Unlike political or economic institutions, social movements have an elusive power, but one that is no less real. From the French and American revolutions through the democratic and workers' movements of the nineteenth century to the totalitarian movements of today, movements exercise a fleeting but powerful influence on politics and society. This study surveys the history of the social movement, puts forward a theory of collective action to explain its surges and declines, and offers an interpretation of the power of movement that emphasises its effects on personal lives, policy reforms and political culture. While covering cultural, organisational and personal sources of movements' power, the book emphasises the rise and fall of social movements as part of political struggle and as the outcome of changes in political opportunity structure.
Table of contents:
Introduction; 1. Contentious politics and social movements: Part I. The Birth of the Modern Social Movement: 2. Modular collective action; 3. Print and association; 4. Statebuilding and social movements; Part II. From Contention to Social Movements: 5. Political opportunities and constraints; 6. The repertoire of contention; 7. Framing contention; 8. Mobilising structures and contentious politics; Part III. The Dynamics of Movement: 9. Cycles of contention; 10. Struggling to reform; 11. Transnational contention/conclusion: the future of social movements.
Social movements with even slim resources can often exercise a powerful influence on culture, politics and institutions. This study surveys the history of the social movement, puts forward a theory of collective action to explain its surges and declines, and offers an interpretation of the power of movement.
This study of social movements explains their power by developing a theory of collective action.
Table of contents:
Introduction; 1. Contentious politics and social movements: Part I. The Birth of the Modern Social Movement: 2. Modular collective action; 3. Print and association; 4. Statebuilding and social movements; Part II. From Contention to Social Movements: 5. Political opportunities and constraints; 6. The repertoire of contention; 7. Framing contention; 8. Mobilising structures and contentious politics; Part III. The Dynamics of Movement: 9. Cycles of contention; 10. Struggling to reform; 11. Transnational contention/conclusion: the future of social movements.
Social movements with even slim resources can often exercise a powerful influence on culture, politics and institutions. This study surveys the history of the social movement, puts forward a theory of collective action to explain its surges and declines, and offers an interpretation of the power of movement.
This study of social movements explains their power by developing a theory of collective action.