The Moderation of Alterantive Social Movements? the 15-M/Indignados Movement in Spain

The paper focuses on the Spanish 15-M/Indignados movement. Drawing on data on participants, both quantitative and qualitative, the paper engages with the question of whether or not the 15-M movement, both in it its original form but also in its current representation, can be seen as a 'new' form of social participation. Existing work on the so-called alternative social movements is inclined to see the 15-M movement as yet another expression of that way of protesting created in the context of well-known anti-globalization protest events. Students of political culture, however, are still puzzled with the challenge that systematic occupation of public spaces poses against dominant understandings of political behavior in Spain. For the latter, 15-M protest politics are indeed a new and unprecedented example of committed citizens that want to do away with previous ideas about disaffection and apathy. The unfading public interest in this social movement, which stands no comparison with societal views on previous social movements, might lead many to believe that something might be utterly different in the movement of the indignados.

This paper argues for a compromise between the two aforementioned positions: the 15-M movement is indeed springing up from a repertoire of mobilization, and a package of ideas, that was a central part of the identity of a number of social movements already existing in Spain. An interesting element of continuity can, thus, be established between the 15-M movement and some pre-existing networks of mobilization and identity formation. However, key elements in the strategizing, frame definition and composition of the 15-M movement seem to be the consequence of short-terms reactions to quick alterations in its own structure of political opportunities. The 15-M movement updates, but it also innovates.

To substantiate this, a chief concern for the paper will be an examination of goals and modes of protesting. The aim will be to critically discuss whether or not the massive consensus on 'peaceful occupation' as a dominant strategy is, in fact, adding a new element to the existing conceptualization of alternative social movements. For that the paper will draw on qualitative data obtained through interviewing and analysis of texts and published materials of different sort.