The Squatters' Movement in Europe

Book excerpt: The Squatters' Movement in Europe is the first definitive guide to squatting as an alternative to capitalism. It offers a unique insider's view on the movement – its ideals, actions and ways of life. At a time of growing crisis in Europe of high unemployment, dwindling social housing and declining living standards squatting has become an increasingly popular option. The book is written by an activist-scholar collective, of which all members have direct experience of squatting and many are still squatters today. There are contributions from Holland, Spain, the USA, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the UK. In an age of austerity and precarity this book contributes with in-depth reflections and practical examples of what has been achieved by this resilient social movement, which holds lessons for policy makers, activists and academics alike.