Author Archives: David S. Meyer

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About David S. Meyer

Author and professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine

Anticipating backlash?

Not that it’s impossible, but it’s hard for any government, particularly the US government, to take rights away.  What seems intractable, like laws mandating schools segregated by race or prohibitions on “interracial” marriage, disappear, and over time, so does polite … Continue reading

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Same as it ever was?: Budget politics and the Tea Party

Successful politicians sell out the movements that give them leverage, visibility, and power.  Until yesterday, when the House of Representatives passed a rather mundane two year budget bill that disappointed virtually everyone, the House Republican leadership, particularly Speaker John Boehner, … Continue reading

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Are the movements in Ukraine and Thailand democratic?

I don’t know enough about these cases to say. Clifford Bob, who knows more than I do, writes with concerns: I just read your blogpost on Ukraine and Thailand.  I was struck by that juxtaposition today also.  But one thing … Continue reading

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Recipe for Democratic Revolution: What Works?

Reliably?  Nothing. As we see expressions of people power emerge and reemerge globally, it’s important–and hard–to remember that promoting democratic change isn’t like baking a cake. When courageous people take to the streets to press for their governments to be … Continue reading

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Claiming Nelson Mandela

The flags are at half-staff here in Irvine, mourning the death, and commemorating the life of Nelson Mandela.  President Mandela outlived and outperformed most of his critics, leaving us with an unduly warm and fuzzy picture of a genial elder … Continue reading

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Rep. John Lewis, comic book hero

Without cape and tights, Congressman John Lewis is becoming a comic book hero.  (He’s already a hero of mine, and some of his exploits have appeared in this blog.) From a piece by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, at the New York … Continue reading

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Who’s running the immigrant rights movement?

Lots of people. No one. In this regard, the immigrant rights movement isn’t very different from virtually every other social movement in recent American history. While I’ve been awed by the bravery and commitment of the DREAM 9, subjecting themselves … Continue reading

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DREAM 9 and organizing around civil disobedience

I’m in awe of the courage and commitment of the DREAM 9, and their (probably inappropriate) confidence in their ability to move the immigration debate forward toward some kind of reform. On July 22, the nine young non-citizens, who had … Continue reading

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Cooper Union occupation ends with promises of consultation

Cooper Union students, who have been occupying the offices of the school’s president for more than two months, have announced that they’re moving out.  Free Cooper Union started when the Board of Trustees announced that they would begin charging tuition … Continue reading

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Martin, Zimmerman, judicial backlash and policy change: update

Yesterday I claimed that the disappointment and mobilization in the wake of unpopular judicial verdicts in the Rodney King and O.J. Simpson cases didn’t lead to changes in policy.  (That’s another disappointment!)  I asked for corrections. Lindsey Lupo, a political … Continue reading

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