Social Class and Social Movements

Abstract

This chapter explores the evolving relationship between social class and social mobilization, both as objects of study and categories of analysis. Starting with a historical account of how class has served as a basis for mobilization, as well as a concept for understanding it, the analysis then discusses the evolution of social class and social mobilization, which grew more distant just as theories of social mobilization became more systematized. It draws on protest and strike data to explore the size and overlap between these “old” and “new” movements at the time that social movement theories were emerging. The chapter then examines how social class and social mobilization are coming together again as the nature and scope of social movement scholarship changes. It concludes with an assessment of key questions and unresolved debates around the study of social class and social movements.