Ultras in portugal: narratives of violence, politics and gender
The rise of political extremes, mostly right-leaning, is the most important European development of the 21st century due to its potential to undermine the continent’s integrity and security. One of the contexts in which such political extremes originate, develop, and thrive is among a group of football fans known as ultras. Ultras have become the most spectacular form of football fandom, showcasing violence, politics, masculinity, and a fervent support of the club. Beyond the stadium, ultras also engage in other types of activism , which can threaten the fabric of European societies. Although the link between ultra membership and participation in other social movements has been established, there is a lack of understanding of the drivers and pathways between the two, particularly when it comes to the transition from football violence to political violence. ULTRA-VIOLENCE positions the Researcher to identify relationships between a) micro-, meso, and macro-level processes (ultras’ social networks, structural contexts of violence, different forms of deprivation, interactions with the authorities and security agendas) that shape individual pathways through the ultra world, b) the different types of activism carried out by ultras in Portugal; and c) the instances where ultra violence crosses over to politically motivated violence. Understanding these relationships will enhance national and international academic and policy understandings of ultra life courses and inform measures and approaches aimed at reducing ultra violence and politically motivated violence perpetrated by organisations and individuals holding extreme political views connected to the ultra world. It will also highlight strategies to shift ultra behaviour towards activism beneficial to society. ULTRA-VIOLENCE builds on and expands the Researcher's and Supervisor's previous work, connecting critical peace and conflict studies and feminist scholarship through the intersectionality of peace approach.