The Channels of Student Activism - by Amy J Binder (Hardcover)

About the Book

"What can student activism at flagship public universities of the toss-up states of Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, and Virginia tell us about polarization and the next generation of political activists? Sociologists Amy J. Binder and Jeffrey L. Kidder found that while most college campuses are considered progressive, and liberal students can be involved on campus in many ways, a lack of left-leaning infrastructure after graduation makes it hard for activist students to effectively channel their energies into political involvement post-college. And though usually in the minority, conservative students tend to be better organized as campus groups, helped by the funds and expertise of right-leaning organizations heavily involved in universities. After graduation, conservative students can readily move into those organizations to continue their politically active lives. The conservative strategy has helped to increase the number of provocations on campus and lower the public's trust in higher education. The authors' look at both liberal and conservative student activism has a compelling takeaway: the left is being outflanked by the right in recruiting young activists who will invest time and energy in party politics, with worrisome implications for the future of the Democratic party. What's more, the authors provide a helpful read on the way college students themselves are being instrumentalized by the right in US culture wars"--

Book Synopsis

An eye-opening analysis of collegiate activism and its effects on the divisions in contemporary American politics.

The past six years have been marked by a contentious political atmosphere that has touched every arena of public life, including higher education. Though most college campuses are considered ideologically progressive, how can it be that the right has been so successful in mobilizing young people even in these environments?

As Amy J. Binder and Jeffrey L. Kidder show in this surprising analysis of the relationship between political activism on college campuses and the broader US political landscape, while liberal students often outnumber conservatives on college campuses, liberal campus organizing remains removed from national institutions that effectively engage students after graduation. And though they are usually in the minority, conservative student groups have strong ties to national right-leaning organizations, which provide funds and expertise, as well as job opportunities and avenues for involvement after graduation. Though the left is more prominent on campus, the right has built a much more effective system for mobilizing ongoing engagement. What's more, the conservative college ecosystem has worked to increase the number of political provocations on campus and lower the public's trust in higher education.

In analyzing collegiate activism from the left, right, and center, The Channels of Student Activism shows exactly how politically engaged college students are channeled into two distinct forms of mobilization and why that has profound consequences for the future of American politics.

Review Quotes

"The Channels of Student Activism is a well-researched and fascinating contribution to the scholarly understanding of campus politics. It is highly recommended to higher education scholars and social movement researchers."-- "American Journal of Sociology"

"A rare study of conservative and progressive politically engaged students at four state universities. . . This is an important critique of political power on a polarized battleground."-- "Choice"

"Examining the perspectives and political identities of individual student activists on each side of the political spectrum, Binder and Kidder are able not only to observe general trends that distinguish them from one another but also to
elucidate nuances that speak to the variability within each camp. This bifocal lens is a particular strength of their book."-- "Mobilization"

"Overall, The Channels of Student Activism is a valuable and insightful resource for anyone interested in student cultures, campus life, or collegiate activism, and a definite must-read for researchers working at the intersection of higher education, cultural, and political sociology. With their outside-in/inside-out approach, Binder and Kidder provide a useful framework to make sense of seemingly contradictory developments in student activism and offer an empirically nuanced contribution to current debates around political polarization, free speech, and identity politics. As the book is very well written and assumes no prior knowledge, it is also accessible to those who wish to better understand the political dynamics on college campuses and the impact thereof on the cultural divisions in contemporary societies, both in the United States and beyond."-- "Higher Education"

"The Channels of Student Activism offers a superb analysis of college student politics and the forces that shape their activism, and is a must-read for anyone interested in social movements or contemporary college cultures. . . The authors present a wide-ranging engagement with research literature as well as relevant news sources and organizational archival materials."

-- "Social Forces"

"[This] book provides valuable insights into how US campus political clubs operate. . . . The authors' examination of inside and outside influences is a beneficial framework for future student politics scholarship. The book would be useful to educational leaders, student affairs professionals, higher education researchers, political scientists, and student activists looking to understand campus politics."-- "Educational Review"

"This book provides a thought-provoking analysis of how the culture and organization of American universities contributes to the political polarization that rocks campuses. Deeply researched, this beautifully written book tracks the social and material resources that shape student politics. Readers are unlikely to agree with everything in The Channels of Student Activism--but that seems to be precisely the point."--Laura Hamilton, author of Paying for the Party: How College Maintains Inequality

"What drives student politics at the American university? And why do so many students--on both sides of the political aisle--seem to shout past each other? Amy Binder and Jeff Kidder have produced a fresh set of answers. Whether you sit on the left or the right--or somewhere in between--you should read this smart book. It might change where you stand."--Jonathan Zimmerman, author of The Amateur Hour: A History of College Teaching in America

About the Author

Amy J. Binder is professor of sociology at the University of California San Diego. She is the author of Contentious Curricula and coauthor of Becoming Right.Jeffrey L. Kidder is professor of sociology at Northern Illinois University. He is the author of Parkour and the City and Urban Flow.