Cultural Dilemmas of Progressive Politics - Styles of Engagement among Grassroots Activists

Why have conservatives fared better than progressives in recent decades, even though polls show no significant move to the right in public opinion? "Cultural Dilemmas of Progressive Politics highlights one reason: that progressives often adopt impoverished modes of discourse, ceding the moral high ground to their conservative rivals. As Stephen Hart shows, however, some progressive groups are pioneering more robust ways of talking about their issues and values, providing examples other progressives could emulate. In case studies of grassroots organizations, Hart shows how each group develops a distinctive way of talking about politics and fashioning characteristic stories and ceremonies. The case studies include extensive treatment of economic justice work in faith-based community organizing, as well as human rights activism in Amnesty International. According to Hart, the way people engage in politics matters just as much as the content of their ideas. When activists engage issues with passion, make the moral basis for their activism clear, and articulate a unified social vision, they challenge the recent ascendancy of conservative discourse.

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Summary

Despite there having been no significant move to the right in recent years in public political opinion, conservatives have fared much better than progressives. This text explores the reasons for this pattern through examination of case studies of grassroots movements.

Product details

• Authors: Stephen Hart, Stephen M. Hart, Stephen M. (University College London Hart, Hart Stephen M.
• Publisher: University Presses
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.04.2001
• EAN: 9780226318189
• ISBN: 978-0-226-31818-9
• No. of pages: 304
• Dimensions: 16 mm x 23 mm x 2 mm
• Weight: 454 g
• Series: Morality and Society Series; Morality and Society (Paperbac; Morality and Society Series; Morality and Society Series (CHUP)
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political theories and the history of ideas; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / Political Advocacy, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, Political activism, Political science & theory, Political science and theory, Political activism / Political engagement