Marseille's Not for Burning: Comparative Networks of Integration and Exclusion in Two French Cities

Abstract

Many scholarly studies focus on the historical processes that lead to rioting and war, but few examine the forces that produce peace. This article is a broad, comparative examination of three variables that were important in the relative lack of ethnic conflict in Marseille, France, during an intense period of national rioting and tension in 2005. The three processes highlighted in the research are (1) Marseille's particular form of transnational, highly networked, ethnicity-based capitalism; (2) the specific geography, public infrastructure, and social organization of the city; and (3) the communitarian (difference-oriented) cultural approach of local officials. The case for Marseille's unique position is made through a comparative investigation of the economic and cultural development of Paris. Although both cities are globally integrated, they have developed in quite different ways in these three areas. I argue that these differences are important in explaining the dissimilar outcomes for the two cities during the October and November riots of 2005. Although the particular constellation of these three historical processes might not continue through time, it is worthwhile to consider why and how certain historical moments and places can become shelters of tolerance in violent times. Key Words: ethnic, Marseille, networks, peace, space.Muchos estudios académicos se enfocan sobre los procesos históricos que desembocan en amotinamientos y guerra, pero muy pocos examinan las fuerzas que generan paz. El presente artículo es un amplio examen comparativo de tres variables que fueron importantes para la relativa falta de conflictoétnico en Marsella, Francia, durante un intenso período de desórdenes y tensión nacional en 2005. Los tres procesos que se destacan en la investigación son (1) la forma particular del capitalismo de Marsella, transnacional, altamente eslabonado y basado en etnicidad;(2) la geografía específica, infraestructura pública y organización social de la ciudad; y (3) el enfoque cultural comunitario (orientado por las diferencias) de los oficiales locales. El caso de la posiciónúnica de Marsella está fundamentado en investigación que la relaciona comparativamente con el desarrollo económico y cultural de París. Aunque ambas ciudades están integradas globalmente, se han desarrollado de maneras muy diferentes en estas tresáreas. Sostengo que estas diferencias son importantes para explicar las maneras disímiles como actuó la gente de las dos ciudades durante los desórdenes de octubre y noviembre de 2005. Si bien la constelación particular de estos tres procesos históricos podría no continuar en el futuro, bien vale la pena considerar por qué y cómo ciertos momentos históricos y lugares pueden convertirse en bastiones de tolerancia en tiempos violentos.

Reflections on why riots don’t happen

“…Less attention is paid in Katz's (2012) work, and indeed that of Lukas (2009), Mitchell (2011) and Schneider (2014, to the situational and interactional levels of analysis. In what follows, whilst I use all six elements of the flashpoints model to structure the argument below, of necessity given my more local and immediate focus, I place more emphasis than much previous work has done on the interactional element of the flashpoints model.…”

Socio-spatial diversity of Marseille at the turn of the 21st century

“…Mitchell (2011) indicates three factors responsible for the relatively peaceful situation in Marseille in 2005, which also correspond to above findings, these are: (a) Marseille's form of transnational, networked, ethnicity-based capitalism; (b) the specific geography, public infrastructure, and social organisation of the city; and (c) the cultural approach of local officials, called difference-oriented or communitarian.…”

A Multiracial Republic? The Challenges Faced by the Maghreb Population in France

“…Maghreb residents are not confined to the outskirts of the city, as the city's central neighborhood is also home to a visible community of Maghrebis. Government-built low-income housing units in Marseille were not located exclusively on the margins of the city, with the units being dispersed across the urban area (Mitchell, 2011). In addition, the city center contains multiple urban recreation areas, including beaches, which are widely used by Maghreb and non-Maghreb youth alike.…”

“…When it was founded in 2001, this department was unique in France. A prominent organization operating under this department is Marseille Espérance, which brings together the city's political officials and religious leaders (Mitchell, 2011). The leaders act as a force of unity, acting as mediators in community conflict as well as giving statements in favor of tolerance when racial tensions flare up nationally or locally.…”

“…This framework is represented by the city's Service de relations avec les communautés (Service for Community Relations), a department tasked with managing relations between the city and identity-based communities as well as relations between the communities themselves (Mitchell, 2011). When it was founded in 2001, this department was unique in France.…”