This explores the aesthetic dimensions of the Arab Spring and the worldwide protest movements that followed. From Egypt to India, and from Botswana to London, worker, youth and middle class rebellions have taken on the political and bureaucratic status quo. When most people can no longer earn a decent wage, they pit themselves against the privilege of small, wealthy and often corrupt elites. A remarkable feature of the protests from the Arab Spring onwards has been the importance of images, songs, videos, humour, satire and dramatic performances. This book explores the central role the aesthetic played in energising the massive mobilisations of young people, the disaffected, the middle classes and the apolitical silent majority. Discover how it fuelled solidarities and alliances among democrats, workers, trade unions, civil rights activists and opposition parties. It includes over 150 colour illustrations showing how visual media is used in protest movements across the globe. It offers a diversity of perspectives from political, media, visual, economic and linguistic anthropology, and the anthropology of work, art, social organisation and social movement.

About the Author
Pnina Werber is Professor Emerita of Social Anthropology, Keele University. Martin Webb is Lecturer in Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London. Kathryn Spellman-Poots is Associate Professor at the Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations.


Book Information
ISBN 9780748693351
Author Pnina Werbner
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint Edinburgh University Press
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Weight(grams) 959g