''The highly abstract concept of social movement, its main dimensions and the various forms it takes in the real world come alive in this excellent introduction to social movement studies. Hank Johnston presents a concise, easy to read, up-to-date and thorough overview over this particularly flourishing field of the social sciences.'' Hanspeter Kriesi, European University Institute ''The momentous events of 2011 in the Arab world have started a wave of global protest that is not likely to recede soon. Hank JohnstonÂs timely new book provides us with the tools to make sense of recent developments, and connect them to earlier phases of contention. Mapping both theoretical and research approaches, drawing from an impressive array of contentious episodes across time and space, and profiting from JohnstonÂs deep grasp of cultural processes and Âsocial movement performances, What is a Social Movement? will be essential reading for specialists and lay readers alike.'' Mario Diani, University of Trento and ICREA-UPF Barcelona ''Few scholars have gone as far as Hank Johnston in bridging various strands of the social movement literature. This book combines insights from structural, organizational, and cultural theories to give a fresh look at social movement analysis.'' Marco Giugni, University of Geneva ''This is a comprehensive, engaging, and beautifully written introduction to the study of social movements.

It is one of the best undergraduate texts in the field, but it would also be an invaluable source for graduate students and scholars looking for a concise review of the major theoretical perspectives and debates in the field.'' Verta Taylor, University of California Santa Barbara "Johnston provides a nuanced understanding of contemporary society through the study of social movements, looking at them in theory and practice from a broad perspective." Political Studies Review.