Politics of civility: the case of the Association of Undocumented People of Madrid

Abstract

The mobilization of undocumented immigrants in civil society reflects the politics of civility, defined by Balibar as the creation of a space for an inclusive political community based on equality. The case analysed in this article, the Association of Undocumented People of Madrid, refers to a group of undocumented sellers of pirate products who decide to organize and claim their contribution to society. The Association aims to change the legislation both as undocumented and as sellers of illegal products (i.e. ‘institutional change’), but in order to become equal members of the community, they also require a more radical change in society (i.e. ‘societal change’). Thinking beyond the framework of national citizenship, migrants, as workers, attempt to foster alternative economic and social conditions.