Autonomistiniai judėjimai erdvinės politikos vingiuose: tvarios savi-organizacijos vertinimas /

Autonomism as a post-marxist political theory and practice is highly critical of capitalism and the oppressive state apparatuses, and therefore seeks to create alternative spaces that help to develop new ways of political organization. Autonomous spaces take various forms, such as social centres, alternative forms of housing (e.g. squats), mutual support and self-education groups, etc. Because these spaces operate in an alternative and contrasting way to conventional practices, they are in conflict with apparatuses of authority and therefore use various spatial and organizational strategies to avoid or resist it. With that in mind, the aim of the thesis was to examine which strategies of Lithuanian autonomous movements have led to their successful realisation and sustainability. To achieve this, 12 expert interviews were conducted with activists who have contributed to the organisation of autonomous spaces, and criteria reflecting different orientations of self-organisation strategies were identified. According to criteria the insights of the informants were analysed and evaluated. Since agency in spatial politics is multi-modal, criteria extracted via thematic analysis reflected different orientations and processes of self-organisation: community and mobilisation potential, promotion of the production of knowledge, organisational integrity, catalysation of autonomy, and spatial resilience. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that categories of spaces (social, occupational and temporary self-education spaces) varied in terms of strategies. One of the main strategies was the development of social infrastructure that enabled production of community and interrelations. To a large extent, development of a community infrastructure was due to the presence of a material spatial base, which, by becoming a unifying factor provided a medium for the community to meet and develop. The production of knowledge emerged as a driving force for the formation of clearer activist identities. Autonomous spaces, both through conventional forms of education (lectures, workshops, reading groups) and informal interactions, developed into concrete political action. Analysis identified the importance of a clear organisational structure, linking a sustainable division of labour to the longevity of space. The main threats to the well-being of spaces were found to be internal, stemming from uneven workloads and activist fatigue. A more formal distribution of responsibilities and the creation of safe spaces that allowed the wider community to be involved in decision-making were highlighted as strategies to strengthen organisational sustainability. The ability of spaces to catalyse the autonomy of actors emerged in the analysis as an important factor in the success of spaces as well. Strategies such as resisting consumerism through DIY practices, disseminating alternative ideas, or creating a safe environment for experimentation and collective action, not only shaped subjects or enabled a commonality between them, but also produced an alternative spatial field, from which political action developed, influencing the city itself. Ultimately, strategies of resilience were manifested through illegal practices, community funding, secrecy and refusal to confine themselves to specific locations. This approach allowed activists to remain true to their ideals and to act independently of power structures or external aid, but at the same time limited their activities (e.g. through persistent lack of finance or efforts to remain unnoticed) and hindered community development. On the other hand, strategies of conditional formalization and normalization through lease relations, project work or other interactions, while obliged spaces to conform to an externally imposed order and placing them within a certain framework, also provided legal protection and extended their continuity, giving them more opportunities to become an integral place for the city.

Grantor dc:publisher

Institutional Repository of Vilnius University

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Linkevičius, Rokas,

Statement dc:rights

• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Language dc:language

lit

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.vu.lt/VU:ELABAETD210581777&prefLang=en_US

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vu.lt:elaba:210581777