Local, European or globalocal identities:

the case of Velventos

in Western Macedonia (1985 -2010)

Ifigenia Vamvakidou, Assistant professorParaskevi Golia, Phd

Makis Mpelias, postgraduate student

University of Western Macedonia

GREECE

The Kallikratis plan is a new administrative

architecture for local authorities that might be

simple, functional and stable, leading to

powerful and efficient municipalities.

The Kallikratis plan refers to the Stability,

Development and Reconstruction Program and

its success is a "goal of national importance that

requires the contribution of all" for the Greek

government in order to follow the European

demand.

Describing the proposed changes as "greatly

delayed", the minister Papandreou claims that

they would finally allow Greece to throw off the

mantle of the European Union's most

centralized state, bringing about long-awaited

changes to local government while radically

changing the operation of central government

at the same time.

ADMINISTRATIVE ELECTIONSADMINISTRATIVE ELECTIONSTHE PRIME MINISTER Mr G. Papandreou made it clear that the local

elections is a referendum on the Kallikratis’ reform and a ratification of all

the measures that have been or will be taken by the government.

This year’s elections nominate the organs of the central administration at a

local level. ‘Kallikratis’ is the means by which the bourgeois state

supports the interests of the capital, commercializes the public space (as

foreseen by EU treaties) and burdens the people.

The region-specific problems as well as the general development of

Velventos municipality are political issues that are interlinked with the

general political orientation of our country and form part of the wider

social needs of today.

Local issues cannot be separated from wider political concerns. Velventian

people are fighting to come up with solutions to problems faced by

working class families, as well as lay the tracks for another model of

development, one that will serve the interests of the working classes.

The research

In Velventos area, a municipality that exists from 1985 to 2010 the

majority of citizens decided not to participate in this new Kallikratis

plan, because they don’t want to be INTEGRATED with the fellow-

municipality of Servia according to the Governments’ plan.

In this context during the period of 2009-2010 many demonstrations

have been erected against the unification.

Amongst them, we focus on the posters’ production as a local

demand vs the integration and vs the participation in the local

governments’ election of the 7th/11/2010.

WE FOCUS ON THE DIPOLIC, NARRATIVE SCHEMA AMONGST

THE LOCAL-GLOBAL-NATIONAL MEANINGS OF CITIZENSHIP

Methodology-figurative / thematic / axiological analysis is based on a semantic typology formulated GREIMAS, A. J. and J. COURTÉS, Semiotics and Language: An Analytical

Dictionary, Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1982.

This paper aims at drawing a general framework about how visual materials can be analysed in terms of campaign theme, campaign message and campaign strategies. The subject of the posters based on the decision of Velventos’ municipality to abstain

from the local elections (7th of November 2010), reacting to the unity.

The analysis will be based on the 16 posters that were designed in accordance with the official identity of Velventos municipality and published in the period between June and October 2010. The posters are addressed various target electorate, including CITIZENS AS INHABITANTS, men or women, young or old with these posters. The claim put forward in the posters is that the latest government choice about the unification is a wrong choice. We focus on the notion of local citizenship vs national citizenship. The meaning of national citizenship appears to be undergoing substantial changes. While, in the past, the salient characteristic of citizenship seems to have been identity revealed or identity conferred, citizenship increasingly displays a volitional quality. The aim of this paper is to link and explore regional and national divergences in the citizenship conversation.

Local history in VelventosLocal history in Velventos In the specific area of Velventos (ancient Elimia) in 1920 In the specific area of Velventos (ancient Elimia) in 1920

the agricultural union had been established as well as the agricultural union had been established as well as the Cooperative of Agricultural Credit Union and the the Cooperative of Agricultural Credit Union and the cooperative for the Restoration of landless cultivators. cooperative for the Restoration of landless cultivators.

In 1930 the cooperative for the Trade of tobacco has In 1930 the cooperative for the Trade of tobacco has been also established and lately in 1955 there was a been also established and lately in 1955 there was a dispute amongst its members: a new union appeared. dispute amongst its members: a new union appeared. Nevertheless the next year a third union has been Nevertheless the next year a third union has been brought into existence by the name “Youth”. brought into existence by the name “Youth”.

