Political Activists in America

This combination of accessible writing, strong theoretical framing of a smart research question, comparative research design, and rich empirical data mined insightfully makes for a strong sociological argument and an engaging read. Teske argues that the conceptual categories underlying both rational actor and antirational actor approaches to political participation undermine any real understanding of activism by drawing a false dichotomy between self-interested and altruistic motives. Drawing on activists reflections on their work, he shows how they articulate—and through their activism enact—a moral world in which political participation transcends such categories by serving oneself, others, and the wider society. —Richard L. Wood, The American Journal of Sociology

Political Activists in America points social scientists toward an important research agenda that has somehow slipped through the cracks between political theory, political psychology, and political behavior. Teske s sensitive and sensible account of political activism effectively urges our discipline to reintegrate thinking about morality and political reasoning with political behavior. —David S. Meyer, Social Science Quarterly

Reviews:
"What emerges is an important supplement to the results of studies of participation based on national surveys, a sensitive and nuanced portrait of the citizen as an issue activist, and a much richer understanding of the way that purposive incentives, often dismissed by students of collective action, can mix inextricably altruistic and self-regarding concerns." - Kay Lehman Schlozman, The Journal of Politics "Political Activists in America points social scientists toward an important research agenda that has somehow slipped through the cracks between political theory, political psychology, and political behavior. Teske's sensitive and sensible account of political activism effectively urges our discipline to reintegrate thinking about morality and political reasoning with political behavior." - David S. Meyer, Social Science Quarterly"

Author Biography:
Nathan Teske has a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He works for Catholic Charities in Oregon.

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