Paper long abstract:

The ongoing economic and social crisis has spurred new modes of action and political mobilization for social movements throughout the western hemisphere but with particular notoriety in the Mediterranean region, including southern Europe. Citizens, groups and consolidated political movements from diverse and sometimes conflictive political backgrounds are joining efforts against austerity and to their chief representatives: International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and the European Commission, together with the national governments involved in the fiscal and economic adjustment strategy.

These movements use novel repertoires of political action and civic engagement, relying on a new and substantive use of technology to spread their word and will. The internet and social media, together with other artefacts such as cameras, banners, signs, murals, attire and adornments have a significant role on the viral spreading of political messages and on the publicity of massive political gatherings, both with significant effects on the political course of action.

ANT provides a challenging and innovative theoretical framework for analyzing these movements. Following human and non-human actors and the linkages they establish among them can offer new insights into the dynamics of social protest. This paper is based on case study evidence concerning Portuguese social movements, gathered in the course of the European Commission-funded MYPLACE (Memory, Youth, Political Legacy and Civic Engagement) research project.