Tuesday, June 25, 2013
2.21 (Binnengasthuis)
This paper focuses on the social protest movements that have been taking place in Spain since May 2011, and considers the wider socio-political implications of the ‘Indignado’ movement within the EU. It provides an analysis of the 'Spanish revolution', which started with the aim of challenging two party dominance in the national political arena but has developed into a movement against Neoliberalism inspired by the protests in Iceland and quickly echoed in many other European countries. The paper explores qualitative and quantitative explanations on the roots of the phenomenon, and draws from recent studies on the polarization of US politics. It is argued that, similarly to the situation in the US, Spanish politics has become hyperpolarised over the years, with voters much more strongly attached to their political affiliations. The question arises then as to whether these protest movements actually have any chance of leaving an imprint on the political arena. In seeking to challenge the status quo, the main weapons of the revolution – its independence and inclusivity – may prove to be its Achilles' heel: the lack of a party machine means that the battle plan is constantly fought out along various fronts. The paper therefore assesses the long-term consequences and potential legacy of the ongoing social protests.
