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: October 2010
Moderates Rally for “Sanity”?
Is it sane for “moderates” to take their politics outdoors? The Comedy Central Rally on the Washington Mall, led by Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert, apparently outdrew (I’ve seen estimates of 200-250,000 participants) each of the previous three large Washington … Continue reading
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Constitution classes for Congress
Another entry in our ongoing “if people only knew more, they would agree with me” series: Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, founder of the House Tea Party Caucus, has announced that she will organize classes on the Constitution for the … Continue reading
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What Glenn Beck knows (part II)
Again, it’s not American history. Beck does know, however, that people like to find authorities who agree with them. The fact that people who like what Glenn Beck, uh, teaches, can log onto Amazon and find real books (bound and … Continue reading
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Tagged creation science, experts, Glenn Beck, ideas, science, tea party
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What Glenn Beck knows
It’s not what he says he knows: American history or the Constitution. The factual errors in his history lessons appear routinely, draw criticism or correction, and then vanish into the ether. They don’t appear to bother him, audience, or his … Continue reading
What happens on Facebook stays on Facebook
I wish that line was mine, but it’s not. Caroline Lee, skeptical about the potential impact of of social media on democracy in general and social movements specifically, offered the summary evaluation–along with some observations. The question is whether all … Continue reading
Strikes in France
French citizens are taking to the streets in response to large cuts in social spending, most notably, an increase in the retirement age from 60 to 62. Nicolas Sarkozy, like leaders in most of Europe, has pressed for these cuts … Continue reading
A March is not a Movement
Fifteen years after the Million Man March, it’s hard to find any kind of substantial effect. At The Root, Jon Jeter writes that Black community is more divided than it was in 1995, and that, as a group, Black men … Continue reading
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Tagged 9-12, bonus march, demonstration, Glenn Beck, Louis Farrakhan, million man march, promisekeepers, tea party
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Democratizing Inequalities
At some point, the call for “power to the people” transmographied into calls for “empowerment.” Demands for influence were answered by offers of inclusion or dialogue or deliberation. So, what does all this talking lead to? The question is whether … Continue reading
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How are GLBT activists getting along? Don’t Ask.
Federal Judge Virginia Phillips today issued an injunction banning the military’s enforcement of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell globally. The decision is all over the news, of course. Judge Phillips was responding to a suit filed by the Log Cabin Republicans … Continue reading
More on Westboro
If you can find a remotely credible source that credits Westboro Baptist Church with even a hundred members, you’re a more energetic or skilled researcher than I am. When Pastor Phelps describes his congregation as family, he’s not really stretching … Continue reading
