Radically Legal

‘In this fascinating book, Joanna Kusiak weaves together the story of how residential housing was turned into a financial asset, the struggle for recovering it for human dignity by invoking a long-forgotten provision of Germany’s constitution, and her life as a social advocate, scholar and mother. She offers hope, a strong dose of humour, and a strategy for others in search of a more humane world.’ Katharina Pistor, Columbia Law School‘We live in an age when many citizens might feel powerless in the face of powerful financial corporations. However, Kusiak’s account is an inspiring analysis of how the public good can be championed. Written in an engaging, first-person style, it shows how the law can be used to protect people - not just control them. A novel blend of legal sociology and political anthropology, this is highly useful for anyone who wants to make sense of the clash between private equity and public good - or is curious to know what our future cities may look like.’ Gillian Tett, Financial Times

Joanna Kusiak is a Junior Research Fellow at King’s College, University of Cambridge. Her work focuses on urban land, housing crises and the progressive potential of the law. In 2021 she was one of the spokespeople for Deutsche Wohnen & Co enteignen, Berlin’s successful referendum campaign to expropriate stock-listed landlords. In 2023 she won the Nine Dots Prize.