In 1957 both the second and the third consortium were In 1957 both the second and the third consortium were joined to form a new consortium by the name “Unity”. joined to form a new consortium by the name “Unity”.

ThThe cooperative movement in Velventos emerged at the beginning e cooperative movement in Velventos emerged at the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1920s the Agricultural Credit Cooperative of the 20th century. In the 1920s the Agricultural Credit Cooperative and the Cooperative for the Restoration of Landless Cultivators and the Cooperative for the Restoration of Landless Cultivators (SAAK) were founded, while in the 1930s the Cooperative of (SAAK) were founded, while in the 1930s the Cooperative of Tobacco Trade of Velventos was also founded. Tobacco Trade of Velventos was also founded.

In 1953 the members of the Agricultural Credit Cooperative were In 1953 the members of the Agricultural Credit Cooperative were organized in a consortium, named the First Consortium, aiming at organized in a consortium, named the First Consortium, aiming at organizing the distribution of their products. In 1955 there was a organizing the distribution of their products. In 1955 there was a dispute among the members of the cooperative that led to the dispute among the members of the cooperative that led to the establishment of the Second Consortium.establishment of the Second Consortium.

The following year a Third Consortium was founded under the The following year a Third Consortium was founded under the name “The Youth”. In 1957, the Second and the Third Consortiums name “The Youth”. In 1957, the Second and the Third Consortiums were united under the name Second Consortium, “Union”, and a were united under the name Second Consortium, “Union”, and a year later they decided the founding of the first Cooperative in year later they decided the founding of the first Cooperative in Greece for the processing and trade of horticulture products Greece for the processing and trade of horticulture products (SEPOP) of Velventos, “the Union”. Much later the First Consortium (SEPOP) of Velventos, “the Union”. Much later the First Consortium was also incorporated in SEPOPwas also incorporated in SEPOP

- The visual signs are in hot colours (red and yellow) according to the autumn nature, which underline the mood of the place. - The eye gaze (of a child) signifies the demand for safety and security, a sense of hopefulness and serenity, in order to persuade the electorate. - The message is simple, easy to understand and concise.- The title induce the reader to the subject = I DECIDE FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF VELVENTOS- The slogan ΔΗΜΟΨΗΦΙΣΜΑ = REFERENTUM looks like stamp and indicate commitment and reliability.

THE LINGUISTIC MATERIALTHE LINGUISTIC MATERIAL

GreimasGreimas' semantics is based on the seme, ' semantics is based on the seme, which is part of a signified. The repetition of a which is part of a signified. The repetition of a seme creates an isotopy. seme creates an isotopy.

On the textual level (or discursive level, as On the textual level (or discursive level, as opposed to the word and sentence levels), opposed to the word and sentence levels), isotopies, like the semes upon which they are isotopies, like the semes upon which they are based, may be classified as figurative, thematic based, may be classified as figurative, thematic or axiological. or axiological.

-

-our guide?Love for VelventosDo we vote?NO

They have taunted us…They are taunting us…NOWe don’t vote in the municipality’s electionsVelventos- independent Municipality

ResultsResults

Analysing the Analysing the posters (the visual posters (the visual and the linguistic and the linguistic message) we can message) we can “read” the central “read” the central opposition to be a opposition to be a spatial one “new spatial one “new integrated integrated municipality” vs municipality” vs “local old “local old Velventos Velventos municipality” municipality”

Axiology ThemeFigures

LocalityVs

Integration-expansion

Municipality of Velventos

NatureCity

ProductsCitizens

The dominant theme appears to be the opposition between The dominant theme appears to be the opposition between locality / locality / integration. integration.

Let us examine the axiology of the figures and themes we have Let us examine the axiology of the figures and themes we have identified. Oppositions are formulated with the first term being the identified. Oppositions are formulated with the first term being the local local citizenshipcitizenship in in a unified appearance: the signifier is that “we are a unit”. a unified appearance: the signifier is that “we are a unit”. The The local citizenship’slocal citizenship’s elements are: elements are: local-local-country, country, the workersthe workers, , thethe naturenature and the production, the inhabitans in a unified circle. and the production, the inhabitans in a unified circle.

