New Social Movements In Western Europe: A Comparative Analysis (Social Movements, Protest & Contention)

First published in 1996. This study is the product of a collaborative effort that has lasted for more than seven years. This is a project on the comparative analysis of new social movements in Western Europe. In order to get a clearer idea of the possible relationships between the traditional political cleavages and the new ones articulated by the new social movements, let us briefly discuss the concept of the "mobilization potential" of a political cleavage. This text combines theories of resource mobilization with an analysis of the structures of political opportunity. It provides a summary of the orientations of particular movements and of the significance of differing political regimes across Europe. Content: pt. 1. General concepts and basic results -- pt. 2. Elaborations.