A Social Psychology of Protest
Individuals in Action

An interdisciplinary analysis of protest participation, leading to integrated approaches to the social psychology of protest.

Jacquelien van Stekelenburg (Author), Bert Klandermans (Author)

9781107178007, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 December 2023

292 pages
23.5 x 15.5 x 2 cm, 0.59 kg

'The book offers an excellent review of the research and theory on collective action and serves as a great primer for those wishing to learn more about protests. Academics at all levels in psychology, political science, and sociology will find the book a useful review and extension of past work in this area. … Recommended.' S. Reysen, CHOICE

Protest is typically rare behavior, yet the first decade of the twenty-first century has been named the era of protest. Successful protests bring masses to the streets, and the emergence of social media has fundamentally changed the process of mobilization. What protests need to be successful is demand (grievances, anger, and indignation), supply (protest organizations), and mobilization (effective communication networks). Motivation to participate can be instrumental, expressive, and identity driven, and politicized collective identity plays an important role in the dynamics of collective action. This volume brings together insights from social psychology, political psychology, sociology, and political science to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of protest participation, particularly to the question of why some people protest while others do not. It is essential reading for scholars interested in the social and political psychology of individuals in action.

1. Introduction
2. The Legacy of the Past
3. What is Contextualized Contestation?
4. Dynamics of Demand
5. Dynamics of Supply
6. Dynamics of Mobilization
7. Context Matters, but how?
8. Should I Stay or Should I Go?
9. Politicization, Polarization and Radicalization
Conclusion: Taking Stock
References.

Subject Areas: Social, group or collective psychology [JMH]