Activist Citizenship in Southeast Europe

This book provides insights into recent citizen-led movements in Southeast Europe, challenging stereotypes and highlighting innovative forms of activism.

This volume delves into recent instances of progressive citizen-led mobilization that have emerged across Southeast Europe over the last decade. The chapters in Activist Citizenship in Southeast Europe were initially published as a special issue in Europe-Asia Studies, providing a comprehensive overview of the dynamic protests that have allowed citizens to confront established notions of citizenship. These movements have created opportunities for individuals to address perceived inequalities in power dynamics between elites and the general populace.

Each contribution within Activist Citizenship in Southeast Europe challenges the stereotype of post-socialist populations as inherently passive, revealing a vibrant landscape of activism that blends local traditions with global protest networks. The authors present detailed case studies that illustrate the unique catalysts for these protests, such as the encroachment of private ownership into public spaces and the repercussions of austerity measures. These events are shown to be rooted in the specific historical and socio-political contexts of the region, highlighting the indigenous nature of the protests.

In summary, this volume emphasizes the innovative forms of activist citizenship that have emerged in Southeast Europe, demonstrating how local populations have adapted and responded to their circumstances. By examining these movements, Activist Citizenship in Southeast Europe sheds light on the evolving landscape of civil society in a region often misunderstood in broader narratives of activism.