Occupations, mediations, subjectifications: fabricating politics

Abstract

The revolutions and protests that have spread across the globe since 2008 have been seen as a watershed moment. In this article we examine the relationships between urban space and politics that have emerged across these events. We draw upon the political philosophy of Jacques Rancière to provide a framework to understand some events of this period as political moments and, in addition, attempt to build upon Rancière's work to trace out the geographical dimensions of politics. The paper concludes with a consideration of the counter-revolutionary projects enacted by current social orders.

Keywords:

• politics
• Rancière
• urban
• space
• policing

Notes

1. A recent book collecting essays by activists involved in a number of radical political movements appeared under the title Occupy Everything! (Lunghi & Wheeler, 2012).