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Social Movements and Europeanization: An Introduction

Donatella della Porta and Manuela Caiani

in Social Movements and Europeanization

This first chapter discusses some principal hypotheses from literature on political mobilization and social movements, but also from research on Europe and Europeanization, within which these ... More

This first chapter discusses some principal hypotheses from literature on political mobilization and social movements, but also from research on Europe and Europeanization, within which these mobilizations can be located: in particular the influence of the political opportunity structure, both at national and European level and the characteristics of specific actors, with their capacity to mobilize material and symbolic resources. It defines some main concepts (among which Europeanization and social movements) and discusses the role for civil society actors within different approaches to European integration and multi-level policy making, as well as within theories of supranational democracy and political participation. It also presents the main methodological sources as well as the structure of the volume.Less

Introduction

Shuttleworth Sally

in The Mind of the Child: Child Development in Literature, Science, and Medicine, 1840-1900

This introductory chapter explains the coverage of this book, which is about child development in literature, science, and medicine in England during the period from 1840 to 1900. The book examines ... More

This introductory chapter explains the coverage of this book, which is about child development in literature, science, and medicine in England during the period from 1840 to 1900. The book examines the complex interplay between the literary and the scientific domains as writers and experimenters sought to define and explore the baffling territory of the mind of the child or the child psyche. It provides literary interpretations of the popular, scientific, and medical discourse of the era that may serve as a guide to the emerging construction of the child mind and to the child study movement.Less

The Extreme Right and Social Movement Studies: An Introduction

della Porta and Caiani Wagemann

in Mobilizing on the Extreme Right: Germany, Italy, and the United States

Notwithstanding its limited capacity in terms of members and mobilization, the extreme right is perceived as an increasing challenge even in established democracies. On delicate issues such as ... More

Notwithstanding its limited capacity in terms of members and mobilization, the extreme right is perceived as an increasing challenge even in established democracies. On delicate issues such as migration, nationalism, and religious practices, the extreme right has been successful in putting exclusive frames and practices on the agenda, often influencing moderate right-wing and even centre-left parties. While the political parties on the right are well-studied, this is the first volume to address, in a comparative perspective, the social movement organizations on the Extreme Right. In particular, in chapter one, we introduce the main concepts and definitions of the research, presenting our theoretical questions in a cross-country comparison of the extreme right in three countries (Germany, Italy, and the US).Less

Unnatural History: Father and Son

Shuttleworth Sally

in The Mind of the Child: Child Development in Literature, Science, and Medicine, 1840-1900

This chapter examines naturalist Edmund Gosse's memoir called Father and Son in relation to childhood study in England during the 19th century. This memoir offered a study of the development of moral ... More

This chapter examines naturalist Edmund Gosse's memoir called Father and Son in relation to childhood study in England during the 19th century. This memoir offered a study of the development of moral and intellectual ideas during the progress of infancy and it was written directly within the framework established by all those conscientious recorders of child and infant development of the 1890s. It was influenced by the child study movement, which allowed Gosse to rewrite his family history and give prominence to the perceptions and responses of the Son.Less

The Extreme Right: A Conclusion

della Porta and Caiani Wagemann

in Mobilizing on the Extreme Right: Germany, Italy, and the United States

Chapter 11 In the conclusions, the authors summarize their main results and reflect on the contributions that social movement studies give to the understanding of the phenomenon, ... More

Chapter 11 In the conclusions, the authors summarize their main results and reflect on the contributions that social movement studies give to the understanding of the phenomenon, as well as, vice-versa, how research on the extreme rights could contribute to the theorization on social movements’ dynamics.Less

Critical Legal Studies

John Finnis

in Philosophy of Law: Collected Essays Volume IV

This chapter presents a critical examination of Unger's seminal article and book The Critical Legal Studies Movement, and of its account of legal thought, tested against its account of certain ... More

This chapter presents a critical examination of Unger's seminal article and book The Critical Legal Studies Movement, and of its account of legal thought, tested against its account of certain ‘exemplary’ difficulties in the Anglo-American law of contract. Unger's account fundamentally misconstrues the ways of legal thought and hides its misunderstanding behind equivocations on ‘(in)determinate’ and ‘(un)justified’ and neglect of under-determination. Its triadic schemas are too complex and too simple to capture the problems with which any law of contract must grapple. Underlying the Movement is a poverty-stricken conception of the forms of human good and a scepticism resting on unsound arguments. The result is a threat to the vulnerable in society.Less

¡Escucha! ¡Escucha! ¡Estamos en la Lucha!

