Social Movements that Care

"Based on a most insightful analysis of one of the most inspiring and consequential networks of activists against evictions in Spain, this book originally investigates the practices of care developed to overcome the immobilising effects of some grievances and emotions. Adopting a relational, strategic and dynamic perspective, it shows the empowering effects of care in social movements."

- Donatella della Porta, Professor of Political Science, and Director of the Center on Social Movement Studies (Cosmos), Squola Normale Superiore, Italy.

"How do grievances lead to grassroots mobilisation? This excellent book offers a new theoretical explanation: there is a fundamental "logic of care" when solidarity early-risers politicise the grievances of those most affected by social injustice, and mobilise together. A must read for housing and social movement scholars and activists!"

- Miguel A. Martínez, Professor of Sociology, Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala University, Sweden.

"A compelling account of the ways in which Platform for those Affected by Mortgages (PAH) -a highly impactful social movement in Spain-organizes for successful contentious politics through care... one of the best books I have read about how caring makes social movements successful."

- Joan C. Tronto, Professor Emerita, University of Minnesota, USA.

The Platform of Those Affected by Mortgages (PAH) has left a crucial mark in the history of Spanish social movements by advocating for the over 700,000 families that have been evicted since its inception in 2009. This book explores how the PAH has blocked thousands of evictions through civil resistance, prevented many more through negotiations with banks, and rehoused thousands of evicted families in apartments recuperated from banks and vulture funds. Through the framework of the Politics of Care, Felipe G. Santos explores the emotional, identity, and participatory challenges that hindered the mobilization of those affected by mortgages. The book also reveals how empathy from a group of people unaffected by mortgage issues sparked mobilization, and how care relationships empowered those facing eviction to lead the fight for housing rights.

Felipe G. Santos is a Research Fellow at City, University of London, UK, and Babe¿-Bolyai University, Romania.