Primer on Social Movements (10 Edition)

Award-winning sociologists David Snow and Sarah Soule draw from a broad range of theories including political sociology, theories of organizations, and the study of culture and social interaction to introduce the essential ideas for analyzing social movements.

This portable (5.5x8.25") primer on social movements is intended for use as a supplementary text in upper division undergraduate courses and introductory graduate seminars. The writing is accessible but not dumbed down, and theoretical discussions are brought to life with cases on all types of social movements from the US and around the world. The opening section looks at ways of conceptualizing social movements as challengers or defenders of authority, as collective actors, and as organized activity. Conditions and processes related to mobilizing grievances are then explored, and the conditions that facilitate the emergence of social movements are examined. The book explores who participates in social movements and why, how social movements press their claims, and the consequences of social movements. Snow is affiliated with the University of California-Irvine. Soule is affiliated with Stanford University. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

A brief, affordable introduction to collective behavior and social movements.