Paper short abstract:

Gender has become a visible category for both the right and the left: it is an affective category politically contested. Based on fieldwork in feminist and far-right (counter)demonstrations in Barcelona, this paper aims to explore the affective productions of gender in the political clash.

Paper long abstract:

Over the past few years, far-right parties have increased their influence in Europe. Within this political growth, gender (politics/discourse/ideology) has been a fundamental element. Whether in their manifestos, populist construction of society, or political activation and mobilization, gender is always present. This growth has made far-right research a hot topic in most fields of social science. However, this “new” academic interest in the far right has not led yet to a significant growth of in-depth research with extensive fieldwork.

Simultaneously, feminist mobilization has experienced unparalleled growth. Gender has become a visible category for both the right and the left. The “recovery” of affect in social analysis has helped to comprehend the relevance of gender in current politics. In this way, gender is an affective category contested from different ideological stands.

Based on fieldwork in feminist and far-right (counter)demonstrations in Barcelona, this paper aims to explore the affective productions of gender in the political clash. The analysis of gender and its affective productions in political clashes from within (both in the feminist and far-right sectors) shows us how in the face of similar situations of confrontation (street encounters with political rivals) and common affective bases (displays of courage and solidarity), the resulting affective mobilizations are completely mediated by gender politics: on the one hand, the expression of national “heroism” for the far right and, on the other hand, of “mutual aid” for feminism.