ABSTRACT
This chapter avoids the well-trodden path of economic and moral debates about the usefulness of squatting to explore the effects of transaction costs on the regulatory procedures obstructing or assisting this activity. The strategies of squatters and of the public authorities are explored, first using theories of stigmatization and then in the light of insider-outsider theory. The prospects of obtaining individual squatters title are outlined, a situation which contrasts with collective squats offering a series of advantages of mutual support and claims of moral legitimacy. Finally, the different effects of this theory of power are considered in the global context. The chapter concerns the effects of morality as a strategy rather than arguing for or against the content of the morality presented. It explores more effects of this well-established labour market theory and applies it to housing to squatting. Lindbeck and Snower argue that insider-outsider theory could be applied sociologically to any situation where there are insiders and outsiders.
