The Language of Contention
Revolutions in Words, 1688–2012

This book examines the development of the language of social movements, revolutions and terrorism from the seventeenth century to the present.

Sidney Tarrow (Author)

9781107036246, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 August 2013

263 pages, 22 b/w illus. 5 maps 9 tables
23.5 x 15.7 x 1.9 cm, 0.5 kg

'This fascinating book by the distinguished Sidney Tarrow offers a comprehensive study of language to the literature on contentious politics and social movements and should compel scholars of these fields to consider the importance of language in their future work.' James Buchanan, Social Movement Studies

This book examines the relations between the material and political bases of contentious politics and the construction, diffusion and endurance of contentious language. Beginning with the language of revolution developed from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries, it examines contentious language at work, in gender and race relations and in nationalist and ethnic movements. It closes with an examination of emotions in contentious politics, reflecting on the changes in political language since 9/11 and assessing the impact of religion and recent innovations in electronic communication on the language of politics.

Introduction
1. Repertoires of contentious language
2. Revolutions in words
3. Words at work
4. Race and rights talk
5. Gender words
6. Citizens and nations
7. Love and hatred
8. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Comparative politics [JPB], Politics & government [JP]