7. Translating Critique: Civil Society and the Politicisation of Financial Regulation

This chapter approaches translation from an actor-network theory (ANT) perspective drawing, in particular, on Michel Callon’s sociology of translation. It follows Callon’s notion of translation conceptualised in four analytical steps: problematisation, interessement, enrolment, and mobilisation. Translation denotes the complex process through which knowledge is identified and facts are constructed, actors are turned into stakeholders, and an actor-network is ultimately formed. The chapter deploys the case of Finance Watch, a European pro-reform interest and advocacy group founded in Brussels after the 2008/2009 financial crisis. The chapter shows how Finance Watch gradually lost capacity for critique as it adopted the routines and language of its object of critique. This followed from a process of translating which included the advocacy group’s initial problematisation of financial regulation reforms, alliance construction, and finally denoting itself as a spokesperson for a network of civil society actors.