Analysing the Progressive Activism against Neo-liberalism

This book, co-authored by Laurence Cox and Alf Gunvald Nilsen, is a thought-provoking text. I read the book as having three core parts. First, it outlines the authors’ theoretical understanding of what “social movements” means to them. Based on this highly interesting definition, they propose an analytical programme on how such movements can be studied. In the second part, this is illustrated empirically around the example of the development of capitalism and of resistance to capitalism up to its present incarnation as “neo-liberalism.” The third part, finally, offers normative recommendations and a “moral boost” to contemporary social movement activists on how to overcome what the authors describe as the present “stalemate” in progressive activism against neo-liberalism. Depending on the conceptual and normative predisposition of its readers, it is this third part that will, most likely, induce a range of responses.

Re-conceptualising Movements