Abstract
The structure of choice among available tactics is a key to understanding the roles of individuals and organizations within a social movement. This paper proposes a method for operationalizing the notion of repertoires of collective action. Using data from a case study of a recent disarmament campaign, it models the tactical field faced by activists. An analysis of the dimensions of this field and the clusters of tactics within it suggests how individuals organized their options and how they understood the distinctive features of an innovative course of action. Such field models can illuminate ideological and organizational differentiation, as well as cooperation and competition within movements.
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I am grateful to Richard Schreuer and to three anonymous reviewers for criticisms and comments. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Eastern Sociological Society meetings in April 1986.
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Ennis, J.G. Fields of action: Structure in movements' tactical repertoires. Sociol Forum 2, 520–533 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01106624
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01106624