Ruling by Other Means
Ruling by Other Means
Elizabeth J. Perry, Harvard University, Massachusetts
Xiaojun Yan, University of Hong Kong
What do states gain by sending citizens into the streets? Ruling by Other Means investigates this question through the lens of State-Mobilized Movements (SMMs), an umbrella concept that includes a range of (often covertly organized) collective actions intended to advance state interests. The SMMs research agenda departs significantly from that of classic social movement and contentious politics theory, focused on threats to the state from seemingly autonomous societal actors. Existing theories assume that the goal of popular protest is to voice societal grievances, represent oppressed groups, and challenge state authorities and other powerholders. The chapters in this volume show, however, that states themselves organize citizens (sometimes surreptitiously and even transnationally) to act collectively to advance state goals. Drawn from different historical periods and diverse geographical regions, these case studies expand and improve our understanding of social movements, civil society and state-society relations under authoritarian regimes.
- Explores and theorizes a new domain of contentious politics
- Expands analysis of social bases of authoritarian politics
- Provides consistent cross-national and cross regional approach
Reviews & endorsements
'This brilliant volume shines penetrating light on a hidden phenomena: state mobilization of popular action. While social movements are usually thought to only oppose state bureaucracies or contend with popular counter-movements, this book shows that this is only half the story. States routinely pursue their goals, seeking to defeat social movements by actively mobilizing pro-state movements. Combining fresh theoretical insights with coverage of cases from around the world, this is a must-read volume for anyone studying social movements and state power.' Jack A. Goldstone, George Mason University
'Ruling by Other Means turns social mobilization on its head. The contributors to this powerful volume demonstrate how states have taken the very tool most often used against them to shore themselves up. Instead of focusing on protests in which people cry out against the state, this stellar collection crafts an innovative approach, analyzing how state leaders mobilize citizens against both real and imagined enemies.' Joel S. Migdal, University of Washington, Seattle
'For far too long, scholars in both political science and sociology have conceptualized states and movements as qualitatively different actors. In an era in which the line between states and movements is increasingly blurry, Ruling by Other Means serves as a welcome corrective to the traditional view. Through a range of fascinating cases, the authors remind us that state actors can, and often do, appropriate the movement form to buttress their rule.' Douglas McAdam, Stanford University
Product details
July 2020Paperback
9781108745611
348 pages
150 × 230 × 20 mm
0.57kg
25 b/w illus. 7 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. State-Mobilized Movements: A Research Agenda Grzegorz Ekiert and Elizabeth J. Perry
- 2. Manufactured Ambiguity: Party-State Mobilization Strategy in the March 1968 Crisis in Poland Dominika Kruszewska and Grzegorz Ekiert
- 3. Suppressing Students in the People's Republic of China: Proletarian State-Mobilized Movements in 1968 and 1989 Elizabeth J. Perry and Yan Xiaojun
- 4. Mobilization for Development in Rural Taiwan Kristen Looney
- 5. Enforcement Networks and Racial Contention in Civil Rights-Era Mississippi David Cunningham and Peter B. Owen
- 6. Social Sources of Counterrevolution: State-Mobilized Movements during Revolutionary Episodes Mark Beissinger
- 7. Occupy Youth! State-Mobilized Movements in the Putin Era (or, What Was Nashi and What Comes Next?) Julie Hemment
- 8. State-Mobilized Movements after Annexation of Crimea: The Construction of Novorossiya Samuel A. Greene and Graeme B. Robertson
- 9. Mirroring Opposition Threats: The Logic of State Mobilization in Bolivarian Venezuela Sam Handlin
- 10. Party-led Mobilization: Veterans as a Pivotal Political Actor Danijela Dolenec and Daniela Širinić
- 11. The Dynamics of State-Mobilized Movements: Insights from Egypt Ashley Anderson and Melani Cammett
- 12. State-Mobilized Movements and the Pro-Democracy Movement in Hong Kong, 2013-2015 Eliza W. Y. Lee
- 13. The Resurrection of Lei Feng: Rebuilding the Chinese Party-State's Infrastructure of Volunteer Mobilization David Palmer and Rundong Ning.
