Constituting Class Relations and Political Power in the streets of Manila
Prof. Michael Pinches paper explores various ways in which public spaces in Manila have been constituted and represented with a view to throwing fresh light on the social relations of class and political power.
By Prof. Michael Pinches (michael.pinches@uwa.edu.au)
One way in which Manila has become known outside the Philippines is through images of its vibrant street politics, in particular the massive protest rallies that have threatened governments, twice toppling them. These have been variously represented as displays national communion or differing sectoral politics on the part of the middle class, the urban poor, the military or the organized left. Yet, as elsewhere, public space in Manila has also been subject to increased neoliberal privatization and segregation, evident in the growth of gated communities, shopping malls, and private vehicular transport. While some deteriorating streets, plazas and parks seem to have been abandoned to the poor, others, developed for up-market consumption, have been effectively quarantined for the wealthy. This paper explores various ways in which public spaces in Manila have been constituted and represented with a view to throwing fresh light on the social relations of class and political power.
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