A ‘left behind’ Habitus? Understanding Local Political Disengagement Using Bourdieu

Wilson, Suzanne orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-7021-8967 (2024) A ‘left behind’ Habitus? Understanding Local Political Disengagement Using Bourdieu. Space and Polity . ISSN 1356-2576

[thumbnail of VOR]
Preview
PDF (VOR) - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

940kB

Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/13562576.2024.2407146

Abstract

Bourdieu’s theory of social reproduction is applied to interpret the structural conditions and experiences of citizens in ‘left behind’ places (LBP) along the Cumbrian coastline (UK). The findings from a longitudinal participatory study imply a ‘left behind’ habitus where citizens disengage with local and national politics. This suggests that place-based initiatives aimed at reducing spatial inequalities, such as Levelling Up and the current devolution agenda, will be ineffective without considering the subjective, physical, distance LBP feel from political institutions. Future research needs to explore relational strategies which align the local democratic field with local civic habitus to foster liberal democracy.


Repository Staff Only: item control page