Protests and policies: how radical social movement activists engage with climate policy dilemmas
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Protests and policies : how radical social movement activists engage with climate policy dilemmas. / Corry, Olaf; Reiner, David J.
In: Sociology, Vol. 55, No. 1, 01.05.2021, p. 197-217.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Protests and policies
T2 - how radical social movement activists engage with climate policy dilemmas
AU - Corry, Olaf
AU - Reiner, David J
PY - 2021/5/1
Y1 - 2021/5/1
N2 - How do radical movements seeking fundamental social change engage with nearer-term policy dilemmas? Disciplinary boundaries and practical obstacles have limited research into protester policy engagement. Using a hybrid method combining participant-observation and expert-led focus groups, we document activist attitudes concerning controversial climate policy options. Data gathered at ‘Climate Camps’ in six national contexts are presented alongside evidence from similar ‘participant-instigator’ events at Green Party conferences. We find activists engaged in direct action outside the established political system had policy knowledge and agendas comparable to or surpassing those active within the system. Support for radical change appears correlated with – rather than opposed to – knowledge and interest in policy agendas. As climate protests escalate it is important to understand ‘protester policy engagement’ – the processing, production and communication of changes proposed from a position outside the established political system and to theorise this with, rather than in contradistinction to, social movement identity.
AB - How do radical movements seeking fundamental social change engage with nearer-term policy dilemmas? Disciplinary boundaries and practical obstacles have limited research into protester policy engagement. Using a hybrid method combining participant-observation and expert-led focus groups, we document activist attitudes concerning controversial climate policy options. Data gathered at ‘Climate Camps’ in six national contexts are presented alongside evidence from similar ‘participant-instigator’ events at Green Party conferences. We find activists engaged in direct action outside the established political system had policy knowledge and agendas comparable to or surpassing those active within the system. Support for radical change appears correlated with – rather than opposed to – knowledge and interest in policy agendas. As climate protests escalate it is important to understand ‘protester policy engagement’ – the processing, production and communication of changes proposed from a position outside the established political system and to theorise this with, rather than in contradistinction to, social movement identity.
KW - Faculty of Social Sciences
KW - carbon capture and storage (CCS)
KW - climate change
KW - energy policy
KW - expertise
KW - Green Parties
KW - protest
KW - Scientism
KW - social movements
U2 - 10.1177/0038038520943107
DO - 10.1177/0038038520943107
M3 - Journal article
VL - 55
SP - 197
EP - 217
JO - Sociology
JF - Sociology
SN - 0038-0385
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 247507194