“Keep up the Good Work, Za naš Kej!” Citizens’ Passive Support to the Local Activist Group

Sanja Iguman; Nevena Mijatović; Sara Nikolić

doi:10.2298/FID2201120I

Authors

Sanja Iguman University of Belgrade, Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory
Nevena Mijatović University of Belgrade, Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences
Sara Nikolić University of Belgrade, Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2298/FID2201120I

Keywords:

civic engagement, political participation, activist-research, local community, Serbia, New Belgrade

Abstract

Deep-rooted political turbulence, along with the present hybrid regime, have resulted in an undesirable social, economic and political milieu in Serbia. Such an atmosphere is a fertile ground for a grey economy, corruption, nepotism and restrictions to media freedoms. These ‘unconventional’ means of social functioning, have caused a decline in trust towards state institutions and proportionally, increase of citizen participation in non-institutional models of engagement.

The aim of this paper is to analyse one such model of non-institutional engagement: the local activist group Za naš Kej, operating in the area Savski blokovi (Sava apartment blocks) in New Belgrade. The authors analysed local residents’ perception of the activist group Za naš Kej in comparison to the group’s narratives and actions. By using a grounded theory approach authors explained the role of groups such as Za Naš Kej in the development of participatory and deliberative democracy within the local community.

Our data indicates that Za naš kej, despite its local character, does not have a strong foothold in the community, and thus receives only passive support. Citizens perceive Za naš kej as mediator between local institutions and residents of the Sava apartment blocks. Despite the failure to mobilise a wider group of citizens for their cause, this activist group continues to be a relevant (political) actor within the local community.

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