Civil leisure? Exploring the relationship between leisure, activism and social change

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study with activists and argues that social activism, particularly public protests, cannot adequately be described by current leisure theory and suggests that a new concept is needed. The notion of civil leisure is then developed and denned as leisure based in resistance concerned with creating public discursive space. This notion is important because it emphasizes the extent to which leisure might be re‐constituted as a public, collective realm where discussions about society can take place. The author concludes by calling on leisure researchers to probe this notion in an effort not just to address the importance of activism as a leisure form, but also to rejuvenate the discussion of leisure, politics, and social change more generally.