Synopses & Reviews
The Unfinished Revolution compares the post-Second World War histories of the American and British gay and lesbian movements with an eye toward understanding how distinct political institutional environments affect the development, strategies, goals, and outcomes of a social movement. The two case study chapters function as brief historical sketches that provide an introduction to British and American gay and lesbian history. An appendix provides a useful evaluative summary of common social movement theories. The book will be of value to academics and students of sociology, political science, and history.
Review
"In a comparative case study of US and British gay and lesbian movements since WWII, Engel engages new social movement theory and theories of collective action, integrating analysis of political opportunity structures into a political process model that accounts for the when and why of social mobilization.... A useful contribution to gay and lesbian studies and general social movement scholarship, especially in sociology." Choice"The Unfinished Revolution is remarkable for the elegance of its intellectual architecture." The Gay &Lesbian Review
Synopsis
This book compares the post-Second World War histories of the American and British gay and lesbian movements. The two case study chapters function as brief historical sketches which provide an introduction to British and American gay and lesbian history. An appendix provides a useful evaluative summary to social movement theories.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 214-225) and index.
About the Author
Stephen M. Engel graduated from Wesleyan University's Interdisciplinary College of Social Studies in 1998 and is currently working on his Interdisciplinary MA in Humanities and Social Thought at New York University.
Table of Contents
Introduction: opening remarks; 1. Asked and answered: how questions can condition conclusions in social movement theory; 2. Tracing the rainbow: an historical sketch of the American gay and lesbian movement; 3. Tracing the rainbow: an historical sketch of the English gay and lesbian movement; 4. Where and how it comes to pass: interest group interaction with political institutions; 5. Asking the unasked question: grappling with the culture variable; Conclusion: final thoughts.