Remembering Social Movements: Activism and Memory

Remembering Social Movements explores the relationship between social movements and collective memory, using 15 historical case studies to examine how social movements shape public memory and how memory plays an important role within social movements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 322 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Remembering Social Movements is a comprehensive historical analysis that delves into the intricate connections between social movements and collective memory. This insightful book offers a thorough exploration of the field, providing a rich theoretical framework and a wealth of historical case studies to shed light on the complex dynamics between these two phenomena.

The book begins by introducing five key concepts that serve as guiding pillars for the analysis: repertoires of contention, historical events, generations, collective identities, and emotions. These concepts provide a framework for understanding the ways in which social movements shape public memory and how memory plays a vital role within social movements.

Through a series of 15 historical case studies, the book examines how social movements have acted to shape public memory and how memory has been mobilized within social movements across different time periods and contexts. The case studies cover a wide range of social movements, including labor, feminist, peace, anti-nuclear, and urban movements, as well as specific examples of 'memory activism' from the 19th century to the 21st century. These case studies include transnational and explicitly comparative analyses, ensuring that the reader gains a deep understanding of the remembrance of social activism across the globe and in diverse contexts.

One of the notable features of Remembering Social Movements is its commitment to grounding students through case studies while also offering analytical tools for the reader. The book provides detailed historical backgrounds and context for each case study, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of the historical events and social movements that shaped them. At the same time, the analytical framework provided by the five key concepts enables the reader to engage with the material on a more critical and nuanced level, encouraging them to think critically about the role of memory in social movements and its implications for our understanding of history and society.

In conclusion, Remembering Social Movements is a groundbreaking work that offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of the relations between social movements and collective memory. By introducing a rich theoretical framework and presenting a wealth of historical case studies, the book provides students with a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of this field. At the same time, it offers analytical tools that enable readers to engage with the material on a deeper level, encouraging critical thinking and a deeper appreciation of the role of memory in shaping our collective past and present.

Weight: 504g
Dimension: 156 x 232 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367541552