The Making of Pro-life Activists: How Social Movement Mobilization Works

How do people become activists for causes they care deeply about? Many people with similar backgrounds, for instance, fervently believe that abortion should be illegal, but only some of them join the pro-life movement. By delving into the lives and beliefs of activists and nonactivists alike, Ziad W. Munson is able to lucidly examine the differences between them.
Through extensive interviews and detailed studies of pro-life organizations across the nation, Munson makes the startling discovery that many activists join up before they develop strong beliefs about abortion-in fact, some are even pro-choice prior to their mobilization. Therefore, Munson concludes, commitment to an issue is often a consequence rather than a cause of activism.
The Making of Pro-life Activists provides a compelling new model of how people become activists while also offering a penetrating analysis of the complex relationship between religion, politics, and the pro-life movement. Policy makers, activists on both sides of the issue, and anyone seeking to understand how social movements take shape will find this book essential.

Author: Ziad W. Munson
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 02/15/2009
Pages: 248
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.70d
ISBN: 9780226551203

Review Citation(s):
Choice 01/01/2010
Books & Culture 05/01/2010 pg. 10

About the Author
Ziad W. Munson is the Frank R. Hook Assistant Professor of Sociology at Lehigh University.