ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 explores the question: what are social movements? Given the wide variety of forms social movements take, how might we define them effectively and inclusively? One answer to this question seeks to sidestep the various conundrums found in defining anything: we know a social movement when we see it. Another answer is to emphasize the public demands made by movements for the transformation of a corrupt, unjust, or exclusionary status quo. This chapter looks at how and why movement activity occurs, as well as how we might identify and understand the various texts produced as a result.
