The Psych-politics of Austerity; Democracy, Sovereignty and Civic Protest.

Abstract

This article argues that new (and sometimes invisible) forms of civic protest are finding a voice in the age of the Internet. It poses the questions whether these voices of protest are (a) part of a long, militant and sometimes violent tradition of street politics based on class struggle or (b) new, peaceful and creative political (and anti-political) platforms (a metaphysical revolt) offering critical and innovative insights into the possibilities of democratic renewal as part of a process of deepening democracy into more ethical and participatory forms.