David S. Meyer
I'm a professor of sociology and political science at the University of California, Irvine. I've been thinking, and writing about, protest politics for almost ever. This site offers comments on contemporary events, informed (I hope) by knowing something about history and about the academic study of social movements.
Monthly Archives: September 2010
Protest after Defeat
The Senate’s failure to consider both the DREAM Act and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, was a clear defeat for advocates of immigration reform and GLBT activists. Both sets of activists are, understandably, frustrated with the Senate, President … Continue reading
A DREAM deferred
What do Lady Gaga, Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen have in common? They were unable to stop a minority in the Senate from filibustering a defense appropriations bill that would have led to the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t … Continue reading
Can Activists Become Politicians? (Hint: Jeannette Rankin)
On Congress.org, Ambreen Ali ascribes some of Christine O’Donnell’s electoral difficulties to her background as an activist: It was shortly after college when the Delaware Republican embraced an identity aspiring politicians usually avoid: She became an activist. Though political candidates … Continue reading
March for Chuckles?
Here’s something new. Comedy Central’s hosts have announced competing demonstrations at the same time and place. I don’t know what kinds of politics are at work here. Then again, maybe this isn’t so different from Glenn Beck’s March to Restore … Continue reading
Immigration Activists Push the Dream Act
Public frustration with current immigration policy never seems to fade into the background these days. At Congress.org, Ambreen Ali reports that reform activists are planning to press Senators to vote for the Dream Act next week. Their campaign will include … Continue reading
Why Movement Candidates Always Disappoint
The Tea Party, like many American protest movements, jumped into the electoral fray quickly. This is the way our system is set up; frequent elections mean that activists always seem to have the chance to replace politicians they don’t like … Continue reading
The Tea Party and Grassroots Democracy
Morning Edition features an interview with journalist Jonathan Rauch, discussing the tea party in general, and his article in the current edition of the National Journal. Some segments of the movement are determined to serve the grassroots under any circumstances, … Continue reading
Purity versus Pragmatism
The Tea Party, like all social movements in America, is facing the dilemma of making inroads in mainstream politics or focusing on articulating its message as clearly as possible. By virtually all accounts (e.g., NY Times here), the Republican nomination … Continue reading
The Numbers Game
When activists stage an event, they want to impress others with their commitment, unity, their worthiness, and their numbers. (This formulation is from the great sociologist, Charles Tilly.) They want to show their opponents that they are strong and powerful–and … Continue reading
March for tolerance?
Religious Freedom USA reports that 1,000 people marched in lower Manhattan to support tolerance for religious diversity (in general) and the establishment of a new Islamic center a few blocks from Ground Zero. Apparently, most of the marchers were local–and … Continue reading
