Social Movements: An Introduction provides students with a comprehensive introduction and critical analysis of collective action in society today. In the latter part of this century, social movements have become a permanent feature of modern democracies. The students' and workers' protests of the 1960s have been followed by movements focusing on women's rights, ethnic identities, peace and environmental issues. This book draws on research and empirical work across the social sciences to address the key questions in this international field.The authors examine the structural bases of contemporary movements: the role of symbolic production in the evolution of collective action and in identity construction: the relevance of organizational factors and social networks: and interaction between movements and the political system. The book includes numerous examples drawn from particular movements to guide students through the issues covered. It is the ideal introduction for students of social movements within social and political science.