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The Squatters' Movement in Europe

The Squatters' Movement in Europe

Squatting Europe Kollective

(2014)

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Book Details

Abstract

The Squatters' Movement in Europe is the first definitive guide to squatting as an alternative to capitalism. It offers a unique insider's view on the movement – its ideals, actions and ways of life. At a time of growing crisis in Europe with high unemployment, dwindling social housing and declining living standards, squatting has become an increasingly popular option.

The book is written by an activist-scholar collective, whose members have direct experience of squatting: many are still squatters today. There are contributions from the Netherlands, Spain, the USA, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the UK.

In an age of austerity and precarity this book shows what has been achieved by this resilient social movement, which holds lessons for policy-makers, activists and academics alike.

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Cover Cover
Contents v
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction: Squatting as an Alternative to Capitalism - Claudio Cattaneo and Miguel A. Martinez 1
1. Squatting as a Response to Social Needs, the Housing Question and the Crisis of Capitalism - Miguel A. Martinez and Claudio Cattaneo 26
Part I: Case Studies 59
2. 'The Fallow Lands of the Possible': An Enquiry into the Enacted Criticism of Capitalism in Geneva's Squats - Luca Pattaroni 60
3. The Right to Decent Housing and a Whole Lot More Besides: Examining the Modern English Squatters' Movement - E. T. C. Dee 85
4. The Power of the Magic Key: The Scalability of Squatting in the Netherlands and the United States - Hans Pruijt 110
5. Ogni Sfratto Sara Una Barricata: Squatting for Housing and Social Conflict in Rome - Pierpaolo Mudu 136
Part II: Specific Issues 165
6. Squats in Urban Ecosystems: Overcoming the Social and Ecological Catastrophes of the Capitalist City - Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro and Claudio Cattaneo 166
7. Squatting and Diversity: Gender and Patriarchy in Berlin, Madrid and Barcelona - Azozomox 189
8. Unavoidable Dilemmas: Squatters Dealing with the Law - Miguel A. Martinez, Azozomox and Javier Gil 211
Conclusion - Miguel A. Martinez and Claudio Cattaneo 237
Contributors 255
Index 259