Activist Wisdom
Practical Knowledge and Creative Tension in Social Movements

Peace marches, protest demonstrations and campaigns for or against every cause imaginable, have long been part of the Australian social and political landscape. This book blends the voices and experience of insiders involved in particular causes, and analyses successes, failures and political impacts.

Peace marches, protest demonstrations and campaigns for or against every cause imaginable have long been part of the Australian social and political landscape. This lively book blends the voices and experiences of insiders involved in particular causes with a bigger picture that analyses successes and failures, communication of ideas and social and political impacts. It features fascinating interviews with some of Australia's best-known activists from the environmental, women's, peace, student, refugee and Aboriginal movements. With passion and insight, these people articulate their unique form of 'practical knowledge'. "Activist Wisdom" connects this knowledge to key social movement histories and theories, providing an insight into the world of activism and the tensions that are an inevitable part of most social movements. "Activist Wisdom" is a landmark contribution to our understanding of contemporary social movements in Australia and elsewhere.

Biographies of interviewees
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One: Theory and knowledge
Chapter 1: Theory and history
Chapter 2: Practical knowledge
Part Two: Movement tensions
Chapter 3: Expressive and instrumental
Chapter 4: Organisation and democracy
Chapter 5: Unity and difference
Chapter 6: Reform and revolution
Chapter 7: Local and global
Chapter 8: Redistribution and recognition
Chapter 9: Counter-public and the mainstream
Chapter 10: Hope and despair.