1. Disadvantaged Groups, the Use of Courts, and their Impact: A Study of Legal Mobilization in Argentina.
- Author
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Andia, Maria Gracia
- Subjects
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DEMOCRATIZATION , *COURTS , *POOR people , *SOCIOLOGICAL jurisprudence - Abstract
After democratization, courts started to assume a new role in Latin America. We are witnessing a shift from the times when courts were considered irrelevant as political actors, and a place only for privileged people. Argentina presents a case where the judicialization of politics is becoming increasingly relevant and is worth of our attention. In particular, the strategic use of courts by certain disadvantaged groups to advance their policy objectives has been a trend in the last 25 years. As this novel phenomenon is occurring in Argentina, questions become evident in the Law and Society discipline. In particular, analyzing the level of impact of this strategy is essential for an accurate appraisal of the phenomenon. To understand this in the context of a country with serious economic disruptions, periods of political and social instabilityâ??and building on the findings of socio-legal scholars (Epp, 1998; Cannon and Johnson, 1999; Galanter 1974; McCann, 1994)â??I develop the concept of social mobilization. This notion allows us to explain that only groups that have the support to initiate and carry out a sustained litigation campaign will be successful in using courts to advance their policy objectives. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009