Barcelona en Comú: The municipalist movement to seize the institutions
An understanding of Spain’s 15M movement’s mutation into what has been termed an “institutional takeover”. Focusing in particular on the potential ties and limitations of municipal politics, discussing the open possibilities of “Radical Municipalism” in changing political power relations in the city. It will also…
Corbyn’s “municipal socialism” offers a welcome new approach on housing—but will it be enough?
As part of what he calls new “municipal socialism”, Jeremy Corbyn recently advocated giving local authorities the power to immediately seize empty properties in order to redress the increasingly shocking levels of homelessness. The outlines of these can be seen in cities like Preston or…
The Philosophy of Murray Bookchin: An Interview with Debbie Bookchin
Debbie Bookchin joins host Brett from Revolutionary Left Radio to discuss the life and work of her father, Murray Bookchin, as well as the Rojavan Revolution, the rise of fascism, Social Ecology, Marxism, Anarchism, her father’s legacy, and much, much more! Photo: Free Creative Stuff…
The city as the new political centre
A radical change is taking place. Cities around Europe – through platforms, movements and international networks – are creating paths for citizens to participate in and influence politics directly. Joan Subirats, one of the founders of Barcelona’s municipalist platform Barcelona en Comú, discusses how cities…
The new municipalism is part of a proud radical history
The article connects new municipalism with its roots by reflecting on the history of citizens taking collective control of local services. Photo: Pixabay
This land is whose land?
Over the past few generations, gentrification has emerged as a broadly familiar frame for understanding the explosive changes that are disfiguring cities across the planet. However, the dominant languages being invoked to theorize gentrification today fall short: they are necessary but not sufficient. Understanding urban…
The right to the city in an age of austerity
The conditions that brought about the “Greek crisis” are prevalent in many parts of the world and represent a new normality that threatens to shake the very foundations of social coexistence. Departing from the statement that the urban space is always a crystallization of broader…
Municipalism and the feminization of politics
The new municipalist agenda is proving its capacity to provide effective responses to the demands for greater democracy at the local level. Furthermore, there is another, complementary argument for municipalism: it has the potential to feminize politics in a way that political action at the…
Left-wing populism and the feminization of politics
Left-wing populism and the feminization of politics are at the core of the debates among activists of the European left. The intellectual basis of while left-wing populism make it incompatible with the feminization of politics, since they reinforce patriarchy. Social transformation requires of a genuine…