Marginalized Stakeholders and Performative Politics

Public forums often exclude certain groups (e.g. the elderly, women, youth, critical political voices) in various ways, and conscribe pre-set roles for politicians, experts, and different constituent groups. In order to present their arguments, such marginalized stakeholders must develop political analytical lenses, viable strategic plans, and creative ways to “perform” and grab attention as activists. Celina Su's lecture on the evening of October 18 illustrated how everyday citizens participate in and shape policy-making and community development in ways other than voting -- via deliberative democracy when inclusive institutions exist, and via protest and social movement when they do not. She draws upon cases from around the world, and in particular her work from the US, in New York City and its school board, in order to glean potential lessons for increasingly globalized activist groups and social movements. 

Click here to watch the video of Su's lecture.