Comparative Perspectives on Social Movements: Framing political opportunity

摘要: The concept of political opportunity structure is in trouble, danger becoming a sponge that soaks up virtually every aspect the social movement environment – institutions and culture, crises various sorts, alliances, policy shifts. As Tarrow notes (1988: 430), “Political may be discerned along so many directions ways it less variable than cluster variables some more readily observable others.” It threatens to become an all-encompassing fudge factor for all conditions circumstances form context collective action. Used explain much, ultimately nothing at all. Part problem analysts use serve wide variety functions, define accordingly. Scholars who want emergence influence over time as set independent , describe dynamic aspects change allow or encourage challengers (e.g., Jenkins Perrow 1977; McAdam 1982; Meyer 1990, 1993a). Others compare development similar movements different nations, states, cities holder intervening such institutional structures rules representation Amenta Zylan 1991; Eisinger 1973; Kitschelt 1986; Tilly 1978).