Grassroots Economies: Living with Austerity in Southern Europe

The austerity crisis has caused downward mobility, and Grassroots Economies explores the effects of the crisis on working people's livelihoods, providing insight into their anxieties and contradictions. It demonstrates that everyday interactions on the local scale provide a sense of the global.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2020
Publisher: Pluto Press

The austerity crisis has left a profound impact on Southern Europe's economic landscape, resulting in significant decimation of public services and infrastructure. Alongside this devastation, a generation's dreams and aspirations for the future have been shattered. In countries such as Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, a new reality of downward mobility has emerged, challenging the social fabric and economic stability of these nations.

Grassroots Economies delves into the profound effects of the economic crisis on the livelihoods of working individuals, offering valuable insights into their concerns and anxieties. Through a comprehensive comparative analysis, the book explores the contradictions and complexities of coping mechanisms and support structures employed by these individuals. With a particular focus on gender, the book examines the interplay of values, ideologies, and experiences, including dispossession and accumulation.

Ultimately, Grassroots Economies demonstrates that the local scale holds immense significance in understanding the broader global context. Everyday interactions and relationships within communities provide a window into the broader social, economic, and political dynamics shaping our world. This book serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of individuals and communities, and the importance of grassroots initiatives in addressing the challenges of our time.

Weight: 290g
Dimension: 135 x 214 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780745340234