The Cement of Civil Society

'Social movements are just one among several important and interrelated modes of coordinating collective action. Networks are outcomes of, rather than preconditions for, sustained interactions among groups and organizations. Elaborating this vision, Mario Diani puts social movements in their place and turns networks on their head while cementing the foundation of a truly innovative framework for rigorous analysis of civil society as a distinct field. Read this book as a blueprint for the future of research on collective action in civil society.' Ronald Breiger, University of Arizona

'By moving beyond aggregative, trait-based views of social and political structure to relational conceptions, Diani deftly turns the kaleidoscope to reveal heretofore unseen patterns in civil society. His fascinating findings supplement some existing literature while turning some traditional conclusions on their heads. This work creates a new, compelling imperative for incorporating complex network dynamics into research on civil society organizing.' Janet L. Fulk, University of Southern California

'… a major contribution to relational sociology, the study of civil society and social movement studies. Diani's book is a huge step in the right direction, not only for political sociology and social movement studies, but for sociology more generally. Let us hope that it taps into the current relational momentum in sociology, infusing it with the methodological and empirical dimension which, sadly, it often lacks, and thus perhaps helping to make a genuine difference to the discipline.' Nick Crossley, PArtecipazione e COnflitto

'The Cement of Civil Society advances such a rich and insightful research agenda … [It] provides an impressive theoretical contribution to the literature on civic networks and social movements. Finally, the epistemological and methodological reorientation Diani proposes throughout this book will certainly embody a long-lasting contribution to the way we think and study the structure of local civil societies.' Gianluca De Fazio, PArtecipazione e COnflitto

'Mario Diani's masterful new book … convincingly argues that relations are central to understanding contentious politics … this is an important book that will serve as a primary reference on social movement networks. I was not only thoroughly impressed by its theoretical and methodological sophistication, but also by its careful and logical structure. Diani patiently guides the reader through an extremely complex process that reveals how relations are constructed and structured, and how they affect practices and influence in two different cities. The book is a must read for any scholar and student interested in social movements and contentious politics.' Walter J. Nicholls, PArtecipazione e COnflitto

'The Cement of Civil Society … brings valuable insights for the study of nonprofit organizations, mainly by showing how the distinction between formal organizations and informal groups may hide practices and relationships that are relevant for understanding the role and possibilities of civil society … it is a valuable contribution to the discussion of the relationship between nonprofits, social movements, and other civil society groups.' Marcelo Marchesini, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly