To Become Militant: the Construction of the Political Linkage in an Emerging Party. The Case of Proyecto Sur

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the construction of the political linkage in an emerging party, weakly structured and marked by the stamp of party leadership. Defined by a socio-thnographic study, we analyze the political socialization mechanisms and the ways of action of the militant groups. The defended hypothesis argues that the commitment is built through activities that shed a light on the learning of party proposals, that constitute the intellectual dimension of militancy, and their assignment takes on a practical dimension via the involvement of the local groups in extra-partisan events. In this continuum between political and social action the ethos of the PSur militant is constituted. Moreover, we provide evidence that the political linkage is not reduced to a personal relationship established between the leader and the militants. Thereby we seek to contribute to the political sociology of Argentinian parties, increasing the understanding of the internal dynamics of a small party, as to the phenomenon of politicization triggered in Argentina during the 2000s.