Social Movements: Thoughts and Theories

Abstract

The subject of this book is the study of social movements and their supporters. More especially it is concerned with a particular example of such a movement and the individuals upon whom it made a deep and indelible impact. The particular circumstances of the movement and its members are explored from chapter 2 onwards. In order to made sense of that experience, however, and to draw understanding from it, this chapter sets out some theoretical and conceptual considerations which frame the material that follows.

Men make their own history: social life is produced by cultural achievements and social conflicts, and at the heart of society burns the fire of social movements.

(Touraine, 1981, p. 1)