BUSCADOR RECOLECTA

The 15-M mobilizations shook Spanish society and placed the demand for ‘real democracy’ at the center of political debate. In order to better understand the scope and impact of the Indignados’ democratizing endeavors, this article aims to address an issue that has not received much attention: the connection of this protest cycle with the political economy. To this end, both the opportunity structure generated by the economic crisis and the class and gen-erational conflicts shaping the mobilizations are analyzed. The article proposes that the symbolic and short-term success of 15-M in re-politicizing distributive conflicts contrasts with its medium- term inability to materially democratize the political economy. This relative failure can be explained by the confluence of several fac-tors: on the one hand, 15-M’s organizational weakness and its disconnection from a somewhat declining labor movement; on the other, the lack of responsiveness of Spain’s political institutions to street politics and the powerful structural inertia of economic dynamics created by decades of neoliberalism. The findings of this case study aim to contribute to scholarly debates on the impacts of social movements and their connection to political economy and social classes.The 15-M mobilizations shook Spanish society and placed the demand for ‘real democracy’ at the center of political debate. In order to better understand the scope and impact of the Indignados’ democratizing endeavors, this article aims to address an issue that has not received much attention: the connection of this protest cycle with the political economy. To this end, both the opportunity structure generated by the economic crisis and the class and gen-erational conflicts shaping the mobilizations are analyzed. The article proposes that the symbolic and short-term success of 15-M in re-politicizing distributive conflicts contrasts with its medium- term inability to materially democratize the political economy. This relative failure can be explained by the confluence of several fac-tors: on the one hand, 15-M’s organizational weakness and its disconnection from a somewhat declining labor movement; on the other, the lack of responsiveness of Spain’s political institutions to street politics and the powerful structural inertia of economic dynamics created by decades of neoliberalism. The findings of this case study aim to contribute to scholarly debates on the impacts of social movements and their connection to political economy and social classes., This article was supported by the Spanish State Research Agency [grant number PID2019- 104078GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033], Peer reviewed

Con autorización de la editorial para autores CSIC., Este trabajo se enmarca en el proyecto Evolución de la contienda política financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (referencia PID2019-104078GB-I00), Peer reviewed

Con autorización de la editorial para este capítulo., Este artículo se ha elaborado en el marco del proyecto PID2019-104078GB-I00 / AEI / 10.13039/501100011033, financiado por la Agencia Estatal de Investigación., Peer reviewed

In this research note, we explore citizens’ perceptions of climate change and the risks and benefits associated with various technologies, attending to citizens’ interest in science and technology and their civic ecological engagement. We focus on technologies such as energy generation, medical experimentation and genetic modification, artificial intelligence, and work robotization, emphasizing the complexity of the socio-ecological dimension of contemporary society. Using data from the Science and Technology Perception Survey (EPSCT) 2022, we analyse the association between civic engagement activities, interest in science and technology, climate consciousness, and these technologies. Our findings indicate that citizens’ perceptions of technology risks and benefits are associated with civic involvement and interest in science and technology. Active participation in public debates, NGO activities, or expressive civic actions tends to be associated with more positive perceptions of technology benefits, independently of the higher risk generally associated with some of them, for example, nuclear energy. However, significative differences emerge when considering climate consciousness and the perception of technologies as risks, with science and technology enthusiasts and engaged citizens potentially shaping public perceptions differently. Activating socio-ecological civic engagement and cultivating scientific culture can play a role in persuading public opinion on the perceptions of technology risks and benefits, highlighting the need for inclusive and informed decision-making processes in addressing contemporary socio-technological and socio-ecological challenges, such as climate change.

Pilot Survey CiudCovid2020 (See: How Did the Pandemic Shape the Dynamics of Two Civic Communities?: Unraveling Complementarities and Divergences Within Spain’s Civic CultureWithin Spain’s Civic Culture)