Social Movements and American Political Institutions

by Anne N. McFarland, Andrew S. Costain (Editor)

Social movements in the United States are important political actors because of their scale and duration, their generation of new ideas and understandings of existing problems, their ability to mobilize those who were previously passive citizens, and the impetus they provide for restructuring and broadening the agenda of American politics. This volume combines chapters by a distinguished group of social movement scholars, from both sociology and political science, who use perspectives ranging from political process theory to rational choice and collective action approaches to evaluate the functioning of institutions of American government and the public policies that they produce. A diverse group of movements and interests are featured: women, public interest, native America, the environment, the Christian Right, abortion, gay rights, and homelessness among them.

344 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 1998

Reviews

[Addison]

Technically only read the Mobilizing Gay Activists chapter but it was very dense so I will count it for my reading challenge :)