When Markets Become Contentious

Abstract

The article focuses on the demonstrations concerning the Group of Twenty (G-20) leadership issues, specifically the market condition in London, England. The protestors expressed their frustration with the bailout of large financial institutions rewarding executives with million-dollar bonuses. They perform street theater, some cried out for violent insurrection and others expressed outrage. It notes that all of these bring contentious political action to the market which is supported by an idealistic belief in the markets' power to respond to demands. This suggests that markets may serve as objects of contentious politics.