George Rigakos: Nightclub. Bouncers, Risk, and the Spectacle of Consumption

George Rigakos (Credit: Ashley Fraser/Ottawa Citizen)

CrowdControl: Being a Marxist, how would you describe the, somewhat, paradox that it is the proletarian working class brought into action to control and police the urban elite's ›urban economy of the spectacle‹, or vice versa, the ›spectacle of the urban economy‹? In addition: You call them an »international proletarian security force«. What might be (more the less) likely consequences, though?

George Rigakos: I know that this may sound rather romantic but I do believe that something quite significant and positive can happen if bouncers get organized.  I for one would very much like to look to either side and see them marching next to me at the next political protest.  There are trends indicating that this may one day happen:  Bouncers are working in larger venues in greater numbers and they are increasingly working for contract providers undermining their identification with a nightclub instead of their direct employer.  As they are increasingly becoming part of contract security companies this means the possibility of standardized wages and collective bargaining agreements.  But even more than this, bouncers see the worst excesses of capitalism.  They are often the violent targets of aggression fuelled by binge drinking and their vetting of populations based on race, class and gender.  They are in more need of dental plans, long-term health benefits, wellness plans, and even basic equipment like bullet-proof vests and stab armour than other security employees and even the public police.  That being said, up to now, we know that they have simply been muscle for VIPs and scandalous nightclub proprietors.  They reinforce crass distinctions on a nightly basis.  This may continue but there is an increasing structural incentive toward solidarity.  In some cases this solidarity may literally be a matter of life and death.

George is associate professor of Law, Criminology, and Political Economy at Carleton University (Canada), author of ›The New Parapolice: Risk Markets and Commodified Social Control‹ (2002) and one of the authors in our recent book: Volker Eick, Jens Sambale, Eric Töpfer: ›Kontrollierte Urbanität. Zur Neoliberalisierung städtischer Sicherheitspolitik‹ (2007).