This seminar examines the relationship between social movements and policy responses in current controversies over the U.S. food system. We will begin with a bit of theory, sampling the literature on social movement “success.” How can we evaluate success? If success includes government concessions to social movement demands, what features of social movements make success more likely -- ample resources? effective framing? innovative tactics? the ability to exploit favorable political opportunities? How, in turn, do the responses of political authorities, involving various mixes of repression, concession, and cooptation, affect the fortunes of social movements? And how do advocates for social change balance state-centered with market-based strategies?
Taught by Professor Jeffrey Haydu, UCSD