ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the controversial issue of institutionalisation among squatters, focusing on cases of legalised squats in European cities. It argues that ‘anomalous institutionalisation’ occurs once self-managed squats, whether legalised or not, become consolidated and socially accepted, despite its inherent challenge to prevailing capitalist relations. Legalisation and institutionalisation processes are possible outputs of the conflictual relations between squatters and their opponents. Negotiations are productive processes in the political arena, specific moments of contentious politics and social mechanisms binding actors and practices. Negotiations between squatters and city officials are based on power relationships within particular contexts. High-level negotiations aimed at winning legal occupation of the building for squatters. Transactional negotiations occur when squatters want to participate in public benefits, plans, or services. Transactional negotiations can scale up to high-level negotiations if sufficient mutual trust has been created and other contextual circumstances contribute.