7 - Socioeconomic (In)Justice as a Catalyst for Social Mobilisation

Summary

Chapter 7 shows how socioeconomic injustice can act as the catalyst for social mobilisation, looking at the Bosnian protests of 2017. This chaper finally shows how socioeconomic justice issues can be connected to social justice struggles that build on the unresolved legacies of conflict. I explore the claims and slogans of the protests, and trace a connection between these and wartime socioeconomic violence and its continuation during the transition. By looking at the modes of participation and organisation that characterised the protests, I also show how activism and contentious politics are an important part of post-war justice processes. Lastly, the chapter analyses the international community’s reaction to the protests, highlighting its rigid conception of ‘justice’ and inability to engage in meaningful dialogue with a grassroots, horizontal movement.