Social Movements: A Reader (Routledge Student Readers) - Softcover

"A very precious instrument for those who want to read about social movements across time, space and approaches." – Donatella della Porta, European University, Italy

"In bleak or despairing times we fall back into history with its singular, unique stories, whereas in times of emerging confidence we demand from sociology the generalization of experience in the register of reason. Contemporary sociology requires debate, dialogue, and discussion within itself, and recollection and reconstitution from without its boundaries.  In a brilliant selection of European and American readings grouped around the major interpretations of social movements, Ruggiero and Montagna have  renewed the classic study of social collectivities with comprehensive critique and much-needed clarity." – Peter Linebaugh, University of Toledo, USA

"Hats off to the editors on a truly innovative collection of readings on social movements.  Besides the "usual suspects," Ruggiero and Montagna have included selections from the likes of Marx, Durkheim, Weber and Simmel reminding us that an interest in conflict and collective action has been a part of sociology from the very beginning.  And the section on "new global movements" is a welcome addition as well, redressing the longstanding western bias in the field." – Doug McAdam, Stanford University, USA

This timely Reader plays an important role in the field of social movements. It fills a significant gap by covering a number of connected areas within social studies.

Responding to growing demand for interpretation and analysis of re-emerging social conflicts in the developed, as well as the developing world, this timely collection is the outcome of the recent boost received by social movement studies since the spread of contention and collective action at international level and the growth of the 'anti-globalization’ movement.

Intended not only as a comprehensive introduction for undergraduates and postgraduates studying social movements, this volume also provides a truly global perspective, combining classic sociological thought and contemporary concerns.

This book provides an essential guide to ‘who is who’ in the field of social movement studies and includes reflective and documentary material on contemporary conflicts. This volume is also an incredibly valuable resource for more general modules on sociological theory, global sociology, the history of sociological thought, contemporary social theory, and international and globalization studies.