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Struggles for Justice in Canada and Mexico examines Canadian and Mexican communities engaged in collective action to address problems related to the context of aggressive capitalism, which favours economic freedom of the powerful over the needs of people and the planet. The book’s several case examples portray income-generating projects; action to promote health, adequate housing, and a safe environment (including resistance to mining); women’s resource and advocacy programs; as well as grassroots support organizations and independent organizers.
The author gathered stories in six states in the south of Mexico and two provinces in Canada between 2004 and 2010, with follow-up to 2012. Thematically, they centre on oppression and struggles for rights experienced by the poor, women, and Indigenous peoples. The author’s case-study method bolsters her narratives by including interviews, observation, and some participant-observation, with analysis that draws on social movement theory from sociology and community organizing theory from social work as well as knowledge from social psychology, liberation theology, popular education, and political science. The book presents the common themes and illustrates the central theories for practitioners in the many fields that promote social justice: social work, social development, health, human rights, environmental protection, and faith-based justice movements, among others. The conclusion presents a framework for conceptualizing social justice practice as a congruent paradigm composed of values, theory, objectives, and practice methods.
Table of Contents
List of Acronyms
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 | The Context of the Struggles
ONE: GLOBAL
Aggressive Capitalism
Responses to Neo-liberalism
Oppressed Populations
TWO: CANADA
The Socio-historical Background
Economic Neo-liberalism in Canada
Responses to Neo-liberalism in Canada
Oppressed Populations
THREE: MEXICO
The Socio-historical Background
Neo-liberalism in Mexico
Responses to Neo-liberalism in Mexico
Oppressed Populations
2 | The Stories of Struggle for Change
FOUR: INCOME GENERATION
Coffee Co-operatives
Other Producer Co-operatives
Income Generation Projects with External Support
FIVE: HEALTH, HOUSING, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Communities Organizing to Promote Health and Wellness
Communities Dealing with Health and Related Matters
Communities in Conflict with Canadian Mining Companies
SIX: WOMEN’S RESOURCES AND ADVOCACY
Women’s Resource Projects
Women Engaged in Advocacy
The Women’s Council of the San Cristóbal Diocese in Chiapas, Mexico
SEVEN: GRASSROOTS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AND INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS
The Community Development Workshop (TADECO) in Guerrero, Mexico
Two Independent Neighbourhood Organizers in Guerrero, Mexico
COMPA: Convergence of People’s Movements in the Americas
3 | Themes and Theories in the Struggles for Justice
EIGHT: THE PURPOSES OF THE COLLECTIVE ENDEAVOURS
The Challenges of the Context
The Motivating Influences
NINE: THE NATURE AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE COLLECTIVE WORK
The Principles, Objectives, and Commitment to Working Together
The Manner of Doing the Work and Structuring the Organizations
The Resources, Challenges, and Shared Benefits of the Collective Work
TEN: THE MEANS OF MOBILIZING FOR THE COLLECTIVE GOOD
The Focus of the Mobilization Activities and the Organizer Roles
Aspects of Mobilization Strategy
ELEVEN: CHALLENGES, CELEBRATIONS, AND CONCEPTUALIZATIONS
Challenges Faced in the Social Mobilization Process
Outcomes, Celebration, and Historical Review
Overall Conceptualizations for Bringing about Greater Justice
CONCLUSION
The Interdisciplinary Approach
The Ideals, Theory, Objectives, and Practice Methods
Thoughts for Further Research
My Hopes and Beliefs
Appendix: The Case Studies
References
Index