Leaderlessness in social movements: Advancing space, symbols, and spectacle as modes of “Leadership”

Abstract

The emergence of the Occupy movements along with other social movements in 2011 elevated the idea of radically decentralized 'leaderless' social movement organizations. We argue that looking at such an alternative, horizontalist form of organizing presents an opportunity to reframe how we understand leadership. This paper illustrates how the coordination of the Occupy London movement was accomplished horizontally in the absence of formal organization, leadership or authority structures. Using an ethnographic approach, we show how this movement generated a 'multimodal' repertoire of protest that included: i) the politically effective occupation of urban space; ii) the ability to deploy symbols as compelling forms of aesthetic questioning; and iii) the creation of politically-charged spectacles that allowed the movement to appropriate the news agendas of established broadcast media. The findings of this paper challenge the language of leadership and contribute to understandings of feminist forms of leadership and leaderless organizing by explaining one way that 'leadership' occurs in horizontal organizational structures such as social movements. Namely, we demonstrate how the modes of space, symbols, and spectacles effectively replace the role of 'leader' in the absence of formal organizational structures.

The Value of Netnography for Research in HRD

“…Therefore, notwithstanding a stance towards participant observation, Netnography requires a level of researcher 'estrangement' to provide a basis from which it is possible to question and critique power structures that are maybe supported and sustained by technologies controlled by, or benefitting, corporations, individuals or groups. Within the HRD field there has, thus far, been limited use Netnography, but the work of Keshtiban et al (2021) illustrates its potential to advance understanding of social movements and horizontalism as features that can challenge traditionally understood power hierarchies. In summary, the Netnographic axiological stance focuses on potential for betterment of society; openness to decolonizing online spaces; confrontation of structures of power; and a stance towards social change through social movements.…”

“…We first identify how Netnography can exploit previously underused HRD data sources generated in hard-to-access online work contexts, such as gig work and other forms of precarious working to examine how formal and informal, tacit and explicit learning can interact with precarious and technologically mediated forms of work. Second, we propose that, as shown by Keshtiban et al (2021), Netnography can add to critical HRD research and theorising through access to previously 'hidden', overlooked or under-researched voices. Third, we show how Netnography can extend HRD knowledge of learning in hybrid work environments where physical and digitized networks and dimensions are intertwined in work and learning environments.…”

“…We propose that Netnography is ideally suited as a means to access collective learning experiences or to identify tactics of resistance in emerging work spheres, such as gig work and precarious work, especially related to grassroots processes of solidarity, resistance, and collective action. Social movements and grassroots organising are two under-researched areas from which HRD researchers and professionals have a lot to learn (Keshtiban et al, 2021), yet little exploration of social movements has characterised the HRD field so far (Grenier, 2019). An example of the empirical research opportunities presented by Netnography is platform work, also known as 'gig work'.…”

“…By providing new sources of data and analytical processes that may 'surprise' of 'sit uncomfortably' against expectations generated through existing theoretical framings, Netnography can inform, support, revise or refute existing frameworks or explanations. As Keshtiban et al (2021) argue, this makes possible an important criterion of conceptual and theoretical 'currency' in emergent, applied settings.…”

“…Over time, the methodological basis of Netnography has been refined and clarified as it has been utilised in different disciplines such as education, including adult education (Ngo & Eichelberger, 2020), sociology (Addeo, et al, 2019) and political science (Jester, 2022), while methodological papers are currently exploring opportunities and challenges afforded by Netnography to different fields, such as accounting (Jeacle, 2021), tourism (Tavakoli & Wijesinghe, 2019), and geography (Wu, 2022). However, its application in the HRD and related fields has so far been limited to a very few studies (see, for example, Keshtiban et al, 2021; Parth et al, 2021).…”