Everyday Political Subjectification and the Rise of Regressive Politics. Downward mobility, urbanization and the production of space in Frankfurt am Main and Leipzig

• Applicant: Dr. Daniel Mullis
• Subject Area: Human Geography
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 451071396

The research project aims to better understand the current dynamics of regressive politics in Germany and their anchoring in everyday social experiences as well as the production of collectivity in cities. Two indicators for the rise of regressive politics can be highlighted: On the one hand the rise of authoritarian attitudes throughout society, as well as on the other the rise of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Following Rancière and Lefebvre, the project focusses on everyday political subjectification and the productions of space. Despite the social relevance of research into regressive dynamics, in German-speaking geography so far hardly any research has been done in that field. In 2016, Bürk and Reuber asked: "Neo-nationalism and new-right movements in Germany: (Not) a topic for Political Geography?". An interdisciplinary perspective on the subject, especially Nachtwey’s concept of downward mobility, helps to deepen the understanding. With this research project I am addressing three gaps in the ongoing debates on regressive dynamics: There is a lack of research which 1) illuminates social transformation starting from processes of everyday political subjectification; 2) considers political shifts in everyday life and takes spatialization seriously; and 3) works ethnographically. The guiding question is: How do everyday political subjectification processes take place in neighborhoods which are marked by experiences of downward mobility and urbanization processes, and how and when do they turn into regressive politics? The aim is to conduct a multi-sited ethnography in Frankfurt am Main and Leipzig. By and a large the research is based on narrative interviews, participating observation and focus group discussions. In both cities boom and descent are in close proximity, socio-economic polarization is on the rise and immigration is a fact. In each case, two socio-economically marginalized districts, where urbanization is contested and the AfD performed well in the 2017 federal elections, are chosen as research sites. The “comparative gesture” allows addressing particularities and similarities in the two cities beyond hierarchical East / West construction. Overall, the research project makes a contribution to geographical research and theory by focusing on the current rise of regressive politics as well as the formation of collectivity. This in particular, by 1) highlighting subject-centered spatial experiences relevant for the rise of regressive dynamics; 2) deepening a geographical understanding of everyday political subjectification; and 3) enriching geographical debates with interdisciplinary perspectives. Thus, the project provides a geographical contribution to research which allows to deepen an understanding of what could be done to foster social cohesion and social peace.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants