Tenement Nation: Working-Class Cosmopolitanism in Edinburgh

Blue-collar politics have been associated with resistance to multiculturalism, but in Edinburgh, Scotland, a closer look reveals the growth of liberal democratic ideals in the working-class population. Christa Ballard Tooley's Tenement Nation explores the battle for a neighborhood called the Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town, showing how the working-class community negotiated gentrification plans and formed alliances with upper-class heritage supporters to restrict commercial development. This study highlights a working-class cosmopolitanism in pursuit of social, economic, and political inclusion.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: Indiana University Press

In the global landscape, blue-collar politics have often been linked to resistance against multiculturalism. However, when examining the situation in Edinburgh, Scotland, a more nuanced picture emerges. While it is true that there is a resistance to multiculturalism in this city, a closer look reveals a fascinating growth of liberal democratic ideals within the working-class population. This population has a distinct goal: how can Edinburgh, a European city, preserve its unique identity and prevent the commodification of its entrepreneurial forces by globalization?

In her book Tenement Nation, Christa Ballard Tooley delves into the struggle for a neighborhood known as the Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town. Tooley's insightful exploration of the working-class Canongate community as they navigate gentrification plans provides a rich and complex understanding of class and nation. The threat of redevelopment in the Canongate sparked a widespread response among Edinburgh residents, who rallied behind the residents' campaign. Against these development projects, alliances were formed between upper-class heritage supporters and working-class urban residents, who sought support from institutions such as the European Union and UNESCO to restrict commercial development.

Tenement Nation goes beyond these negotiations between socioeconomic classes and even nationalities to showcase what Tooley refers to as working-class cosmopolitanism. This cosmopolitanism is driven by a desire for social, economic, and political inclusion among the working class. The book explores how the residents of the Canongate navigate the challenges of globalization while striving to maintain their distinct identity and heritage. It sheds light on the complexities of urban development, cultural change, and the struggle for social justice in contemporary society.

Edinburgh's experience highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of working-class communities in shaping the cities we live in. It emphasizes the need for inclusive policies and strategies that promote social mobility, economic opportunity, and cultural preservation. By embracing a working-class cosmopolitanism that values diversity and inclusivity, cities can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all their residents.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253066008