Work

A Thing that Works: A Case Study of Success at the Urban Margins

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Mass street protests and other highly contentious actions often capture headlines and public attention, but what remains after the news cycle moves on? Many times, grassroots initiatives crystallise during or after these intense moments of participation, leaving in their wake effective organisations that continue to make daily life more liveable in contexts of extreme vulnerability. Despite the persistence and impact of these ‘things that work’ – as we call them – they are often less visible and understudied. How do these initiatives emerge and sustain themselves in the communities in which they work? Using ethnographic methods, we investigate the case of a community centre formed in the wake of a land occupation in the urban periphery of Buenos Aires to answer these questions. We argue that grassroots initiatives build local power through everyday care-work: forming relationships, changing identities and providing valuable services and information.

Source: Journal of Latin American Studies

DOI: 10.1017/s0022216x25101193

Authors: Javier Auyero, Allison Lang, Sofía Servián

Institutions: University of the Basque Country, The University of Texas at Austin, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Metropolitana para la Educación y el Trabajo

Language: English

Topic: Latin American socio-political dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550