Frances Fox Piven Livres

The healthy growth of the Occupy Wall Street movement depends on a proper understanding of past struggles.

Have the poor fared best by participating in conventional electoral politics or by engaging in mass defiance and disruption? The authors of the classic Regulating The Poor assess the successes and failures of these two strategies as they examine, in this provocative study, four protest movements of lower-class groups in 20th century America:-- The mobilization of the unemployed during the Great Depression that gave rise to the Workers' Alliance of America-- The industrial strikes that resulted in the formation of the CIO-- The Southern Civil Rights Movement-- The movement of welfare recipients led by the National Welfare Rights Organization.

A controversial examination of how the US political system, despite Rock the Vote' rhetoric, works to suppress the vote - especially the votes of African Americans.'

Ordinary people wield significant power in American politics during moments of anger and hope, challenging the established rules that govern their lives. This book explores how such disruptions lead to democratic moments, highlighting the potential for collective action to influence political institutions and drive change. It examines the interplay between individual agency and systemic structures, emphasizing the importance of these extraordinary events in shaping political development in the United States.

The book challenges the perception of the United States as a model democracy by highlighting the significant underrepresentation of the less affluent, youth, and minorities in the voting electorate. It explores the implications of this disparity on the democratic process and questions the foundational belief that every citizen's right to vote is equally protected. Through this examination, it invites readers to reconsider the true nature of democracy in America and the barriers that prevent equitable participation in the electoral system.

Frances Fox Piven, a prominent sociologist and political scientist, faces intense scrutiny and misrepresentation, particularly from Glenn Beck, who attributes various societal issues to her theories. This book serves as a counter-narrative, clarifying Piven's actual contributions to welfare rights, voting habits, and progressive reform movements. It highlights her advocacy for the poor and voting rights, providing a thoughtful examination of her ideas amidst the backlash. This work is both a corrective to right-wing rhetoric and a source of inspiration for those seeking progressive change.