The Power Of Politics

This insightful book examines the decline of New Social Movements in France compared to their counterparts in other European nations, highlighting political influences.

In The Power Of Politics, the author, Jan Willem Duyvendak, explores the evolution of New Social Movements (NSMs) in France, contrasting them with developments in Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. He highlights how, by the 1980s, the NSMs in France were notably weaker due to the country's entrenched tradition of 'old' political conflicts. The turbulent decades of the 1960s and 1970s saw France, alongside other nations, experience a surge in social movements, particularly with a robust antinuclear movement emerging in the 1970s, positioning France as a key player in the NSM landscape.

Duyvendak meticulously examines various movements in France, such as those advocating for peace, environmental issues, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights, and compares them to similar movements in the other countries. Despite sharing comparable economic conditions, the differing political traditions among these nations significantly influenced the strength and impact of their NSMs. In France, the persistence of political divides—between urban and rural areas, as well as class and religious tensions—hampered the growth of these movements during the 1980s.

Ultimately, The Power Of Politics provides a compelling analysis of how historical and political contexts shape social movements. Duyvendak's findings suggest that the complexities of French society during this period hindered the potential for NSMs to thrive, offering valuable insights into the interplay between politics and social activism across different European contexts.