The struggle for the new commons in the Brazilian free transit movement. Issue 2 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Larrabure, Manuel
• Is Part Of: Studies in political economy. Volume 97:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 194
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Autonomism -- Brazil -- social movements -- transit -- Workers' Party; Economics -- Political aspects -- Periodicals; Socialism -- Periodicals; Economics -- Periodicals; Canada -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Economie politique -- Périodiques; Canada -- Conditions économiques -- Périodiques; Economic history; Economics; Canada; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 330
• DOI: 10.1080/07078552.2016.1211135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0707-8552

Abstract

Abstract: This paper analyzes the Brazilian free transit movement of June 2013. I begin by contextualizing the movement as being part of a new Left that emerged following the 2008 global crisis. I argue that the movement was a reaction to neoliberal continuities in Brazil and to the limits of the Workers' Party's ( Partido dos Trabalhadores, PT) strategy for social transformation. In addition, the movement took meaningful steps towards creating a new commons, a political space in which a postcapitalist future is prefigured. However, the movement continues to struggle to develop new forms of democratic participation that can move it decisively beyond mere negation of the existing political system.