Mobilization and political momentum: anti asbestos struggles in South Africa and India.

Abstract

Focusing on mobilizations in South Africa and India, this chapter asks how, in relation to asbestos activism, do changing patterns of power and governance affect the meanings, experiences and patterns of citizen mobilization (and vice versa) in a globalizing world? Anti-asbestos movements in South Africa and India have very different trajectories and consequences which have created different and new axes of inclusion and exclusion. In South Africa, activism has led to the banning of all asbestos use, whereas mobilization in India struggles for government recognition of asbestos risks against a powerful pro-asbestos lobby. This chapter explores these contrasting mobilization strategies, asking what has led to these outcomes and who stands to gain from the process. Ultimately the chapter examines how anti-asbestos mobilization impacts on citizenship in terms of rights, values and accountability.

Owing to copyright restrictions, only the first 3 pages are attached, together with a link to the book at Zed Books.

Citation

Waldman, L. Mobilization and political momentum: anti asbestos struggles in South Africa and India. In: Globalizing Citizens: New Dynamics of Inclusion and Exclusion. J. Gaventa and R. Tandon (Editors). Zed Books, London, UK (2010) ISBN 9781848134713 (Hardback)

Published 1 January 2010