The Politics of the Crowbar: Squatting in London, 1968-1977
Anarchist Studies - ISSN 2633-8270
Volume 24 Number 2
The Politics of the Crowbar: Squatting in London, 1968-1977
Rowan Tallis Milligan pages -
Abstract
This paper examines the London squatting movement and argues that it was a key radical social movement which redefined the ownership of space and politicised housing. I challenge the dominant framework through which both squatters and scholars currently view squatting. Squatting is predominantly framed as a binary between political squatters who take buildings in order to engage in political activism and deprivation squatters who live in empty homes out of necessity due to their homelessness. I propose that all squatting is inherently political as it challenges ownership of property and the authority of the state in allocating housing, and forces confrontation with the state. Thus, whether out of need or choice, all squatters are political agents.
To cite this article
Rowan Tallis Milligan (2016) The Politics of the Crowbar: Squatting in London, 1968-1977, Anarchist Studies, 24(2), -