresses what politics does with space and what space does with politics.

Keywords : política; espaço urbano; movimentos de protesto; democracia.

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