Class struggle in financial capitalism

The case of the Manoel Congo Occupation, Rio de Janeiro (2007-2023)

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8966/2026/97118

This article analyzes the history and dynamics of the Manoel Congo Occupation, located at 20 Alcindo Guanabara Street, in Cinelândia, downtown Rio de Janeiro. The analysis emphasizes the implementation of the Minha Casa Minha Vida housing program in the building where the occupation is situated. This study aims to discuss the hypertrophy of the financial character of contemporary capitalism and its relationship with urban space. In a context where such space becomes a means for capital accumulation, the Manoel Congo Occupation emerges as an example of the struggle for the use value of the city. Methodologically, the study adopts the historical-dialectical materialist approach. It is an empirical, qualitative research, using retroductive reasoning and featuring an interdisciplinary profile, drawing on the fields of Law, Philosophy, Sociology, Geography, and Architecture and Urbanism. The research techniques employed include semi-structured interviews with two residents, non-participant observation conducted during four visits to the occupation, document analysis, and literature review.