M. (Martijn) Koster: “In fear of abandonment. Slum life, community leaders and politics in Recife, Brazil”

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6 Mar 2009 16:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: Prof.dr. T.B. Hansen (UvA)
Co Promotor: Dr.ir. M.C.M. Nuijten, Dr.ir. P.A. de Vries

 The dissertation “In fear of abandonment: slum life, community leaders and politics in Recife, Brazil” is the result of anthropological research in a Brazilian slum. I show that slum dwellers organise their lives in ways that differ from those of middle and upper class people. The differences emerge from slum dwellers’ marginalised and stigmatised position in society, which also influences their way of defining and doing politics. With the concept of “ slum politics” I represent how slum dwellers time and again attempt to realise their needs and aspirations. Next to material needs, they aspire for being recognised as human beings, grounded in a fear of complete abandonment. The main facilitators of “slum politics” are community leaders, who, although officially inexistent according to government documents, structure life in the slum and establish connections with officials, politicians and other people outside the slum.
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