Title
“Das Kapital.” An Ethnography of emotions' circulation, care, and resistance within an anti-racist and anti-deportation group in Lower Saxony
Abstract
Drawing on feminist theory and activist ethnography, this thesis analyses the affective economies of an anti-deportation and anti-racist group in a medium-sized city in Lower Saxony. It examines how group members experience, negotiate, and rework their affective capital in an increasingly hostile context towards migrants and those who support them in the(ir) fight for self-determination, freedom of movement, and residence. In doing so, it contributes to debates in migration studies, social movement research, and the sociology of emotions from the perspective of an activist and researcher.
Adopting a qualitative approach, the research combines participant observation, interviews, and creative methods. Reflexivity and positionality are emphasised, given my involvement in the activities of the group with which this study is co-produced. The research reveals that despite often feeling exhausted and experiencing a diminished sense of hope for a better future, individuals engaged in solidarity and 'political work' strive for profound societal transformation. They create alternatives to mainstream social structures and develop practices of care and resistance to combat despair and fatigue.
These findings emphasise the need for more in-depth consideration of ways to maintain solidarity and political engagement among this group and others. Future research should delve deeper into the intersection between emotions and social movements, as this could lead to unexpected discoveries.
Keywords
Solidarity, Emotion, Circulation, Care, Feminist Theory, Resistance, Ethnography
Author
Sara Ferrigno
Universities and year
Universities of Osnabrück and Linköping, 2026