Rural Discontent and Disruptive Politics: A Spatial Justice Perspective

This thematic intervention proposes the adoption of a spatial justice framework to examine the drivers of rural support for disruptive political movements and their implications for environmental action. Disruptive parties, especially on the right, have adopted climate-sceptic stances against net zero policies, attributed to the courting of rural support. Yet, the relationship between rural discontent and disruptive politics is not fully understood. The article defines disruptive politics and positions it as part of a wider ‘politics of feeling’. As such, it argues, rural support for disruptive politics cannot be explained by political-economic characteristics or material inequalities, but results from voters interpreting politics through a lens of ‘rural consciousness’ in which rural communities are perceived to be unfairly treated by urban-centred politics and neglected by established parties and institutions. This framing reflects a perception of spatial injustice. The article outlines how spatial justice as a multidimensional concept can provide insights into experiences and perceptions of rural-urban equalities and threats to the ‘right to the rural’, as well as into the consequences of rural populism in compromising the right to the rural of minorities, and provide a normative framework for exploring alternative responses to rural grievances that are more inclusive and empowering.