Movements, Victims, and Images

Abstract

Abstract This chapter builds a theory of transformative violence by drawing on literature on mobilization, charitable economic, and communication studies, as well as qualitative research regarding the book’s two cases. It untangles independent processes that suddenly coalesce at the same time and in the same space and generate unprecedented collective action against violence. It then explains the three developments that make an otherwise routine act of violence transformative: core activists’ antiviolence frames, an identifiable victim arising from a kin group, and visual images of the victim. The chapter also includes a discussion of the main similarities and differences between the cases of mobilization in India and Mexico.