On “shrinking space”

a framing paper

Individual and collective activism is facing a global pushback from states, corporations and the Far Right. How useful is the metaphorical concept of ‘shrinking space’ to examine such repression of civic society? This report deconstructs the shrinking space narrative and critiques some of its inherent problems, particularly its conflation with ‘civic space’. Thus a Government can profess support for ‘civic space’ and human rights defender initiatives abroad, while adopting repressive domestic policies and promoting collusion with corporations that contribute to ‘shrinking space’.

Authors
Ben Hayes
Frank Barat
Isabelle Geuskens
Nick Buxton
Fiona Dove
Francesco Martone
Hannah Twomey
Semanur Karaman