Schaeffer identifies a significant set of global social changes over the past 200 years and then considers the role of diverse social movements in shaping them. Starting with the importance of moving from dynastic empires to republics–that is, constitutional governments based on popular sovereignty–the author traces the historical rise, democratization, and expansion of citizenship, beginning with the US. In addition to focusing first on social change and then examining how social movements contributed to it, a distinctive feature of this work is its consideration of how both liberty and equality have advanced in some ways, while subordination and inequality have endured in others. Schaeffer describes three types of social movements–aspiring, altruistic, and restrictionist–that create communities to make, assist, advance, and/or suppress change. The book closes with a critical discussion of primary social movement theories. The author takes an optimistic long view of social movements and social change 'tempered by a realistic appreciation of its limits.' Summing Up: Highly recommended. Most levels/libraries.

Choice Reviews

Robert Schaeffer has the extraordinary gift to describe and dissect complex patterns of global history and change in clear, compelling, lucid prose, showing how movements from below have made history—and now must make the future. Social Movements and Global Social Change will become a classic account; it is no less a powerful statement for posterity about where the world stood in 2014.

Marcus Rediker, author of The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom

This is a superb read for anyone interested in change and globalization around the world. In an articulate argument Schaeffer describes several kinds of social movements that—for better and worse—have given rise to nations, cultures, human betterment, and tragic inequality in a globalizing world of change. His argument is exquisitely documented using both historical and contemporary scholarly sources, often drawn from his own voluminous research and writings. It illustrates why Schaeffer is widely known and respected among his scholarly peers.

Charles L. Harper, Creighton University