Music and Transnational Activism

Some songs are part of the repertoire of protests of social movements all over the world. These songs have been written in a specific geographic and historical context (and referred to a particular struggle or social movement) but are adopted by activists across the globe and in different historical moments.

These protest songs represent a connection with previous social movements and contribute to inspire and define new movements. Moreover, these protest songs reinforce a global dialogue that contribute to create new imaginaries that may stretch across borders.

This paper analyses the elements contributing to the diffusion of protest songs through time and space and how they enhance the struggle for justice. The understanding of these elements contributes to explain the mechanisms that boost global struggles for justice and human rights through music.