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

Recipe for Democratic Revolution: What Works?

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David S. Meyer

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

Posted on December 6, 2013 by David S. Meyer

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

Posted on August 15, 2013 by David S. Meyer

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?

Posted on August 12, 2013 by David S. Meyer

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

Posted on August 8, 2013 by David S. Meyer

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

Posted on July 16, 2013 by David S. Meyer

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

Posted on July 15, 2013 by David S. Meyer

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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Zimmerman, Martin, and the Courts

Posted on July 14, 2013 by David S. Meyer

Don’t count on the courts to produce justice, but sometimes it’s disappointment with the legal system that does make change. We expect too much from the courts and we’re constantly disappointed.  The trial in Florida could have ended with George … Continue reading →

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Massive hunger strike in California prisons

Posted on July 9, 2013 by David S. Meyer

An astonishing 30,000 prisoners in California prisons have refused meals.  The Corrections Department doesn’t call it a hunger strike until 9 meals have been missed, but what’s going on is pretty clear. A hunger strike reflects commitment and desperation; prison … Continue reading →

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Social movements, governance, democracy, and Egypt

Posted on July 4, 2013 by David S. Meyer

What are we to make of the military coup that the military refuses to call a coup in Egypt?  I’m generally ready to cheer the departure of an unpopular putative theocrat, but quite suspicious of the military deposing elected officials … Continue reading →

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