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Depoliticised activism? Ambivalence and pragmatism at the COP16
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Sealey-Huggins, Leon (2016) Depoliticised activism? Ambivalence and pragmatism at the COP16. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 36 (9/10). pp. 695-710. doi:10.1108/IJSSP-12-2015-0143
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-12-2015-0143
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to interrogate the forms of activist organisation at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP16 in Cancún and reveals their attempts to create alternatives to a seemingly “depoliticised” response to climate change. The paper argues that existing attempts to challenge depoliticisation face problems in the form of governmental opposition, limitations on forms of organising, and internal conflicts between activists.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilises “scholar-activist” engagement with actors at alternative “popular” spaces established outside the COP16 in Cancún, Mexico. It draws upon extensive participant observation and in-depth interviews with 20 English-speaking activists.
Findings
Common among activists was a concern to try and model alternative forms of social relations, to the depoliticised and hierarchical forms found in the formal Conference of Parties, via forms of anarchist-influenced “prefigurative” practice. In spite, or perhaps because, of perceived challenges to attempts to organise their political praxis along non-hierarchical lines, many people were ambivalent about the scope of their action, revealing highly reflexive accounts of the limitations of these whilst simultaneously remaining pragmatic in trying to make the most of their involvement.
Originality/value
The paper helps us to better understand the potential to politicise climate change. Understanding the challenges faced by activists is important for trying to organise more effective political responses to climate injustice. It is suggested that we must understand activists’ responses to these challenges and limitations in terms of the pragmatism in response that allows them to continue to invest in activism in the face of unsuccessful actions.
| Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform | ||||||
| Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology | ||||||
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Protest movements -- History -- 21st century, Global warming -- Political aspects, Conference of the Parties (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) (16th : 2010 : Cancún, Mexico) | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy | ||||||
| Publisher: | Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. | ||||||
| ISSN: | 0144-333X | ||||||
| Official Date: | 12 September 2016 | ||||||
| Dates: |
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| Volume: | 36 | ||||||
| Number: | 9/10 | ||||||
| Page Range: | pp. 695-710 | ||||||
| DOI: | 10.1108/IJSSP-12-2015-0143 | ||||||
| Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||
| Publication Status: | Published | ||||||
| Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access |
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