Global Activism Reader

This text for undergraduate courses balances cases studies and theory about transnational mobilization.

Luc Reydams joined the Department of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame in 2002, where he teaches courses on international law, international organizations, transnational social movements, and the network society. He has published a monograph with Oxford University Press as well as several refereed articles in international journals.

I.    SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, NGOS, NETWORKS, AND THE IDEA OF A GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY   

1.    Social Movements, NGOs, and Networks
Mary Kaldor
2.    Transnational Advocacy Networks in the Movement Society
Margaret Keck and Katryn Sikkink
3.    The Rise and Fall of Transnational Civil Society
Thomas Richard Davies

II.    ANTI-SLAVERY AND CONGO REFORM

4.    Transnational Activism in the Eighteenth Century: the Anti-Slavery Movement
Huw T. David
5.    Transnational Humanitarian Heroes in the Early Twentieth Century: the Congo Reform Movement
William E. DeMars

III.    GLOBAL LABOR

6.    Transnational Pioneers: The International Labor Movement
Dan Gallin
7.    Labor Rights as Human Rights: Regulation in the Context of a "Thinned" National State
Gay W. Seidman

IV.    HUMAN RIGHTS

8.    The Power of Norms versus the Norms of Power: Transnational Civil Society and Human Rights
Thomas Risse
9.    Civil Society and the International Criminal Court
Johan D. van der Vyver
10.    Human Rights NGOs: a Critical Evaluation
Makau Mutua

V.    WOMEN'S RIGHTS

11.    The Global Women's Movement: Origins, Issues, and Strategies
Peggy Antrobus
12.    Contesting Women's Rights: Charting the Emergence of a Transnational Conservative Counter-network
Louise Chappell

VI.    ENVIRONMENT

13.    Spinning the Green Web: Transnational Environmentalism
Wendy E. F. Torrance and Andrew W. Torrance
14.    Transnational Policy Networks and the Role of Advocacy Scientists: From Ozone Layer Protection to Climate Change 
Reiner Grundmann
15.    Challenging Global Warming as a Social Problem: An Analysis of the Conservative Movement's Counter-Claims
Aaron M. McCright and Riley E. Dunlap

VII.    PEACE AND DISARMAMENT

16.    Banning the Bomb
David Cortright
17.    The Ottawa Process: Nine Day Wonder or a New Model for Disarmament Negotiations?
Maurice Bleicher
18.    Assessing the Small Arms Movement: The Trials and Tribulations of a Transnational Network
Suzette R. Grillot, Craig S. Stapley, and Molly E. Hanna

VIII.    SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY

19.    Before Seattle: the Historical Roots of the Current Movement against Corporate-Led Globalization
Robin Broad and Zahara Heckscher
20.    Reclaiming the Commons
Naomi Klein
21.    Creating Spaces for Global Democracy: The World Social Forum Process
Jackie Smith
22.    Is Another World Possible? Problems and Shortcomings of the World Social Forum
Owen Worth and Karen Buckly

Notes on Authors

Reydams rocks!  In the Global Activism Reader, this intellectual impresario orchestrates a unique ensemble of theoretical and empirical themes on one of the hottest recent acts in international affairs: transnational advocacy.  For undergraduates and graduate students in international relations, human rights, globalization, and social movements, this excellent mix of readings showcases the highs and lows of global activism. Bravo! -- Clifford Bob, Duquesne University, author of The Marketing of Rebellion:  Insurgents, Media, and International Act
Globalization is not only increasingly visible in the fields of politics and economy. Social movements and civil societies are also facing globalization and actually were so in the past as well. This book compiles a number of key texts about the subject by authoritative scholars and activists. Providing a good discussion of issues such as typology and research question, covering the last two centuries and aspiring thematic comprehensiveness, it is a splendid introduction to the subject for students of political, social, and historical sciences, as well as for global activists. -Prof. Dr. Idesbald Goddeeris - K.U.Leuven (Belgium)
Transnational political activism is a central issue of our times, often holding the key to far-reaching change in human rights, environmental protection, and the quest for social justice. In the Global Activism Reader, Luc Reydams brings together a fascinating selection of theoretical and empirical perspectives from influential scholars on major transnational campaigns for political change. His cogent introduction and seamless organization of the volume into seven key issue areas makes this an ideal text for undergraduate and graduate students as well as essential reading for specialists. - Victor Peskin, Arizona State University
Covering key issues and assembling important literature, this anthology offers an excellent resource both for college courses and for general public education. Readers are offered a selection that promotes conceptual depth, historical sensitivity, critical assessment and political awareness in understanding of contemporary global activism. - Jan Aart Scholte, Professorial Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, University of Warwick