Politics in the Crevices

“In this brilliant, theoretically astute, and thoughtful multisited ethnography, Sarah El-Kazaz explains how the markets for housing in Cairo and Istanbul have been forged by historical and political forces. She shows how the displacement of urban politics onto the ostensibly apolitical milieus of tourism, heritage, and community affects struggles over housing and the right to the city in these two world metropolises. This book is a crucial contribution to our understanding of the politics of urban planning under neoliberalism.” - Laleh Khalili, Professor of International Politics, Queen Mary University of London

“In this rich political ethnography Sarah El-Kazaz asks how neoliberal modes of government have reshaped forms of urban politics in ways that challenge common assumptions about neoliberalism. The key terms of neoliberal politics—private ownership, value, interest, and property—are not, as it turns out, fixed and uniform concepts but in each case open to contestation and redefinition. With an innovative argument, superior research, and broad appeal, Politics in the Crevices offers a detailed and convincing account of these dynamics at work.” - Timothy Mitchell, author of Carbon Democracy: Political Power in the Age of Oil

"Politics in the Crevices stands out among its kind. The combination of theoretical robustness, sharp on-the-ground observations, and meticulous analysis leaves the reader with a desire to engage further with the questions set throughout the book." - Firat Genç, New Perspectives on Turkey