Political activists in America
Subtitle: the identity construction model of political participation
By: Nathan Teske.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 180
Subjects: Political activists -- United States -- Psychology.; Political participation -- United States -- Psychological aspects.; Commitment (Psychology); Identity (Psychology)
Description: Through vivid portrayals of individual activists, Political Activists in America offers a fresh analysis of why people become involved in politics. Based on interviews with environmental, social justice, and pro-life activists, the book argues, contrary to both popular opinion and the main approaches of political science, that active involvement in politics can be deeply fulfilling to the individual.

The "identity construction" approach is the core of the book's argument and shows how activists value political involvement for themselves. The book argues against approaches that see politics as an inherently costly or unpleasant activity. In contrast, the identity construction approach sees political activism as enabling activists to become people they would otherwise have been unable to become.

The construction of identity for an activist is about both morality and what one wants for oneself, and hence it illustrates shortcomings in approaches that divide motivations into either the "self-interested" or the "altruistic."
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-175) and index.