#Rider problem social movements series#

What are the social psychological issues involved in mobilizing activists for solidarity movements? How do solidarity movements frame issues in ways that appeal to broader constituencies, beyond those immediately committed to altruistic action? How do moral claims link up with changing global institutions, or how do symbolic demonstrations like fund-raising rock concerts or campus anti-apartheid shantytowns appeal to their audience? More an effort to provoke a discussion than to answer questions, this volume offers a series of starting points. Articles on antiracism movements (by Filleuile, Koopmans, Statham and Soule) on philanthropy (Ranci) international environmental groups (Passy and Giugni, Eterovic and Smith) and support for humanitarian interventions and refugees (Lahusen and Baglioni), all challenge social movement theorists to look more closely at the motives and patterns of activism aimed at helping others. Theoretical essays by Florence Passy, Charles Tilly, and Marco Giugni develop some conceptual questions about what they term 'solidarity movements' - movements framed around altruistic concerns rather than around immediate personal interests - but most of the articles explore one or two specific cases of movements built on solidarity with others. In general, the essays in this volume are more oriented toward defining the questions we need to address, rather than offering general understandings of altruism. In contrast to the self-interested rationality that is assumed in much collective action theory - for example, in discussions of the 'free-rider' problem - these movements seem based in a moral vision that stretches beyond immediate personal grievances, where activists appear motivated by altruistic concern for others less fortunate than themselves, locally or internationally. Political Altruism? seeks to explore an apparent rise in social movements oriented toward inclusion and solidarity, from European antiracist groups, to volunteer charity organizations, to long-distance solidarity with Third World refugees. In a world where discussions of recent trends in religion and culture often mention individualism and not-in-my-back-yard exclusionary impulses, it is refreshing to find an entire volume of sociological essays dedicated to exploring a rather different phenomenon. Edited by Marco Giugni and Florence Passy. Political Altruism? Solidarity Movements in International Perspective.

Solidarity Movements in International Perspective In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

#Rider problem social movements series#