Recapturing Democracy: Neoliberalization and the Struggle for Alternative Urban Futures

by Mark Purcell

Recapturing Democracy is a short yet synoptic introduction to urban democracy in our era of political neoliberalism and economic globalization. Combining an original argument with a number of case studies, Mark Purcell explores the condition of democracy in contemporary Western cities. Whereas many scholars focus on what Purcell calls "procedural democracy" – i.e., electoral politics and access to it – he instead assesses "substantive democracy." By this he means the people’s ability to have some say over issues of social justice, material well being, and economic equality. Neoliberalism, which advocates a diminished role for the state and increasing power for mobile capital, has diminished substantive democracy in recent times, he argues. He looks at case studies where this has occurred and at others that show how neoliberalism can be resisted in the name of substantive democracy. Ultimately, he utilizes Henri Lefebvre’s notion of "the right to the city," which encompasses substantive as well as procedural democracy for ordinary urban citizens.

Genres: Economics

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Emma Sea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purcell discusses how democracy has become entwined with neoliberalism; that according to the neoliberal agenda, "democracy . . . offers freedom, and freedom is what people want . . . democracy offers political freedom, and market liberalization provides economic freedom" (p.169). This is expressed in city spaces through the conflict between the desires of the market and the rights of the citizen.

Very readable, highly recommended.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book pretty much rocked my world, it was brilliant to really dig into different ideas of what true democracy could look like, all with a framework of challenging the hegemony that democracy of the liberal variety is the best we can do and we all know it requires capitalism ... and what it will take to create a new hegemony. It's the alternatives that cost you, and everything that follows was so helpful in understanding all things that I struggled so much with in grassroots struggle, this is infinitely valuable for coming to grips with what your actual goals are and how best to get there. I love books that look forward to solutions and the ten democratic attitudes were fantastic, and of course I love Lefebvre and the Right to the city idea...

The case studies were interesting, I love that they were included because of my commitment to praxis, but didn't really seem to push the attitudes forward enough. Made me a bit depressed really, though I did very much appreciate the inclusion of the work on the Homeowners in L.A. and that people getting together in the "grassroots" doesn't always lead to any kind of progressive politics whatsoever. Making theory all the more vital.