Social Environmental Conflicts, Emotion and empowerment: The Resistance against the San Nicolás’ Dam in Mexico

Abstract

We describe the process of transformation of consciousness and behaviour experienced by mobilized members of a local community who opposed to the building of a dam that threatened to inundate their territory. We will present some results, based on analysis of a specific case of conflict, about the dynamic of protest and emotions as factors influencing both motivation for action and the process of transformation of consciousness and behaviour. We will also show how the relationship between local people and their territory changed. Finally, we will point some practices that emerged from the experience of conflict.