Nancy Whittier
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- January 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780190235994
- eISBN:
- 9780190236038
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190235994.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Politics, Social Movements and Social Change, Gender and Sexuality
What happens when activists who usually oppose each other work to advance similar goals? This book re-conceptualizes models of social movements’ relationships with each other and develops a new ...
More
What happens when activists who usually oppose each other work to advance similar goals? This book re-conceptualizes models of social movements’ relationships with each other and develops a new framework for understanding relationships that are neither coalitions nor countermovements. Rich, empirically grounded case studies of opposition to pornography, child sexual abuse policy, and the Violence Against Women Act show how feminists and conservatives engaged with the issues and with each other, the differences between their approaches, and both their points of overlap and their power struggles. Each case illustrates a different type of relationship: an adversarial yet collaborative interaction around pornography; a narrow, issue-specific, and politically neutral opposition to child sexual abuse; and an ambivalent alliance confined to the policy arena for the Violence Against Women Act. Focusing on activism targeting the federal government from 1980 to 2013, the book draws on a unique, in-depth dataset, including transcripts of Congressional hearings and movement documents, to analyze interpretive processes within the state. Activists constructed frames that enabled cross-ideological support, dealt with the reputational risk of appearing to consort with the enemy, and sometimes compromised or de-emphasized controversial goals in favor of areas of commonality. In the end, feminists and conservatives influenced policy and culture to different degrees in the three case studies, depending on their relative power. Frenemies draws powerful lessons about both the benefits and risks of collaboration across ideological difference.Less
What happens when activists who usually oppose each other work to advance similar goals? This book re-conceptualizes models of social movements’ relationships with each other and develops a new framework for understanding relationships that are neither coalitions nor countermovements. Rich, empirically grounded case studies of opposition to pornography, child sexual abuse policy, and the Violence Against Women Act show how feminists and conservatives engaged with the issues and with each other, the differences between their approaches, and both their points of overlap and their power struggles. Each case illustrates a different type of relationship: an adversarial yet collaborative interaction around pornography; a narrow, issue-specific, and politically neutral opposition to child sexual abuse; and an ambivalent alliance confined to the policy arena for the Violence Against Women Act. Focusing on activism targeting the federal government from 1980 to 2013, the book draws on a unique, in-depth dataset, including transcripts of Congressional hearings and movement documents, to analyze interpretive processes within the state. Activists constructed frames that enabled cross-ideological support, dealt with the reputational risk of appearing to consort with the enemy, and sometimes compromised or de-emphasized controversial goals in favor of areas of commonality. In the end, feminists and conservatives influenced policy and culture to different degrees in the three case studies, depending on their relative power. Frenemies draws powerful lessons about both the benefits and risks of collaboration across ideological difference.
Valerie Sperling
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199324347
- eISBN:
- 9780199381890
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199324347.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Politics, Social Movements and Social Change, Gender and Sexuality
Is Vladimir Putin macho, or is he a “fag”? this book investigates how gender stereotypes and sexualization have been used as tools of political legitimation in Putin’s Russia. Despite their political ...
More
Is Vladimir Putin macho, or is he a “fag”? this book investigates how gender stereotypes and sexualization have been used as tools of political legitimation in Putin’s Russia. Despite their political polarization, regime allies and detractors alike have wielded traditional concepts of masculinity, femininity, and homophobia as a means of symbolic endorsement or disparagement of political leaders and policies. By repeatedly using machismo as a means of legitimation, Putin’s regime opened the door to the concerted use of gendered rhetoric and imagery as a means to challenge regime authority. Sex, Politics, and Putin analyzes the political uses of gender norms and sexualization in Russia through the lens of three case studies: pro- and anti-regime groups’ activism aimed at supporting or undermining the political leaders on their respective sides; activism regarding military conscription and patriotism; and feminist activism (including the dramatic performances by Pussy Riot). Arguing that gender norms are most easily invoked as tools of authority-building when widespread popular acceptance of misogyny and homophobia exists, this book also examines the ways in which sexism and homophobia are reflected in Russia’s public sphere. Exploration of this subject sheds light on Russia’s sociopolitical dynamics and on the use of gender norms as part of the legitimation strategies employed by regimes in power and by their political opponents.Less
Is Vladimir Putin macho, or is he a “fag”? this book investigates how gender stereotypes and sexualization have been used as tools of political legitimation in Putin’s Russia. Despite their political polarization, regime allies and detractors alike have wielded traditional concepts of masculinity, femininity, and homophobia as a means of symbolic endorsement or disparagement of political leaders and policies. By repeatedly using machismo as a means of legitimation, Putin’s regime opened the door to the concerted use of gendered rhetoric and imagery as a means to challenge regime authority. Sex, Politics, and Putin analyzes the political uses of gender norms and sexualization in Russia through the lens of three case studies: pro- and anti-regime groups’ activism aimed at supporting or undermining the political leaders on their respective sides; activism regarding military conscription and patriotism; and feminist activism (including the dramatic performances by Pussy Riot). Arguing that gender norms are most easily invoked as tools of authority-building when widespread popular acceptance of misogyny and homophobia exists, this book also examines the ways in which sexism and homophobia are reflected in Russia’s public sphere. Exploration of this subject sheds light on Russia’s sociopolitical dynamics and on the use of gender norms as part of the legitimation strategies employed by regimes in power and by their political opponents.
The Human Right to Dominate
No Place Like Home
