Progressive Public Intellectuals’ Response to the Right: Comparing Barcelona and Paris

On the basis of fieldwork conducted in Spain and France in 2015, I propose  a comparative paper concerning the framing of  the problems of austerity in the two places. In many ways the housing movement in Barcelona (PAH in Barcelona particularly) has worked to be inclusive of immigrants and people of all groups and to assist such groups in combating foreclosures. My interviews in Paris suggest an emphasis by progressive groups on the needs of immigrants but this is not directly tied to a general movement against austerity. I would suggest that the perspective in Barcelona may have limited to some degree the hostility to immigrant groups and attracted working class people to a progressive agenda. In contrast the perspectives of progressive public intellectuals in Paris have not been as successful in  attracting working class people or limiting the rise of the right.