Palmieri, T., & Solomon C. Springtime: The New Student Rebellions. Verso, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-8446-7740-5. Pages: 296.

Springtime: The New Student Rebellions is a vivid and eclectic collection of articles, essays, letters, images and photographs that document student actions in California, France, Greece, Italy and North Africa in 2010. Co-edited by Tania Palmieri and Clare Solomon (Ms. Solomon served as the president of the student union at the University of London during the protests in the UK against the reduction in state funding for higher education), this book provides a comparative perspective on recent student movements by analysing the development and organisation of the protests in various national contexts. It also examines the role of social media, the nature of the students’ demands and the reactions of respective authorities.

Viewing these protests as part of a broad international student movement, the book considers them against the events of 1968. It also analyses the political and economic demands of the rebelling youth as an outcome of the global economic crisis and its implications for job markets and higher education costs. The book aspires to add alternative perspectives to the understanding of student protests worldwide and reconsider perceptions of these phenomena. With protests continuing in Europe and spreading to other continents such as Latin America, this publication is very timely and contributes to a deeper understanding of student concerns and actions in Europe and beyond.

Verso