Peace Protest and Policy

Explaining the Rise and Decline of Antinuclear Movements in Postwar America

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6329676
AutoresD S Meyer (0000-0001-8511-9307, autor correspondente)
Ano1993
Volume21
Fascículo1
Páginas35-51
Data de publicação1993-03-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPolicy Studies Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0190-292X • E-ISSN: 1541-0072
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1541-0072.1993.tb01452.x
OpenAlexW2154123066
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas27
Referências citadas33

The tremendous fluctuations in public mobilization against United States nuclear weapons policy, a relatively stable policy over four decades, present a difficult riddle to social scientists. Since the dawn of the nuclear age small groups of activists have consistently protested both the content of United States national security policy and the process by which it is made. Only occasionally, however, has this protest spread beyond a handful of relatively marginal groups, generated substantial public support, and reached mainstream political institutions. This article examines the political cycles of peace movement engagement and quiescence, and their relation to external political context, particularly public policy. I begin with a brief review of the relevant literature on the origins of the movements, noting parallels in the study of interest groups. Building on recent literature on political opportunity structure. I suggest a theoretical framework which emphasizes the interaction between activists choices and political context. I then describe the cycles of peace movement activism and quiescence on nuclear weapons issues in the United States using mass media sources to delineate periods of mobilization. I outline a number of policy variables which may help explain protest mobilization. My conclusions address the importance of policy and political context in explaining movement cycles and the potential influence of protest movements on policy

Context (archaeology · Economics · Mainstream · Mass mobilization · Mobilization · Parallels · Political economy · Political opportunity · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Social movement · Sociology · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · History · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration