Repository logo
 

City of clones: Facsimiles and governance in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Willis, Graham Denyer 

Abstract

jats:pSão Paulo is a megacity defined by formal and informal patterns of urbanization. Informally urbanized spaces are not absent of state intent, despite appearances. Grassroots-led social and spatial practices for survival, agency and self-governance contribute to the reproduction of urban political order in surprisingly unoriginal and routinely recognizable ways. This article argues that these unexceptional informal practices can be understood as ‘facsimiles’ of their formal institutional originals. Using the example of cloned cars the article shows that the facsimile and the original are the same in form and function. Facsimiles do not exist outside of political authority, but are a byproduct and a component of it. They are indistinguishable in their bureaucratic deployment, recognition and acceptance as part of social and spatial order.</jats:p>

Description

Keywords

Brazil, cities, governance, informality, Sao Paulo

Journal Title

CURRENT SOCIOLOGY

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0011-3921
1461-7064

Volume Title

Publisher

SAGE Publications