Sasha Costanza-Chock

in Out of the Shadows, Into the Streets!: Transmedia Organizing and the Immigrant Rights Movement

The introductory chapter sets the scene with a description of the mass wave of immigrant rights marches that filled city streets across the United States in the spring of 2006. It notes the role of ... More

The introductory chapter sets the scene with a description of the mass wave of immigrant rights marches that filled city streets across the United States in the spring of 2006. It notes the role of both social media and Spanish language mass media in the mobilizations, and introduces the idea that widespread changes in our communications system have deeply altered the relationship between social movements and the media. Next, the chapter positions the author as an engaged scholar, and briefly reviews the participatory research and design methods employed in the development of the book. The next section, ‘the revolution will be tweeted, but tweets alone do not the revolution make,’ engages recent debates about social movements and social media, and urges scholars to learn from social movements about how they use various information and communication technologies to communicate, organize, and mobilize. The penultimate section reviews the unique history of Los Angeles as the epicenter of both immigrant rights activism and the media industries. The introduction concludes with a summary of the book’s chapters.Less

Providing for the ‘children of the nation’, 1880s–1918

Harry Hendrick

in Child welfare: Historical dimensions, contemporary debate

This chapter focuses on child welfare during the late 19th century until the early 20th century. The chapter immediately starts off with a discussion of the background of child welfare during this ... More

This chapter focuses on child welfare during the late 19th century until the early 20th century. The chapter immediately starts off with a discussion of the background of child welfare during this period. It then introduces the Child Study Movement, which helped in positioning the social, educational, and psychological importance of understanding the child. Child cruelty and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) are the main focus of one section, which includes a discussion of the founding of the NSPCC and the passing of the Children's Charter. The chapter also considers the 1885 Criminal Law Amendment Act, which was drafted due to the increase in juvenile prostitution and the selling of British girls. This was followed by the 1908 Punishment of Incest Act, the direct result of a campaign conducted during the early 1890s. Various other programs and laws that were introduced and drafted during this period are discussed, such as the School Meals Service and the Infant Welfare Movement.Less

Introduction

Sydney Hutchinson

in Tigers of a Different Stripe: Performing Gender in Dominican Music

A music video by New York-based Dominican-American “tropical punk” artist Maluca Mala frames this chapter exploring the state of gender and performance studies in the Caribbean, particularly with ... More

A music video by New York-based Dominican-American “tropical punk” artist Maluca Mala frames this chapter exploring the state of gender and performance studies in the Caribbean, particularly with regards to traditional and popular musics. After providing a review of the literature on gender, movement, and performance, exploring the connections between gender and genre in the Dominican Republic, and framing these topics within transnational and Black Atlantic studies, the chapter goes on to argue that genre and gender are intimately related, so that changes in one impact and stimulate changes in the other. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the author finds that it is often traditional musics that offer greater leeway for the performance of subversive or atypical gender identities. Ethnomusicology, she states, is ideally positioned to bring attention to such identifications because of its commitment to including the voices of Others. This particular ethnography sheds light on Dominicans who use music and its performance to disidentify with mainstream identities represented by nationalized genres like orquesta or popular merengue, instead performing marginalized gender identities like that of the streetwise tíguere and tíguera through genres like the merengue típico, which even when modernized and transnational, is framed as traditional and intimate.Less

Disability: prospects for social inclusion

Carol Thomas

in Fighting poverty, inequality and injustice: A manifesto inspired by Peter Townsend

This chapter looks at Peter's landmark contribution to the sociological understanding of disability and, through his campaigning, to the acceptance of disability rights as a focus for social policy ... More

This chapter looks at Peter's landmark contribution to the sociological understanding of disability and, through his campaigning, to the acceptance of disability rights as a focus for social policy and grass-roots campaigning. It examines the paradox of why someone who shared so many of its values and influenced many of its ideas is not celebrated in the academic discipline of disability studies. It assesses the extent to which the campaign for disability rights has been successful (not least through equality legislation and improved benefits). It observes that however, the Disability Studies movement feels that this has been at the expense of the cause itself, which has been usurped by the professionalisation of disability rights. It finally considers recent research that confirms the messages behind the Disability Alliance campaign for a disability income, that, in the 21st century, families who experience disability are more likely to be poor and disability is more often found in poor families.Less

Reworking Roots: Black Women Writers, The Sapelo Interviews in Drums and Shadows, and the Making of a New Gullah Folk

Melissa L. Cooper

in Making Gullah: A History of Sapelo Islanders, Race, and the American Imagination

Chapter 5 discusses the legacies of 1920s and 1930s studies within the Gullah revival and the land battles raging throughout the region. Chapter 5 unearths the origins of the revival, analyzes the ... More

Chapter 5 discusses the legacies of 1920s and 1930s studies within the Gullah revival and the land battles raging throughout the region. Chapter 5 unearths the origins of the revival, analyzes the lull that proceeds it, and explores the new meaning of "Gullah" that takes shape during the 1970, 1980s and 1990s in the wake of the Black Studies Movement.Less

Life Histories

Donatella della Porta

in Methodological Practices in Social Movement Research

This chapter looks at the use of a specific type of in-depth interview in social movement studies: life histories, in which a subject tells his/her life story. The chapter discusses the different ... More