IN THE GRAMMAR CONSTRUCTION WE READ THE PERSONAL IN THE GRAMMAR CONSTRUCTION WE READ THE PERSONAL PRONOUN IN THE SINGULAR “I DECIDE, I DON’T VOTE” AND IN PRONOUN IN THE SINGULAR “I DECIDE, I DON’T VOTE” AND IN

THE PLURAL “WE ARE UNIFIED, WE CAN MANAGE ALL THE PLURAL “WE ARE UNIFIED, WE CAN MANAGE ALL TOGETHER, WE GO ON…” TOGETHER, WE GO ON…”

WHICH MEANS THE COLLERATION AMONGST THE LOCAL IDENTITY WHICH MEANS THE COLLERATION AMONGST THE LOCAL IDENTITY AND THE PERSONAL CITIZENSHIP THAT HAD BEEN SHAPED ALL AND THE PERSONAL CITIZENSHIP THAT HAD BEEN SHAPED ALL

THESE YEARS THROUGH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTTHESE YEARS THROUGH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTTHE SECOND TERM IS ALL THE NEGATIVE DENOTATIONS, USED THE SECOND TERM IS ALL THE NEGATIVE DENOTATIONS, USED

USUALLY IN A TYPOLOGY OF PUBLIC/ REVOLUTIONARY / USUALLY IN A TYPOLOGY OF PUBLIC/ REVOLUTIONARY / RHETORIC DISCOURCE: “NO WE DON’T VOTE, NO VELVENTIAN RHETORIC DISCOURCE: “NO WE DON’T VOTE, NO VELVENTIAN

AS A NOMINEE, NO….NO”AS A NOMINEE, NO….NO”

CConversely, the onversely, the second term means the national second term means the national demand for the integrative citizenship demand for the integrative citizenship

These oppositions These oppositions may also be read as may also be read as contradictions since the local figures that are contradictions since the local figures that are used in order to demonstrate against the used in order to demonstrate against the integration are also global symbols of unification: integration are also global symbols of unification: people in Velventos appear to be a strong unit people in Velventos appear to be a strong unit vs the spatial and governmental integration with vs the spatial and governmental integration with the others- the neighborhood.the others- the neighborhood.

LOCAL VS NATIONAL?LOCAL VS NATIONAL?Citizenship vs ethnicity ?Citizenship vs ethnicity ?

Should the goal of citizenship be inclusion? Should the goal of citizenship be inclusion? For whom and where? For whom and where? At what level? Local, regional, national?At what level? Local, regional, national? Is it possible to have simultaneous loyalties to Is it possible to have simultaneous loyalties to

the nation and the city? the nation and the city? Is this desirable? If yes, how can we achieve it? Is Is this desirable? If yes, how can we achieve it? Is

it possible for everyone to be included under the it possible for everyone to be included under the citizenship umbrella? citizenship umbrella?

How are those who are disenfranchised or How are those who are disenfranchised or transient engaged? Is anyone excluded from transient engaged? Is anyone excluded from citizenship? What does that tell us about the citizenship? What does that tell us about the nature of Local-Greek citizenship? nature of Local-Greek citizenship?

While “nation-state” clearly refers to such common elements as territory, people, and an organized “sovereign”

state structure it is often given further content in terms of people sharing a common culture, sometimes even ethnicity. The concept suggests a substantive differentiation from other nation-states.

NEVERTHELESS IN THIS CASE OF VELVENTOS the local – spatial citizenship

seems to be stronger than the Greek-national identity.

Local citizenshipLocal citizenship Local citizenship refers to the granting, by local Local citizenship refers to the granting, by local

governments and organizations, of basic governments and organizations, of basic sociopolitical rights and services to the sociopolitical rights and services to the inhabitants as legitimate members of these local inhabitants as legitimate members of these local communities (Andrew and Goldsmith 1998; communities (Andrew and Goldsmith 1998; Tegtmeyer Pak 2001). Tegtmeyer Pak 2001).

