Any discussion of reggae music and its value in investigating the intersections of popular music, resistant action, mass production, and global consumption must take into account Bob Marley. He is often cited as one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20^th century. Although his style of "roots reggae" emerges from a specific postcolonial Jamaican context, Marley's music appears at the site of many political and social movements throughout the world in places far from this local. In the 21^st century and over 20 years after his death, Marley's popularity continues to grow through processes of consumption and globalization. Marley and his music represent both the entertainment value of popular music and the critical capacity found in acts of resistance. When Marley's name, image and music are situated within discussions of resistance, human rights, and social justice, the following questions arise: what is the significance of his role? What exactly is Marley's contribution to resistance struggles for social justice?

Chapter One identifies elements in Marley's postcolonial messages that are linked to resistant acts. There is theoretical consideration of three kinds of resistance: cultural resistance, structural resistance, and ideological resistance. Chapter Two is divided into three sections organized in such a way to reveal the multiple levels that Marley's music and lyrics are interpreted in the processes of resistance. Chapter Three draws the significance of Marley's music in social movements into contemporary discussions in public sphere theory. There is attention to how themes in Marley's music can be understood as key elements of rational-critical debate in transnational public spheres.