Cultural dilemmas of progressive politics : styles of engagement among grassroots activists / Stephen Hart.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hart, Stephen, 1946-

Series:

Morality and society.

Morality and society series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political participation--United States.

Political participation.

Social movements--United States.

Social movements.

Religion and politics--United States.

Religion and politics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (306 p.)

Place of Publication:

Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Why have conservatives fared so much better than progressives in recent decades, even though polls show no significant move to the right in public opinion? Cultural Dilemmas of Progressive Politics highlights one reason: that progressives often adopt impoverished modes of discourse, ceding the moral high ground to their conservative rivals. Stephen Hart also shows that some progressive groups are pioneering more robust ways of talking about their issues and values, providing examples other progressives could emulate. Through case studies of grassroots movements-particularly the economic justice work carried on by congregation-based community organizing and the pursuit of human rights by local members of Amnesty International-Hart shows how these groups develop distinctive ways of talking about politics and create characteristic stories, ceremonies, and practices. According to Hart, the way people engage in politics matters just as much as the content of their ideas: when activists make the moral basis for their activism clear, engage issues with passion, and articulate a unified social vision, they challenge the recent ascendancy of conservative discourse. On the basis of these case studies, Hart addresses currently debated topics such as individualism in America and whether strains of political thought strongly informed by religion and moral values are compatible with tolerance and liberty.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Part I: How We Engage in Politics and Why It Matters

Part II: Congregation-Based Community Organizing

Part III: Human Rights and Amnesty International

Part IV: How Should We Talk about Politics?

Appendix A. Results from Two National Surveys of Congregation-Based Community Organizing

Appendix B. A Catholic Framework for Economic Life (U.S. Catholic Conference)

Appendix C. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (Republic of France)

Appendix D. The Bill of Rights and Supporting Documents (United States of America)

Appendix E. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations)

Appendix F. Excerpts from the Statute of Amnesty International

Notes

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786612538049

9780226318196

0226318192

9781282538047

1282538047

OCLC:

630542286