ABSTRACT
In reflecting upon these new directions it is perhaps also worth reflecting upon our own approach in this book, which is to provide a guide to some of the many concepts, schools of thought and disciplinary frameworks that animate social movement studies. Inevitably, our selection is just that – selective, we have not made any attempt to be comprehensive, believing that such an attempt would be as futile as attempting to list the many thousands of movements that have changed the social and political in immeasurable ways. Instead, we hope that by tracing the evolution of social movement studies through this introduction, and in picking a range of concepts drawn from distinctive approaches, illustrated here and there with concrete examples of prominent and not-so-prominent movements, we are providing the beginnings of a map for those as yet unaccustomed to the breadth and possibilities of this field of study. Our sense is that many of those who are actively involved in social movements look at some point for a guide to what, if anything, the study of social movements can offer them, in terms of reflection, inspiration, strategy or tactics. We also believe that for many students encountering the study of social movements as a route to understanding social and political change, there is a value to identifying an issue, idea or movement that might help them develop both a scholarly and practical engagement. From this position, we have sought to present both an accurate reflection of the field and a description of the concepts that we believe are most conducive to intellectual and material mobilisation.
