Contested relationalities of political activism: the democratic spatial practices of the London Corresponding Society

Featherstone, D. (2010) Contested relationalities of political activism: the democratic spatial practices of the London Corresponding Society. Cultural Dynamics, 22(2), pp. 87-104. (doi: 10.1177/0921374010380888)

Abstract

This article examines the contested relationalities produced through political activism. I draw on Stuart Hall’s account of articulation to engage with the productive geographies of connection forged through political activity. The article outlines an account of articulation as bearing on the linking of different trajectories of political activity, albeit in temporary, contested and partial ways. This processual account of articulation is used to engage with the democratic political activity of the London Corresponding Society (LCS). The LCS established itself as a democratic society open to ‘members unlimited’, amidst the political turmoil and unrest of the 1790s. This article interrogates the innovative forms of democratic practice produced by the LCS and the forms of relationality they generated and envisioned. I conclude by suggesting some implications of the article for work on ethnographies of activism.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Featherstone, Professor David
• Authors: Featherstone, D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Cultural Dynamics
• ISSN: 0921-3740