Why Men Rebel: Fortieth Anniversary Edition (U.S. History in International Perspective)
Likely to last a long time. --James C. Davies in OrbisI am delighted to see Why Men Rebel back in print. In addition to being an important theory about protest and rebellion it also serves well teachers who wish to illustrate theoretical levels of analysis and how theory can focus on one while engaging the context provided by others. Gurr's theory is sometimes over-simplified as a purely psychological theory. Yet it has a core focus on individual grievances within the context of societal norms and values as well as government capacity and repression. Few rational choice theories ground their analysis within social contexts, and few of the sociological or structural theories provide an account of the impact of individuals' beliefs or motives. Why Men Rebel provides not only an important theory of protest and rebellion, but remains today a model for developing a rigorous theory that engages the complexity and nuance that this topic surely requires. --Will H. Moore, Florida State UniversityThe most important book that has been published on social violence in a good number of years. . . .a superb piece of work. --Lewis A. Coser in The New York Times Book