Abby Peterson – författare

First published in 1997, this book examines the issue of racist and antiracist movements which are increasingly taking the stage in contemporary European societies in the face of a rapidly changing cultural landscape. The drama of immigration has been enacted by these movements with heightened intensity since the 1908s, and in particular the struggle is engaging the youth of Europe. In this book the author discusses the two sides of the antiracist movement in Sweden, on the one hand, the explosive sociality of the confrontation, a phenomenon she designates as neo-sectarianism, and on the other hand, the ephemeral sociality of ‘rainbow coalitions’ of non-confrontation, In focus is the participation of young people in the antiracist movement. It is an attempt by young people to not merely respond to perceived social changes and problems within society, but to actively participate in and shape society.

First published in 1997, this book examines the issue of racist and antiracist movements which are increasingly taking the stage in contemporary European societies in the face of a rapidly changing cultural landscape. The drama of immigration has been enacted by these movements with heightened intensity since the 1908s, and in particular the struggle is engaging the youth of Europe. In this book the author discusses the two sides of the antiracist movement in Sweden, on the one hand, the explosive sociality of the confrontation, a phenomenon she designates as neo-sectarianism, and on the other hand, the ephemeral sociality of ‘rainbow coalitions’ of non-confrontation, In focus is the participation of young people in the antiracist movement. It is an attempt by young people to not merely respond to perceived social changes and problems within society, but to actively participate in and shape society.

Eric Hobsbawm claimed that the international May Day, which dates back to a proclamation in 1889 by the Second International, ''is perhaps the most ambitious of labour rituals''. The first international May Day demonstrations in 1890 were widely celebrated across Europe and became the one day each year when organized labour could present its goals to the public, an eight-hour workday being the first concrete demand, shortly followed by those for improved working conditions, universal suffrage, peace among nations, and international solidarity. The May Day ritual celebration was the self-assertion and self-definition of the new labour class through class organization. Thus, it was trade unions and social democratic and socialist parties throughout Europe which took the initiative and have sustained May Day as a labour ritual to this day. Part I of this theoretically-informed volume explores how May Day demonstrations have evolved and taken different trajectories in different political contexts. Part II focuses on May Day rituals today. By comparing demonstration level data of over 2000 questionnaires from six countries, including Belgium, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, the reader is able to gain a thorough understanding of how participants are bestowing meaning on May Day rituals. By concluding with reflections on the future of the May Day ritual in Western Europe, this ground-breaking book provides a detailed analysis of its evolution as a protest event.

Eric Hobsbawm claimed that the international May Day, which dates back to a proclamation in 1889 by the Second International, ''is perhaps the most ambitious of labour rituals''. The first international May Day demonstrations in 1890 were widely celebrated across Europe and became the one day each year when organized labour could present its goals to the public, an eight-hour workday being the first concrete demand, shortly followed by those for improved working conditions, universal suffrage, peace among nations, and international solidarity. The May Day ritual celebration was the self-assertion and self-definition of the new labour class through class organization. Thus, it was trade unions and social democratic and socialist parties throughout Europe which took the initiative and have sustained May Day as a labour ritual to this day. Part I of this theoretically-informed volume explores how May Day demonstrations have evolved and taken different trajectories in different political contexts. Part II focuses on May Day rituals today. By comparing demonstration level data of over 2000 questionnaires from six countries, including Belgium, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, the reader is able to gain a thorough understanding of how participants are bestowing meaning on May Day rituals. By concluding with reflections on the future of the May Day ritual in Western Europe, this ground-breaking book provides a detailed analysis of its evolution as a protest event.