The Social Movements Reader is an extensive collection of the key classic and contemporary readings on the origins, organization, dynamics, and effects of social movements. These essays analyze the specific resources, networks, structures, and environments of social movements, as well as the motivating psychology, political debates, emotions, and personal and collective identities behind them. The book includes several case studies of some of the most important social movements, including the civil rights, women's, and environmental movements. Chapter introductions, brief biographies, and definitions of key concepts guide readers to a clear understanding of the essays. For anyone curious about social movements, this is an engaging and illuminating compilation.

Table of Contents:
List of Key Concepts. Acknowledgments.Part I: Introduction:Editors' Introduction: Jeff Goodwin And James M. Jasper.Part II: When And Why Do Social Movements Occur?Introduction.1. The Civil Rights Movement (From Civil Rights: The 1960s Freedom Struggle): Rhoda Lois Blumberg.2. The Women's Movement (From The Origins Of The Women's Liberation Movement): Jo Freeman.3. The Gay Liberation Movement (From Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities): John D'Emilio.4. The Iranian Revolution (From Structural And Perceived Opportunity: The Iranian Revolution Of 1979): Charles Kurzman.Discussion Questions.Part III: Who Joins Or Supports Movements?Introduction.Discussion Questions.5. Recruits To Civil Rights Activism (From Freedom Summer): Doug Mcadam.6. Changing Values In Post-Industrial Societies (From The Silent Revolution): Ronald Inglehart.7. Middle-Class Radicalism And Environmentalism (From Environmentalism, Middle Class Radicalism And Politics): Steven Cotgrove And Andrew Duff.8. "Christian Patriots" (From The Politics Of Righteousness: Idaho Christian Patriotism): James A. Aho.Part IV: Who Remains In Movements, And Who Drops Out?Introduction.Discussion Questions.9. Generating Commitment Among Students (From Sacrifice For The Cause: Group Processes, Recruitment, And Commitment In A Student Social Movement): Eric L. Hirsch.10. Sustaining Commitment Among Radical Feminists (From Feminist Generations): Nancy Whittier.11. Disengaging From Movements (From The Social Psychology Of Protest): Bert Klandermans.Part V: What Do Movement Participants Think And Feel?Introduction.Discussion Questions.12. Word Views Of Pro- And Anti-Abortion Activists (From Abortion And The Politics Of Motherhood): Kristin Luker.13. Ideological Purity In The Women's Movement (From Why We Lost The ERA): Jane J. Mansbridge.14. The Emotions Of Protest (From The Emotions Of Protest): James M. Jasper.Part VI: How Are Movements Organized?Introduction.Discussion Questions.15. Social Movement Organizations (From Resource Mobilization And Social Movements: A Partial Theory): John D. Mccarthy And Mayer N. Zald.16. Organizational Repertoires (From Organizational Repertoires And Institutional Change: Women's Groups And The Transformation Of U.S. Politics, 1890-1920): Elisabeth S. Clemens.17. Transnational Environmental Activism (From Politics Beyond The State: Environmental Activism And World Civic Politics): Paul Wapner.18. Affinity Groups And The Movement Against Corporate Globalization (From After Seattle): William Finnegan.Part VII: What Do Movements Do?Introduction.Discussion Questions.19. Protest Tactics (From Rules For Radicals): Saul D. Alinsky.20. Tactical Innovation In The Civil Rights Movement (From The Origins Of The Civil Rights Movement): Aldon Morris.21. The Strategic Uses Of Identity In The Lesbian And Gay Movement: Mary Bernstein.22. Discursive Activism By Catholic Feminists (From Faithful And Fearless: Moving Feminist Protest Inside The Church And Military): Mary Fainsod Katzenstein.Part VIII: How Do The State And Mass Media Influence Movements?Introduction.Discussion Questions.23. The 'Smothering' Allies Of The Nuclear Freeze Movement (From A Winter Of Discontent): David S. Meyer.24. Farmworkers' Movements In Changing Political Contexts (From Insurgency Of The Powerless): J. Craig Jenkins And Charles Perrow.25. Another Look At Farmworker Mobilization (From Resources and Resourcefulness): Marshall Ganz.26. The Media In The Unmaking Of The New Left (From The Whole World Is Watching): Todd Gitlin.Part IX: Why Do Movements Decline?Introduction.Discussion Questions.27. The Decline Of The Labor Movement (From The War On Labor And The Left): Patricia Cayo Sexton.28. The Decline Of The Women's Movement (From What Happened To The Women's Movement?): Barbara Epstein.29. The Dilemmas Of Identity Politics (From Must Identity Movements Self-Destruct? A Queer Dilemma): Joshua Gamson.Part X: What Changes Do Movements Bring About?Introduction.Discussion Questions.30. Defining Movement 'Success' (From The Strategy Of Social Protest): William A. Gamson.31. The Case Of Huey Long And The New Deal (From "Stolen Thunder? Huey Long's Share Our Wealth, Political Mediation, And The Second New Deal"): Edwin Amenta, Kathleen Dunleavy, And Mary Bernstein.32. Movements And Cultural Change (From Music And Social Movements): Ron Eyerman And Andrew Jamison. Biographies. Martin Luther King, Jr. Betty Friedan. Cesar Chavez. Abbie Hoffman. Lois Gibbs. Joan Andrews. References. Index.