How social movements (sometimes) matter Why movements emerge and how they work Protest revolution and regime change Protest and policy Protest organizations and institutionalization Protest movements culture and participants Claiming credit People protest to try to change the world because they think they can help change the world and sometimes they do. But not by themselves and generally not just how and when they want.This incisive book explains how groups of ordinary individuals can affect the world what makes it possible when it works and why it sometimes doesnt go to plan. Digging into previous scholarship on social movements David S. Meyer looks at the origins of social movements how they contrast with revolutionary campaigns and assesses the periodic influence of activists on politics policy culture and the way people live their lives. He concludes by stressing the narratives about political change that activists construct and the power that lies in these stories.With sharp insight and a wealth of intriguing cases this book offers a fuller understanding of the politics and potential payoffs of protest politics.​