Spanish Anarchist Engagements in Electoralism: From Street to Party Politics

Abstract

Since the 15M movement appeared in 2011, there has been a high level of political participation and experimentation within anti-systematic Spanish activism. The political repertoire has constantly been re-evaluated, with methods constantly revised and evolving, from the occupation of public spaces to the recent creation of new political parties. One of the key aspects of these tactical revisions has been the involvement of anarchist actors in an experimental process of engagement in the constitutional process. Our study identifies the motivations and theoretical justifications that have led libertarian activists to recently take the institutional (electoral) path. This paper stands in the small but growing tradition of works that examine this recent phenomenon of anarchist-inspired constitutionalism, but uniquely concentrates on a detailed case study of the anarchist actors linked to the platform Castelló en Moviment (CsM). As a result it explores that complex and disputed relationships and motivations that operate within 15M. It thus describes the anarchist influence in recent electoral developments, and identifies proponents justification for engaging in these previously rejected methods and highlights some of the doubts raised against this electoral experiment.