Protest-field? Reflections on the use of Bourdieu’ theory in the analysis of social conflict in Neuquén-Argentina

Authors

  • Anabel Angélica Beliera Centro de Investigaciones Socio Históricas –Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación (Universidad Nacional de La Plata-CONICET). Calle 48 E/6 Y 7 Piso 8, CP: 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/csu.2013.49.2.06

Abstract

Many researchers have taken up Pierre Bourdieu’s theory to explain the continuities and ruptures in the political practices of the lower classes against the application of neoliberal policies in Argentina. The concept of protest field was introduced to highlight the complexity of historical processes and the dynamic sedimentation of the structures of positions in tension and dispute. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the strengths and limitations of using the concept of protest field for the analysis of social conflict in Neuquén province, Argentina. On one hand, it makes it possible to approach the phenomenon from a relational and historical point of view, but it is not useful to analyzes the field of protest as a specific field with demarcated internal properties (such us autonomy, ‘illusio’, ‘habitus’ and specific capital).

Key words: field, Bourdieu, social protest, collective action, Argentina.

Author Biography

Anabel Angélica Beliera, Centro de Investigaciones Socio Históricas –Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación (Universidad Nacional de La Plata-CONICET). Calle 48 E/6 Y 7 Piso 8, CP: 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Published

2013-08-02

Issue

Vol. 49 No. 2 (2013): May/August

Section

Articles

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