Struggles for justice in Canada and Mexico : themes and theories about social mobilization

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Where to find it

Davis Library (6th floor)

Call Number
HN107 .S58 2017
Status
Available

Authors, etc.

Names:

Summary

Struggles for Justice in Canada and Mexico examines Canadian and Mexican communities engaged in collective action to address problems related to the context of aggressive capitalism, which favours economic freedom of the powerful over the needs of people and the planet. The book's several case examples portray income-generating projects; action to promote health, adequate housing, and a safe environment (including resistance to mining); women's resource and advocacy programs; as well as grassroots support organizations and independent organizers.

The author gathered stories in six states in the south of Mexico and two provinces in Canada between 2004 and 2010, with follow-up to 2012. Thematically, they centre on oppression and struggles for rights experienced by the poor, women, and Indigenous peoples. The author's case-study method bolsters her narratives by including interviews, observation, and some participant-observation, with analysis that draws on social movement theory from sociology and community organizing theory from social work as well as knowledge from social psychology, liberation theology, popular education, and political science. The book presents the common themes and illustrates the central theories for practitioners in the many fields that promote social justice: social work, social development, health, human rights, environmental protection, and faith-based justice movements, among others. The conclusion presents a framework for conceptualizing social justice practice as a congruent paradigm composed of values, theory, objectives, and practice methods.

Contents

  • List of Acronyms p. x
  • Acknowledgements p. x
  • Introduction p. 1
  • 1 The Context of the Struggles
  • 1 Global p. 11
  • Aggressive Capitalism p. 11
  • Responses to Neo-liberalism p. 15
  • Oppressed Populations p. 17
  • 2 Canada p. 21
  • The Socio-historical Background p. 21
  • Economic Neo-liberalism in Canada p. 24
  • Responses to Neo-liberalism in Canada p. 28
  • Oppressed Populations p. 30
  • 3 Mexico p. 39
  • The Socio-historical Background p. 39
  • Neo-liberalism in Mexico p. 52
  • Responses to Neo-liberalism in Mexico p. 57
  • Oppressed Populations p. 61
  • 2 The Stories of Struggle for Change
  • 4 Income Generation p. 71
  • Coffee Co-operatives p. 71
  • Other Producer Co-operatives p. 79
  • Income Generation Projects with External Support p. 83
  • 5 Health, Housing, and the Environment p. 91
  • Communities Organizing to Promote Health and Wellness p. 91
  • Communities Dealing with Health and Related Matters p. 95
  • Communities in Conflict with Canadian Mining Companies p. 102
  • 6 Women's Resources and Advocacy p. 111
  • Women's Resource Projects p. 111
  • Women Engaged in Advocacy p. 117
  • The Women's Council of the San Cristobal Diocese in Chiapas, Mexico p. 124
  • 7 Grassroots Support Organizations and Independent Community Organizers p. 131
  • The Community Development Workshop (TADECO) in Guerrero, Mexico p. 131
  • Two Independent Neighbourhood Organizers in Guerrera, Mexico p. 133
  • CCMPA: Convergence of People's Movements in the Americas p. 135
  • 3 Themes and Theories in the Struggles for Justice
  • 8 The Purposes of the Collective Endeavours p. 139
  • The Challenges of the Context p. 139
  • The Motivating Influences p. 145
  • 9 The Nature and the Structure of the Collective Work p. 155
  • The Principles, Objectives, and Commitment to Working Together p. 155
  • The Manner of Doing the Work and Structuring the Organizations p. 157
  • The Resources Challenges, and Shared Benefits of the Collective Work p. 167
  • 10 The Means of Mobilizing for the Collective Good p. 175
  • The Focus of the Mobilization Activities and the Organizer Roles p. 175
  • Aspects of Mobilization Strategy p. 185
  • 11 Challenges, Celebrations, and Conceptualizations p. 215
  • Challenges Faced in the Social Mobilization Process p. 215
  • Outcomes, Celebration, and Historical Review p. 221
  • Overall Conceptualizations for Bringing about Greater Justice p. 225
  • Conclusion p. 231
  • The Interdisciplinary Approach p. 231
  • The Ideals, Theory, Objectives, and Practice Methods p. 232
  • Thoughts for Further Research p. 241
  • My Hopes and Beliefs p. 245
  • Appendix: The Case Studies p. 247
  • References p. 253
  • Index p. 281

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