Conversando con Andrej Holm. Por unas ciencias sociales críticas con las transformaciones urbanas

Abstract

German sociologist Andrej Holm has focused his attention on urban renewal processes taking place in German cities, most specifically in the inner-city of Berlin. His critical approach to the imposition of a neoliberal urban regime since the fall of the Wall is in accordance with his active role within the social movements. In this interview, Andrej Holm explains the consequences of his activism: after living under unnoticed surveillance for some months, in summer 2007 he was arrested and accused of being a terrorist. Some notions which are recurrent in his academic texts, such as “gentrification“, as well as his privileged access to bibliographic resources as a scholar, were used as arguments against him. Drawing on these facts, occurred while anti-terror policies are being used by States as a way to control dissidences, and while academic autonomy is being restricted, Andrej Holm reflects on the possibility of a critical social science.