Sociology and social movements are twin siblings of modernity that view the world as a social construction to be understood and transformed respectively. Based on this premise, Buechler argues for the centrality of social movements to the shape of the modern world as well as the discipline ofsociology. Building on a critical overview of current social movement theory, this book presents a structural model for analyzing social movements in advanced capitalism. This model provides a historically specific analysis that located movements in global, national, regional, and local structures.The heart of the book draws on diverse theoretical traditions within sociology (world system theory, critical theory, neo-Marxism, class/race/gender theories, theories of everyday life) to specify the structural constraints and opportunities that comprise the environment in which movements mobilizeand contest for power. Movement dynamics are explored in terms of their dialectical relationship with these multiple levels of structure. The book also addresses the recent shift and false dichotomies between political and cultural dimensions of social movements.This thoughtful introduction to the sociological study of social movements is an excelent supplementary text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in courses on collective action and social movements.

In thirteen succinct chapters, Buechler traces movement theories from the classical era of sociology to the most recent examples of transnational activism. He identifies the socio-historical context, central concepts, and guiding logic of diverse movement theories, with emphasis on: Comparisons of Marx and Lenin; Weber and Michels; and Durkheim and LeBon The Chicago School of the inter-war period The political-sociological approaches of the 1950s The varieties of strain and breakdown theories at the dawn of the 1960s Major paradigm shifts caused by the cascade of 1960s social movements Vivid examples of movements worldwide and coverage of all major theorists Critiques, debates, and proposed syntheses dominating the turn of the 21st century Recent trends (such as cyberactivism and transnational movements) and their theoretical implications"

All sociology is implicitly critical because the sociological perspective questions and debunks what common sense takes for granted. Some sociology is explicitly critical of how the domination of states, corporations, the media, and other powerful institutions attenuate our potential for living autonomous lives in today's world. In Critical Sociology, Buechler explores sociology's double critique. The book opens with chapters on how to think sociologically; an overview of the scientific, humanistic, and critical schools of sociology; and a more detailed exposition of the critical tradition. He applies this critical tradition to economics, politics, and culture; to class, race, and gender; to individualism, self, and identity; and to globalization, social movements, and democracy.

Marxism and Social Movements is the first sustained engagement between social movement theory and Marxist approaches to collective action. The chapters collected here, by leading figures in both fields, discuss the potential for a Marxist theory of social movements; explore the developmental processes and political tensions within movements; set the question in a long historical perspective; and analyse contemporary movements against neo-liberalism and austerity. Exploring struggles on six continents over 150 years, this collection shows the power of Marxist analysis in relation not only to class politics, labour movements and revolutions but also anti-colonial and anti-racist struggles, community activism and environmental justice, indigenous struggles and anti-austerity protest. It sets a new agenda both for Marxist theory and for movement research. Contributors include: Paul Blackledge, Marc Blecher, Patrick Bond,Chik Collins, Ralph Darlington, Neil Davidson, Ashwin Desai, Jeff Goodwin, Chris Hesketh, Gabriel Hetland, Elizabeth Humphrys, Christian Høgsbjerg, David McNally, Trevor Ngwane, Heike Schaumberg and Hira Singh.

In Marx Matters noted scholars explore the way a Marxian political economy addresses contemporary social problems, demonstrating the relevance of Marx today and outlining how his work can frame progressive programs for social change.

An ideal introduction for undergraduate students of social movements in courses on sociology, social policy and political theory with a focus on collective action and social protest. The book provides accessible theoretical readings and case studies of particular movements concerned with women's rights, ethnicity and 'race', disability, peace, anti-privatization. It explores issues of youth and political involvement, free speech and unemployment and the role of voluntary and community groups in challenging traditional perspectives on democracy. There are contributions from writers at the cutting edge of recent empirical and theoretical work in these areas. Competition: Many texts focus on sociological approaches: (Nick Crossley, Making Sense of Social Movements, D Della Porta and M Siani, Social Movements: an Introduction; S Buechler, Social Movements in Advanced Capitalism). Our text will provide students with an accessible, clear and comprehensive introduction and critical analysis of new social movements and new social movements theory.

In the early 1980s, many observers, argued that powerful organized economic interests and social democratic parties created successful mixed economies promoting economic growth, full employment, and a modicum of social equality. The present book assembles scholars with formidable expertise in the study of advanced capitalist politics and political economy to reexamine this account from the vantage point of the second half of the 1990s. The authors find that the conventional wisdom no longer adequately reflects the political and economic realities. Advanced democracies have responded in path-dependent fashion to such novel challenges as technological change, intensifying international competition, new social conflict, and the erosion of established patterns of political mobilization. The book rejects, however, the currently widespread expectation that 'internationalization' makes all democracies converge on similar political and economic institutions and power relations. Diversity among capitalist democracies persists, though in a different fashion than in the 'Golden Age' of rapid economic growth after World War II.

Presenting a profound and far-reaching analysis of economic, ecological, social, cultural and political developments of contemporary capitalism, this book draws on the work of Karl Polanyi, and re-reads it for our times. The renowned authors offer key insights to current changes in the relations between the economy, politics and society, and their ecological and social effects. They explore the commodification of land, labour, money, care and knowledge, and analyse labour and social movements, right-wing populism and religious fundamentalism. Bringing together insights from different parts of the world and from historical, theoretical and empirical research, the book sheds light on important facets of the crisis-driven transformation of contemporary capitalism. Social and political science scholars will greatly benefit from this timely analysis of contemporary capitalism. Those researching economic history and the impact of Polanyi's work on the analysis of the modern society will also find this a useful read. Contributors include: R. Atzmüller, B. Aulenbacher, R. Bärnthaler, K. Becker, D. Bohle, U. Brand, M. Brie, A. Bugra, M. Cangiani, F. Décieux, C. Deutschmann, K. Dörre, K. Fischer, C. Görg, B. Greskovits, B. Jessop, E. Langthaler, M. Leiblfinger, M. Markantonatou, A. Novy, A. Palumbo, K. Polanyi-Levitt, V. Satgar, B. Sauer, A. Scott, B. Silver, B. Stadelmann, C. Thomasberger, H.-J. Urban, B. Weicht, M. Williams, M. Wissen