Moral Politics of Sidewalk Vending: The Struggle between the City Authorities and Sidewalk Vendors of the City of Manila

What is it about?

Moral politics of sidewalk vending: the struggle between the city authorities and the sidewalk vendors of the City of Manila – This shows the construction of the context of sidewalk vending in the City of Manila from the perspectives of the authorities and the sidewalk vendors. It explains the moralization of the perceived problem form the point of view of the authorities and the vendors. This moral opposition between the vendors and the authorities remains a contributing factor to the unresolved problem of sidewalk vending in Manila. _x000D_ _x000D_ This paper argues that the moralization approach to the problem promotes antagonism instead of addressing the problem of social injustices experienced by the sidewalk vendors whose welfare is a mandated responsibility of local officials. _x000D_ _x000D_ Given the antagonism between the authorities and the sidewalk vendors, this study suggests the establishment of a contact zone between the vendors and the authorities. This could be done by means of creating a mechanism for the engagement between the state and vendors, which could be accomplished upon the initiative of an independent organization. The mechanism to be made will serve as a gateway for sidewalk vendors’ participation in the policy-making that concerns them.

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