547
Popular Dissent in Sub-Saharan Africa

Wednesday, 13 July 2016: 10:45-12:15
Location: Hörsaal 26 (Main Building)
RC47 Social Classes and Social Movements (host committee)

Language: English

The nature of popular resistance in sub-Saharan Africa has much in common with the waves of protest that have swept across the globe in recent years. Consequently, scholarship on protest in Africa – while it certainly must take into account the diversity on the continent – has much to offer to the field of social movement studies. 
This session aims to attract a range of important voices that will examine the history, character and trajectory of grassroots struggles in sub-Saharan Africa but, at the same time, highlight the ways in which popular dissent in this region is connected to global patterns of protest. In particular, this session welcomes contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following issues: 

  • Working class struggle in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Leadership and the role of key political thinkers in past and present sub-Saharan contexts. 
  • “Dynamics of contention” in sub-Saharan Africa both within and outside the context of organized social movements. 
  • The intersection between community and labour movements in sub-Saharan Africa. 
  • Theoretical implications for social movement studies that draw on African cases.


Preference will be given to contributions that contextualize African struggles within the global picture of popular resistance.

Session Organizer:
Marcelle DAWSON, University of Otago, New Zealand
Posters:
The Structure of Urban Struggles: Insights from South Africa and Britain
Mario DIANI, University of Trento, Italy; Henrik ERNSTSON, African Center for Cities, UCT, South Africa; Lorien JASNY, University of Exeter, United Kingdom