Reviews
Poor People's Movements: Why They Succeed, How They Fail by Richard A. Cloward, Frances Fox Piven
nickl1223's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A true gem to the study of political science and sociology. The common misconceptions of how sectors of the American population gain rights through protest, such as the civil rights movement or the welfare movement of the 1970s. Yielding success in suffrage, economic, or social rights isn't necessarily about organization or leadership; it's about disruption. Disrupting society is the best course of action for gaining equality. This book dives into incredible detail about how differing movements in American society succeed or fail. It gives the reader, like myself, a glimpse into the broad scope of how populations function. Highly recommended for those who like to analyze society from a broadened lens, especially those interested in how social movements operate.
ibbys's review against another edition
4.0
Both academics and activists who were involved in the organizing of the Welfare Rights Movement of the 1960s, authors Piven and Cloward talk the talk and walk the walk. Their thesis is simple: the most concessions can be won from power through spontaneous, local and direct economic disruption, rather than through building formal bureaucratic organization and lobbying in the federal government. The effectiveness of a direct local tactic lies in its ability to create local political/financial strain and transform local and state politicians into lobbyists for their demands. As their historical investigation of four major American social movements show, this is not merely an outlaw romanticism, but a material necessity if any gains are to be made. From disruption in relief offices during the Great Depression, to sit-down strikes in industrial workplaces, to strategic provocation of violence in the pacifist Civil Rights demonstrations, P&C explore the most and least effective movement strategies employed throughout the 20th century. Finally they analyze the Welfare Rights Movement's effectiveness based largely on their own direct experience and observations. Such a rigorous and important book for activists, aspiring or current.
mennonot's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent historical overview and analysis of key movements in the U.S. in the 20th century.
anyamcmurrer's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Covers 4 major American social movements of the 20th century and their successes/pitfalls. Centrally argue that developing bureaucracy-heavy organizations with intricate structures and constitutions (they somehow predicted the mass nonprofit/lobbying industrial complex) undercuts social change; instead favor mobilizing moments of mass defiance on the part of impacted poor. Super interesting, and factors in a lot of the major political moments of 20thc US.
bobtatel's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
dtpsweeney's review
4.0
An extremely compelling sociological / historical view of social movements in the United States. Piven and Cloward are convincing contrarian thinkers whose critiques of the typical "community organizing" model are necessary and historically grounded. This work challenges me to think very differently about how communities can (and often cannot) leverage significant social change. It is extremely well-researched, tactically and strategically valuable, and productively discomforting.
All of that being said, it reads like a brick. Reading this book is work. On the upside, some sections are useful in case of insomnia.
All of that being said, it reads like a brick. Reading this book is work. On the upside, some sections are useful in case of insomnia.
justabean_reads's review
4.0
I learned so much reading this book. It was a bit technical, and tended to repetitive, but really worth the time if you're into mid 20th-century history, or the history of mass movements. Very well thought out, organised and insightful.
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