'Rise Like Lions After Slumber': Dissent, Protest and (Post-)Politics in Manchester. Issue 4 (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haughton, Graham; Gilchrist, Anna; Swyngedouw, Erik
• Is Part Of: Territory, politics, governance. Volume 4:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 472
• Page End: 491
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Manchester -- postpolitics -- protest -- urban parks -- urban environment; Political science -- Periodicals; Jurisdiction, Territorial -- Periodicals; Territory, National -- Periodicals; Regionalism -- Political aspects -- Periodicals; Political geography -- Periodicals; Geopolitics -- Periodicals; Geopolitics; Political geography; Regionalism -- Political aspects; Territory, National; Periodicals; 327
• DOI: 10.1080/21622671.2016.1141705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2162-2671

Abstract

Abstract: This article aims to improve our understanding of post-politicization by examining the role of 'ordinary' urban protest movements, using the example of a protest in Alexandra Park, an inner city park in Manchester, UK. The critical literature on postpolitics has improved our understanding of exceptional, large-scale protests, but we know much less about how smaller scale protests emerge and in time wind down. Our research is revealing of the post-politicizing tactics of the city authorities in containing protest and of how the protesters lost momentum, focusing on contesting techno-managerial processes for consultation and undertaking scientific surveys. Whilst universalizing claims were made about democratic enfranchisement, the authorities were able to counter and diffuse these.