Beyond Social Movements: A Relational Typology of Urban Conflicts
Systematic quantitative research on urban conflicts began in the 1960s. Analysis of these events is often embedded in the conceptual framework of social movements. Long viewed as the focus of these movements, it is now clear that urban conflicts are not all led by movements. Indeed, social change is often initiated by social activists who do not associate themselves with social movements or particular organizations. An important question therefore arises: How do we adequately analyze urban conflicts led by these activists? This paper presents a typology of urban conflicts in which all struggles are subsumed, regardless of who is involved. This typology sheds light on women’s urban activism and on the crucial role of women in urban settings.