Alternative organization and neo-normative control: notes on a British town council

ABSTRACT

This paper explores how normative control is enacted in an alternative ‘minor party’ in Southwest England called Independents for Frome. Based primarily on ethnographic data and interviews, I argue that this case constitutes an example of ‘neo-normative’ control, where homogenizing norms are substituted by a celebration of difference, fun, and individualization. This conceptualization allows me to discuss the relationship between alternative organization and neo-normative control. In doing so, I argue that neo-normative control has progressive and ‘alternative’ potential if practiced alongside procedures that (1) prevent autonomy from turning into isolation and marginalization, (2) ensure that solidarity does not morph into an unquestioned hegemony of the strong, and (3) enable responsibility to the future to be carried out in an accountable manner. This leads me to call for critical performativity projects that team up with ‘allies’ within the formal political system instead of focusing exclusively on extra-parliamentarian organizations.

KEYWORDS:

• Alternative organization
• normative control
• political parties
• town councils
• critical performativity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 In fact, during the interviews, I came to learn that the IfF councilors came from very different political backgrounds. While most had never before been a member of a political party, some had previously been associated with The Green Party, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and even the Conservatives.

2 After a couple of years in office, IfF established more formal roles such as ‘chairs’ and ‘sponsors’. This led to a clearer division of responsibility and authority.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Velux Fonden [Grant number 00013146].