The suburbs are often seen as a space of comfort, security and stability, where people can enjoy a good quality of life away from the noise and chaos of the city. However, this image of the suburbs also conceals a process of depoliticization that affects the suburban political subject. In this blog post, I will argue that the suburban political subject is a product of a neoliberal logic that reduces politics to consumerism, individualism and conformity.
The suburban political subject is someone who lives in a suburban area, usually a middle-class homeowner who works in the city and commutes by car. The suburban political subject is shaped by the material and symbolic conditions of the suburbs, such as the spatial segregation, the homogeneity, the privatization and the consumption. The suburbs are designed to create a sense of security and belonging, but also to isolate and discipline the residents. The suburbs are not only a place to live, but also a way of life.
One of the main characteristics of the suburban political subject is their consumerism. The suburbs are full of shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants and other amenities that cater to the needs and desires of the residents. The suburban political subject is encouraged to consume as a way of expressing their identity, status and happiness. Consumption becomes a substitute for politics, as the suburban political subject is more concerned with their personal choices than with collective issues. The suburban political subject is also influenced by the advertising and media industries that promote a certain lifestyle and worldview. According to Harvey (2005), neoliberalism fosters a culture of consumerism that erodes the sense of citizenship and social responsibility.
Another characteristic of the suburban political subject is their individualism. The suburbs are based on the idea of private property and ownership, which fosters a sense of autonomy and independence. The suburban political subject is expected to take care of themselves and their family, without relying on or interfering with others. The suburban political subject is also detached from the social and environmental problems that affect the city and the world, as they live in a bubble of comfort and convenience. The suburban political subject is less likely to participate in civic or political activities, such as voting, protesting or volunteering. As Putnam (2000) argues, suburbanization contributes to the decline of social capital and civic engagement.
A third characteristic of the suburban political subject is their conformity. The suburbs are marked by a high degree of homogeneity and uniformity, both in terms of the physical environment and the social composition. The suburbs are dominated by a white, heterosexual, nuclear family norm that excludes or marginalizes other forms of diversity. The suburban political subject is pressured to conform to this norm, both by the social expectations and by the legal regulations that govern the suburbs. The suburban political subject is also influenced by the dominant ideology that supports the status quo and discourages dissent or critique. As Davis (1990) shows, the suburbs are sites of social control and repression that stifle any alternative or radical voices.
In conclusion, the suburban political subject is a depoliticized subject who is more interested in consumption, individualism and conformity than in politics. They are intentionally shaped by various psychopolitical and biopolitical forces through the suburban apparatus. These forces generally revolve around neoliberal markets and cost/benefit logics, that serve as a stand in for political activity. Unfortunately, consumer choice is not political choice, and until the suburban subject is given the tools to understand this fact, their political activities will remain bounded to the suburban apparatus and the interests of power, rather than their own political self-interest. The suburbs are not only a space of comfort, but also a space of control that shapes the behavior and attitudes of the residents. The suburban political subject is not aware of or concerned with the wider implications of their lifestyle and choices for themselves and for others. The suburban political subject is not an active citizen, but a passive consumer.
References and further reading
Alphin, C., & Debrix, F. (2023). Biopolitics in the ‘Psychic Realm’: Han, Foucault and neoliberal psychopolitics. Philosophy & Social Criticism, 49(4), 477-491.
Bauman, Z. (2007). Consuming Life. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Davis, M. (1990). City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles. London: Verso.
Foucault, M. (1977). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. New York: Vintage Books.
Hamel, P., & Keil, R. (Eds.). (2015). Suburban governance: A global view. University of Toronto Press.
Harvey, D. (2005). A Brief History of Neoliberalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Putnam, R.D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Sassen, S. (2001). The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
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