This chapter looks at the use of a specific type of in-depth interview in social movement studies: life histories, in which a subject tells his/her life story. The chapter discusses the different phases of the research design, and the main dilemmas in each when using life histories: from theories and concepts, to the research outline, the selection of the interviewees, the relations between interviewer and interviewee during the interview itself, and the analysis of the empirical results. It discusses the main topics to be addressed in a narration, the main reasons behind the selection of interview partners, the best ways to contact them, and the special challenges of developing a balanced relationship between interviewers and interviewees in the discussion of often very delicate issues. Finally, it provides some examples of the analysis and presentation of materials collected through life histories.Less

Clara Ellen Grant

Ellen Ross

in Slum Travelers: Ladies and London Poverty, 1860-1920

This chapter focuses on Clara Ellen Grant. Grant was one of nine children of a fairly prosperous family in a Wiltshire village. As a young girl, she aspired to be a teacher in London. However, her ... More

This chapter focuses on Clara Ellen Grant. Grant was one of nine children of a fairly prosperous family in a Wiltshire village. As a young girl, she aspired to be a teacher in London. However, her plan shifted to working with the Universities' Mission in Central Africa. After finishing her training as a teacher at the Salisbury Training College, she moved to London and held two teaching positions. Grant's next position was in a small local Board school on Bow Common, which was eventually named after her. While working at the school, she turned her home into a settlement house, called the Fern Street Settlement. Her settlement house provided help and recreation to schoolchildren of the whole neighborhood. Aside from providing a settlement house, Grant was also active in the discussions and debates about early childhood education at a time when elementary schools admitted children as young as three. She was also involved in the Child Study Movement and fiercely advocated her pedagogical views. She also wrote a series of letters to The School Child, which showed her to be a fiery champion of the poor. This chapter presents one of Grant's letters to the The School Child. This letter provides particulars of her School Settlement.Less

Focus Groups

Donatella della Porta

in Methodological Practices in Social Movement Research

This chapter presents focus groups (or group interviews) as a technique of data collection based on discussions within a small group, moderated by a researcher, and oriented to obtain information on ... More

This chapter presents focus groups (or group interviews) as a technique of data collection based on discussions within a small group, moderated by a researcher, and oriented to obtain information on a specific topic. The chapter departs from the discussion of the main theoretical questions focus groups might help answer, focusing especially on the analysis of collective identities—a central topic for social movement research. In addressing the method’s implementation in various research designs, the author notes that, based on a modality of discussion among equals, focus groups allow us to recreate—almost as in an experiment—conditions similar to those considered as belonging to paths of opinion formation, particularly in social movements. The chapter then discusses the methodological challenges when using group interviews in social movement studies, looking at major milestones such as the preparation of the outline, selection of participants, conducting of the interview, and analysis of transcriptions.Less

The Nature Study Movement at Cornell University; A Journey South to Study Spiders

Anna Botsford Comstock

Karen Penders St. Clair (ed.)

in The Comstocks of Cornell-The Definitive Autobiography

This chapter details Anna Botsford Comstock's early days in the nature study education movement. She joined several key figures—Alice McCloskey, Julia Rogers, and Mary Rogers Miller—who were already ... More

This chapter details Anna Botsford Comstock's early days in the nature study education movement. She joined several key figures—Alice McCloskey, Julia Rogers, and Mary Rogers Miller—who were already involved in nature education initiatives at Cornell University with Liberty Hyde Bailey. During the years 1891 to 1893 there was general agricultural depression in the East, and New York City found itself called upon, for the first time in history, to help people who flocked in from the rural districts in search of work. Mr. George T. Powell, who was director of Farmers' Institutes, was called in as an expert in a conference to consider the situation. He maintained that poor farming was one of the reasons for agricultural depression, and that the only permanent remedy would be to interest the children of the rural districts in farming. He also declared that nature study was the means to use to interest the child in the farm.Less

Legal History

Morton Horwitz

in Legal Intellectuals in Conversation: Reflections on the Construction of Contemporary American Legal Theory

This chapter presents an interview with Morton Horwitz, the Charles Warren Professor of American Legal History at the Harvard Law School. Professor Horwitz has made major contributions in the field ... More

This chapter presents an interview with Morton Horwitz, the Charles Warren Professor of American Legal History at the Harvard Law School. Professor Horwitz has made major contributions in the field of American legal history. His Transformation of American Law, 1780–1860 (1977) and Transformation of American Law, 1870–1960 (1992) are canonical texts in the field of legal history. Professor Horwitz's major substantive fields are constitutional law and torts. He is also one of the founding figures in the critical legal studies movement. Topics covered during the interview include what is was like being a student at CCNY, now CUNY, in the early Sixties; Horwitz' s law school experience at Harvard; the influences of Martin Luther King and Walter Reuther on him; his career as a legal historian; and the differences between Transformation I and Transformation II.Less