Introduction

Abstract

While political systems find themselves in a structural crisis of legitimacy that isolates them ever further from the citizenry, and while neoliberal rollbacks create a climate of severe competition and self-rightousness, in times of economic crisis, primary identity groups appear as an answer to the search for meaning in a world of confusing change. Simultaneously, powerful networks of instrumental exchange strategically switch on and off identities, groups, regions, and countries, according to their interests (Castells 2010 [1996], 3). Resisting claims of exclusivist groups and identities, there is a vast corpus of literature that posits social movements as agents of citizenship, often appearing as powerful actors in transitions towards democracy, making efforts towards less unequal governmentalities (Castells 1983; Dagnino 2005, 2006; Yashar 1999; Haughney 2013; Butler 2011).