This includes social programs and policies, This includes social programs and policies, services offered by local governments and local services offered by local governments and local activism to demand and secure basic rights.activism to demand and secure basic rights.

Although this type of citizenship is rarely Although this type of citizenship is rarely discussed in the scholarly literature, it has had a discussed in the scholarly literature, it has had a significant impact on the lives of the inhabitants.significant impact on the lives of the inhabitants.

Although the nation-state has been the predominant Although the nation-state has been the predominant framework used in analyses of citizenship, in recent framework used in analyses of citizenship, in recent decades (Holston and Appadurai 1999: 2) non-national decades (Holston and Appadurai 1999: 2) non-national organizations—both supranational and subnational—organizations—both supranational and subnational—have begun to challenge its status as the exclusive have begun to challenge its status as the exclusive purveyor of citizenship. purveyor of citizenship.

The result is an increasing discrepancy between the The result is an increasing discrepancy between the formal citizenship rights granted by nation-states and the formal citizenship rights granted by nation-states and the possession of substantive citizenship rights.possession of substantive citizenship rights.

In this manner, citizenship has become somewhat In this manner, citizenship has become somewhat delinked from nation-states: in this context the case of delinked from nation-states: in this context the case of Velventos is an interesting one. Velventos is an interesting one.

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION Instead of focusing exclusively on supranational Instead of focusing exclusively on supranational

citizenship as an alternative to formal citizenship citizenship as an alternative to formal citizenship citizens in Velventos argue that we need to citizens in Velventos argue that we need to

seriously consider subnational forms of seriously consider subnational forms of citizenship. In fact, local citizenship is a more citizenship. In fact, local citizenship is a more viable and independent type of non-national viable and independent type of non-national citizenship than supranational citizenship for a citizenship than supranational citizenship for a number of reasons. number of reasons.

First, in contrast to transnational and global First, in contrast to transnational and global citizenship, the local citizenship rights and social citizenship, the local citizenship rights and social services are actually enforced—by city and state services are actually enforced—by city and state ordinances, local law enforcement officials. ordinances, local law enforcement officials.

Second, national governments sometimes Second, national governments sometimes delegate considerable authority (and resources) delegate considerable authority (and resources) to local governments to run their own financial to local governments to run their own financial and educational programs.and educational programs.

Third, in some cases local authorities have Third, in some cases local authorities have shown considerable autonomous and shown considerable autonomous and independent policy initiatives by offering in their independent policy initiatives by offering in their local communities the citizenship rights and local communities the citizenship rights and services denied by the nation-state. services denied by the nation-state.

As a result, local citizenship has become a As a result, local citizenship has become a viable alternative that expands—and at times viable alternative that expands—and at times supersedes—the more restrictive citizenship of supersedes—the more restrictive citizenship of nation-states. nation-states.

Even when the state has marginalized some Even when the state has marginalized some specific areas, like that happens in North Greece specific areas, like that happens in North Greece and in Western Macedonia, the local and in Western Macedonia, the local communities through local governments expand communities through local governments expand their local authority and consequently they are their local authority and consequently they are shaping a strong local identity – citizenship.shaping a strong local identity – citizenship.

As an alternative to the formal citizenship granted by the As an alternative to the formal citizenship granted by the nation-state, local citizenship is more substantial and nation-state, local citizenship is more substantial and viable than the nominal and ultimately unenforceable viable than the nominal and ultimately unenforceable rights of transnational and postnational citizenship. rights of transnational and postnational citizenship.

Nonetheless, our enthusiasm for local citizenship should Nonetheless, our enthusiasm for local citizenship should not blind us to its serious limits. not blind us to its serious limits.

When citizenship is left to localities, each with its own When citizenship is left to localities, each with its own local conditions and contingencies, it becomes subject to local conditions and contingencies, it becomes subject to regional variation, ultimately sacrificing uniformity and regional variation, ultimately sacrificing uniformity and quality. quality.

Even proactive local governments have limited Even proactive local governments have limited geographical jurisdiction and resources. geographical jurisdiction and resources.